PhD in Medical Education PhD/MPhil/MD

Tuition is £32,200 full-time / £16,100 part-time per year (International).

Overview

Medical education is vital for training confident and competent healthcare professionals who can effectively and safely meet the evolving challenges in patient care. A PhD in Medical Education will promote independent research and scholarly inquiry, with tailored supervision and access to extensive educational resources.

Introduction

The PhD in Medical Education at the University of Liverpool is a partnership between you and your potential supervisor. Before agreeing to a supervision request, supervisors must have research or methodological expertise in a relevant area to the project being proposed.

Once commencing your studies, you’ll learn to explore and apply research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, and educational theory of relevance to your chosen topic. Additional support available across the University includes workshops in literature searching, scientific writing, and career development.

We are willing to consider collaborative supervision opportunities with healthcare institutions and other educational organisations in order to enhance the practical relevance of research, both in the UK and internationally. We are also able to support research taking place away from Liverpool provided the correct ethical approvals are in place, although we do not offer a fully remote programme.

Research Topics

Research in the field of medical education can cover any element of innovation related to medical and healthcare education, with the expectation that findings will create recommendations that improve the overall quality of healthcare education, and healthcare delivery.

Potential research areas include curriculum development, assessment methodologies, faculty development, professionalism, professional identity and its definitions, and the use of technology to improve educational outcomes.

The University of Liverpool, founded in 1882 and located in the vibrant city of Liverpool, is a research-intensive institution with a global student body of around 32,000, including approximately 17,700 international students. The university offers a wide range of programs—over 200—across sciences, engineering, humanities, health and business, combining rigorous academics with practical industry links. Its historic campus and city connections provide a lively cultural setting and strong transport links across the UK and beyond.

Research and employability are central to the Liverpool experience, with interdisciplinary projects, industry partnerships and extensive placement opportunities embedded in many degrees. Students benefit from modern facilities, dedicated career services and a supportive academic community that helps translate theory into professional practice. The university's global networks also create exchange and collaboration pathways for study abroad and joint research.

International students receive comprehensive support from pre-arrival guidance to on-campus services, including English language support, visa advice and student societies that foster social integration. Liverpool’s affordable living costs relative to other UK cities, combined with its cultural life and sporting traditions, make it attractive to students seeking a balanced academic and social experience. The University of Liverpool is well-suited to ambitious students aiming for impactful research, strong career outcomes and a cosmopolitan student life.