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Health Promotion (Structured PhD)

College of Medicine, Nursing, & Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences

Course Code: PHDS-HSHP

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Course Overview

Established in 1990, the Discipline of Health Promotion is the only one of its kind in the Republic of Ireland and is the national centre for professional training and education in health promotion. Attached to the Discipline is the Health Promotion Research Centre, which has an active multidisciplinary research programme in place. The Health Promotion Research Centre is World Health Organisation Collaboration Centre for Health Promotion, an indicator of the standing internationally of our Director and staff. The aim of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Health Promotion Research at University of Galway is to support the WHO work programme in developing health promotion capacity through the translation of health promotion research into policy and practice. 

Those undertaking a PhD within the Discipline work closely with researchers from the centre, as either supervisors or expert advisors, in order to ensure that the work is of high quality and has the potential to make a substantial contribution to the field of health promotion. 

The Discipline of Health Promotion has a very active and highly competitive PhD research programme. Graduates of the PhD programme have found employment nationally and internationally as post-doctoral researchers and lecturers with some graduates now in professorial posts. Graduates hold posts not only in dedicated academic health promotion centres but also in related disciplines including nursing, psychology and primary care. 

PhD students participate fully in the academic life of the University, including attending seminars, workshops, training opportunities, contributing to conference hosting, teaching and social events.

Programmes Available

Structured PhD (full-time, four years)
Structured PhD (part-time, six years)

MPhil, full-time
MPhil, part-time
Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System. 

Associated Research Centre

The Health Promotion Research Centre (HPRC) produces high quality research of national and international significance that supports the development of best practice and policy in the promotion of health. The Centre is a World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Health Promotion Research, has an active multidisciplinary research programme, and collaborates with agencies on the development and evaluation of health promotion interventions and strategies. HPRC has expertise in both qualitative and quantitative approaches and employs a wide range of research methods. There is a demonstrated commitment to the ongoing methodological and theoretical development of health promotion and population health. The centre has a track record of success in securing competitive funding demonstrated by our sustained levels of research.  Our research activity and findings are disseminated through reports, peer review publications and conference presentations. 

A key focus is developing translational research papers and resources on population mental health and wellbeing, and developing best practice in promoting health literacy, healthier cities and communities. The HPRC will also advance health promotion action in implementing the WHO Europe Child and Adolescent Health Strategy and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Entry Requirements

PhD candidates should normally have a high honours standard in a relevant academic discipline at primary degree level or equivalent together with the support of an academic staff member who is approved by the College to supervise the research in terms of its nature and scope.

Additional entry requirements
Candidates may be required to submit a research proposal for consideration by the School as part of their application.

Current research projects

For current research projects in the Health Promotion Research Centre, click here.

Find a Supervisor / PhD Project

If you are still looking for a potential supervisor or PhD project or would like to identify the key research interests of our academic staff and researchers, you can use our online portal to help in that search

What Our Students Say

Aleisha

Aleisha Clarke |   Graduate, PhD (Health Promotion)

After teaching in Dublin for four years and completing a Masters in Education I decided to further my research in the area of mental health promotion and children. I enrolled as a PhD student with the Health Promotion Research Centre in 2008. As part of my PhD I am evaluating the implementation of an emotional wellbeing programme in Irish Primary Schools. Being a part of the Health Promotion Research Centre, in my opinion has been instrumental in the progress I have made to date. The approachable nature of the staff in Health Promotion and the close network that has been established between fellow Health Promotion PhD students creates an environment of contribution and constant learning within which I work. Doing a PhD in Health Promotion has provided me with the opportunity to engage with international experts in my field and to showcase my work internationally. I have also gained a wealth of teaching experience over the past year-and-a-half.