Optimising stress to maximise learning in medical simulation environments

School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD

Applications are now CLOSED

Funding

Unfunded

Reference Number

SMED-2201-1083

Application Deadline

None specified

Start Date

None specified

Project details
Subject information
Course content
Entry Requirements
Fees and Funding
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Overview

Simulation is widely used in medical education. Difficult exercises often trigger feelings of stress and high emotion. Whilst the notion of ‘stress’ usually has negative connotations, controlled stress might assist learning since such situations can assist with memory formation, and optimally stressed individuals are often felt to complete tasks well. We hypothesize that ‘controlled stress’ might be a useful technique to assist in the formation of memories and thus be helpful in training. We also postulate that the real-time monitoring of stress during simulation might permit the difficulty level of the simulation to be altered to enable the learner to be optimally challenged and therefore achieve the best educational experience possible. Year 1 Problematise the topic and engage with experts. Perform a scoping review of the literature. Develop focused research questions. Engage with stakeholders. Establish a research protocol. Acquire ethical and governance approvals. Year 2 Perform observational studies to investigate how objective measures of stress compare to self-reported perceptions. Conduct a participatory study in which stress is monitored and used to tailor the difficulty of simulation depending on how a candidate is coping. Year 3 Finalise research work. Collate and analyse data. Complete writing up thesis. Present and publish work.

Background

Simulation based education (SBE) utilises techniques that aim to assist learners with an invaluable opportunity to rehearse and incrementally advance their clinical skills before transferring them into practice1. SBE traditionally focused on critically ill patients requiring urgent intervention for situations such as cardiac arrest and airway obstruction. More recently, the use of SBE has extended such that it now touches on areas as diverse as surgical procedures, managing challenging conversations and training in team-working2.

Persons who have been involved in a difficult medical simulation exercise will often use the word ‘stressful’ to describe their experience, and recent work in our department has provided an insight into the fact that SBE can be a highly emotive time for participants (current research programme with Prof Gormley and Maastricht University). Whilst the common usage of the term ‘stress’ has negative connotations, used appropriately, controlled stress might be helpful in assisting with the learning process. The interplay between acute stress and memory formation has been studied in some detail with varying results published, but there is a definite suggestion in the literature that in some circumstances, stress can enhance learning3. We hypothesize that ‘controlled stress’ during SBE might be a useful technique to assist in the formation of memories and thus be helpful to the training of healthcare professionals.

Furthermore, the notion of an inverted U-shaped relationship between arousal and performance is also often described4. This concept refers to the fact that a very under-stimulated or, conversely, a grossly over-stimulated person will perform sub-optimally when performing a task. In contrast, a person who is intellectually or physically challenged to an ideal level will perform best. Translating this concept into the simulation environment, one can appreciate that an overly simplistic or excessively complex scenario might respectively bore or frighten a candidate, whereas an ideally pitched scenario that challenges a participant to an optimised level, might produce the best learning outcomes. We postulate that the real-time monitoring of stress during an SBE event might therefore permit the difficulty level of the simulation to be altered to enable the person performing the stimulation to be optimally challenged and therefore achieve the best educational experience possible.

A variety of methodologies are available to assist in the monitoring of physiological parameters that might reflect stress in an individual as they perform a task. In recent years, ‘wearable’ devices (e.g. smart watches) with heart rate monitoring capability have become commonplace. More sophisticated equipment allows for the capturing of a myriad of data such as measures of skin temperature and sweat production. These devices have been used to monitor humans in a variety of stressful scenarios, such as soldiers in combat5, pilots in malfunctioning planes6 and sports persons engaged in competition7, but there is a distinct lack of their application in medicine generally, and in simulation in particular.

A better understanding of how stress impacts learning would also potentially have far-reaching implications outside of the medical simulation environment.

Aims and Purpose

This research project is programmatic, building upon previous and current work undertaken in the Centre for Medical Education. The research will be particularly timely, since the new Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences multi-disciplinary Simulation Centre is due to open in Autumn 2020. Furthermore, the Principal Supervisor (Dr Paul Hamilton) has established a connection with the ‘Neil and Elise Wallace STRATUS Center for Medical Simulation’ (affiliated with Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA) and has secured Faculty Collaboration Seed Funding to assist in the fostering of a research link between that centre and Queen’s University Belfast. It is hoped that a successful PhD student would be able to assist with this collaboration and could potentially contribute to future international partnerships in this area.

The overarching aims of this project are to investigate how stress might be best measured during medical simulation events, and to explore the notion that tailoring a medical simulation to challenge a candidate optimally might result in an ideal learning environment.

Outline Plan of Investigation

The following scheme provides an overview of the anticipated activity during the 3 year PhD programme.

Year 1

Problematise the research topic and engage with experts in the field.

Perform an initial literature search that will lead to a scoping review of the literature to obtain an overview of current knowledge in this area.

Develop focused research questions.

Engage with relevant stakeholders in the research.

Develop a research protocol.

Acquire all necessary ethical and governance approvals.

Year 2

Perform a series of observational studies to investigate various measures of stress in individuals carrying out medical simulations to enable the relationship between perceived stress and objective measures of stress to be investigated. The nature of the measures taken will be informed by the literature review but will likely include physiological measures (e.g. heart rate, galvanic skin response – a measure of sweat production and skin temperature). The relationships between stress level and performance will also be assessed.

Conduct a participatory research study in which stress is monitored in real-time during a medical simulation exercise and used to tailor the difficulty of the simulation depending on how a candidate is coping. This will be useful in exploring how best to manage stress to optimise learning within simulation.

Year 3

Finalise research work.

Collate and analyse data.

A thesis will be written over the course of the three years, but a concerted effort to complete it will be made in year 3.

Present work at academic meetings.

Publish work in academic journals.

Feasibility Assessment

It is the opinion of both supervisors that a fully engaged PhD candidate should be able to complete this body of work within the normal time-frame of 3 years full-time study. The medical education research group in the Centre of Medical Education has a track record of supporting PhD students in medical education research.

References

1. So, H. et al. (2019) Simulation in medical education. Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh 49, 52-7.

2. Yule, S. et al. (2015) Coaching Non-technical Skills Improves Surgical Residents’ Performance in a Simulated Operating Room. Journal of Surgical Education 72, 1124-30.

3. Duncko, R. et al. (2007) Acute exposure to stress improves performance in trace eyeblink conditioning and spatial learning tasks in healthy men. Learning and Memory 14, 329-35.

4. Westman, M., and Eden, D. (1996). The inverted-U relationship between stress and performance: A field study. Work and Stress 10, 165-173.

5. Hoyt, R. (2010) Real-time physiological and psycho-physiological status monitoring for human protection and operational health applications. Chapter 1 in NATO Research and Technology Organisation Task Group HFM-132 (2010) Real-time physiological and psycho-physiological status monitoring. RTO/NATO, Virginia, USA.

6. Dismikes, R. et al. (2015) Effects of acute stress on aircrew performance: literature review and analysis of operational aspects. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), California, USA.

7. Levels, K. et al. (2012) The effect of skin temperature on performance during a 7.5-km cycling time trial. European Journal of Applied Physiology 112, 3387–3395.

Project Summary

Supervisor

Professor Gerry Gormley

More Information

askmhls@qub.ac.uk

Research Profile

Mode of Study

Full-time: 3 Years

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Medicine overview

The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences trains ~350 postgraduate research students undertaking PhD, MD and MPhil degrees in Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Experimental Medicine, Public Health, Medical Education and Dentistry each year. Its diverse postgraduate student population comprises both basic and clinical scientists from across the globe engaged in wide-ranging research projects spanning the breadth of the School’s research portfolio from traditional population-based epidemiology to 'big data' science and bioinformatics, through molecular and cell biology to clinical trials. Reflecting our commitment to gender equality, we hold prestigious School and Institutional Athena Swan Gold Awards.

Medicine Highlights

Industry Links

The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences promotes close collaborative interaction with local and global biotechnology companies, such as Almac, Randox, Life Technologies, and Illumina. Such relationships are underpinned by innovative discovery science and its clinical application and have resulted in development of novel diagnostic/prognostic applications and therapies.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/Research/

Career Development

The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences postgraduate programme trains students in both research-specific and generic skills towards promotion of professional development. Students may also avail of career development advice at the School annual Postgraduate Research Forum, through its peer mentoring programme, and as part of their individual Postgraduate Development Programme. We are ranked in the top 170 in the World for Graduate prospects (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022)The QUB Graduate School also provides wide-ranging opportunities for career development which complement School-specific postgraduate research training.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/Research/
Queen’s is ranked 4th in the World for International Outlook (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024). The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences holds a Gold Athena Swan Award with QUB holding an institutional Gold Athena Swan Award 2024
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/Research/

World Class Facilities

As a member of the Russell Group of leading research-intensive UK Universities, Queen’s University Belfast is committed to maintaining the very best research. In the last Research Excellence Framework (2021), 99% of our research environment was judged to be internationally-excellent or world-leading. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 ranks Queen’s in the top 150 in the World for research excellence. Queen’s are ranked 1st in the UK as the most entrepreneurial University. As such, Queen’s provides an ideal environment to support high-quality postgraduate research.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/Research/
Postgraduate students in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences will undertake their research projects within the Institute of Health Sciences which has benefitted from significant recent investment (>£100M) and boasts state-of-art facilities and technology.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/Research/

Internationally Renowned Experts

Postgraduate students in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences are closely supervised by experienced academic staff and are viewed as a central and critical component of their world-leading research programmes.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/Research/

Student Experience

The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences provides a vibrant environment for postgraduate research training. There are currently ~330 students undertaking wide-ranging basic science and clinical research projects who work closely together with postdoctoral and academic staff across the Institute of Health Sciences. Students are encouraged to interact both within and across disciplines through formal and informal School events, many of which are student-led.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/Research/

Key Facts

Research students are encouraged to play a full and active role in relation to the wide range of research activities undertaken within the School and there are many resources available including:

Opportunity to benefit from world-class infrastructure and academic faculty.
Tailored postgraduate training programme including specific and generic aspects and careers-focussed peer mentoring.
Access to the QUB Postgraduate Researcher Development Programme.
Provision of shared laboratory, high performance computing, and office space as required by research project.
Opportunities to engage with QUB’s personal and public involvement network, working with diverse stakeholders

“My name is Kathryn, I am from Northern Ireland, and am studying for a PhD in Medicine.

“My PhD was funded by funded by Asthma + Lung UK as part of AUKCAR and Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children (RBHSC) charitable funds.

“Prior to starting my PhD in August 2021, I was working as a paediatric trainee doctor in Belfast, and had just completed an Academic Clinical Fellowship. I completed my undergraduate degree in Medicine at Queen’s University Belfast, graduating in 2012. I also completed the Diploma in Clinical Education at Queen’s in January 2021.

“I have always had an interest in academic medicine, and always dreamed of pursuing a career that allowed me to work clinically as a doctor whilst also doing research and teaching. Therefore, starting my PhD in 2021 was a dream come true, and a natural step in my career progression.

“As someone who had studied at Queen’s before, I loved every minute of my time as an undergraduate and as a postgraduate student at Queen’s, so it was a “no brainer” that I would choose Queen’s as the place I wanted to undertake my PhD.

“I was also very fortunate to have a supportive supervisory team in place who I had had the opportunity to work with before, so I knew that Queen’s would be the ideal location, with a support system already in place for my PhD.

“I loved Queen’s from Day One of my undergraduate career. From the gorgeous buildings, the lovely walks nearby, and the excellent facilities, as well as a great selection of coffee shops nearby – what is not to love?

“I have always felt supported and valued as a Queen’s student, and this was fundamental to me continuing to choose Queen’s for future postgraduate training.

“My PhD project has been exploring ways to help children and young people with asthma to improve their inhaler technique, and to be able to self-manage their asthma from the earliest possible stage. This has involved a randomised pilot study and a qualitative exploration.

“The pilot study involved comparing a novel augmented teaching method (video directly observed therapy, or “v-DOT”), with standard training in achieving and sustaining mastery of inhaler and nasal spray technique and the understanding of a Personalised Asthma Action Plan (PAAP).

“During my PhD, I have had the opportunity to represent other clinical trainees in my role as a Clinical Research Fellow Representative on the Clinical Academic Training Board. I also had the opportunity to represent PhD students in the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute For Experimental Medicine, and nationally as doctoral student representative for the Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research. These are all unique opportunities which have come secondary to me undertaking my PhD at Queen’s.

“Having the opportunity to undertake this PhD really has been a dream come true. Queen’s is the ideal location, and all the facilities and resources I have needed to undertake the PhD have always been readily available and accessible. They really do have everything you could possibly need in the most beautiful location and the most dedicated and supportive team to help nurture and support their students.

“I’ve loved the opportunity to conduct a piece of independent research, and to develop research skills and expertise. I have also enjoyed the additional development opportunities that Queen’s has given me, as well as the support from a very diverse team. I’ve made friends and colleagues for life.

“My long-term career aspiration is to be a clinical academic in paediatrics, working clinically with children and young people with asthma and allergies, whilst also being involved in paediatric research studies, and fostering a culture of meaningful patient and public involvement in paediatric research.

“Undertaking a PhD at Queen’s has been fundamental to making those aspirations a reality.”

“My name is Ghada Mohammed Abozaid, and I am from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia."

My Background:

“I am currently a fourth-year PhD student at Queen's University Belfast, studying within the School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Sciences under a joint supervision programme.

“Through a government scholarship, I was able to receive funding from Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University.

“Before coming to Queen’s University Belfast, I completed my undergraduate and master’s degrees at King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. I am now a lecturer at Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University's Pharmacy College."

Studying at Queen’s University Belfast:

“I chose to study at Queen's University Belfast because of its excellent research facilities, and its active, dynamic research groups, which look to helping make things better for people living with, and working with, rare diseases.

“The University’s reputation for fostering innovation and its strong connections with the healthcare industry were also particularly appealing."

My Research:

“My research focuses on improving orphan drug accessibility in Northern Ireland and Saudi Arabia, which involves extensive collaboration among researchers and stakeholders in both countries.

“My work's interdisciplinary nature allows me to explore various challenges and opportunities in relation to rare diseases and orphan drug accessibility, contributing to a deeper understanding of how to improve orphan drug accessibility.

“The opportunity to work under joint supervision also attracted me to Queen’s, enabling me to collaborate with leading experts in my field, including Professor Amy Jayne McKnight, a professor of molecular epidemiology and public health.

“I particularly enjoyed the collaborative projects and the “hands-on” experience in the laboratory. As an external student, I also enjoyed a "lab away day" whilst I was in Belfast."

Facilities:

“The University’s commitment to providing a conducive learning environment is evident in its continuous investment in infrastructure.

“Facilities such as the McClay Library, with its extensive collections and study spaces, and the Northern Ireland Technology Centre, equipped with the latest engineering technologies, support both learning and research activities.

“The Queen’s campus itself blends historic architecture with state-of-the-art facilities, creating a unique and inspiring learning environment that enables high-quality research.

“There is also a strong emphasis on student support, offering comprehensive academic advising, mental health services, and career guidance to ensure student success."

Living in Belfast:

“Living in Belfast has been a fantastic experience. The city is safe for foreigners, and is rich in history and culture, with plenty of museums, galleries, and live music venues to explore.

“The people here are friendly, and there is a strong sense of community both within the University and the city, which has a vibrant student life."

My Future:

“After graduating, I aim to pursue academic research, expand my professional network, and continue teaching at Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University, as well as to contribute to the rare diseases community in Saudi Arabia, and to make a difference.”

“I started my PhD at the Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, and have had a great experience.

“It is such a supportive environment, and there are many opportunities for career development and collaboration with other groups within the Centre.

“Seminars are run regularly, which encourages discussion on current research topics and promotes critical thinking, and the Centre also coordinates many public engagement events.

“This teaches us to communicate our science to a lay audience, and to keep in touch with the people we are doing all this research for, which is very rewarding.

“I will soon be writing up my final year thesis, and believe the skills I have developed and the opportunities I have been given by Queen’s leave me in a great position when I begin applying for jobs.”

“Whilst I’m a Belfast native, I didn’t complete my Bachelor’s or Master’s degree at Queen’s.

“However, after attending Universities in Leeds, Melbourne, Gothenburg, and Shanghai, I decided it was time to return to my home city to undertake my PhD at the Centre for Public Health.

“Two years in, and I’m so happy with my decision.

“I feel very supported and valued here, and have had the opportunity to get involved in various things outside of my research, which has allowed me to develop personally, and has enriched my experience at Queen’s.”

Course content

Research Information

Research Themes
Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research

The global burden of cancer is increasing with incidence now at 15 million new diagnoses each year. The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research (PGJCCR) is attuned to this global health issue and specialises in integrating academic discovery, industrial/commercial enterprise and innovative health care practice to promote effective delivery of precision cancer medicine, to improve patient health and outcomes, generate wealth and alleviate suffering. PGJCCR has established successful multi-disciplinary teams focusing on cancers of Gastrointestinal, Prostate, Breast and Ovarian origin. Each team incorporates disease-specialist clinicians, accredited molecular pathology expertise bringing affiliated biobank tissue repositories, and academics skilled in the art of (i) biomarker discovery and bioinformatics, (ii) biological investigation and therapeutic development, and (iii) the prosecution of early-phase translation-driven clinical trials. Our significant success has resulted from a strong team-based approach.

Wellcome Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine

The Wellcome Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine (WWIEM) is committed to research excellence by making scientific breakthroughs in the mechanisms of disease, which we translate to innovative therapeutics to improve patient outcomes. We are an international hub of excellence on eye disease, infectious diseases and respiratory disease with a core emphasis on immunology, molecular cell biology and patient-based investigations. WWIEM comprises three main research themes focussed on Immunology and Microbes, Respiratory Medicine, and Vision and Vascular Medicine. Our Immunobiology and Microbes research group focusses on understanding the immune system which is essential for defence of the human body, not only in preventing a wide variety of diseases but also aiding recovery from them. Our Respiratory Medicine research group focusses on understanding the processes that lead to common lung illnesses such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Our Vision and Vascular Medicine research group particularly focusses on inflammation within the cardiovascular system as a frequent cause of cardiac and other vascular diseases which represent a significant health burden on society. Our work makes an important impact in the fight against conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and eye disease.

Centre for Medical Education

Research students joining the Centre for Medical Education will have the opportunity to develop an education project using a range of qualitative and quantitative methods, for which specific training is made available. Research encompasses a range of learning environments and spans the continuum of medical education. Projects are linked by an underlying commitment to improve patient care through education. Current research interests include GP pedagogy, technology-enhanced learning, identity, critical research, and diversity and inclusion. Students are mentored to develop their own research questions and methodologies within the broad remit of the Centre.

Centre for Public Health

The overall mission of the Centre for Public Health (CPH) is to improve health and reduce inequalities, prevent and manage chronic disease and disability more effectively, and to improve the delivery of health and social care. CPH comprises four main research themes focussed on Epidemiology and Public Health, Cancer Epidemiology, Nutrition and Public Health, and Health Services and Global Health. Our Epidemiology and Public Health research group harnesses Big Data in discovery science and its application to clinical and public health practice, to help to understand how both molecular biomarkers and environments (including social norms and networks) shape risk in individuals and populations. Our Cancer Epidemiology research group includes programmes focussed on pre-malignancy molecular epidemiology, gastrointestinal cancer progression and precision medicine, and pharmaco-epidemiology exploring the potential for drug re-purposing. Our Nutrition and Public Health research group works across the life-course to understand the determinants of a healthy diet in individuals, at risk groups (e.g. schoolchildren, pregnant women, older people) and whole populations, and on identifying ways to improve it. Our Health Services and Global Health research group focusses on health care for people with chronic conditions and poor mental health, quality improvement and implementation science, oral health and related cancers, trials methodology, health economics, and global eye health. Our Dentistry and Oral Health Care research has a focus on gerodontology, head and neck cancer, and nutrition.

PhD Opportunities
Funded postgraduate research studentships are advertised on the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences website: https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/Study/PostgraduateResearch/CurrentOpportunities/.

We will also consider applications from externally or self-funded students who should identify potential academic supervisors aligned with their research interests: https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/Research/find-a-phd-supervisor/.

Please note that we can only support projects which fit within our main research themes of Experimental Medicine, Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Medical Education, Public Health and Dentistry .

Research Impact
The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences drives research excellence and impact, delivering innovative solutions to the specific challenges we have identified in healthcare. The School has three central aims:
(1) To address key global challenges in health care by making scientific breakthroughs in mechanisms of disease, translating these to innovative therapeutics and preventive interventions to improve patient outcomes.
(2) To establish lasting relationships with major funders for programmatic research and capacity building. This includes doctoral training, clinical academic programmes and postdoctoral fellowships.
(3) To leverage scientific strengths with small and medium size enterprises and large pharmaceutical companies to develop externally funded competitive, collaborative programmes for discovery and translation.

Research Projects
Current postgraduate research projects and potential opportunities.

Research Success
As a member of the Russell Group of leading UK Universities, Queen’s University Belfast is committed to maintaining the very best research. In the last Research Excellence Framework exercise, 99% of our research environment was judged to be internationally-excellent or world-leading. Queen’s are ranked 1st in the UK as the most entrepreneurial University. As such, Queen’s provides an ideal environment to support high-quality postgraduate research.

Current PGR Student Profiles
Current postgraduate research projects and potential opportunities.

“The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences is dedicated to providing postgraduate research students with a supportive environment to effectively promote their education, training and professional development.

“Our students are highly valued as a central and critical component of the School’s research strategy, and benefit from both exceptional facilities and supervision by world-leading academic researchers.”

Career Prospects

Introduction
The majority of postgraduate research students within the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences continue to successfully secure appropriate employment upon completion of their studies. Chosen careers are generally relevant to their qualification within industry, academia and the National Health Service and have included postdoctoral research across the world, clinical/non-clinical academia, return to full-time clinical work, medical writing, industry research, management/financial consultancy, and R&D software development. The School runs a dedicated careers session at its annual Postgraduate Research Forum and careers-focussed peer mentoring from postdoctoral researchers whilst students are expected to discuss potential careers with their supervisors as part of their individual Postgraduate Development Programme.
http://www.qub.ac.uk/graduate-school/

Employment after the Course
All postgraduate research students can avail of careers advice from the Graduate School whilst postdoctoral employment opportunities are highlighted at the annual School Postgraduate Research Forum within a dedicated session. Students should also discuss potential careers with their supervisors as a central focus of their individual Postgraduate Development Programme.
http://www.qub.ac.uk/graduate-school/

Learning Outcomes

As a postgraduate student in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences you will receive high-quality training and support for a career in scientific research with significant potential to contribute to development of improved strategies for the management and treatment of life-threatening diseases.

Course structure

1. The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences is dedicated to providing its postgraduate research students with a supportive environment to effectively promote their education, training and professional development. First year students enrol on a tailored training programme comprising a series of lectures, workshops and practical sessions focused on key research skills, such as bioimaging, informatics, genomics, mass spectrometry, animal models and clinical trials. In addition, all students receive wide-ranging and ongoing training in generic and transferable skills, such as scientific writing, data analysis, presentation and critical appraisal, through dedicated communication courses and seminars. They also benefit from presentation of their research findings at major national and international conferences, which is an expectation of all postgraduate research students, and through regular interaction with the QUB Graduate School, whose specific function is to support postgraduate training, development and careers.

Students undertake their specific research project under the close guidance of an experienced principal supervisor with support from 1 or 2 co-supervisors as appropriate. All postgraduate research students are initially registered as ‘undifferentiated’ which means that they are required to complete a probationary period after which they are assessed for their suitability to undertake a postgraduate research degree during the differentiation process. Differentiation normally takes place at 9-12 months for full time students and 18-24 months for part time students. Each student is required to complete a literature review, give an oral presentation of their research within their Centre, and provide evidence of appropriate training and completion of their Postgraduate Development Plan. They are then interviewed by a differentiation panel, comprising 2 or 3 academic staff, who assess the students understanding of their project and progress, based on both their submitted paperwork and response to questions. Differentiated students are required to complete a similar Annual Progress Review process in each subsequent year of their research degree. The duration of a full-time PhD programme is normally 3-4 years. For completion of their doctoral qualification students are required to submit a thesis of their research of appropriate length and content (as advised by their supervisors) which will be assessed by oral examination conducted by an external and internal examiner.

Funded postgraduate research studentships are advertised on the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences website: https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/Study/PostgraduateResearch/CurrentOpportunities/ . We will also consider applications from externally or self-funded students who should identify potential academic supervisors aligned with their research interests: https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/Research/find-a-phd-supervisor/ Please note that we can only support projects which fit within the overall research strategy of the School and individual research focus of our academic staff.

Our academic staff welcome approaches from prospective students and are happy to develop research proposals of mutual interest. Often this process will involve an informal face-to-face meeting (in person or via teleconferencing) prior to an invitation to submit a formal application. If you have difficulty identifying or contacting an appropriate supervisor, please contact Professor AJ McKnight, Director of Postgraduate Research, a.j.mcknight@qub.ac.uk, or the School Postgraduate Office, pgoffice.smdb@qub.ac.uk, who will be happy to help.

Students who meet the eligibility criteria for postgraduate research and are keen to propose their own research project should select ONE potential supervisor from our list of academic staff per application, https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/Research/find-a-phd-supervisor/, and send an email containing: (1) a brief CV (1-2 pages maximum), (2) a concise statement of motivation including research interests, (3) source of funding, and (4) intended start date. Our Faculty student recruitment hub will also be able to provide further information: askmhls@qub.ac.uk.

For students applying for a funded or competitively funded PhD, please provide a concise statement of motivation, including research interests and research experience as relevant to the studentship for which you are applying.

Assessment

Postgraduate students in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences will receive ongoing training in scientific writing, presentation and critical analysis as the basis for a research career. The School supports and challenges its postgraduate research students through robust annual progress review, requiring satisfactory assessment of written work, symposia presentations, supervisor reports and panel interview, the success of which is evidenced by its excellent completion rates. At the end of their postgraduate research training period, students are required to submit a thesis of their research of appropriate length and content which is assessed by oral examination conducted by an external and internal examiner.

Feedback

Postgraduate research students in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences receive feedback on their written and oral work throughout the period of registration for their degree. This may be both formal and informal and is provided regularly by their supervisors, peers, academic/postdoctoral colleagues, and annual progress review panel.

Facilities

Postgraduate students in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences benefit from world-class infrastructure and academic faculty and are highly valued as a central and critical component of its research strategy. All students will have access to shared laboratory and office space as required by their research project.https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/

Entrance requirements

The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Shortlisting may include consideration of additional qualifications and research experience. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School.

International Students

For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) ¹	TBC
Republic of Ireland (ROI) ²	TBC
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) ¹	TBC
EU Other ³	£25,600
International	£25,600

¹ EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled or pre-settled status, are expected to be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly Student Fees Regulations. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB are expected to be charged the GB fee, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.

² It is expected that EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI will be eligible for NI tuition fees. The tuition fee set out above is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.

³ EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted are for the academic year 2021-22, and relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees.

Additional course costs

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may also be other extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies . Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £100 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges. Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen. There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, and library fines. In undertaking a research project students may incur costs associated with transport and/or materials, and there will also be additional costs for printing and binding the thesis. There may also be individually tailored research project expenses and students should consult directly with the School for further information.

Bench fees

Some research programmes incur an additional annual charge on top of the tuition fees, often referred to as a bench fee. Bench fees are charged when a programme (or a specific project) incurs extra costs such as those involved with specialist laboratory or field work. If you are required to pay bench fees they will be detailed on your offer letter. If you have any questions about Bench Fees these should be raised with your School at the application stage. Please note that, if you are being funded you will need to ensure your sponsor is aware of and has agreed to fund these additional costs before accepting your place.

How do I fund my study?

1.PhD Opportunities

Find PhD opportunities and funded studentships by subject area.

2.Funded Doctoral Training Programmes

We offer numerous opportunities for funded doctoral study in a world-class research environment. Our centres and partnerships, aim to seek out and nurture outstanding postgraduate research students, and provide targeted training and skills development.

3.PhD loans

The Government offers doctoral loans of up to £26,445 for PhDs and equivalent postgraduate research programmes for English- or Welsh-resident UK and EU students.

4.International Scholarships

Information on Postgraduate Research scholarships for international students.

Funding and Scholarships

The Funding & Scholarship Finder helps prospective and current students find funding to help cover costs towards a whole range of study related expenses.

How to Apply

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Find a supervisor

If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.

To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here.

You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.

Download Postgraduate Prospectus

Apply now Register your interest