Mental Health, Ph.D.
COURSE OVERVIEW
Developing and evaluating effective evidence-based mental health services to support people at some of the most challenging times of their lives depends on high-quality research.
Studying for a PhD in Mental Health will give you the opportunity to pursue your own personal or professional research interests in this vital field while contributing to new ways of thinking about mental health care, services, and policy.
Over the course of your studies, you will develop and enhance transferable skills such as problem-solving, project management, and critical thinking that are valued in any professional setting.
As a student at our College of Human and Health Sciences, you will benefit from a dynamic and supportive research environment with many opportunities to make connections across disciplines and develop links with organisations and policymakers both in the UK and abroad. As such, you can be confident that your research will inform and be informed by the wider health and social care environment.
According to the most recent Research Excellence Framework in 2014-2021, over 75% of the research carried out at the college was of international or world-leading quality.
Currently, students are looking at evidence-based practices in mental health (in particular early intervention services), care co-ordination in forensic mental health care and the influence of service user participation in professional role development.
Recent research funding and collaboration partners include:
- Welsh Government
- NHS Wales
- Public Health Wales
- European Union
- Amgen Europe
- Ministry of Defence
- GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals
- British Medical Association
- National Institute for Social Care and Health Research
- Astrazeneca
- The Wellcome Trust.
Career Opportunities
Having a PhD demonstrates that graduates can work effectively in a team, formulate, explore and communicate complex ideas and manage advanced tasks. Jobs in academia (eg postdoctoral research, lecturing), education, government, management, the public or private sector are possible. Examples include administrators, counsellors, marketing specialists, and researchers.
The Postgraduate Research Office Skills Development Team offer support and a training framework for example in creating a researcher profile based upon publications and setting up your own business. The Swansea Employability Academy assists students in future career opportunities, improving CVs, job applications and interview skills.

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