PhD studentship in the Population Health Sciences Institute: Exploring the Impact of Heavy Drinking in Older Adults on Healthcare Costs

Award summary: 100% of home tuition fees paid and an annual stipend (living expenses) of £21,805 (2026-27 UKRI rate)

Overview

Are you interested in public health, ageing and health economics? This PhD will explore the costs of heavy drinking amongst older adults to the UK healthcare system.

Heavy drinking is a major preventable cause of disease and death among older adults in the UK, yet its economic costs remain unknown, prompting calls from policymakers for evidence to inform prevention and policy decisions. This PhD will deliver the first comprehensive exploration of healthcare costs of heavy drinking in older populations.

In this PhD, you will:

1. Conduct a systematic review to identify and synthesise evidence on health, psychological and social consequences of heavy drinking among older.

2. Undertake qualitative research with policymakers to understand their priorities.

3. Use large-scale datasets to conduct econometric analysis exploring the impact of heavy drinking on health care costs in this population.

You will develop expertise in evidence synthesis, qualitative research, health economics, public health, policy engagement, and alcohol and ageing research during this PhD. You will be working with researchers recognised internationally in these areas, joining a thriving interdisciplinary community within the Population Health Sciences Institute. 

Number Of Awards

1

Start Date

21st September 2026

Award Duration

4 years

Application Closing Date

12th June 2026

Sponsor

Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University 

Supervisors

Dr Beth Bareham, Professor Amy O’Donnell, Dr Tomos Robinson

Eligibility Criteria

You must have/expect to achieve, at least 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent in an appropriate subject e.g. public health, psychology, social sciences, economics, statistics, and related fields. A further qualification such as an MRes/MSc is advantageous.

This award is available to home and international applicants. Successful international candidates will be required to make up the difference between home and international fees.

English Language requirements: IELTS 6.5 overall, with 5.5 or more in each sub-skill.

How to Apply:

To apply for a studentship, you must register and apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal

Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.

In the ‘Course choice’ tab:

select ‘Postgraduate Research’ in the 'Type of Study' field

select ‘Full Time’ in the ‘Mode of Study’ field

select ‘2026’ in the ‘Year of Entry’ field

enter programme code 8370F in the ‘Course Title’ field

press ‘Search’

Select PhD Population Health Sciences (FT)

Save selection

You will then need to provide the following information in ‘Further Details’:

• A ‘Personal Statement’. The personal statement must state the title of the studentship, quote reference code PH064, and state how your interests and experience relate to the project 
• The studentship code PH064 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field

When prompted for how you are providing your research proposal - select ‘Write Proposal’. You should then type in the title of the research project from this advert. You do not need to upload a research proposal.

• In the Supporting Documentation section, please upload your CV.
• You must submit one application per studentship, you cannot apply for multiple studentships on one application.

Contact Details

Contact Details: beth.bareham@newcastle.ac.uk 

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