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Postgraduate Research

Postgraduate study

Research degrees in the health sciences

Two PhDs and ten master's degrees across pharmacy, nursing, medical sciences, dentistry and public health — with a named supervisor, a project in one of six research themes, and laboratories on the same campus.

A researcher in a white coat and gloves looking through a laboratory microscope

Talk to a supervisor first. Every research application starts with a conversation about your topic.

2 PhD programmes in pharmacy and nursing
10 master's degrees with a research component
44 supervisors open to new students
17 doctoral projects open across 6 themes
Programmes

Find your research degree

Every PhD and research master's degree in one place. Narrow the list by level or college, or type a name, then select a programme to see its details.

12 programmes

Pharmacist in a white coat holding a bound volume, standing in a bright dispensary in front of shelves of medicine bottlesPhD
RAK College of Pharmacy

PhD in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Pharmaceutical Sciences streamPharmacy Practice stream
Duration
3–5 years
Credit hours
58 (22 coursework · 36 thesis)
Intake
Fall & Spring
Level
NQF Level 8 · full time · English
Programme page Entry requirements
A nurse in a white coat working at a laptop in a study, with nursing research texts stacked beside her and an Evidence-Based Practice plaque on the shelves behindPhD
RAK College of Nursing

PhD in Nursing — Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing

Duration
3 years
Credit hours
57 (21 coursework · 30 thesis · 6 electives)
Intake
Fall
Level
NQF Level 8 · full time · English
Programme page Entry requirements
Two RAKMHSU pharmacy students in lab coats and blue gloves preparing a solution in a conical flask on a hotplate stirrer in the pharmacy laboratoryMaster's
RAK College of Pharmacy

Master of Science in Pharmacy — Clinical Pharmacy (MSCP)

Level
Master's degree with a research component
College or centre
RAK College of Pharmacy
Duration
2 years
Programme page Admission criteria
Four RAKMHSU pharmacy students in white coats gathered round a distillation set-up and a rack of coloured test tubes in the pharmaceutics laboratoryMaster's
RAK College of Pharmacy

Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSPS)

Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Technology streamMedicinal Chemistry stream
Level
Master's degree with a research component
College or centre
RAK College of Pharmacy
Duration
1½ years
Credit hours
30 credit hours
Programme page Admission criteria
Master of Science in Medical PhysiologyMaster's
RAK College of Medical Sciences

Master of Science in Medical Physiology (MSMP)

Level
Master's degree with a research component
College or centre
RAK College of Medical Sciences
Duration
1½ years
Programme details & admission criteria
Master of Science in Nursing - MSNMaster's
RAK College of Nursing

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) — five specialties

Level
Master's degree with a research component
College or centre
RAK College of Nursing
Duration
2 years
Programme page Admission criteria
Master of Dental Surgery in OrthodonticsMaster's
RAK College of Dental Sciences

Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) in Orthodontics

Level
Master's degree with a research component
College or centre
RAK College of Dental Sciences
Duration
3 years
Programme page Admission criteria
A masked clinician in a white coat working on a dental phantom head with a hand instrument in the RAKMHSU simulation clinic, the intraoral view relayed on a monitor beside the chairMaster's
RAK College of Dental Sciences

Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) in Prosthodontics

Level
Master's degree with a research component
College or centre
RAK College of Dental Sciences
Duration
3 years
Programme page Admission criteria
A cross-section dental teaching model held in blue-gloved hands, showing a titanium implant seated in the jawbone between two natural teeth, with a periodontal probe alongsideMaster's
RAK College of Dental Sciences

Master of Clinical Periodontology and Implantology

Level
Master's degree with a research component
College or centre
RAK College of Dental Sciences
Duration
3 years
Programme page Admission criteria
A public health team around a boardroom table at a Ministry of Health public health department, one colleague presenting a disease-trends dashboard on the wall screen while the others follow on laptops and a tabletMaster's
Centre for Health Workforce Development

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Level
Master's degree with a research component
College or centre
Centre for Health Workforce Development
Duration
18–24 months
Programme page Admission criteria
Three clinicians in white coats reviewing an outbreak analysis together, with an epidemic curve, a world incidence map and pathogen imagery on the screens behind themMaster's
Centre for Health Workforce Development

Master of Epidemiology in Practice (MEP)

Level
Master's degree with a research component
College or centre
Centre for Health Workforce Development
Duration
18–24 months
Credit hours
36 credit hours
Study mode
Online
Programme page Admission criteria
A clinical educator in a white coat teaching three colleagues in scrubs at the bedside, with a vital-signs monitor on the wall behind themMaster's
Centre for Health Workforce Development

Master of Science (MSc) in Clinical Education

Level
Master's degree with a research component
College or centre
Centre for Health Workforce Development
Duration
Milestone-based
Programme page Admission criteria

Every programme, with fees and intake dates, is on the Colleges & Programs and Admissions pages.

Entry requirements

Am I eligible for a PhD?

Admissions are open to students of all nationalities. Choose your programme and tick each requirement you meet — a quick self-check, not an admission decision.

RAK College of Pharmacy · 3 requirements

0 of 3 ticked. Tick each requirement you meet.

Full admission criteria for this programme
RAK College of Nursing · 5 requirements

0 of 5 ticked. Tick each requirement you meet.

Full admission criteria for this programme
A senior academic holding an open book and talking with a student seated at a library desk
Supervision

Find a supervisor before you apply

Your supervisor shapes your project, your proposal and your training. This is the route most applicants get wrong — a supervisor conversation should come first. Filter by theme, look at each supervisor's record, and approach two or three whose work overlaps with yours.

Supervision policy To be published
Supervisor-to-student ratios, supervisory team composition, the supervisor change procedure, and student rights and responsibilities — to be published by the Office of Research & Postgraduate Studies.

44 supervisors

RAKCOP — Pharmacy Prof. Mohamed El-Tanani Vice President — Research & Postgraduate Studies; Acting Dean, RAKCOP Cancer Biology 284publications7,563citations50h-index View profile
RAKCODS — Dentistry Prof. Mohammed Mustahsen Rahman Dean, RAK College of Dental Sciences Oral Health 80publications655citations13h-index View profile
RAKCOMS — Medicine Prof. Elsheikh Elsiddig Elsheikh Ahmed Badr Executive Director — CHWD; Professor — Community Medicine Nursing & Community Health 14publications211citations7h-index View profile
RAKCOMS — Medicine Prof. Biji Thomas George Dean, RAKCOMS; Professor — Surgery Cancer Biology 26publications184citations6h-index View profile
RAKCOMS — Medicine Dr. Subhranshu Sekhar Kar Associate Dean — Curriculum; Professor — Paediatrics Nursing & Community Health 43publications300citations10h-index View profile
RAKCOMS — Medicine Dr. Tarig Hakim Merghani Hakim Associate Dean — Basic Sciences; Professor — Physiology Cardiometabolic Health 42publications340citations8h-index View profile
RAKCOMS — Medicine Dr. Vijay Paul Samuel Professor & Chairperson — Anatomy Cardiometabolic HealthCancer Biology 69publications15,578citations30h-index View profile
RAKCOMS — Medicine Dr. Rana Aly Professor, RAKCOMS Cancer Biology 23publications1,788citations9h-index View profile
RAKCOMS — Medicine Dr. Rasha Abuelgasim Eltigani Babiker Associate Professor & Chairperson In-charge — Physiology Cardiometabolic Health 76publications1,908citations16h-index View profile
RAKCOMS — Medicine Dr. B.K. Manjunatha Goud Professor & Chairperson — Biochemistry Cardiometabolic Health 58publications267citations9h-index View profile
RAKCOMS — Medicine Dr. Nahla Abd Elhadi Ahmed Mohamed Professor & Chairperson — Microbiology Infection & Microbiome 28publications821citations14h-index View profile
RAKCOMS — Medicine Dr. Hafiz Ahmad Associate Professor — Microbiology; Secretary, HEC Infection & Microbiome 44publications594citations15h-index View profile
RAKCOMS — Medicine Dr. Shakta Mani Satyam Head — Central Animal Research Facility (CARF); Associate Professor, RAKCOMS Cardiometabolic HealthInfection & Microbiome 83publications723citations15h-index View profile
RAKCOMS — Medicine Prof. Imran Rashid Rangraze Professor & Chairperson — Internal Medicine Cardiometabolic Health 68publications580citations11h-index View profile
RAKCOMS — Medicine Dr. Rajani Dube Professor & Chairperson — Obstetrics & Gynaecology Nursing & Community Health 43publications260citations10h-index View profile
RAKCOMS — Medicine Dr. Rasha Aziz Attia Professor & Chairperson — Community Medicine; Chair, HEC Nursing & Community Health 43publications243citations10h-index View profile
RAKCOMS — Medicine Dr. Mohamed Anas Mohamed Faruk Patni Associate Professor — Community Medicine Nursing & Community Health 63publications157citations7h-index View profile
RAKCODS — Dentistry Prof. B.S.M.S. Siriwardena Professor, RAKCODS Oral Health 54publications1,479citations21h-index View profile
RAKCODS — Dentistry Dr. Vivek Padmanabhan Associate Professor & Chairperson — Clinical Sciences Oral Health 63publications525citations11h-index View profile
RAKCODS — Dentistry Dr. Md. Sofiqul Islam Associate Professor, RAKCODS Oral Health 81publications1,039citations17h-index View profile
RAKCODS — Dentistry Dr. Fadia Alfateh Hamedalneel Awadalkreem Assistant Professor, RAKCODS Oral Health 31publications155citations7h-index View profile
RAKCODS — Dentistry Dr. Nada Tawfig Hashim Ahmed Assistant Professor, RAKCODS Oral Health 81publications2,922citations14h-index View profile
RAKCODS — Dentistry Dr. Nallan CSK Chaitanya Assistant Professor, RAKCODS Oral Health 84publications992citations16h-index View profile
RAKCOP — Pharmacy Dr. Syed Arman Rabbani Assistant Vice President — Research & Postgraduate Studies; Professor & Chairperson, RAKCOP Clinical PharmacyCardiometabolic Health 126publications1,651citations17h-index View profile
RAKCOP — Pharmacy Dr. Tarun Wadhwa Associate Professor — Clinical Pharmacy Clinical Pharmacy 60publications213citations8h-index View profile
RAKCOP — Pharmacy Dr. Areeg Anwer Ali Professor — Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacology Clinical Pharmacy 30publications752citations13h-index View profile
RAKCOP — Pharmacy Dr. Javedh Shareef Associate Professor, RAKCOP Clinical PharmacyInfection & Microbiome 116publications655citations14h-index View profile
RAKCOP — Pharmacy Dr. Bhoomendra Bhongade Professor & Chairperson — Pharmaceutical Chemistry; Secretary, URC Cancer Biology 47publications614citations13h-index View profile
RAKCOP — Pharmacy Dr. Sirajunisa Talath Professor, RAKCOP Cancer Biology 71publications878citations14h-index View profile
RAKCOP — Pharmacy Dr. Adil Farooq Wali Head — Translational Medical Research Centre (TMRC); Associate Professor, RAKCOP Cancer BiologyInfection & Microbiome 116publications1,934citations23h-index View profile
RAKCOP — Pharmacy Dr. Ikramy Abdelraheem Khalil Ibraheem Professor & Chairperson — Pharmaceutics Cancer Biology 39publications3,810citations28h-index View profile
RAKCOP — Pharmacy Dr. Ahmed Moustafa Aly Mohamed Faheem Professor, RAKCOP Cancer Biology 30publications1,517citations21h-index View profile
RAKCOP — Pharmacy Dr. Mohammad Ali Radi Obeid Assistant Vice President — Global Strategy, Industrial Engagement & Business Development; Professor, RAKCOP Cancer Biology 83publications1,853citations27h-index View profile
RAKCON — Nursing Prof. Ibrahim Al Faouri Dean, RAK College of Nursing Nursing & Community Health 49publications988citations17h-index View profile
RAKCON — Nursing Dr. Suhaila Naim Salman Halasa Associate Dean — Academic Affairs; Professor — Paediatric Nursing Nursing & Community Health 15publications269citations9h-index View profile
RAKCON — Nursing Dr. Shukri Adam Associate Dean — Clinical Affairs; Associate Professor Nursing & Community Health 17publications101citations6h-index View profile
RAKCON — Nursing Dr. Priyalatha Assistant Dean — Postgraduate Studies, RAKCON Nursing & Community Health 11publications39citations3h-index View profile
RAKCON — Nursing Dr. Mona Mohd Amin Fares Almalik Assistant Dean — Midwifery Nursing & Community Health 15publications344citations8h-index View profile
RAKCON — Nursing Dr. Rabab G. Abd El-Kader Hassab El-Naby Associate Professor — Community Health Nursing Nursing & Community Health 15publications343citations5h-index View profile
RAKCON — Nursing Dr. Rose Ekama Ilesanmi Associate Professor — Adult Health Nursing Nursing & Community Health 16publications190citations8h-index View profile
RAKCON — Nursing Dr. Mona Gamal Mohamed Associate Professor — Adult Health Nursing Nursing & Community Health 73publications5,557citations22h-index View profile
RAKCON — Nursing Dr. Fatma Magdi Ibrahim Hassanein Assistant Professor — Community Health Nursing Nursing & Community Health 58publications263citations10h-index View profile
RAKCON — Nursing Dr. Amani Anwar Mustafa Khalil Professor, RAKCON Nursing & Community Health 45publications894citations19h-index View profile
General Education Dr. Omar Al Jadaan Professor & Chairperson — General Education Nursing & Community Health 25publications129citations8h-index View profile

Figures are each supervisor's career Scopus author record, synchronised automatically. Theme assignment and availability are as the Office of Research & Postgraduate Studies records them. To find a research collaborator rather than a supervisor, use Find a Researcher.

Open projects

Doctoral projects open now

Fully specified doctoral projects with a named supervisor. Open a theme to see its projects — or propose your own topic within a theme.

Cancer Biology & Targeted Therapeutics01 · Cancer Biology

3 projects
See the theme

Cardiometabolic & Endocrine Health02 · Cardiometabolic Health

3 projects
See the theme

Infection, Microbiome & Antimicrobial Resistance03 · Infection & Microbiome

2 projects
  • Gut microbiome as a modifier of metabolic disease progressionSupervisor: Dr. Hafiz Ahmad
  • Antimicrobial stewardship intervention in community pharmacySupervisor: Dr. Javedh Shareef
See the theme

Oral Health & Restorative Sciences04 · Oral Health

3 projects
See the theme

Clinical Pharmacy, Medication Safety & Deprescribing05 · Clinical Pharmacy

3 projects
See the theme

Nursing, Health Workforce & Community Health06 · Nursing & Community Health

3 projects
See the theme

Indicative Project listings are maintained by the theme leads. Indicative values published by the Office of Research & Postgraduate Studies for review; confirm with the Office before relying on them.

How to apply

Six steps to becoming a research student

The route from your first idea to registration: what happens at each step and who acts. Scroll down the line to follow it.

  1. Before you apply
  2. Step 1 You

    Identify your theme and supervisor

    Browse the six themes, shortlist two or three researchers whose work genuinely overlaps with your interest, and read their recent publications.

  3. Step 2 You and the supervisor

    Approach the supervisor

    Send a short email with your CV, transcripts and a one-page statement of interest. Do not send a generic message — supervisors receive many and respond to the specific ones.

  4. Step 3 You with your supervisor

    Develop a research proposal

    With your prospective supervisor's input, prepare a proposal covering background, aims, methods, feasibility, ethics considerations and timeline.

  5. Application
  6. Step 4 You, through Admissions

    Submit the formal application

    Apply through the University admissions route, attaching the proposal and your supervisor's written support.

  7. Decision
  8. Step 5 College research committee

    Review and interview

    The college research committee reviews the proposal for merit and feasibility, followed by an interview with the proposed supervisory team.

  9. Enrolment
  10. Step 6 You, the University and the ethics committee

    Registration and ethics

    On acceptance you register, confirm your supervisory team, and submit your protocol to the appropriate ethics committee before any data collection begins.

You are a registered research student. The first step is the conversation with a supervisor.

Find a supervisor
Your doctoral journey

From registration to viva Indicative

The milestone schedule is indicative; the full schedule is set out in the Postgraduate Studies Strategic Plan.

  1. Registration and supervisory team confirmation
  2. Research proposal defence — month 6
  3. Annual progress review — each year
  4. Mid-candidature review — month 24
  5. Thesis submission and examination
  6. Viva voce and corrections

Indicative values published by the Office of Research & Postgraduate Studies for review; confirm with the Office before relying on them.

Researcher development

Training calendar Indicative

Mandatory and elective training for research students and early-career researchers; indicative schedule.

Research integrity & ethics

Mandatory

Scheduled: Month 1

Systematic review & literature searching

Elective

Scheduled: Monthly

Biostatistics for health research

Mandatory

Scheduled: Semester 1

Scientific writing & publishing

Elective

Scheduled: Quarterly

Data management & reproducibility

Mandatory

Scheduled: Month 3

Grant writing

Elective

Scheduled: Twice yearly

Preclinical technique & animal welfare

Required for CARF users

For researchers working at the Central Animal Research Facility.

Presenting your research

Elective

Scheduled: Quarterly

Indicative values published by the Office of Research & Postgraduate Studies for review; confirm with the Office before relying on them.

Where you will research

Laboratories on the same campus

Research students work in the University's two research centres and present their findings at the annual Students' Scientific Conference.

A researcher in a laboratory coat loading samples into a bench instrument at the Translational Medical Research Centre
Translational Medical Research Centre

The primary bench-research platform for faculty and postgraduate students, with microbiome and translational research programmes.

Visit TMRC
A blood pressure monitor beside a rodent restraint tube on a warming pad in a laboratory of the Central Animal Research Facility
Central Animal Research Facility

A licensed preclinical facility for ethically governed animal studies, from disease models to behavioural testing.

Visit CARF
Presenter badges on lanyards printed with RAKMHSU Students Scientific Conference, laid out on the registration table
Students' Scientific Conference

Student research from all four colleges, presented each year with a published abstract book.

Abstract books

Students as researchers

Publications with a student author

2022–2026Open on its own page

Loading chart…

View the figures as a table
Yearpublications
202223
202326
202450
202555
202658

Source: Academic Board deck, September 2026

Active student research projects

By academic yearOpen on its own page

Loading chart…

View the figures as a table
Academic yearprojects
2022–2392
2023–24134
2024–25135

Source: Academic Board deck, September 2026

Fees & funding

Fees, scholarships and research funding

Tuition for every PhD and master's degree is published on the Fee Structure page for the current academic year. Start there, then see what can reduce the cost or support your research.

Tuition & fees See the fees for your programme Tuition per semester for every PhD and master's degree Other annual fees and the one-time application and admission fees A cost calculator for the programme you choose View the fee structure
10%–25% concession Alumni Scholarship For RAKMHSU graduates joining a postgraduate programme, including both PhDs, the MSN, MSCP, MSMP, MSPS, MSCE and MDS. Scholarships 10% · 2026–27 batch Non-Alumni Scholarship For the PhD in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, MSMP, MSPS and MSCE — the 2026–27 batch only. Scholarships Research funding Postgraduate Research Support Consumables, participant costs and facility charges for registered research degree candidates, assessed on a rolling basis. Funding & research support Paying your fees How to pay The accepted payment methods and step-by-step payment guidance. Payment guidelines

Confirm current fees with Admissions before payment.

FAQ

Questions about postgraduate research

Yes, two. The RAK College of Pharmacy offers the PhD in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (three to five years, 58 credit hours) with two concentration streams, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacy Practice. The RAK College of Nursing offers the PhD in Nursing (three years, 57 credit hours). Each programme page lists its full admission criteria.

The PhD in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences has a Pharmacy Practice stream whose courses include clinical pharmacy practice. Applicants need a bachelor's degree in pharmacy and a master's degree in pharmacy or a related field with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.8 out of 4.0.

A bachelor's degree in Nursing or Midwifery, a master's degree in Nursing, Midwifery or a related field with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.8 on a 4.0 scale, a personal statement and a virtual personal interview. Both degrees must come from universities recognised by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education.

Tuition for both PhDs, with the other annual fees and the one-time fees, is published for the current academic year on the Fee Structure page, which also has a cost calculator. Alumni and Non-Alumni Scholarships can reduce the tuition; confirm current fees with Admissions before payment.

RAKMHSU alumni joining a postgraduate programme, including both PhDs, the MSN and the MDS, can receive a 10% to 25% concession through the Alumni Scholarship. A 10% Non-Alumni Scholarship applies to the PhD in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and to the MSMP, MSPS and MSCE for the 2026–27 batch. Every scheme is on the Scholarships page.

The College of Pharmacy offers the MS in Clinical Pharmacy and the MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences, with Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology or Medicinal Chemistry streams. The College of Medical Sciences offers the Master of Science in Medical Physiology. The College of Nursing offers the Master of Science in Nursing with five specialties. The College of Dental Sciences offers the Master of Dental Surgery in Orthodontics and in Prosthodontics and the Master of Clinical Periodontology and Implantology. The Centre for Health Workforce Development offers the Master of Public Health, the Master of Epidemiology in Practice and the MSc in Clinical Education.

44 researchers across the six research themes are open to doctoral supervision and collaboration; they are listed on this page with a filter by theme, and 17 doctoral projects with a named supervisor are currently open. Approach a supervisor directly before you apply.

Filter the supervisors on this page by theme, or use the researcher directory, which lists every faculty member with a Scopus author profile with their documents, citations and h-index. Shortlist two or three whose work overlaps with your topic and contact them before you apply.

Yes. 58 publications with a student author were recorded in 2026, as reported by the Office of Research & Postgraduate Studies, and the annual Students' Scientific Conference, now in its sixteenth year, presents student research from all four colleges and publishes an abstract book each year.

Publications
Citations
h-index
Last 3 years

    Figures are from this researcher's Scopus author profile.

    View full profile How to apply
    Next intake: Spring

    Ready to start your research degree?

    Talk to a supervisor first, then apply through Admissions with your proposal and their written support.

    Fall 2026–27 admissions
    Applications closed
    Spring
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