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PhD Opportunities

THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

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How to apply for a phd, what funding is available for your phd study, visiting research students.

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Research Degrees (PhD)

Our Graduate School is supervised by internationally-leading researchers spanning a wide spectrum of topics, making our School a world renowned centre of excellence in mathematics.

Watch a recording of the School of Mathematics' Graduate School Virtual Open Day 20-21

The School of Mathematics welcomes applications to our Visitors Programme from research students who are registered at another university.

MAC-MIGS CDT

MAC-MIGS is a prestigious EPSRC-funded PhD programme in Mathematical Modelling, Analysis and Computation, run jointly by Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt universities, as part of the Maxwell Institute Graduate School, that offers fully-funded scholarships.

MAC-MIGS website

The Maxwell Institute Graduate School in Analysis and its Applications (MIGSAA) is a Centre for Doctoral Training that provides high quality instruction in analysis and the applications of analysis to a wide range of areas. MIGSAA has been made possible by a grant from the UK's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Scottish Funding Council.

MIGSAA website

Graduate School staff

We have 51 University of Edinburgh PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

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University of Edinburgh

All PhD Types

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University of Edinburgh PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

Edinburgh. Extraordinary futures await.

Accelerating innovation in ultra-widefield retinal imaging analysis through the development of foundation models that expand the range of tractable downstream analysis tasks

Phd research project.

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

This research project has funding attached. It is only available to UK citizens or those who have been resident in the UK for a period of 3 years or more. Some projects, which are funded by charities or by the universities themselves may have more stringent restrictions.

LACI-Cog: A pilot randomized controlled trial of isosorbide mononitrate and cilostazol in patients with vascular cognitive impairment.

Funded phd project (students worldwide).

This project has funding attached, subject to eligibility criteria. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but its funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

New approaches to the turnover of main-group catalysts for a circular chemical economy

Leveraging radiomics to predict glioblastoma multiforme microenvironment and personalise treatment planning, unlocking organic chemical reaction prediction with limited-data machine learning, gene therapy and cardiovascular disease, after the single use project phd studentship: eliminating single-use plastics in scottish healthcare, barocaloric organic ionic plastic crystals and prototype development, competition funded phd project (students worldwide).

This project is in competition for funding with other projects. Usually the project which receives the best applicant will be successful. Unsuccessful projects may still go ahead as self-funded opportunities. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but potential funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

High-resolution imaging of the human neuromuscular junction

Self-funded phd students only.

This project does not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

Adaptive and smart structures for operational variability and life extension

Vibration data and underlying physics for adaptive structural health monitoring, synergistic experimental and data-driven catalyst development for sustainable synthesis, combined experimental and computational study of high-pressure order-disorder transitions in soft crystalline materials, study history, classics and archaeology at the university of edinburgh - funding opportunities available, funded phd programme (students worldwide).

Some or all of the PhD opportunities in this programme have funding attached. Applications for this programme are welcome from suitably qualified candidates worldwide. Funding may only be available to a limited set of nationalities and you should read the full programme details for further information.

Humanities Research Programme

Humanities Research Programmes present a range of research opportunities, shaped by a university’s particular expertise, facilities and resources. You will usually identify a suitable topic for your PhD and propose your own project. Additional training and development opportunities may also be offered as part of your programme.

Electro-mechanical Modelling and Control of Wave Energy Converters using MEGA-PTO

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• Schools & departments

Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarships

The University will offer PhD scholarships for students starting their PhD research at the University in the 2024-2025 academic session.

In order to attract the best and brightest PhD students, the University seeks to offer not only unparalleled research facilities and superb supervision, but also to provide development opportunities which will support our research students as they progress beyond their PhD, through an exciting scholarship scheme.

The University of Edinburgh has been working for some time to embed equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in its activities and to widen participation (WP) for students from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds . The Doctoral College is committed to embedding EDI in all of its policies and processes, and by widening access to postgraduate study to traditionally underrepresented groups, including BAME students and those from the most deprived communities in Scotland and the rest of the world. The Doctoral College wishes to attract the greatest diversity of applications to this scheme and will ensure that recruitment processes are robust and unbiased.

Each scholarship covers the University tuition fee as well as a stipend of £ 18,622p.a.  Subject to satisfactory progress, the scholarships are awarded for between three and four years as agreed by the School/Deanery (or pro-rata for part time).

** For the Business School only : Four year EDCS funding is only available for applicants to the 4 year integrated PhD programmes. Applicants on 3 year PhD programmes are eligible for 3.5 years of EDCS funding but the award holder would be funded by the Business School for an additional 6 months.***

Eligibility

The awards are open to UK and overseas students applying to start their first year of study for an on-campus research degree in 2024-2025.

Applicants must have already applied for admission to a full-time or part-time on campus PhD research programme of study at the University. We encourage applicants who wish to apply for this scholarship to make contact with their academic school regarding any admission deadlines.

Please check the Entry Requirements for your proposed programme of study for details of other acceptable English language qualifications. 

You may apply for the scholarship prior to obtaining the necessary English language test results but the results should be uploaded as soon as possible.

These awards cannot be held concurrently with fully-funded scholarships but can be held with partially-funded scholarships and will be reduced pro-rata.

Applicants must be of outstanding academic merit and research potential. Candidates must have, or expect to obtain, a UK first class or 2:1 honours degree at undergraduate level or the international equivalent.

Other factors such as financial status, nationality and the proposed field of study are not taken into account.

The University will not generally consider candidates who have already obtained a PhD, or formal equivalent, as a result of direct research training.

Undertake a package of training and development which will help them to develop the necessary skills required to meet their career choices and offer them a breadth of development opportunities in areas such as teaching, public engagement, entrepreneurship, data science, and research.

Terms and Conditions

Applications are no closed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Applications deadlines will vary by School/Deanery and will be linked to the application deadline for programmes.

Further information about each school can be found by clicking on the specific school link below table.

Selection Procedure

The University will use the information you provide on your scholarship application form together with the information contained in the supporting documentation (reference and academic transcript) which you submitted as part of your application for admission to administer and assess your scholarship application and to select successful applicants.

Shortlisted candidates should expect to be invited to attend an interview which will take place either in person or by telephone.

Notifications

All applicants will be notified of the outcome by the relevant school.   For further information, please contact the school directly.

This article was published on 2024-07-29

• Schools & departments

Astronomy & Astrophysics

Condensed matter & complex systems, particle physics experiment, particle physics theory, nuclear physics.

• Physics & Astronomy
• Study with us
• Postgraduate research study

PhD research opportunities

Research projects available in the School

A list of potential PhD projects can be found under each of the following research areas.  Our projects are advertised in the autumn, with a deadline the following January  (for 2024 the Astronomy deadline is 8th January, 2024 and for Particle Physics, Nuclear Physics and Condensed Matter applications the deadline is 19th January, 2024). 

• Schools & departments

When to apply

We operate a gathered field approach to PhD applications, find out how this works

We are now accepting applications for entry in 2024.

The School operates a gathered field approach for applications to our PhD programmes. This means that all complete applications which meet our minimum entry requirements will be held until the nearest deadline at which point the Admissions Panel will meet to consider all applications received at this time.

Only applications received by deadline 1 will be considered for University of Edinburgh based funding .

You may be able to secure external funding outside of this deadline.

Gathered field deadlines for this programme are as follows:

If you would like more information about submitting your application and the admissions process please do not hesitate to get in touch with the School Postgraduate Office.

The PPLS Teaching Organisation (MSc enquiries)

• School of Philosophy, Psychology & Language Sciences

Contact details

• Work: +44 (0)131 651 5002
• Email: [email protected]

Room G.06, Dugald Stewart Building

Availability

Monday to Friday: 10.00 am to 12.30 pm 1.30 pm to 4.00 pm

School of Social and Political Science

School of social and political science phd scholarship.

The scholarship application system for academic year 2024/25 closed at 23:59 (GMT) on Thursday, 1st February 2024. Scholarship availability for academic year 2025/26 will be advised here in November 2024.

As a guide to competition levels, in the 2024/25 cycle 173 applicants (future students) applied for 1 scholarship, and 14 applicants (current students) applied for 1 scholarship. The number of available awards may change each year. For 2024/25 we offered a minimum of 1 School of SPS PhD Scholarship to future students, and 1 School of SPS PhD Scholarship to current students.  

This award will support you to be part of the next generation of social science thought leaders. It is available to students researching any area within the School of Social and Political Science.

Please note these scholarships are only for PhD study, not for MSc by Research study.

These awards are available both to students intending to begin PhD study in the next academic year and to students currently in Year 1 (full-time equivalent) of their PhD in the School (if successful this will be a two-year award, full-time equivalent).

These awards are available to all areas of research within the School of Social and Political Science.

When making decisions, the Selection Committee will consider:

• the applicant's academic achievements
• research proposal
• research potential
• any publications made
• any relevant non-academic experience
• the degree of support provided by references

Financial status and nationality are not taken into account.

Please ensure you read the self-assessment  section to ensure you meet all the criteria as the application process is very competitive.

The award covers:

• Full tuition fees (UK, EU or Overseas level)
• The stipend will be set to the UKRI level for 2024/25. The UKRI level for 2023/24 is currently £18,622 for full-time students, or the pro rata equivalent for part-time students.

Awards for new students are made for one year in the first instance and are renewable for up to a further two years (pro-rata for part-time students), subject to satisfactory academic progress. 

PhD students in the School of Social and Political Science can apply to the  PGR Research Support Fund  for help with fieldwork and other research-related costs throughout their period of study, providing they meet the fund's eligibility criteria. SPS PhD scholars may apply for this fund.

In order to gain access to the scholarship application system, applicants must have applied for admission to the University of Edinburgh.  Applicants must submit two separate applications by the deadline:

• Application for admission to a PhD degree in the School of Social and Political Science (must be submitted at least 5 working days before the scholarship deadline )
• School of Social and Political Science PhD Scholarship application

Updated or additional documents or information for your PhD programme application cannot be accepted after you have received an offer for the programme. Before then, any updated or additional documents must be uploaded directly to your PhD application via your MyEd account.

Updated or additional documents or information for your scholarship application cannot be accepted after you have submitted your scholarship application.

Late applications cannot be accepted.

Ensure you visit the Important Information and Recommendations section before you apply. We consider this section to be essential reading.

The scholarship award application process involves two main applications:

• Apply for your chosen PhD degree programme
• Apply for your chosen scholarship

Application for admission to a PhD degree

Please note: you will only be able to apply for a scholarship after you have submitted an application for a PhD programme.  

The application to study is made via the University's online applications system EUCLID.

You must submit a full application by the deadline, including:

• final or interim official undergraduate and postgraduate transcripts (note - PhD Social Anthropology applications require undergraduate only)
• name of proposed supervisor

References and research proposal for the application to study are also used for the scholarship application and will be automatically pulled through to the scholarship system.

The application to study must be submitted at least 5 working days prior to the scholarship application deadline. This allows your University Username (UUN eg s1234567) to be activated in time for you to submit your scholarship application before its deadline.

You do not need to wait to receive an offer to study before applying for the 'SPS PhD Scholarship' - but you must submit a complete application to study by the deadline or your 'SPS PhD Scholarship' application will not be considered.

Please note that the 'SPS PhD Scholarship' application is extremely competitive, and every year demand far outstrips supply. 

For further information on PhD study please see our  PhD Programmes  webpage.

For further information on the application process, please see our  how to apply  page.

Application for SPS PhD Scholarship

Once you have submitted your application for study, you can then submit your funding application(s). You must submit a separate application for each individual funding scheme you are applying to.

Application to the SPS PhD Scholarship for future students is via the University's online scholarships application form located within the EUCLID applicant hub.

After submitting your application for your programme of study, you will receive a University Username (UUN) and access to MyEd where you can reach the scholarship application system.

Before applying, please read the  self-assessment page , which provides helpful information about the factors that help make a successful application.

Please note that applications for the 'SPS PhD Scholarship' are extremely competitive, and every year demand far outstrips supply. 

Supporting documents

The supporting documents submitted with your application to study (research proposal, academic transcripts and references etc.) will be used to assess your funding application.

Research proposal

We recommend you follow the guidance on writing research proposals.

Personal statement

The scholarship application system will ask you to provide a personal statement (up to 500 words/3,500 characters including spaces).

We are interested in you as a whole person, not just academically. Please tell us about your preparedness to undertake and complete a PhD and to flourish as a result of PhD funding, and how you will contribute to a positive and diverse PhD community within the School. This could include diversity of identity, experience, or viewpoint. 

Conditional offers

If you are in receipt of conditional offer (including conditional on English language), you are still eligible to apply for the 'SPS PhD Scholarship'.

Should you receive an award, but not meet the conditions of your offer, they would not be able to take up the award.

Help and guidance

Information on the Student Systems website may help you with guidance on the scholarship application system.

Applying for a postgraduate scholarship

Technical support and guidance

You can also view our applying for scholarships frequently asked questions: 

Frequently asked questions - applying for scholarships in the MyEd portal

Postgraduate Advisors and supporting Subject Area academics assess scholarship applications for their Subject Areas.

Scholarship applicants are then ranked and the top candidates are put forward to the next stage. Applicants not progressing to Stage Two will be notified by the end of April.

A   panel of assessors, comprising of the Director and Deputy Director of Postgraduate Research Programmes and at least one other senior School academic, assess all ranked scholarship applicants and rank them individually.

The ranks are then collated, and agreement on awards, reserves, and unsuccessful applicants are documented, with notifications emailed to applicants. Awardees are given 7 calendar days to respond to the scholarship offer. If no response is received by the given date, the offer will be rescinded and awarded to the next reserve candidate.

Assessors will use the  SGSSS Marking Framework for their ranking process in both stages.

The School selection panel will meet in the Spring, and results will be communicated to candidates by email shortly thereafter.

Note that we also hold a reserve list; in the event that a successful candidate later declines their award, for example because they obtain different funding. In this case, the award will be offered to the top candidate on the reserve list. 

We aim to have contacted all SPS PhD Scholarship candidates to let them know the outcome of their application by the end of May.

Due to the volume of applications we receive and the lengthy assessment and ranking process, we are unable to answer individual responses until then.

This funding form is also used for several other awards, including:

• Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarships - SPS
• 'CAHSS Research Award - SPS'
• Alice Brown PhD Scholarship
• Chrystal Macmillan PhD Scholarship
• Macqueen Scholarship

Important - please ensure you check each scholarship deadline as they may differ.

You must enter a separate scholarship application for each award you wish to be considered for.

If you are applying for more than one PhD programme, you must also submit separate scholarship applications for each programme.

Year 1 full-time PhD students already at the School of Social and Political Science would, if successful, receive two years' funding to the end of the Prescribed Period of Study.

Part-time current PhD students would receive the pro-rata amount to the end of their Prescribed Period of Study.

Application is via your  MyEd account . The scholarship application section for current students is via the MyEd 'Student Self-Service' channel.

Details on how to find the scholarship section can be found on the Student Systems website.

Applying for a scholarship through MyEd Student Self-Service channel

Academic references

The default position is that we will look at the two references and your original research proposal provided on your EUCLID application for PhD study.

However, we would recommend that current Year 1 (full-time equivalent) students request assistance from their supervisors, who can comment on your progress to date, to provide updated references (maximum of 2 new references). 

These can be emailed to the PGR Support team ( [email protected] ) by either yourself or your referee no later than the scholarship closing date. Guidance for referees can be found in our request for an academic or non-academic reference document .

Please ensure you name the scholarship you are applying for and provide your UUN in the email.

We also strongly advise that you update your  research proposal  (three to four pages). These must be emailed (from your University account) to the PGR Support team ( [email protected] ) no later than the scholarship closing date.

The scholarship application system will ask you to provide a personal statement (up to 500 words/3500 characters including spaces).

• Schools & departments

How to apply?

The steps you need to take to apply for one of our postgraduate courses.

Taught programmes (MSc)

You may make your application at any time, however there are advantages to applying early due to high demand for programmes or if scholarship deadlines apply.

• Apply online

Research programmes (PhD, MPhil, MSc by Research)

To apply to a postgraduate research programme please take the following steps:

• Check the key dates for research applications
• Decide on your research area or topic
• You will need to know this when applying online
• To see if he/ she would be willing to supervise your work
• Check if you need to make a separate application for funding

Entry requirements

Entry requirement information

Scholarships and Fees

Fees and costs

• Follow individual degree information to see programme fees.
• Information on various scholarships and funding that are available.

Guidance on submitting an application

Frequently Asked Questions- How to apply?

This article was published on 2024-03-18

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PhD in Financial Technology

Building on our established PhD in Management programme, we have developed an innovative new doctoral programme in the field of Financial Technology.

PhD in Financial Technology allows students to pursue their own research topic in the area of Financial Technology or apply for specific industry projects, where students will be able to address complex industrial challenges to gain real-world experience.

This programme aims to prepare students for a diverse array of careers in finance. Approximately 50% of students who pursue the industry pathway, can expect to build on the networking opportunities available to them from studying at the international partners' premises during their study and move into a permanent career in that company, or the industry after graduation.

PhD in Financial Technology at a glance

• Study over three years full-time or six years part-time, with an additional 'writing-up' year available to all.
• Develop advanced techniques and in-depth knowledge in the field of Financial Technology.
• Study an independent research topic or participate in fully funded opportunities working with leading industry partners.
• For those on the industry pathway, study both at the University of Edinburgh campus and at an industrial partner's location, with guidance from academic colleagues and industry specialists at all times.
• We encourage our students to aim higher, presenting papers at prestigious conferences and submitting articles for publication.
• Access to a wide range of professional and personal development opportunities during your studies.
• While we invite students from around the globe to join our community, we don't offer this programme online or by distance learning.

Entry requirements

Find out our academic, English language, and application requirements for the PhD in Financial Technology.

Programme overview

View the learning outcomes and a typical training course schedule for a first-year student.

Fees and living expenses

When budgeting please consider associated administration fees and expenses as well as our funding support.

Ready to apply?

Review our application checklist and make your application to the PhD in Financial Technology.