A-Z

About the project

Postgraduate research

Health and Social Policy PhD

You will be based at the School of Social & Environmental Sustainability, Dumfries Campus. Our staff are experts in health and social policy, with a focus on sustainable development and the social, economic and cultural regeneration of rural areas.

Our Online Application Form and Applicant Self Service will be unavailable from 08:00-14:00 (GMT) on Thursday 29 October for essential maintenance. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

• PhD: 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time; Thesis of 70,000-100,000 words

Overview

Our academic staff supervise an international cohort of research students within our diverse and dynamic research community.

Our researchers are part of a dynamic research community here and the College of Social Sciences Graduate School. This draws together, internationally recognised scholars and respected practitioners. Our interdisciplinary approach gives researchers the opportunity to work with other schools and colleges within the University too.

All research students have two supervisors, providing complementary expertise. You will receive training in Dumfries. And also be offered training opportunities in Glasgow for:

Opportunities for postgraduate funding are available through the Scottish Graduate School of Social Sciences and other grant funded programmes, and applications from self-funded students are also welcome.

• Research Design
• Qualitative Methods
• Quantitative Data Analysis
• Introduction to Social Theory for Researchers
• Applied Qualitative Methods
• Generalised Linear Models

Study options

Final assessment involves the submission of a thesis of between 70,000 and 100,000 words and an oral examination (viva voce).

We particularly welcome research proposals in the areas of:

In addition, we welcome applications from PhD students interested in the intersection of Education, Tourism, Sustainable Development and Environmental Science. Our unique PhD (Interdisciplinary Studies) option allows students to enrol for co-supervision on topics that span the different subject areas within the school.

• PhD: 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time.
• Business
• Local economy
• Communities
• The Third Sector
• Social policy
• Ageing
• Dying
• End of Life Studies
• Health care
• Policy implementation

Entry requirements

Our regular standard of admission is usually a Master's degree. Candidates will also usually be expected to have a 2.1 honours degree.

Required documents Applicants should submit: Academic Transcripts and Degree Certificates CV Research Proposal Two References Named Supervisor information

Required documents

You must demonstrate academic proficiency and a commitment to the core research themes of the School of Social & Environmental Sustainability. Prior to submitting an application, applicants are advised to contact a suitable supervisor in the School of Social & Environmental Sustainability to discuss their research proposal.

• Academic Transcripts and Degree Certificates
• CV
• Research Proposal
• Two References
• Named Supervisor information

English language requirements

For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government , the University sets a minimum English language proficiency level.

Accepted English language tests

We accept a wide range of English language tests for entry to this programme. Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date, and requirements must be met using a single test.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)

• 7.0 overall with no subtest less than 6.5
• IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
• We do not accept General Training

TOEFL iBT (Including MyBest and Home Edition)

Tests taken up to 20 January 2026

Tests taken from 21 January 2026

• 96 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 23; Listening 23; Speaking 23; Writing 24
• 98 overall with no subtest less than Writing and Listening at 5 and Reading and Speaking at 4.5

Pearsons PTE Academic (test centre only)

• 70 overall with no subtest less than Reading 62; Listening 62; Speaking 75; Writing 68
• We do not accept the online PTE Academic

Cambridge C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency

• 185 overall, no subtest less than 176

Oxford ELLT

• 8 overall with Reading and Listening no less than 7 and Writing and Speaking no less than 8

LanguageCert Academic SELT/Academic/Academic Online

• 75 overall with two subtests at 75 and no subtest less than 70

Password Skills Plus

• 7.0 overall with no subtest less than 6.5

Trinity College Integrated Skills in English II

• 105 overall with no subtest less than 105

Kaplan Test of English

• Any two subtests at 510 or higher, and any two subtests at 480 or higher

PSI Skills for English

• C1 Pass

Duolingo English Test

• 130 overall with Writing at 130 and no subtest less than 120

Oxford Test of English Advanced

• 146 overall with no subtest less than 136

Alternatives to English language qualification

Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)

TNE degree for UK University taught at a campus outside of the UK.

• Students must have studied for a minimum of their final year at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within 6 years of programme start.
• Students must be awarded the degree by the UK university and must have completed the degree within 6 years of programme start.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:

For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:

We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:

• direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
• essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
• flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.
• Pre-sessional courses
• Heriot Watt
• Kingston Upon Thames
• Middlesex University
• Manchester University
• Reading University
• Edinburgh University
• ST Andrews University
• UCL
• Durham

2027/28

Fees are based on the annual fee for full-time study. Tuition fees for part-time study will be charged at half the full-time annual fee.

Irish nationals who are living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status, and Internationals with Indefinite Leave to remain status can also qualify for home fee status.

• UK: To be confirmed [26/27 fee was £5,238]
• International & EU: £28,275
• Fee status and policies

Alumni discount

We offer a 15% tuition fee discount to eligible self-funded alumni starting a Postgraduate Taught (PGT) Masters or Postgraduate Research (PGR) programme in the 2027/28 academic year.

This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed a Study Abroad programme, Exchange programme, International Summer School or Erasmus programme with us. This discount can be awarded alongside most University scholarships. No additional application is required.

• Full details of our Alumni Discount

Possible additional fees

Depending on the nature of the research project, some students will be expected to pay a bench fee (also known as research support costs) to cover additional costs. The exact amount will be provided in the offer letter.

• Re-submission by a research student £540
• Submission for a higher degree by published work £1,355
• Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed £350
• Submission by staff in receipt of staff scholarship £790

Funding

Opportunities for postgraduate funding are available through the Scottish Graduate School of Social Sciences and other grant funded programmes. Applications from self-funded students are also welcome.

Fully funded scholarships

• Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Doctoral Studentships
• James McCune Smith (JMS) PhD Scholarship
• China Scholarship Council (CSC) PhD Scholarships
• Sanctuary PhD Scholarship

Support

The College of Social Sciences Graduate School draws together internationally recognised scholars and respected practitioners to offer a range of research programmes.

Our programmes are based on thorough training in research methods and we encourage you to take part in numerous exciting seminars, conferences and events. We offer modern library, IT services and a wide-range of support services.

Our Graduate School Researcher Development Programme will support you to plan your professional development over the course of your PhD and ensure your employability.

Identify potential supervisors

All Postgraduate Research Students are allocated a supervisor who will act as the main source of academic support and research mentoring. You may want to identify a potential supervisor and contact them to discuss your research proposal before you apply. Please note, even if you have spoken to an academic staff member about your proposal you still need to submit an online application form.

You can find relevant academic staff members with our staff research interests search .

Required documents

Our Online Application Form and Applicant Self Service will be unavailable from 08:00-14:00 (GMT) on Thursday 29 October for essential maintenance. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

• Academic Transcripts and Degree Certificates
• CV
• Research Proposal
• Two References
• Named Supervisor information

Contact us

• If you have any questions about your application before you apply: contact our School of Social and Environmental Sustainability
• If you have any questions after you have submitted your application: contact our Admissions team
• Any references may be submitted by email to: pg-research-admissions@glasgow.ac.uk

International Students

• Advice on visa, immigrations and the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) can be found on our International student pages

Our research environment

• Discover how we support and develop postgraduate researchers

Induction

• Getting started with PGR development: how postgraduate researchers are welcomed into our community

Postgraduate researcher blogs

• A community blog, written by and for postgraduate researchers at the University of Glasgow

Research areas