The School of Health in Social Science delivers research postgraduate programmes which provide opportunities for specialist, independent research across all areas of health studies. Our research degree programmes MScR Clinical Psychology This postgraduate degree is designed to provide research training in applied clinical and health psychology. This programme allows you to work on an independent research project throughout the year whilst also taking taught courses that will enhance your research and analysis skills and knowledge. MScR Nursing Studies This postgraduate degree is designed to provide research training in nursing studies and enhance your research and knowledge. The programme provides students with an advanced understanding of research design, data collection and data analysis issues in nursing. PhD Counselling Studies This postgraduate research degree enables students to conduct in-depth independent research on a topic of their choice, thereby making a significant and original contribution to knowledge in the field of counselling and psychotherapy and related disciplines. The programme will enhance understanding of a range of research designs, approaches to data collection and data analysis within qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodologies. PhD Nursing Studies This postgraduate research degree enables students to conduct in-depth independent research and contribute to nursing knowledge and evidence. The programme allows students to conduct an independent research project that makes a significant contribution to their chosen field of study and to further develop their research skills. MScR Counselling Studies This postgraduate degree provides research training in counselling and psychotherapy and enhance your research and knowledge. The programme provides students with a comprehensive understanding of research design, data collection, and data analysis for research in the field of counselling and psychotherapy. PhD Clinical Psychology This postgraduate research degree provides the opportunity to do a substantial piece of independent research in an area linked to clinical and health psychology and develop excellent research skills in the process. The programme will enhance understanding of a range of research designs, approaches to data collection and data analysis within qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodologies. PhD Health in Social Science This postgraduate research degree provides the opportunity to carry out a substantial piece of research in an area that explores health and wellbeing through the lens of arts and humanities practice and knowledge. The programme offers a focus on innovative and cross-disciplinary health and social care research. Why study with us? Our resources and facilities As a postgraduate student you will have access to a wide range of research resources and first-class facilities, including: our dedicated Postgraduate Research study space research labs research centers clinical facilities Our staff have a wide range of research interests You will benefit from the diverse expertise and backgrounds of staff across the School and our highly interdisciplinary research portfolio, which is consistently at the forefront of research innovation. We will support you through your programme Along with your supervisors, the School Postgraduate Research team (including the PGR Director, Programme Directors and the administration team) will support you throughout your PhD journey. Developing a range of personal and professional transferable skills is now widely recognised as a key element of the postgraduate research experience. Along with opportunities to take tailored research courses delivered by the School, the Postgraduate Researcher and Career Development Programme provides a range of activities designed to equip you with the relevant skills to help you get started, prepare for key milestones and complete your research degree, as well as with skills which can be transferred to future employment. We have a great student community We have a vibrant research community made up of over 170 students from all over the world, across our four disciplines: Clinical Psychology; Counselling Studies; Health in Social Science; and Nursing Studies. In addition, we have appointed PGR Reps who facilitate training events, working breaks, writing retreats, as well as the annual School PGR conference. They also arrange a number of social activities throughout the year, so research students have an opportunity to socialise away from their studies. We’re highly ranked Research Excellence Framework Edinburgh's position as one of the UK's leading research universities has been reaffirmed by the results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. Clinical and Health Psychology, together with Psychology, Neuroscience and Psychiatry (UOA04) was ranked 2nd in the UK for overall quality of its research. Staff from Counselling, Psychotherapy and Applied Social Sciences and Nursing Studies contributed to the Social Work and Social Policy unit of Assessment, which was ranked 2nd in the UK for the quality and breadth of assessment. University rankings The University is:consistently ranked as one of the best 50 universities in the world, and 11th in the world for Arts and Humanities (THE World University Rankings 2026)ranked 4th in the UK for research power (Research Excellence Framework 2021 THE Ranking)consistently ranked in the top 10 in the UK for graduate employability, with our graduates ranked 33rd in the world by employers (QS World University Rankings 2026) Find out more about research in our School Contact us If you need more information about submitting your application and the admissions process, please get in touch with the School Postgraduate Research Admissions Administrator. Postgraduate Research Admissions School of Health in Social Science Contact details Email: PGRadmissions.health@ed.ac.uk Fees and funding Tuition fees vary between degree programmes. Find the specific fees for your chosen programme in our degree finder. Like other universities in the United Kingdom, we set different tuition fee rates for students depending on whether you are from Scotland, the rest of the UK or overseas. All online learning students pay the same rate independent of fee status. Find out more Postgraduate study at Edinburgh Find out more about studying a postgraduate programme at the University of Edinburgh, including information about: open days entry requirements student life Postgraduate Study at UoE
