Postgraduate Research

The School of Health in Social Science delivers research postgraduate programmes which provide opportunities for specialist, independent research across all areas of health studies.

With over 150 research students at the school, and five active Research Centres that are leading the way in health in social science on the national and international stage, our School is the perfect environment for postgraduate research study and provides many opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. 

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. 

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Why choose postgraduate study in the School of Health in Social Science?

As a postgraduate student you will have access to a wide range of research resources and first-class facilities, including our dedicated PGR study space, research labs, research centers, and clinical facilities. 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. 

The University is consistently ranked as one of the top 50 universities in the world, and 12th in the world for Arts and Humanities (THE World University Rankings 2024). The University is ranked 4th in the UK for research power (Research Excellence Framework 2021 THE Ranking) and is consistently ranked in the top 10 in the UK for graduate employability. We are well regarded by recruiters seeking talented graduates, with High Fliers Research ranking us as the 9th most targeted university in the UK for 2021/22, and our graduates are ranked 25th in the world by employers (QS World University Rankings 2022).

Student community in the School of Health in Social Science

We have a dedicated PGR team who are available to support you throughout your degree. We also offer many student community events throughout the year, providing opportunities for you to mingle and make connections with your peers outside of the classroom. 

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What can I study?

MScR Clinical and Health Psychology

The MSc by Research programme in Clinical and Health Psychology provides the opportunity to do a substantial piece of research in an area linked to clinical and health psychology and therefore develop excellent research skills in the process.

MScR Nursing Studies

The MSc by Research programme in Nursing Studies offers education and development for all those interested in developing research skills in the field of Nursing.

PhD Counselling Studies

The PhD Counselling Studies programme is an advanced research degree enabling students to conduct in-depth independent research on a topic of their choice, thereby contributing to the knowledge and evidence base for counselling and psychotherapy.

PhD Nursing Studies

The PhD Nursing Studies programme is an advanced postgraduate research degree for students wishing to conduct in-depth independent research on an area to contribute to nursing knowledge and evidence. It offers the student a chance to make a significant contribution to knowledge in nursing.

MScR Counselling Studies

The MSc by Research programme in Counselling Studies offers advanced training and education to students interested in developing research skills, including qualified counselling and psychotherapy practitioners and social science researchers.

PhD Clinical and Health Psychology

The PhD Clinical and Health Psychology programme provides the opportunity to do a substantial piece of research in an area linked to clinical and health psychology and to develop excellent research skills in the process.

PhD Health in Social Science

The PhD Health in Social Science 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.

How do I apply?

Before you apply for any of our postgraduate programmes, you should check that you meet the entry requirements and you should have all your supporting documents ready.

You will need:

  • Undergraduate degree certificate and transcript (and your MSc degree certificate and transcript should this be required) 
  • Research proposal based on the criteria for the programme you are applying for – you must use the form template below for your proposal, otherwise it will not be considered 
  • Two references – some programmes require one of your references to be from your most recent academic institution, please check the degree finder for more information on your specific programme
  • Evidence of English language competency, regardless of your nationality or country of residence. This is not required by the application deadline, however it must be submitted before an unconditional offer can be made. 
    • To find out more about our English language entry requirements, please visit the programme's Degree Finder page.
  • We strongly recommend that you contact your potential supervisor(s) before applying 
  • If you are applying for the PhD by Distance you must also submit the PhD by Distance application form 

The School of Health in Social Science operates a gathered field approach to our postgraduate research applications. This means that all complete applications which meet our minimum entry requirements will be held until the next deadline, at which point applications received will be considered on a competitive basis by our subject area specific academic review panels. 

We will be running two gathered fields for new applications so please take note of these dates:

  • First deadline: Monday 11 November 2024 11:59pm (GMT). Outcome notifications for applications received by this date will be issued mid-January 2025. Applications submitted after this deadline will be held until the second deadline.
  • Second deadline: Monday 21 April 2025, 11.59pm (GMT). Outcome notifications for applications received by this date will be issued mid-June 2025. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be reviewed.

If you are planning to apply for the University’s funding opportunities, you must apply before the first deadline in November.

Applications for most of our postgraduate programmes are made online through the degree finder. Each programme may operate differing application deadlines based on a number of factors. To apply for a programme or to find out the application deadline, look up your chosen programme in the degree finder. 

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Contact

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

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. 

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Further information

Find out more about studying a postgraduate programme at the University of Edinburgh, including information about open days, entry requirements, student life, and beyond: 

Postgraduate Study at UoE