Achieve your potential at a university ranked 4th in the UK for research power.

Why choose the University of Edinburgh for your PhD?

Embarking on a PhD with the University of Edinburgh is an extraordinary adventure that will develop your skills, deepen your knowledge and open unexpected opportunities.

Our PhDs are designed to help you achieve your potential through 3 to 4 transformative years of research. Our programmes will challenge you personally and intellectually, and they will allow you to make a substantial contribution to your field of study, working alongside world-renowned experts.

By choosing to undertake a PhD at the University of Edinburgh you will be joining one of the UK's most reputable research-intensive universities in the world, joining an extraordinary community of over 6000 research postgraduate students.

Our research

We’re consistently ranked one of the best 50 universities in the world and one of the world’s top research-intensive universities, ranked 4th in the UK for research power (Times Higher Education, Overall Ranking of Institutions).

Our position as one of the UK’s leading research universities was reaffirmed by the results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), with 90% of our research activity classified as world leading or internationally excellent.

As a leading global university, we’re confident education will play a vital role solving the problems of tomorrow too.

We have long enjoyed a spirit of innovation and collaboration, bringing people with new outlooks and perspectives together in an international community. If you agree the future is a place of extraordinary possibilities, bring your limitless potential and join us.

Supporting you

Undertaking a PhD is not an easy task. It requires dedication, determination and resilience.

We support the success of our PhD students with a range of resources to help in your professional, and personal development.

Our Institute for Academic Development (IAD) provide workshops, training and advice on transferable skills and career management, as well as resources and support for researchers.

Support for researchers

IAD - postgraduate researchers

We also understand that moving to a new city can be a challenging process, that’s why we guarantee an offer of accommodation if you are a new, single postgraduate research student.

Accommodation guarantee

How to fund this extraordinary experience

Many our research projects are funded opportunities, mostly within STEM subjects. The University of Edinburgh also offers self-funding PhD programmes in a wide variety of areas, but you will be expected to find funding to cover your fees and living expenses.

PhD research projects

A-Z of our research programmes

How to find funding

If you have a research idea, or area of interest, that is not covered by any of our below projects, there could be opportunity to develop your own project - however you would need to find a supervisor and funding to make this happen.

Developing your own research idea 

Bring your ideas, your individuality, your power, your energy and your potential. We can’t wait to see all that you can do!

Find out more and apply