Social & Public Health (Social Sciences)

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

Members of the Social Scientists in Health research group work across a range of Social and Public Health topics and welcome PhD applications in the following areas:

We welcome applicants from low- and middle-income countries and we have significant experience of supervising students whose PhD research takes them overseas.

PhD:  3 years full-time; 5 years part-time. 

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

Our research degree applicants will usually possess a good Master’s degree (or overseas equivalent)

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

• 7.0 overall with no subtest less than 6.5
• IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Tests taken up to 20 January 2026

• 96 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 23; Listening 23; Speaking 23; Writing 24
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.

Tests taken from 21 January 2026

• 98 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 23; Listening 23; Speaking 24; Writing 24
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.

• 66 overall with no subtest less than Reading 60; Listening 59; Speaking 59; Writing 74
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

• 185 overall, no subtest less than 176
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

• 8 overall with Reading and Listening no less than 7 and Writing and Speaking no less than 8
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

• 75 overall with two subtests at 75 and no subtest less than 70
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

• 7.0 overall with no subtest less than 6.5
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

• Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEIII Pass with Pass in all sub-tests
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

• Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
  
  • students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
• Undergraduate 2+2 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
  
  • students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

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:

• 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.

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

• Pre-sessional courses

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:

• Heriot Watt
• Kingston Upon Thames
• Middlesex University
• Manchester University
• Reading University
• Edinburgh University
• ST Andrews University
• UCL
• Durham

• UK: £5,238
• International & EU: £27,720

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.

• Fee status and policies

We offer a 20% discount to our alumni on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes. 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.

• 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

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.

• ESRC Doctoral Studentship - Co-production of an acceptable, valid and reliable measure to evaluate the effectiveness of the MCR Pathways mentoring programme in improving young people’s wellbeing
• ESRC Doctoral Studentship - Mirroring GalGael: An Ethnography of Repair and Belonging
• Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Doctoral Studentships  
• James McCune Smith (JMS) PhD Scholarship
• China Scholarship Council (CSC) PhD Scholarships
• College of Social Sciences (CoSS) PhD Scholarships
• Sanctuary PhD Scholarship

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. You will be living in one of Europe’s most exciting cities which has a vibrant cultural and social life. 

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

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 .

Before applying please make sure you gather the following supporting documentation:

• If you have any questions about your application: contact our Admissions team
• Any references may be submitted by email to: rio-researchadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk

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