Program Overview

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General Practice & Primary Care PhD/MSc (Research)

Our goal is to improve health by conducting world-class research and teaching in primary care.

Overview

Our staff, both clinical and research-based, are dedicated to undertaking internationally acclaimed research and teaching that addresses problems posed by complex care needs and inequalities, particularly in relation to chronic illness and multimorbidity, and marginalised populations such as migrants and those living in areas of severe deprivation. We have a strong focus on anticipatory approaches to health and the implementation and integration of complex service innovations along with an emphasis on the role of health policy in shaping the experiences of patients and professionals.

PhD in General Practice & Primary Care

We undertake interdisciplinary research with colleagues across the university, as well as NHS staff, the voluntary sector and other appropriate colleagues and agencies, locally, nationally, across the UK and internationally. We aim to promote person-centred, quality healthcare with a particular focus on the role of primary care as a vehicle for better coordinated and continuous care.

Research Areas

Our work is at the forefront of Primary Care research with a particular focus on:

• chronic illness including mental/cardiovascular health and chronic pain
• cancer
• digital health
• implementation research and policy
• inequalities, marginalised populations, and inclusion health
• medical education including education in primary care, assessment, EDI, doctors wellbeing and GP careers
• treatment burden and multimorbidity

Approaches

Approaches include:

• normalisation process theory
• application of social and behavioural science
• application of epidemiological and data science research methods
• activity theory

Study Options

PhD

• Duration: 3-4 years full-time; 5 years part-time Individual research projects are tailored around the expertise of principal investigators.

MSc (Research)

• Duration: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time

Entry Requirements

• A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent.

English Language Requirements

For applicants from non-English speaking countries, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online

• 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
• IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date.

TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)

• 90 overall with Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date.

Pearsons PTE Academic

• 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

• 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date.

Oxford English Test

• 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date.

LanguageCert Academic SELT

• 70 overall with no subtest less than 60
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date.

Password Skills Plus

• 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date.

Trinity College Tests

• Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

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

Alternatives to English Language Qualification

• 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.

Fees and Funding

Fees

2026/27

• UK: To be confirmed [25/26 fee was ｣5,006]
• International & EU: ｣33,210 Prices are based on the annual fee for full-time study. Fees for part-time study are half the full-time fee.

Alumni Discount

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

Possible Additional Fees

• 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

Support

The College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences Graduate School provides a vibrant, supportive and stimulating environment for all our postgraduate students. We aim to provide excellent support for our postgraduates through dedicated postgraduate convenors, highly trained supervisors and pastoral support for each student. Our overarching aim is to provide a research training environment that includes:

• provision of excellent facilities and cutting edge techniques
• training in essential research and generic skills
• excellence in supervision and mentoring
• interactive discussion groups and seminars
• an atmosphere that fosters critical cultural policy and research analysis
• synergy between research groups and areas
• extensive multidisciplinary and collaborative research
• extensive external collaborations both within and beyond the UK
• a robust generic skills programme including opportunities in social and commercial training

How to Apply

All postgraduate research students are allocated a supervisor who will act as the main source of academic support and research mentoring. You must identify a potential supervisor and contact them to discuss your research proposal before you apply.

Gather Your Documents

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

1. Final or current degree transcripts including grades (and an official translation, if needed) scanned copy in colour of the original document.
2. Degree certificates (and an official translation, if needed): scanned copy in colour of the original document.
3. Two references on headed paper and signed by the referee. One must be academic, the other can be academic or professional.
4. Research proposal (if applying for PhD or MScR), CV, samples of written work as per requirements for each subject area.