Program Overview

Introduction to the Nursing & Health Sciences PhD/MSc (Research) Program

The Nursing & Healthcare School has a thriving community of postgraduate research students from the United Kingdom and overseas. Postgraduate research students can study towards a PhD or MSc by Research.

Program Overview

Our postgraduate research students come from a range of clinical backgrounds, especially nursing and physiotherapy. Students undertake projects within our two main clinical research themes:

• Palliative and end of life care
• Cancer survivorship Students are encouraged to present papers from their research as well as presenting at external meetings, conferences, and other appropriate events. We support students' networking through shared offices, writing retreats, social events, and academic programs.

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, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training): 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
• IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of the start date.
• Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
  • Common equivalent English language qualifications for entry to this program include:
    • TOEFL (ibt, mybest, or at home): 90 overall with Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
    • Pearsons PTE Academic: 59 with a minimum of 59 in all subtests
    • Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE): 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
    • Oxford English Test: 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
    • LanguageCert Academic SELT: 70 overall with no subtest less than 60
    • Password Skills Plus: 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
    • Trinity College Tests: Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests
• University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses: Tests are accepted for 2 years following the date of successful completion.
• Alternatives to English Language qualification:
  • Degree from a 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 the 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 a majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI, including Canada if taught in English): students must have completed their final two years of study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.

Fees and Funding

Fees 2026/27

• UK: To be confirmed (the 2025/26 fee was Ł5,006)
• International & EU: Ł33,210
• Prices are based on the annual fee for full-time study.
• Fees for part-time study are half the full-time 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.

Alumni Discount

• We offer a 20% discount to our alumni on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programs.
• This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed a Study Abroad program, Exchange program, International Summer School, or Erasmus program with us.
• This discount can be awarded alongside most University scholarships.
• No additional application is required.

Possible Additional Fees

• Re-submission by a research student: Ł540
• Submission for a higher degree by published work: Ł1,355
• Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: Ł350
• Submission by staff in receipt of staff scholarship: Ł790
• 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.

Support

The College of Medical, Veterinary and 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
• 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 program including opportunities in social and commercial training