Program Overview

Overview

The University of Glasgow offers PhD research programmes in various fields, including Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Clinical Studies, Veterinary Infection & Immunity, Veterinary Animal Production & Public Health, Veterinary Companion Animal Sciences, and Veterinary Epidemiology, as well as Animal Health. The PhD programme duration is 3-4 years full-time and 5 years part-time.

Study Options

• PhD research programmes are available in the following areas:
  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Veterinary Clinical Studies (covering medicine & surgery)
  • Veterinary Infection & Immunity
  • Veterinary Animal Production & Public Health
  • Veterinary Companion Animal Sciences
  • Veterinary Epidemiology
  • Animal Health
• Individual research projects are tailored around the expertise of principal investigators.

Entry Requirements

• A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent is required for admission.
• English language requirements:
  • 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 is 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 programme:
  • 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
• 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 the 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 for 2026/27:
  • UK: to be confirmed (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: 20% discount to our alumni on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes
• 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

Support

• The College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences Graduate School provides a vibrant, supportive, and stimulating environment for all postgraduate students
• The University aims to provide excellent support for postgraduates through dedicated postgraduate convenors, highly trained supervisors, and pastoral support for each student
• The 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

• Identify potential supervisors: all Postgraduate Research Students are allocated a supervisor who will act as the main source of academic support and research mentoring
• Gather documents:
  • Final or current degree transcripts including grades (and an official translation, if needed)
  • Degree certificates (and an official translation, if needed)
  • Two references on headed paper and signed by the referee (one must be academic, the other can be academic or professional)
  • Research proposal, CV, samples of written work as per requirements for each subject area
• Apply through the online application form