university of edinburgh phd admission requirements

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Applications and Entry Requirements

Prior to making a formal application, applicants are strongly encouraged to contact, and gain the support of a prospective supervisor whose research is aligned with the applicant's own interests.

Such prospective supervisors are likely to be able to provide up-to-date information on the availability of funding/scholarships to support your postgraduate degree.

• You can find our list of current studentships and details of bursary and scholarships available in our Studentships section
• After contacting a potential supervisor you can apply on the University of Edinburgh website

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have a good honours degree (1 st class or upper 2 nd class) or its equivalent if outside the UK, in Chemistry or a closely related discipline.

Our International Applicants pages have details of which qualifications are acceptable for international students.

If English is not your first language you must provide evidence of good written and spoken English skills. Accepted qualifications are available at the International Applicants language requirements page .

Graduate Degrees

Students may undertake full-time supervised research leading to the following degrees:

• Doctor of Philosophy ( Ph.D. )
• Master of Science by Research ( MSc by Research )

It is also possible to register for research degrees as an external student on a part time basis. This arrangement allows the student to carry out some of their research work in their employer's laboratories.

Please do not hesitate to contact us using the information to the right if you have any questions, or would like more information.

You can also contact us using the details below if you prefer:

The Secretary of the Graduate School University of Edinburgh Joseph Black Building David Brewster Road Edinburgh EH9 3FJ

This article was published on 2023-10-13

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Entrance requirements & application procedure

Making your application

The University of Edinburgh has a central postgraduate application system and all applications should be made online using this system.

• Apply online

After selecting the relevant research programme and the relevant date on the above site, the online form will guide you through the required information. You will be able to save your application at any point in the process and return to it when you are ready to continue.

On the application form you will need to state the research area(s) you are interested in, likely topic(s) and the name(s) of the supervisors you wish to work with. You will find it useful if you first read through our lists of potential PhD projects.  If you wish to propose your own topic, you are welcome to do so, but please upload a full research proposal.  You may also wish to speak with a relevant potential supervisor to discuss in advance.  To ensure your application gets to the correct people and won't be held up please ensure you indicate which Institute you are applying for: Astronomy, PPT, PPE, NP, CM (hard) or CM (soft). 

• PhD research opportunities and potential PhD projects
• Further guidance on how to apply

Entrance requirements

Entrance requirements can be found under the following PhD subject areas, along with the links to the application forms:

• Astronomy & Astrophysics
• Condensed Matter (including Biophysics)
• Nuclear Physics
• Particle Physics (Experiment / Theory)

Application deadline

Applications for admission to PhD studies at the School of Physics and Astronomy may be sent at any time of the year.  Those who wish to be considered for funding however should apply by the funding deadline of 19th January, 2024 (the Astronomy deadline is 8th January, 2024). 

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible. We may consider late applications if we have places / funding available.

• Funding opportunities and deadlines

Related links

• Postgraduate Study Degree Finder
• English Language Requirements

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Browse degrees by subject area

Search the degree finder, browse degrees by type.

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About our degrees.

We offer a range of options for postgraduate study: from professional qualifications to independent research, on-campus taught programmes to part-time, online study. Find out which graduate study option is right for you:

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Terms and conditions

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What is the Doctoral College?

The University of Edinburgh Doctoral College is a coordinating structure for all postgraduate researchers, supervisors and relevant staff at the university, designed to enhance and support the postgraduate student experience. 

For information and resources for research staff, please see the Research Staff Pages:  https://www.ed.ac.uk/researchers

The Doctoral College are holding two welcome events for new Postgraduate Researchers at the University of Edinburgh. These welcome events will give you the opportunity to hear from the Doctoral College leads and representatives from across the University about how the Doctoral College can help you to make the most of your time at Edinburgh.

On Campus Welcome - Tuesday 10th September at 10am. Find out more here  

Online Welcome - Tuesday 1st October at 1pm. Find out more here

PhD stories

Our extraordinary PhD students come from all walks of life and all backgrounds. In this collection of short videos, some of them share their experiences -  PhD Stories

Vision and strategy

The purpose of the Doctoral College, our vision, strategic objectives and our commitment to the improvement of postgraduate research cultures

People and structure

About the Doctoral College leadership and management structure, and the wider Doctoral College team.

Personal and professional development and training

Information about professional, careers and personal development training and opportunities for  UoE   PGR  students.

Researcher Representation and Community

Information on student representation and community

Support for PGR supervision

Information and guidance for staff who supervise research students.

Doctoral training centres

Information on funded PhD training programmes and support for directors and administrators of these programmes.

Essential information for postgraduate researchers

Code of Practice for Supervisors and Research Students (PDF)

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences - PGR pages

College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine - PGR pages

College of Science and Engineering  (EASE log in required)

Information for prospective postgraduate research students

New student pages

Postgraduate study degree finder

This article was published on 2023-12-07

How to apply

• How to apply for a PhD
• How to apply for the LLM by Research

Edinburgh Law School welcomes outstanding applications from individuals wishing to join the PhD programme. You may apply to commence the PhD programme in September or January.

The PhD programme is available to study full time over three years or part time over six years. For further information please contact the PhD office at [email protected]

Before applying you should ensure that you meet our entry requirements and have all the relevant documentation ready to submit in support of your application. Please note that missing documentation will delay the application process.

The minimum admission requirement for the PhD programme is a UK 2:1 honours degree in law, arts or social sciences, and a UK Masters degree with at least 60% in the taught section and 65% or more in the dissertation, or their international equivalents.

Entry to this programmes is competitive. Meeting minimum requirements for consideration does not guarantee an offer of study.

If you have a non-UK degree, please check whether your degree qualification is equivalent to the minimum standard before applying.

Check your degree

The majority of our applicants have studied law, but we are a comprehensive Law School covering a range of approaches to legal topics including social science, historical and philosophical enquiry; applications from non-law students with relevant studies and experience will be considered and if you require further guidance please contact us.

[email protected]

Postgraduate study in the field of law requires a thorough, complex and demanding knowledge of English, so we ask that the communication skills of all students are at the same minimum standard.

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

Two year expiry

• IELTS Academic / IELTS Academic for UKVI and IELTS Academic Online : total 7.0 (at least 7.0 in the writing component and 6.5 in each other module)
• TOEFL-iBT (including Special Home Edition): total 100 (at least 25 in writing and 23 in each other module)
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with a pass in all four components
• PTE Academic: 70 overall with at least 70 in the writing component and 62 in each other component *Please note that we have suspended acceptance of PTE Academic Online with immediate effect*
• Oxford ELLT (Global and Digital): 8 overall with at least 8 in the writing component and 7 in each other component

Three and a half year expiry

• C1 Advanced, formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)
• C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

Your English language qualification must be no more than two years old from the start of the month in which the programme you are applying to study begins, unless you are using CAE/CPE, in which case it must be no more than three and a half years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, that was taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country as defined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). The UK Government's website provides a list of majority English speaking countries.

View the UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or equivalent, that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries.

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about the University's English language requirements

Your application may not be successful if you do not currently satisfy any of these requirements; alternatively, you may be offered a place conditional on your reaching the satisfactory standard by the time you start the degree.

English language support

The University runs a series of programmes for English Language Education, including a pre-sessional English Language Programme intended to strengthen your English Language skills before you start your programme of study.

Find out more about English language support offered by the University

• Applications are now closed to commence a PhD in September 2024.
• The deadline for applying to commence a PhD in January 2025 is 29 September 2024 (4pm UK time).

Our applications are dealt with in a two-step process. Once all your documents are correctly submitted we aim to make a decision within 6 - 8 weeks.

Once you have submitted your application with all your supporting documentation, your application will be reviewed by an academic within the field in which you wish to study. Your written application will be evaluated against our rigorous admissions standards, and with a view to matching you to a suitable supervisor.

If we feel that your application is strong and if there is supervisory capacity in the field to which you have applied, your potential supervisor may arrange to discuss your application and your research proposal with you further by Skype. This is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about studying for a PhD at Edinburgh Law School.

It is usually only after this stage that you will be made an offer.

All applicants should supply the following supporting documentation:

• Previous academic transcripts for all past degree programmes (please upload the full transcript showing results from all years of study). If you are currently studying and awaiting a result, please ensure that your current interim transcript is included.
• Degree certificates (for all awards to date) showing award of undergraduate degree at a level equivalent to 2:1 or higher
• Degree certificate and transcript from your postgraduate study
• Two academic references which need to be signed, dated (within the last two years) and on institutional letter headed paper. We cannot accept references from personal email addresses.
• An English language proficiency test (if required - see below)
• A research proposal – this should be no more than 2,000 (see below for further guidance)

Please note that applications (with all relevant undergraduate and postgraduate documentation uploaded) must be received by the deadline in order to be considered for entry.   If you have not completed your postgraduate degree, you should provide interim transcripts at this stage.

Your research proposal should include:

Working title What title, or title and subtitle, succinctly encapsulates your whole research topic?

Research questions What are the key questions that you will ask that will enable your writing (or practice and writing) to be appropriately reflexive and interrogative?

Critical Framework and Theoretical Model What is the context of your research proposal? What are your key concepts? How will you theorise, and position yourself in relation to, your primary sources? What secondary literature are you already aware of? Provide references to books, articles, websites, etc. 

Methodology How do you intend to go about your research? Is your research predominantly doctrinal, theoretical, empirical? Do you need to engage initially in some form of field research, such as observing and interviewing practitioners or conducting practical experiments? What, if any, critical and expositional methods do you then intend to employ for the development, documentation and production of your written work and in the exploration of your research questions?

Research training Above and beyond training that we will provide in generic research methods, do you need specialised training in practical and/or theoretical skills in order to carry out your research? For instance, do you need training in methods of qualitative analysis, or in the use of digital technologies? Also, will you need to travel to receive this training? For instance, will you need to intermittently attend workshops elsewhere?

Resources and implications Do you need access to specialist literature? Do you need to engage in archival research or field work, and if so where, for how long and at what cost? If you cannot study without a scholarship or bursary, what sources of funding have you identified where you might be successful?

Bibliography What, in alphabetical order, are the full bibliographical details of any references you have made above? 

We have a downloadable model form which you will find helpful.

• Download the PhD proposal form

If your supporting information is not in English, you need to provide a certified translated version of all documentation.

We aim to have a response for you within eight weeks of complete submission of evidence.

We expect our doctoral candidates to be living in Edinburgh during their studies, in order to fully participate in our dynamic training programme and to reap as much benefit as you can from our thriving research culture. 

The University’s terms and conditions form part of your contract with the University, and you should read them, and our data protection policy, carefully before applying.

University of Edinburgh admissions terms and conditions

Please contact us if you have any questions about applying to study a PhD at Edinburgh Law School.

We recommend that you apply as early as possible. This is particularly important for students holding conditional offers (for example, you may need to allow sufficient time to take an English language test) and for overseas students who may need time to satisfy necessary visa requirements (for further, country-specific information, please consult the website of the University's Edinburgh Global) and/or to apply for University accommodation.

The LLM by Research is available to study full time over one year or part time over two years. For further information please contact the PhD office at [email protected]

The minimum basic admission requirement for the LLM by research degrees is UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent, in law or a social sciences subject.

Entry to this programme is competitive. Meeting minimum requirements for consideration does not guarantee an offer of study.

Click here to check your degree You may not always need a prior qualification in law to apply for this programme.

• Applications are now closed to commence an LLM by Research in September 2024.
• The application deadline for January 2025 is 29 September 2024 (4pm UK time).

We aim to review applications and make selection decisions throughout the cycle and we monitor application numbers carefully to ensure we are able to accommodate all those who receive offers. It may therefore be necessary to close a programme earlier than the published deadline and if this is the case we will place a four-week warning notice on the relevant programme page.

Applications are made online via the University Application Service, EUCLID.

Please follow the instructions carefully and make sure that you have included the following with your application:

• You must submit a reference with your application.
• A research proposal Find out how to write a good research proposal
• Previous academic transcripts for all past degree programmes (please upload the full transcript showing results from all years of study)
• Degree certificates showing award of degree
• An English language proficiency test (if required).
• Download the LLM by Research proposal form

We expect our LLM by Research candidates to be living in Edinburgh during their studies, in order to fully participate in our dynamic training programme and to reap as much benefit as you can from our thriving research culture. 

Once your completed application form has been received, together with supporting statements from your academic referees and other relevant documentation (including where relevant proof of proficiency in English), the School is committed to processing and considering your application speedily and efficiently.

You will be informed as soon as possible of the decision taken. Three outcomes are possible:

• You may be offered a place unconditionally
• You may be offered a conditional place, which means that you must fulfill certain conditions that will be specified in the offer letter. Where a conditional offer is made, it is your responsibility to inform the College Postgraduate Office when you have fulfilled the requirements set out.
• Your application may be unsuccessful.

Candidates who do not fulfill the conditions specified, including our language requirements, cannot be admitted.

Please contact us if you have any questions about applying to study an LLM by Research at Edinburgh Law School.

Key information

School of Engineering

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SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

Study Engineering at the University of Edinburgh

Engineers are at the forefront of innovation. We contribute to the transition to a lower carbon future; next generation materials and processes; devices for medical diagnosis; data-driven innovation, energy, robotics and AI systems; and make infrastructure and the environment safer and healthier. It’s an exciting, hands on subject that inspires you to challenge the way things are done, to think creatively and develop solutions that could genuinely make a difference to the world.

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Prospective student enquiries​

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THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

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How to apply?

The steps you need to take to apply for one of our postgraduate courses.

Taught programmes (MSc)

You may make your application at any time, however there are advantages to applying early due to high demand for programmes or if scholarship deadlines apply.

• Apply online

Research programmes (PhD, MPhil, MSc by Research)

To apply to a postgraduate research programme please take the following steps:

• Check the key dates for research applications
• Decide on your research area or topic
• You will need to know this when applying online
• To see if he/ she would be willing to supervise your work
• Check if you need to make a separate application for funding

Entry requirements

Entry requirement information

Scholarships and Fees

Fees and costs

• Follow individual degree information to see programme fees.
• Information on various scholarships and funding that are available.

Guidance on submitting an application

Frequently Asked Questions- How to apply?

This article was published on 2024-03-18

Apply to the Programme

The following guidelines apply to prospective students interested in a PhD in Finance at the Business School. All applications are completed online.

This programme is currently undergoing the final approval process. We anticipate applications will open in late 2023.

When applying, please keep in mind you have the option (if agreed with your supervisor) to move to a PhD in Accounting or Management at the end of your first year, if applicable.

Your application checklist

Before applying for a programme, please consider whether you meet the minimum academic requirements.

Review staff profiles to ensure supervision for your own research can be secured and state your chosen subject group.

Your research proposal is an essential part of your application that will be used to assess your suitability for the PhD programme.

Applications are only accepted via our online application portal. Before your application can be completed, you will need to supply required documents.

Important points to remember

• When completing your online application, you can save your progress and continue at a later date
• For your application to be processed, you must provide all required documents during submission
• You will receive a Universal Username (UUN) at the end of the application process, which should be used in all correspondence with us
• In your application, we firmly advise you to propose a supervisor (or up to three) as part of your application. This will increase your chances of an offer. Please also state the academic subject group you wish to work in.
• In the Proposed Supervisor section of the online application, you must name your potential supervisor(s) in order of preference
• If you require a visa, we recommend you submit your online application at least four months prior to the programme start date
• If you wish to be considered for any of our scholarships please complete your application first, then apply to the scholarship opportunity before it closes

Applications for 2022 entry are now closed.

Ready to apply?

Apply now (full-time)

Apply now (part-time)

To answer all your post-application questions, please see our frequently asked questions .

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Why study at Edinburgh?

How to apply for a phd, what funding is available for your phd study, visiting research students.

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• School of Mathematics
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• Postgraduate Research Studies

Research Degrees (PhD)

Our Graduate School is supervised by internationally-leading researchers spanning a wide spectrum of topics, making our School a world renowned centre of excellence in mathematics.

Watch a recording of the School of Mathematics' Graduate School Virtual Open Day 20-21

The School of Mathematics welcomes applications to our Visitors Programme from research students who are registered at another university.

MAC-MIGS CDT

MAC-MIGS is a prestigious EPSRC-funded PhD programme in Mathematical Modelling, Analysis and Computation, run jointly by Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt universities, as part of the Maxwell Institute Graduate School, that offers fully-funded scholarships.

MAC-MIGS website

The Maxwell Institute Graduate School in Analysis and its Applications (MIGSAA) is a Centre for Doctoral Training that provides high quality instruction in analysis and the applications of analysis to a wide range of areas. MIGSAA has been made possible by a grant from the UK's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Scottish Funding Council.

MIGSAA website

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Education PhD

Holyrood campus, edinburgh, united kingdom, # 12 qs subject rankings, 36 months program duration, yes scholarships, education and training main subject area, program overview, main subject.

Education and Training

Study Level

The University of Edinburgh was ranked first in Scotland for research power in Education and Sport (Times Higher Education, REF 2021) and we offer the largest concentration of researchers in education in a Scottish university.

This means you will be supported by and collaborate with leaders in the field. Our research activities cover all aspects of education and learning - from pre-school to higher education and lifelong learning.

Moray House School of Education and Sport staff provide supervision on a wide range of topics within the fields of:

• teacher education
• pedagogy, curriculum and schooling
• outdoor education
• social justice and inclusive education
• comparative education and international development
• childhood and youth studies
• digital education
• philosophy of education
• language education: policy and practice

Admission requirements

Important dates, tuition fee and scholarships, scholarships.

One of the important factors when considering a master's degree is the cost of study. Luckily, there are many options available to help students fund their master's programme. Download your copy of the Scholarship Guide to find out which scholarships from around the world could be available to you, and how to apply for them.

In this guide you will find:

Where to look for scholarship opportunities

How to apply to scholarships relevant to you

A list of available scholarships around the world

A scholarship application checklist

QS WUR Ranking By Subject

More programs from the university, bachelor ug.

Undergraduate programmes at the University of Edinburgh

We offer almost 400 degrees across 60 different subject areas . Many of these are joint honours degrees, offering the potential for innovative cross-disciplinary subject combinations. Some of our degrees let you study a single subject in depth, developing a deep understanding of one area. Others feature an open and flexible structure with options to tailor your own studies. This lets you choose whether to experience a wide range of topics before you specialise, or sample multiple subjects in a broader degree.  Our global links offer you possibilities for fieldwork, industry placements and study abroad opportunities, and our research-led, industry-informed teaching incorporates the latest developments in your field. Your options 

As one of Scotland’s four ‘ancient’ universities, many of our full-time degrees in the humanities and social sciences are undergraduate masters qualifications that require four years of study. In science and engineering we offer four-year bachelors degrees or five-year integrated masters. We also offer a smaller number of other qualifications including LLB Law, as well as a few degrees with shorter or longer full-time study durations. These range from three to five or even six years (MBChB Medicine). Depending on your qualifications, you may have the option to start in the second year of some of our science, engineering, biomedical sciences and medical sciences, and art and design degrees. We also offer an expanding range of options for students progressing from a Higher National Certificate or Diploma.

Supporting you and your studies

We provide a range of support services to help not only with your academic needs, but also your personal needs.

Your first point of contact for teaching, academic advice and guidance will be within the School in which you study. You will be supported by a combination of academic and dedicated student experience and administrative staff who will be able to provide you with or direct you to appropriate support for challenges that may occur during your studies, whether this is directly related to your learning and teaching skills or rising from life situations. You will also have access to a variety of peer-to-peer learning networks as well as student societies. Funding and scholarships We appreciate studying here is a significant financial commitment. We awarded more than £10m in undergraduate financial support in 2022/23, and are dedicated to helping students of all ages and social backgrounds enter higher education, regardless of your financial situation. Check our scholarships and student funding pages for more details and to explore your options.

Arts and Humanities (6)

Ba animation, ba fine art, ba graphic design, ba illustration, ba interior design, ba jewellery and silversmithing, ba performance costume, ba product design, ba textiles, ba/ma architecture, bsc acoustics and music technology, bsc geography, ma ancient history, ma ancient history and greek, ma ancient history and latin, ma ancient mediterranean civilisations, ma ancient and medieval history, ma arabic and ancient greek, ma arabic and business, ma arabic and french, ma arabic and history, ma arabic and persian, ma arabic and politics, ma arabic and social anthropology, ma arabic and spanish, ma arabic with islamic and middle eastern studies, ma archaeology, ma archaeology and ancient history, ma archaeology and social anthropology, ma architectural history and archaeology, ma architectural history and heritage, ma celtic and archaeology, ma celtic and english language, ma celtic and english literature, ma celtic and french, ma celtic and linguistics, ma celtic and scandinavian studies, 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studies, ma french and scandinavian studies, ma french and social policy, ma french and spanish, ma geography, ma german and business, ma german and classics, ma german and english language, ma german and english literature, ma german and history, ma german and history of art, ma german and linguistics, ma german and philosophy, ma german and politics, ma german and portuguese, ma german and russian studies, ma german and scandinavian studies, ma german and social policy, ma german and spanish, ma greek studies, ma history and archaeology, ma history and classics, ma history and economics, ma history and history of art, ma history and politics, ma history and scottish history, ma history of art, ma history of art and architectural history, ma history of art and chinese studies, ma history of art and english literature, ma history of art and history of music, ma history of art and scottish literature, ma islamic studies, ma italian and classics, ma italian and english language, ma 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scottish literature, ma russian studies, ma russian studies and classics, ma russian studies and english language, ma russian studies and english literature, ma russian studies and history, ma russian studies and history of art, ma russian studies and linguistics, ma russian studies and philosophy, ma russian studies and politics, ma russian studies and scandinavian studies, ma russian studies and social policy, ma russian studies and spanish, ma scandinavian studies (danish, norwegian, swedish), ma scandinavian studies and classics, ma scandinavian studies and english language, ma scandinavian studies and english literature, ma scandinavian studies and history, ma scandinavian studies and linguistics, ma scandinavian studies and philosophy, ma scandinavian studies and politics, ma scandinavian studies and social policy, ma scandinavian studies and spanish, ma scottish ethnology, ma scottish ethnology and archaeology, ma scottish ethnology and celtic, ma scottish ethnology and english language, ma scottish ethnology and english literature, ma scottish ethnology and scandinavian studies, ma scottish ethnology and scottish history, ma scottish literature, ma scottish literature and classics, ma scottish literature and history, ma scottish literature and scottish history, ma scottish studies, ma spanish and business, ma spanish and classics, ma spanish and english literature, ma spanish and history, ma spanish and history of art, ma spanish and linguistics, ma spanish and philosophy, ma spanish and politics, ma spanish and portuguese, business and management (6), ma accounting and business, ma accounting and finance, ma business management, ma business and economics, ma business and law, ma business with decision analytics, ma business with enterprise and innovation, ma business with human resource management, ma business with marketing, ma business with strategic economics, ma finance and business, ma international business, ma international business with chinese, ma international business with french, ma international business with german, ma international business with italian, ma international business with japanese, ma international business with spanish, engineering and technology (6), beng chemical engineering, beng civil engineering, beng computer science, beng electrical and mechanical engineering, beng electronics and computer science, beng electronics and electrical engineering, beng mechanical engineering, beng software engineering, beng structural engineering with architecture, beng structural and fire safety engineering, beng/meng engineering, bsc artificial intelligence, bsc artificial intelligence and computer science, bsc cognitive science, bsc computer science, bsc computer science and management science, bsc computer science and mathematics, bsc computer science and physics, ma cognitive science (humanities), meng chemical engineering, meng civil engineering, meng electrical and mechanical engineering, meng electronics and computer science, meng electronics and electrical engineering, meng mechanical engineering, meng structural engineering with architecture, meng structural and fire safety engineering, minf informatics (5-year undergraduate masters programme), mphys computational physics, life sciences and medicine (6), bn nursing studies, bsc anatomy and development, bsc biological sciences, bsc biological sciences (biochemistry), bsc biological sciences (biotechnology), bsc biological sciences (cell biology), bsc biological sciences (development, regeneration and stem cells), bsc biological sciences (ecology), bsc biological sciences (evolutionary biology), bsc biological sciences (genetics), bsc biological sciences (immunology), bsc biological sciences (molecular biology), bsc biological sciences (molecular genetics), bsc biological sciences (plant science), bsc biological sciences (zoology), bsc biological sciences with management, bsc biomedical informatics (based in china), bsc biomedical sciences, bsc infectious diseases, bsc integrative biomedical sciences (based in china), bsc medical sciences, bsc neuroscience, bsc oral health sciences, bsc pharmacology, bsc physiology, bsc psychology, bsc reproductive biology, bvm&s veterinary medicine (5-year programme), bvm&s veterinary medicine (graduate entry programme - 4-year programme), ma psychology and business, ma psychology and economics, ma psychology and linguistics, mbchb hcp-med for healthcare professionals, mbchb medicine (6-year programme), mbiol biological sciences, natural sciences (6), bsc applied mathematics, bsc astrophysics, bsc chemical physics, bsc chemistry, bsc computational physics, bsc earth science and physical geography, bsc earth sciences, bsc ecological and environmental sciences, bsc ecological and environmental sciences with management, bsc environmental geoscience, bsc geophysics, bsc geophysics and geology, bsc geophysics and meteorology, bsc mathematical physics, bsc mathematics, bsc mathematics and business, bsc mathematics and music, bsc mathematics and physics, bsc mathematics and statistics, bsc medicinal and biological chemistry, bsc physics, bsc physics with meteorology, bsc theoretical physics, ma mathematics, mchem chemistry, mchem medicinal and biological chemistry, mchemphys chemical physics, mearthphys geophysics, mearthphys geophysics and geology, mearthphys geophysics and geology with professional placement, mearthphys geophysics and meteorology, mearthphys geophysics and meteorology with professional placement, mearthphys geophysics with professional placement, mearthsci earth science and physical geography, mearthsci earth sciences, mmath applied mathematics, mmath mathematics, mphys astrophysics, mphys mathematical physics, mphys physics, mphys physics with meteorology, mphys physics with a year abroad, mphys theoretical physics, social sciences and management (6), ba childhood practice, ba film and television, bd divinity, bsc applied sport science, bsc social work, bsc sport management, llb global law, llb law (graduate entry), llb law (ordinary and honours), llb law and accountancy, llb law and business, llb law and celtic, llb law and french, llb law and german, llb law and history, llb law and international relations, llb law and politics, llb law and social anthropology, llb law and social policy, llb law and sociology, llb law and spanish, ma divinity and classics, ma economics, ma economics and accounting, ma economics and mathematics, ma economics and politics, ma economics and statistics, ma economics with finance, ma economics with management science, ma government, policy and society, ma government, policy and society with quantitative methods, ma health in social science, ma interdisciplinary futures, ma international relations, ma international relations with quantitative methods, ma learning in communities, ma middle eastern studies, ma physical education, ma politics, ma politics with quantitative methods, ma politics, philosophy and economics, ma primary education with gaelic (fluent speakers), ma primary education with gaelic (learners), ma religious studies, ma religious studies and english literature, ma religious studies and scottish literature, ma social anthropology, ma social anthropology and politics, ma social anthropology and social policy, ma social anthropology with development, ma social policy and economics, ma social policy and law, ma social policy and politics, ma social policy and sociology, ma social policy with quantitative methods, ma sociology, ma sociology and politics, ma sociology and psychology, ma sociology and social anthropology, ma sociology with quantitative methods, ma sustainable development, ma theology, mdiv divinity - graduate entry.

Postgraduate programmes at the University of Edinburgh

We offer over 300 taught masters courses and 135 research areas . Study with us and you will enjoy expert teaching from leading academics, at a university respected globally for its innovation and research excellence. We also offer first-class facilities and support, in a city steeped in history and culture.

Quality teaching and research

The 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) rated 90% of our research activity as world-leading or internationally excellent, ranking us fourth in the UK based on the quality and breadth of our research.

All our postgraduates benefit from this inspiring research culture. The academics involved in your teaching and learning are leaders in their fields, and the University is dedicated to delivering high-quality, innovative teaching. The latest report from the Quality Assurance Agency awarded us the highest rating possible for the quality of the student learning experience. 

We offer a range of ways to study, from on-campus taught programmes to online part-time study. We are the largest provider of online distance learning in the Russell Group of UK research-intensive universities, and offer more than 70 online programmes .

Industry links and innovation

Edinburgh was one of the first UK universities to develop commercial links with industry, government and the professions. Our commercialisation office, Edinburgh Innovations , has helped to launch more than 500 companies since 1967. They can help you take your first step to market, whether its’s through collaborative research, licencing technology or providing consultancy services.

Funding and scholarships

Postgraduate study can be a significant financial commitment; however, the range of funding sources available may surprise you. We offer several postgraduate scholarships and studentships to outstanding candidates. Check our scholarships pages for details. 

Acoustics and Music Technology MSc

Advanced sustainable design msc, american history msc, ancient history msc, ancient worlds (archaeology and classics) (online learning) msc, applied linguistics msc, archaeology msc, archaeology mscr, architectural conservation msc, architectural and urban design msc, architecture mscr, architecture, landscape and environment msc, architecture, master of (arb/riba part 2) march arb pt 2, chinese mscr, classical art and archaeology msc, classics msc, classics mscr, collections and curating practices mscr, comparative literature msc, composition mmus, contemporary art practice ma, contemporary art theory ma, contemporary history msc, creative industries msc, creative writing msc, cultural studies mscr, design and digital media msc, design for change ma, developmental linguistics msc, digital media design (online learning) msc, east asian relations msc, english language msc, english language mscr, english literature mscr, english literature: literature and modernity: 1900 to the present msc, english literature: literature and society: enlightenment, romantic and victorian msc, european archaeology msc, european masters in landscape architecture, evolution of language and cognition msc, film directing ma, film studies msc, film, exhibition and curation msc, french mscr, geographical information science msc, german mscr, global premodern art: history, heritage and curation msc, graphic design ma, history (online learning) msc, history msc, history mscr, history of art mscr, history of art, theory and display, human geography mscr, human osteoarchaeology msc, illustration ma, intellectual history msc, interior, architectural and spatial design ma, intermediality: literature, film and the arts in dialogue msc, italian mscr, japanese mscr, korean studies mscr, landscape architecture mla, landscape and wellbeing msc, late antique, islamic and byzantine studies msc, linguistics msc, linguistics mscr, medieval history msc, medieval studies mscr, mediterranean archaeology msc, mind, language and embodied cognition msc, modern and contemporary art: history, curating and criticism msc, musicology mmus, narrative futures: art, data, society (online learning) msc, narrative futures: art, data, society msc, palaeontology and geobiology mscr, philosophy msc, philosophy mscr, philosophy, science and religion (online learning) msc, phonetics msc, playwriting msc, russian mscr, scottish ethnology mscr, scottish history msc, scottish history mscr, sound design msc, sound design mscr, speech and language processing msc, sustainable lands and cities msc, translation studies msc, urban strategies and design msc, accounting and finance msc, banking innovation and risk analytics msc, business analytics msc, climate change finance and investment msc, data science msc, data and decision analytics (online learning) msc, data, inequality and society (online learning) msc, data, inequality and society msc, design informatics ma (eca), design informatics msc, entrepreneurship and innovation msc, finance msc, finance, technology and policy msc, financial modelling and optimization msc, future governance (online learning) msc, future governance msc, global strategy & sustainability msc, management msc, management mscr, management of bioeconomy, innovation and governance msc, marketing msc, service management and design (online learning) msc, service management and design msc, advanced chemical engineering msc, advanced power engineering msc, advanced technology for financial computing msc, artificial intelligence msc, bioengineering mscr, cognitive science msc, computer science msc, cyber security, privacy and trust msc, data and artificial intelligence ethics (online learning) msc, data and artificial intelligence ethics msc, digital communications mscr, digital design and manufacture msc, electrical power engineering msc, electronics msc, energy systems mscr, fire engineering science msc, high performance computing (online learning) msc, high performance computing msc, high performance computing with data science (online learning) msc, high performance computing with data science msc, infrastructure and the environment mscr, integrated micro and nano systems (imns) mscr, international master of science in fire safety engineering msc, materials and processes mscr, sensor and imaging systems msc, signal processing and communications msc, sustainable energy systems msc, advanced clinical practice (online learning) mvetsci, advanced nursing (online learning) msc, advanced nursing msc, anatomical sciences (online learning), animal breeding and genetics msc, applied animal behaviour and animal welfare msc, applied conservation genetics with wildlife forensics (online learning) msc, applied medical image analysis (online learning), applied poultry science (online learning) msc, applied psychology (healthcare) for children and young people msc, biochemistry msc, biodiversity and taxonomy of plants msc, biodiversity, wildlife and ecosystem health (online learning) msc, bioinformatics msc, biomedical sciences (life sciences) mscr, biotechnology msc, cancer biology and precision oncology (online learning) msc, cardiovascular biology mscr, clinical anatomy msc, clinical animal behaviour (online learning) msc, clinical education (online learning) msc, clinical management of pain (online learning) msc, clinical microbiology and infectious diseases (online learning) msc, clinical ophthalmology (online learning) chm, clinical trials (online learning) msc, conservation medicine (online learning) mvetsci, counselling (interpersonal dialogue) mcouns, counselling mcouns, counselling studies msc, counselling studies mscr, critical care (online learning) msc, data science for biology msc, data science for health and social care (online learning) msc, developmental science msc, doctor of medicine md, drug discovery and translational biology msc, ecology, evolution and biodiversity msc, endodontology dclindent, epidemiology (online learning) msc, epistemology, ethics and mind (online learning) msc, equine science (online learning) msc, evolutionary genetics msc, family medicine (online learning) mfm, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (fasd) (online learning), general surgery (online learning) chm, global health challenges (online learning), global health policy msc, global health studies (online learning), global health and infectious diseases (online learning) msc, global mental health and society msc, health humanities and arts mscr, human anatomy msc, human cognitive neuropsychology msc, human complex trait genetics msc, imaging (online learning) msc, infectious diseases mscr, integrative biomedical sciences (based in china) mscr, internal medicine (online learning) msc, international animal health (online learning) msc, international animal welfare, ethics and law (online learning) msc, medical sciences mmedsci by research, mental health in children and young people: psychological approaches (online learning) msc, mental health in children and young people: psychological approaches msc, neuroimaging for research (online learning) msc, neurological rehabilitation and care (online learning), neuroscience (integrative neuroscience) mscr, nursing with pre-registration (adult) mn(t), one health (online learning) msc, orthodontics dclindent, pet-mr principles and applications (online learning), paediatric emergency medicine (online learning) msc, patient safety and clinical human factors (online learning) msc, physical activity for health msc, primary care ophthalmology (online learning) msc, psychological research msc, psychological therapies msc, psychology mscr, psychology of individual differences msc, psychology of language msc, psychology of mental health (conversion) msc, quantitative genetics and genome analysis msc, rcvs certificate in advanced veterinary practice (online learning), regenerative medicine and tissue repair mscr, reproductive sciences mscr, restorative dentistry (online learning) msc, science communication and public engagement (online learning) msc, science communication and public engagement msc, simulation based clinical education, social anthropology msc, social psychology msc, stem cells and translational neurology (online learning) msc, surgical sciences (online learning) msc, surgical writing and evidence based practice (online learning), synthetic biology and biotechnology msc, systems and synthetic biology msc, trauma and orthopaedics (online learning) chm, urology (online learning) chm, vascular and endovascular surgery (online learning) chm, veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia (online learning) msc, analytical chemistry msc, applied environmental hydrogeology msc, astrobiology and planetary sciences msc, carbon management (online learning) msc, carbon management msc, circular economy (online learning) msc, circular economy msc, computational applied mathematics msc, computational mathematical finance msc, earth observation and geoinformation management msc, ecological economics msc, energy, society and sustainability msc, environment and development msc, environment, culture and society msc, environmental protection and management msc, environmental sustainability msc, food safety (online learning) msc, food security msc, future infrastructure, sustainability and climate change (online learning) msc, future infrastructure, sustainability and climate change msc, geosciences (individual project - taught pathway) mscr, geosciences (individual project) mscr, geoenergy msc, global food security and nutrition (online learning) msc, marine systems and policies msc, materials chemistry msc, mathematical physics msc, medicinal and biological chemistry msc, particle and nuclear physics msc, planetary health (online learning) msc, planetary health msc, soils and sustainability msc, sustainable lands and cities (online learning) msc, theoretical physics msc, advanced social work studies (mental health officer award), africa and international development msc, biblical studies mth, celtic studies mscr, child protection data futures (online learning) msc, child protection data futures msc, commercial law llm, comparative education and international development (ceid) msc, comparative public policy msc, comparative and european private law llm, conflict, security and development msc, corporate law llm, criminal law and criminal justice llm, criminology and criminal justice msc, cultural heritage futures (online learning) msc, cultural heritage futures msc, dance science and education msc, digital education (online learning) msc, digital sociology msc, economic and social history mscr, economics / economics (econometrics) / economics (finance) msc, education futures (online learning) msc, education futures msc, education msc, education mscr, european law llm, global challenges (online learning) msc, global crime, justice and security msc, global development challenges (online learning), global environment challenges (online learning), global environment and climate change law llm, global environment, politics and society msc, globalised muslim world, the msc, human resource management msc, human rights llm, inclusive education msc, information technology law (online learning) llm, innovation, technology and the law (online learning) llm, innovation, technology and the law llm, intellectual property law llm, international banking law and finance llm, international commercial law and practice (online learning) llm, international development (online learning) msc, international development msc, international economic law llm, international human resource management msc, international law llm, international relations msc, international and european politics msc, islam and christian-muslim relations msc, islamic and middle eastern studies (imes) mscr, islamic and middle eastern studies msc, language education msc, language and intercultural communication msc, law (online learning) llm, law (online learning) pgcert, law llm by research, leadership and learning med, mathematical economics and econometrics msc, medical anthropology msc, medical law and ethics (online learning) llm, medical law and ethics llm, nationalism in global perspective msc, operational research msc, operational research with computational optimization msc, operational research with data science msc, operational research with risk msc, outdoor education msc, outdoor environmental and sustainability education msc, performance coaching and development (online learning) msc, performance psychology msc, professional graduate diploma in education (primary), professional graduate diploma in education (secondary), professional legal practice, public health (part-time) (online learning) mph, public health, master of mph, public policy msc, religion and literature mth, religious studies msc, scandinavian studies mscr, science and religion msc, science and technology in society msc, social justice and community action (online learning) msc, social research msc, social work, master of msw, social and political science mscr, sociology and global change msc, spanish, portuguese & latin american studies (hispanic studies) mscr, sport policy, management and international development msc, sport, physical education and health sciences mscr, statistics and operational research msc, statistics with data science msc, strength and conditioning msc, teaching english to speakers of other languages (tesol) msc, the middle east in global politics msc, theology and religious studies mth by research, theology in history mth, transformative learning and teaching msc, world christianity mth, executive mba (3), executive master of business administration mba, full-time mba (3), business administration, master of mba, online/distance mba (3), business administration, master of (online learning) mba, archaeology phd, architectural history phd, architecture phd, architecture by design phd, chinese phd, classics phd, comparative literature phd, creative music practice phd, creative writing phd, cultural studies phd, east asian studies phd, english literature phd, european theatre phd, film studies phd, history phd, history of art phd, human geography and environmental sciences phd, intermediality phd, italian phd, japanese phd, korean studies phd, landscape architecture phd, linguistics and english language phd, medieval studies phd, musical composition phd, philosophy phd, russian phd, scottish history phd, translation studies phd, accounting phd, business economics phd, finance phd, financial technology phd, management phd, management science and analytics phd, advanced care phd with integrated study, cyber security, privacy and trust phd, epcc: high performance computing, computational & data science, software engineering phd, engineering phd, engineering with integrated study phd, informatics: aiai: foundations and applications of artificial intelligence, automated reasoning, agents, data intensive research phd, informatics: anc: machine learning, computational neuroscience, computational biology phd, informatics: icsa: computer architecture, compilation and system software, networks and communication phd, informatics: ilcc: language processing, speech technology, information retrieval, cognition phd, informatics: ipab: robotics, computer vision, computer graphics and animation phd, informatics: lfcs: theory and foundations of computer science, databases, software and systems modelling phd, offshore renewable energy (industrial doctorate centre) engd, agriculture and food security phd, anatomical sciences (biomedical sciences) phd, biological sciences (with internship) phd, biological sciences phd, biomedical sciences (based in china) phd, cancer (edinburgh cancer research centre) phd, cardiovascular science phd, child life and health phd, clinical brain sciences phd, clinical education phd, clinical psychology dclinpsychol, clinical veterinary sciences phd, clinical and health psychology phd, counselling studies phd, dentistry phd, doctor of dental surgery dds, doctor of veterinary medicine dvetmed, functional genetics and development phd, genetics and genomics phd, genetics and molecular medicine (mrc human genetics unit) phd, genomics and experimental medicine phd, geriatric medicine phd, global health phd, global health policy phd, health in social science phd, infection medicine phd, infection and immunity phd, inflammation phd, integrative biomedical sciences (based in china) phd, integrative physiology (biomedical sciences - centre for discovery brain sciences) phd, medical informatics phd, neuroscience (biomedical sciences - centre for discovery brain sciences) phd, nursing studies phd, orthopaedic and trauma medicine phd, paediatric dentistry dclindent, pathology phd, population health sciences phd, precision medicine phd, prosthodontics dclindent, psychiatry phd, psychology phd, psychotherapy and counselling dpsychotherapy, regenerative medicine phd, reproductive health phd, respiratory medicine phd, social anthropology phd, surgery phd, translational neuroscience phd, algebra phd, analysis phd, applied and computational mathematics phd, astrophysics phd, atmospheric and environmental sciences phd, chemistry phd, condensed matter phd, geology and geophysics phd, geometry and topology phd, mathematical modelling, analysis and computation phd, mathematical physics phd, mathematics education phd, nuclear physics phd, particle physics phd, probability and stochastic analysis phd, wind and marine energy systems and structures phd, african studies phd, celtic studies and scottish studies phd, economic and social history phd, economics phd with integrated study, ethics and practical theology phd, hebrew and old testament studies phd, history of christianity phd, international development phd, islamic studies and christian-muslim relations phd, islamic and middle eastern studies (imes) phd, new testament and christian origins phd, optimization and operational research phd, politics phd, religious studies phd, scandinavian studies phd, science and religion phd, science and technology studies phd, social policy phd, social work phd, social and political science phd, socio-cultural studies phd, sociology phd, south asian studies phd, spanish, portuguese & latin american studies (hispanic studies) phd, sport, physical education and health sciences phd, statistics phd, systematic theology phd, world christianity phd.

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University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is an internationally renowned centre for teaching and research in Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland, United Kingdom and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The University is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the iconic buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the University. It was the fourth university to be established in Scotland and is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious universities in Europe, having been consistently placed amongst the leading universities in the world Edinburgh receives approximately 47,000 applications every year, making it the third most popular university in the UK by volume of applicants. Entrance is intensively competitive, with 12 applications per place in the last admissions cycle.

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You are here, ece graduate admissions, application open, application deadlines.

• All PhD: Dec 15 preferred
• Fall: December 15 priorty for aid; July 15 for all others
• Spring: Dec 1 

Application Requirements

Application Fee: US $50 which cannot be waived unless you attend a department webinar. Those webinar dates haven't been determined yet, but will be posted on our website once they are.

Transcripts: Must be uploaded to application. If admitted, official transcripts are required. All transcripts should be converted to the American 4.0 grade point average (GPA) scale, if possible.

Letters of Recommendation: Two (2) letters of recommendation are required. If you are currently in school, letters from academic advisors and other professors are preferred. If you are currently in industry, letters from employers are acceptable. Recommendation letters should be submitted through the online application tool.

Test scores: Official test scores must be sent from ETS.

TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo Exam scores (required for all international students) expire after 2 years and expired scores WILL NOT be accepted.

Please note: GRE scores are not required 

Essay: A brief statement of career and research objectives. Essays should clearly articulate your experience and goals. Half a page to two pages is sufficient.

Resume/CV: Applicants should also include a resume or CV, current research or creative work, list of published works, and extracurricular activities.

Financial Aid

The department offers three types of financial aid - Research Assistantships, Teaching Assistantships, and Fellowships. All positions generally include a monthly stipend and tuition. A requirement of up to 20 hours per week of work assignments are associated with TA and RA positions. Fellowships require no service. Ph.D. applicants are given priority. Financial aid is merit-based, not need-based.

General Information

Offers of admission may be deferred for up to one full academic year.

Tuition rates for the 2024-2025 academic year are $1,590/credit. All full-time students and International students are required to take 9 credits each semester to maintain full-time status. International students who are admitted without financial aid will be required to submit an affidavit of support in the amount of roughly $51,912  which includes tuition, living expenses, insurance, and other fees for one year before any visa documents will be issued.

Minimum Admission Requirements 

• BS in EE, CompE, CS, or related field
• 3.0/4.0 required for Ph.D.
• 2.75/4.0 required for MS

Minimum Test Requirements:

iBT TOEFL - School code: 2365, Dept code for EE: 66; Dept code for CompE: 78

• 79 Composite Score
• 20 Writing, 20 Speaking, 20 Reading, 15 Listening
• 6.5 Overall Minimum Band Score
• 6.0 Writing, 6.5 Speaking, 6.5 Reading, 6.0 Listening  
• 125 Overall  
• RCEAS English Proficiency Policy

Any Questions? Please contact us .

ECE GRADUATE SEMINARS FOR 2025 WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON

• Electrical Engineering (M.S., M.Eng.)
• Electrical Engineering (Ph.D.)
• Computer Engineering (M.S., M.Eng.)
• Computer Engineering (Ph.D.)
• Photonics (M.S.)
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VIEW/DOWNLOAD: ECE Webinar Dates & Information (PDF)

Applying for a Doctoral Program

Start Your Application

Manage Your Application

A Doctorate is the highest academic degree awarded by universities in most fields of study. It involves several years of rigorous research, culminating in a dissertation that contributes new knowledge to the field. Doctoral candidates work closely with a faculty advisor to explore and answer complex questions, often pushing the boundaries of what is known.

Applying to a doctoral program is like applying for a job. This process requires more diligence and patience than applying for a Master’s degree. To stand out from a competitive pool of candidates, you must prepare a strong application that includes your academic achievements, any related research experience, and a clear statement of your research interests and goals. Be sure to demonstrate your passion, fit for the program, and your interest in RIT.

Explore our doctoral programs

How to Apply for a Doctoral Program

For details on the exact application requirements for your program, visit the Application Details section on your degree page and thoroughly review the graduate application instructions page .

• Most doctoral programs have an application deadline of January 15 and admit to Fall terms only, but be sure to verify the application deadline for your program and start terms before applying. Many programs will accept applications on a rolling basis after the priority deadline has passed until all spots are filled. For tips on completing your application, view our Ph.D. Application 101 recording . 
• Early applicants may see a “Hold for Program Deadline/Review Date” on the checklist in their portal. This an administrative hold that prevents applications from going for review until after December 15th. You will be notified when your file is sent to the review committee by email.
• Choose the Right Doctoral Program:  Review individual doctoral program pages carefully to learn the curriculum, research focus areas, facility profiles, and facilities to determine if the program is a good fit for you and to ensure that your interests and background align with the degree. The application will allow you to enter up to three choices in order of preference.
• Research Your Faculty Interests: Identify faculty members whose research aligns with your interests. Matching your research area with potential advisors strengthens your application and helps ensure a good fit. It is not necessary to secure a faculty advisor in order to submit your application. Learn more about researching faculty and areas of interest
• Craft Your Statement of Purpose for Research: This requirement should clearly convey your research interests, indicate what faculty member(s) you would like to work with, your experience, and why you want to pursue a doctorate at RIT. Each program may have specific guidelines, so be sure to address them. There is no minimum or maximum length. If you listed more than one program choice in your application it is suggested that you prepare separate statements for each program (doctoral and/or master’s). You may upload all three at the time you submit your application, or wait for a decision on your first choice program.  View program-specific criteria
• Choose Strong References: Make sure you choose the right people to submit letters of recommendation and give them plenty of time so they can prepare their support letter in advance. References should speak to your ability and promise to become a successful independent researcher. Professors, research supervisors, or professional mentors make ideal choices.
• Update Your CV/Resume: Ensure your CV or resume is current and highlights relevant academic achievements, research experience, publications, and professional skills.
• Verify Admission Requirements: Double-check all admission requirements and application details for your chosen program. Ensure you have all necessary materials, including transcripts, test scores, and any additional documents. You do not need to submit financial documents as part of your doctoral application. Focus on preparing a strong academic and research-focused application to showcase your qualifications and readiness for doctoral study.
• Understand Decision Timing: The review process typically starts in late January and may take several weeks to a few months. Be patient as the committee evaluates your application and aligns faculty advisors with candidates in matching research areas where funding is available. You may be invited to interview if faculty would like to know more about you. Interviews are not required. Admission decisions are first communicated in mid-March and continue until the class is full. If you are not admitted to your first choice program, allow additional time for review for second and third choices. RIT does not simultaneously review for multiple programs. 
• Replying to an Offer of Admission: Accepted candidates must respond to their doctoral degree offers by April 15 or the date indicated on your admit letter and in their portal. If you decide to accept your offer, you are expected to honor your commitment to enroll at RIT as a doctoral student. This ensures a smooth transition into your program and reflects your professionalism and reliability. 

Researching Faculty Advisors and/or Research Interest Areas

Identifying a potential faculty research advisor(s) and research interest areas in your Statement of Purpose for Research is important. It is not necessary to secure a faculty advisor(s) in order to submit your application.

Here are avenues for your research:

Align Research Interests

Ensure your research interests align with those of potential advisors. This alignment is crucial for a productive and supportive mentoring relationship. Review faculty members' recent publications and current projects to understand their focus areas. Visit the program page to learn about the current research for your program.

Use RIT’s “Find an Expert” Tool

Utilize RIT’s Find an Expert tool to identify faculty members with specific expertise. This resource can help you narrow down potential advisors based on your research interests. You may also want to use Google Scholar and search for RIT faculty.

Explore RIT’s Faculty Directory

Start by exploring the RIT Faculty Directory to find faculty members whose research aligns with your interests. This directory provides detailed profiles, including research areas, publications, and contact information.

Explore our Research Centers and Institutes:

RIT is home to a diverse array of research centers and institutes that drive innovation across various fields. These centers provide state-of-the-art facilities and collaborative environments to support groundbreaking research. Explore our extensive list of research centers and institutes

Reach Out to Potential Advisors

Once you’ve identified potential advisors, you may choose to reach out to them with a well-crafted email. This is not required but encouraged. Introduce yourself, briefly explain your research interests, and express why you’re interested in their work. Attach your CV and any relevant documents. Be respectful of their time and follow up if you don’t hear back within a couple of weeks. Do pay attention if it is documented that a faculty advisor is not taking on new students.

Funding Sources for Doctoral Students

Doctoral students typically receive full tuition and an RIT Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) or Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) that will pay a stipend for the academic year. There is not a separate application process for scholarship and assistantship consideration

Assistantships and Stipends

Research and teaching assistantships provide valuable experience and come with stipends that help cover living expenses during the school year, such as room and board. 

Summer Support Some programs are able to offer stipend support during the summer. Eligibility for summer funding will be determined by the graduate advisor and/or program director. 

Funding Throughout Program Funding throughout your doctoral program will depend on your satisfactory academic and research performance. Students are expected to fulfill their assistantship duties responsibly and make satisfactory progress towards their degree. It is expected that starting your second year, funding will be provided from your college either through a Teaching Assistantship or by your graduate advisor from external funds.

Student Fees Full-time students are responsible for both Student Activity and Student Health Services fees. In addition, RIT expects that all students will have health care insurance. Learn more about student fees

Timing and Distribution of Stipends

Graduate Research Assistants and Graduate Teaching Assistants receive a semi-monthly stipend payment starting a few weeks after the initial enrollment term. For U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents, no taxes are withheld at the time the payment is made. However, students are encouraged to file estimated tax payments quarterly. Detailed information about the timing and distribution of stipends will be provided by your academic department. 

Financial Document Submission

Doctoral applicants are not required to submit financial documents as part of the application process. Focus on showcasing your academic and research potential without the added stress of financial documentation. If you are admitted, you will receive funding notification with your admission offer and international students who require a student visa will be assisted through the I-20 process.

Student Support and Community

Doctoral Student Association

The Doctoral Student Association provides an inviting environment that brings students together to encourage collaborative work. Doctorate students collaborate to produce high-quality journal publications and conference presentations in a friendly and encouraging environment. The group also provides information about professional and social activities to help produce well-rounded graduate students.

Learn more about the Doctoral Student Association

RIT Graduate School

The RIT Graduate School acts as a central hub, enhancing the academic journey for graduate students by cultivating a diverse scholarly community and offering robust professional development programs. This supportive environment, backed by dedicated faculty and staff, empowers students to excel in their research, scholarship, and creative endeavors.

Learn more about the RIT Graduate School

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a doctorate and a master’s degree?

Understanding the differences between a doctorate (Ph.D.) and a master's (M.S.) degree program is crucial in making an informed decision. While a master's program typically focuses on advancing your knowledge and skills in a specific area, a doctorate emphasizes original research and developing new theories or applications.

Can I go from a Bachelor’s degree to a Doctorate? Do I need a Master’s degree first?

Yes, you can go directly from a Bachelor's degree (BS) to a Doctorate program. You are not required to get a master’s degree before pursuing a Doctorate. This pathway can be a strategic choice depending on your career goals and readiness for advanced research. 

May I have an application fee waiver?

The $65 application fee covers the management and processing of your record and admission materials. If you are unable to pay our application fee due to financial hardship, we encourage you to carefully consider the expenses associated with graduate study before applying.

Is there a set GPA requirement for being considered for a doctoral program at RIT?

Admitted doctoral students typically have a GPA of 3.0 or above. If it is lower, you will not necessarily be eliminated from consideration. You are welcome to apply. The Admissions Committee will consider your complete application when making a decision.

Do I need to provide GRE or GMAT scores ?

Requirements vary by program. Refer to your doctoral program page or the  deadlines and requirements  table for details. For programs that require test scores, we do not state minimum GRE or GMAT scores. Official scores should be sent to RIT directly from the testing agency using Institute code 2760.

What are the English language test score requirements? As an international student do I need to submit scores?

An official score report for the TOEFL, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic exam, or  RIT English Language Proficiency Test  is required of all international applicants who are not eligible for a waiver. We do not accept letters from your college or university indicating "English proficiency" or letters indicating courses were taught in English in place of official English language test scores. We do not accept Duolingo scores. See the “English Language Test Requirements” section in the  Application Materials  section of the  Application Instructions  for full details.

Do I need to have authored research papers to apply for admission to a doctoral degree?

No, you do not need published research papers to apply for a doctoral degree. A majority of admitted students do not have prior experience authoring research papers. However, admission to a doctoral degree is very competitive, and having published research papers helps strengthen your application.

How many students apply for doctoral study, and how many are admitted?

Admission to an RIT doctoral program is highly competitive. The number of applications received and the number of fully funded opportunities are limited and vary from year to year and by program.

Will the stipend fully cover living costs in the US?

The stipend should cover modest living expenses (housing and food), fees (student activity fee and health services fee), and costs for books, supplies, and some personal expenses. However, each student differs in their preferred living styles and their relative expenses. Doctoral students are permitted to take on other part-time employment so long as it does not interfere with their doctoral work (international students are only able to work on campus, for a total of 20 hours per week including their research positions). On-campus opportunities can be found through Career Connect .

Do doctoral students need to have personal finances available upon arriving at RIT?

Though our Ph.D. is fully funded, students do need to have their own funds available for travel and arrival in the US and to get settled in Rochester immediately upon entering the program. Please be sure to keep this in mind as you consider applying and your finances. If admitted, your first payment/stipend would not be until a few weeks into the program, so you will need to have a foundation of funds available for housing and other living expenses before that.

Is funding throughout the program guaranteed?

Your full tuition and assistantship stipend responsibilities will be determined by your graduate advisor and/or program director. It is our expectation that you will fulfill your duties responsibly and make satisfactory progress towards your degree. Funding in future years will depend on your satisfactory academic and research performance. It is expected that starting your second year, funding will be provided from your college either through a Teaching Assistantship or by your graduate advisor from external funds.

Our team is here to help you as you apply to RIT's doctoral programs. Do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions or need assistance.

Contact Your Admissions Counselor

Email  [email protected] to be connected with your admissions counselor

Chat with Us

For general questions about RIT or applying to one of our doctoral programs, use our live chat or search your question in the chatbot.

Request an Appointment or Schedule a Campus Visit

An in-person visit or virtual meeting with an admissions counselor will provide a personalized experience that suits your needs.

• Schools & departments

English language entry requirements

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

Programme requirements

English language requirements vary between degree programmes and you should check you have the necessary qualifications before applying.

Find the specific language requirements for your chosen programme in our degree finder.

Postgraduate degree finder

Accepted English language qualifications

We accept a wide range of international English qualifications and English language tests.

If you have already met our English language entry requirements for your programme at the time you apply, your application may be considered more competitive in selection than applications where you still need to take an English language test. 

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We accept an undergraduate degree, PGCE , PGDE or postgraduate degree, including a one-year Masters degree, that has been taught and assessed in English, either:

• In a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI).

UKVI Majority English speaking countries

• On our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries.

Approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the start of the month in which your programme of study begins.

Degrees supported by school qualifications

You may also meet our English language entry requirement if you can provide evidence of the following: 

You have a school qualification which meets our English language entry requirements for undergraduate study; AND 

You began a degree within three and a half years of achieving your school qualification, which was taught and assessed in English at a recognised university not otherwise accepted for English language purposes; AND 

That you successfully completed that degree within five years old of the start of the month in which your programme of study begins. 

Evidence that your degree was taught and assessed in English should be in the form of a letter from the awarding university. 

Undergraduate English language entry requirements  

If you have transferred from a university where teaching and assessment are conducted in a language other than English to a university in a majority English speaking country, or to an approved university in a non-majority English speaking country, at least 50% of your studies must have been undertaken in English, including your final year of study.

Degrees from UK universities with campuses overseas

We do not accept degrees awarded by UK universities where all study has taken place at an overseas campus in a non-majority English speaking country, unless they are on the list of approved universities.

Degrees jointly awarded by the University of Edinburgh

We accept degrees jointly awarded by the University of Edinburgh with partner universities in non-majority English speaking countries where teaching and assessment are conducted in English, even if the partner universities are not on the list of approved universities.

Degrees awarded by the Open University

We only accept degrees awarded by the Open University to meet our academic English requirement if you are a national of a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI).

We do not accept degrees awarded by the Open University to meet visa English requirements.

Online degrees

We do not accept degrees taught and assessed entirely online except for those awarded by the University of Edinburgh , or the Open University provided you meet the criteria defined above.

Other qualifications and tests

We also accept a wide range of international English qualifications and English language tests.

The qualifications we accept meet both our English language proficiency requirements and the minimum standards for Student route visas.

Expiry of qualifications

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the programme you are applying to study begins, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL or  Trinity ISE ,  in which case it must be no more than two years old  on the first of the month in which the degree begins.  

Two year expiry

Three and a half year expiry

Pre-sessional English for Academic Purposes

We also accept satisfactory completion of our English for Academic Purposes programme or the University of Glasgow Pre-Sessional English programme as meeting our English language requirements. You must complete the programme no more than two years and one month before the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins.

Professional qualifications

The following professional registrations can be accepted as meeting English language requirements:

• Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (MFDS)/ Membership of the Faculty of Dentistry (MFD)
• NHS Dental Vocational (Foundation) Training and Dental Core Training
• Overseas Registration Examination (ORE)
• General Medical Council (GMC) (must be Registered with a licence to practise)
• Membership of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCV)
• Registration with the Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC)
• Membership of the Royal College of Physicians
• Royal College of Surgeons
• The Membership Examination of the Surgical Royal Colleges of Great Britain (MRCS)
• Irish Medical Council (IMC)
• General Dental Council (GDC)

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country and are no longer domiciled in a majority English speaking country your professional qualification must be no more than three and a half years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Certificates

We will need to verify your qualifications and/or test results. If your certificates are not in English you will also need to submit a certified translation.

Submitting your certificates

Students who require a visa to study in the UK

In addition to our English language proficiency requirements, the UK Home Office sets its own minimum standards for applicants who require a Student route visa to study in the UK.

Degree study

If you require a Student route visa to study in the UK, the English qualification that you use for admission to a postgraduate degree must be included in our list of accepted qualifications, unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country as defined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

Majority English speaking countries

English language education

If you are interested in our English language programmes as preparation for degree entry you must have an IELTS for UKVI test from a UKVI-approved test centre.

UKVI approved test centres

English language courses

If you do not have the English grades we require for entry, you can improve your language skills through our range of English courses.

English language courses at Edinburgh

Related Links

University policy on English language entry