Research programmes

Before applying to study for a research programme at the University, ensure that you can meet all the entry requirements. The information below includes details on how and when to apply for our research programmes.

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As a prospective PhD, MSc(Res), or MSt(Res) student, you will apply to work with an individual supervisor or supervisory team within a School or institute, and not a specific programme of study. It is therefore important that you look at staff research interests within the University and ensure that your project matches an existing area of research.

If you are unable to identify a possible supervisor, please contact the School directly, who will be happy to advise you of the most appropriate academic for your chosen research area.

Applicants applying for the MFA, MRes or MPhil programmes are not required to contact a possible supervisor before making an application.
Admission to research study within the Faculties of Arts and Divinity is normally on the basis of a good Masters degree which must be related to your area of research. Research applicants within the Faculty of Science require a good first degree with Honours at 2.1 (UK) or the overseas equivalent – more details can be found at entry requirements and country information.

The degree of MD (Medicine) requires a medical qualification that is recognised by the UK General Medical Council.

English language requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English proficiency. For further information on what evidence of English proficiency is required, please see the postgraduate English language requirements web page or email admissions@st-andrews.ac.uk
All applications must include the required supplementary documentation before a decision can be made. This varies by programme but includes:
- CV or résumé. This should include your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date.
- A research proposal – see School-specific details below.
- A sample of academic written work in English – see School-specific details below.
- Two original signed academic references.
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates. Please only send certified copies with official English translations if applicable. Do not send original documents as they cannot be returned.
- English language requirements certificate.
Research proposal

Applicants intending to read for a PhD, DLang, MPhil, MSc(Res) or MSt(Res) award should include an outline in English of not more than 500 words, with the following exceptions:
- School of Art History
  For MSt(Res) programmes, 800-1000 words. For PhD programmes, 1000-1500 words. Where appropriate, proposals should be accompanied by properly captioned images. All proposals must also include a substantial bibliography listing relevant publications.
- School of Classics
  1,000 words and personal statement of no more than 600 words.
- School of Chemistry
  No research proposal or writing sample is required, but we would encourage applicants to indicate which research projects they are interested in, or supervisor they would like to work with.
- School of Computer Science
  Details of the required research proposal can be found on the School's pages.
- School of Divinity
  For Sacred Music MPhil, a short summary of research interest, 300 words.
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
  No research proposal is required however a personal or motivation statement should be submitted. Statements should be around 1,000 words and include why you have chosen St Andrews and the particular project. Also, explain how your current study and future career plans fit with the project. The selection committee and external funding bodies put great emphasis on this statement, so it is important it clearly applies to your chosen project. If you apply to more than one project, provide a personal statement for each.
- University of St Andrews Business School, Department of Economics and Finance
  2,000 words.
- School of English
  2,000 words, including draft title and chapter outlines where possible.
- Department of Film Studies
  1,000-word research proposal.
- School of Geography and Sustainable Development
  1,500 words and personal statement of no more than 600 words.
- School of International Relations
  If applying for the PhD, a 1000-word research proposal (word count excludes bibliography and footnotes) and personal statement (statement of purpose) is required.
- University of St Andrews Business School, Department of Management
  1,500 words, excluding references.
- School of Modern Languages
  2,000 words.
- School of Music
  For Sacred Music MPhil, a short summary of research interest, 300 words.
- Department of Philosophy PhD
  1,000-word research proposal.
- Department of Philosophy MPhil
  a short summary of research interest (200 words maximum), plus the name of a proposed supervisor at either St Andrews or Stirling.
- School of Physics and Astronomy
  A one page personal statement is required. Please see the Physics and Astronomy Postgraduate research page for more details and a list of currently advertised research projects.
Written work sample

All applications submitted to the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Divinity should include a 2,000-word sample of written work in English, with exceptions for:
- School of Classics
  provide a sample of written work between 2,500 to 5,000 words in length; this should be written in English
- School of English
  submit a 3,000 to 5,000-word critical essay. This can be an extract from a previous project or essay, or part of your dissertation.
- School of Geography and Sustainable Development
  The School of Geography and Sustainable Development offers Arts and Science PhD programmes. Please provide an academic writing sample which should be your undergraduate or Masters dissertation, a published article, or something similar; this should be written in English.
- University of St Andrews Business School, Department of Management
  a piece of academic work by you in the area in which you intend to study (maximum of 3,000 words).
- Department of Philosophy
  provide a sample of written work between 2,000 to 4,000 words in length.
Applicants who cannot provide a sample such as this should contact the appropriate School directly for further guidance.

Students applying to the Faculty of Science are not expected to submit a sample of their written work.

References
- Two referees must be supplied per application.
- You (the applicant) will supply your referees' details. This will include their:
  - name
  - university or business
  - country of their university or business
  - university or business email.
- The online application system will automatically generate an email to the referees.
We will automatically contact your named referees only when you have submitted your final application. On submission of your application, you will receive notification that we have contacted your referees requesting a reference; we will require one from each referee.

Your referee will be emailed a link to a web form to complete a reference online or to upload a document. You and your School will receive a notification when each referee has successfully uploaded a reference.

Referees who do not provide a reference within two weeks of the first request will be automatically emailed once more. Beyond this, it is your responsibility to ensure that your referees provide references.
For the majority of Schools, there is no deadline on applying for research. However, the following Schools have specific deadlines each year:
- School of Classics
  All complete PhD applications received by Thursday 30 November 2023 will be considered for SGSAH scholarship funding (there will be a limited number of studentships available for international students including EU). All complete applications received by Monday 15 January 2024 will be considered for School and University funding (Home, EU and Overseas students).
- School of Divinity
  Applications received by Monday 4 November 2024 will receive first consideration both for acceptance and for School and University funding; applications received after that date are considered on a rolling basis if and as places are available.
- School of International Relations
  The application portal for all postgraduate research programmes opens Tuesday 1 October 2024.
  
  Applicants who wish to be considered for ANY funding must first submit their online application for a place on the PhD programme by Wednesday 13 November 2024, 5pm (GMT).
  
  Applicants applying for SGSSS or/and SGSAH-funded PhD studentships must notify the School of their intention to apply for this funding by emailing irpg@st-andrews.ac.uk by Wednesday 13 November 2024, 5pm (GMT) and must have secured a supervisory team before applying for either funding route.
  
  Applications for the (ESCR) SGSS - Scottish Graduate School of Social Science are submitted via their portal. Full details can be found at Studentships – Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (sgsss.ac.uk)
  
  Applicants for the (AHRC) SGSAH - Scottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities Scottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities - Prospective Students - AHRC Doctoral Training Partnership (sgsah.ac.uk) must email their nomination form, which is available on the SGSAH website to the School irpg@st-andrews.ac.uk by Friday 29 November 2024, 5pm (GMT). SGSAH applications must be approved for nomination by the School and then by a University panel before they can be submitted on the SGSAH website.
  
  Self-funded applicants must submit by Friday 10 January 2025, 5pm (GMT).
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience
  Only complete PhD applications received by Monday 8th January 2024 will be considered for scholarship funding. There is no deadline for applicants not seeking funding.
For all other Schools or Departments, applications can be sent in any time throughout the academic year. However, it is important to remember that if you are applying for any scholarships or funding, then the deadline for this may be early in the year.

Start dates

We strongly encourage students to begin their studies in September, but the start date for research study can be flexible. Your start date will be decided between yourself and your supervisor, but you may indicate your preferred start date on the application.

Start dates are:
- 27 August
- 27 September
- 27 October
- 27 January
- 27 May
Tuition fees will vary depending on what programme you are studying and where you live. You may be able to apply for help with funding your studies at the University.

Early application is strongly advised if you are applying for a scholarship. Many have an early closing date (often between December and February) and most scholarships require you to be holding an offer in order to be considered for funding.

We continue to accept self-funded applications even after scholarship deadlines have passed. If you need further guidance on this, please contact the School that you are applying to.

For more advice on scholarships and funding, please go to postgraduate scholarships. You can also find out about our current tuition fees.
Applicants should disclose the details of any special needs or disabilities that they have in the relevant section of the application form. This information will be passed on to the Advice and Support Centre's disability team. Applicants with a special need or disability are encouraged to get in touch with the disability team (email theasc@st-andrews.ac.uk) as early as possible to ensure that their needs will be met by the University.

If you are a student with a special need or disability, and the University has not been made fully aware of your disability requirements prior to an offer being made, we cannot guarantee that suitable resources will be available on your arrival in St Andrews.

All applications are assessed purely on academic merit, and the impact of a disability will be considered only after a final decision has been made.

Research degrees

Research degrees in the Faculties of Arts and Divinity are usually offered to students who have already obtained a good Masters degree in their chosen area of research.

In the Faculty of Science, research degrees are usually undertaken by students already holding a good undergraduate degree.

PhD

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) research degree is usually three and a half years full time. At St Andrews, 98% of research students are studying for a PhD. The qualification is completed upon submission of a substantial thesis of original research. You will be supported by a supervisor and second supervisor throughout your time with us. You may also have the opportunity to teach undergraduate-level work. This pattern of research allows you to focus on your doctoral thesis from the very start.

MSc (Res), MSt (Res)

The Master of Science by Research (MSc (Res)) and the Master of Studies by Research (MSt (Res)) are research-based Masters degrees. You will engage in a full-time research project and write a dissertation. It is an excellent opportunity to spend a shorter time in a research environment either for a standalone degree or as preparation for a PhD.

MFA

The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing is a postgraduate degree offered by the School of English, and allows students to complete a substantial piece of creative work. It is also the standard qualification for those who wish to teach Creative Writing. It consists of two distinct years of study in either prose or poetry; both years include careers skills modules. The first year is taught through technical seminars, workshops and individual tuition. In the second year, students will receive individual supervision and submit creative work in the form of a short thesis.

EngD

The Engineering Doctorate (EngD) is a four-year research degree with a strong industry focus. A substantial amount of time is dedicated to research work, usually based at the premises of the sponsor company, with the remaining time being spent on taught coursework at the University.

MPhil (Taught)

A taught Master of Philosophy (MPhil) is a stepping-stone between the Masters-level degree and a doctoral degree. The first year comprises taught modules which may be undergraduate or postgraduate level depending on the subject area, while the second year is dedicated to a thesis of up to 40,000 words. Some well-qualified candidates with a good postgraduate degree in a relevant discipline or a suitable research background may be admitted directly into the second year to begin the research thesis.

MPhil (Research)

A Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in research involves two years of research resulting in a 60,000 word-thesis.

MD

The Doctor in Medicine (MD) degree is offered by the School of Medicine to candidates holding a recognised medical qualification.

Global PhDs

Tailored opportunities for joint PhDs, allowing students to conduct doctoral research at two institutions and to obtain a jointly awarded degree are also available.

Research programmes

Finding a supervisor

Entry requirements

Supporting documents and references

Important dates and deadlines

Fees and funding

Applicants with special needs or disabilities