How to apply
Entry requirements & application procedure
Submitting your application
All applications must be made through the University's Degree Finder pages. You can find the relevant page via the below link.
After selecting the relevant research programme, 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 is directed to the relevant admissions coordinators, please ensure you indicate which Institute you are applying for: Astronomy, PPT, PPE, NP, CM (hard) or CM (soft).
Entry requirements
Entry 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 all of our PGR programmes are accepted up until the end of June in the year of admission.
Certain PhD scholarships have application deadlines - applicants are encouraged to explore the below link for further information.
Applicants for Research Council or University PhD funding are required to submit their applications by the following deadlines:
- Astronomy / Astrophysics: Monday 4th January 2027
- Physics: Friday 22nd January 2027
PhD applicants who are self-funded or have an external scholarship should contact the Graduate School office once they have submitted their application, to ensure this is appropriately processed. Your application will likely be processed outwith the timeframes detailed on the degree finder.
MSc by Research applications will be considered throughout the year.
Frequently-asked questions
Practical application questions
How can I make changes to my application?
All guidance related to the Euclid application system can be found on the Student Systems website at the following link: Applicants.
Please note - if you have received automatic notification that your record is being processed, but you need to amend anything, please contact us at GradSchool.Physics [at] ed.ac.uk first. This includes updates to referees.
My references have yet to be uploaded - can I still be considered for a place on the programme?
If your application is considered strong enough to be interviewed and issued an offer, this will be conditional subject to receiving satisfactory references. For all our programmes, we require two references, submitted by the referees themselves. Any reference uploaded by the applicant will be rejected.
The date of entry is September, but I won't be able to start my programme then. Are there any alternative start dates?
While we only have one collective application date for our PGR programmes, as indicated on the degree finder, we can consider different start dates on a case-by-case basis. Evidence of exceptional circumstances will be required. Please contact us at GradSchool.Physics [at] ed.ac.uk to discuss this if you are offered a place on the programme.
If you are currently undertaking a Masters degree and your final result will not be confirmed until after September, it is possible you will still be able to start then regardless. Please get in touch to discuss if you are an offer-holder in this situation.
Should I contact a potential supervisor in advance of submitting my application?
We encourage students to identify potential supervisors based on the research projects available on our website. There is no requirement to make contact before applying, but you should do so if you are proposing your own project. Please note that not all of our academic staff are available for supervision ever year.
I am interested in multiple research projects. Do I need to submit a separate application for each one?
Please only submit one application, listing the different projects in which you are interested in the relevant section.
Duplicate applications will be rejected.
Can I arrange a tour of the School and University?
Unfortunately due to resource constraints, School staff are unable to offer tours. The University offers a range of difference options for exploring our campuses, including self-guided and virtual tours. More information is available at the following link: Campus tours.
Entry requirements
I have a Masters degree. Will this give me an advantage over other applicants?
This will not make you any more likely to receive an offer, although it may have given you a deeper understanding of your chosen research area that may be useful to highlight in your application. Most of our current PhD students did not have a Masters degree before starting their programme.
My institution is not on the University's approved list of universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (MESC), but my degree was taught in English. Can this still be accepted as proof of meeting the English language requirements?
The University rigorously scrutinises all institutions that teach and assess in English, to ensure these programmes meet the standards required at institutional and UKVI level. If your institution is not on the list, you will need to find an alternative method of meeting these requirements.
I have a non-degree-level qualification from a MESC / a University-approved non-MESC institution - can I use this as proof of meeting the English language requirements?
Proof of degree-level attainment, at a minimum an undergraduate degree, is a requirement of meeting this condition.
Can I provide proof of meeting the English language requirements after submitting my application?
If your application is considered strong enough to be issued an offer, this will be conditional subject to meeting the requirements. You should keep in mind that if you are an international student who would require a visa to study in the UK, we cannot issue an unconditional offer until this requirement has been met, and you cannot apply for a visa until this has been issued.
Funding
How can I apply for one of the School, University, or UKRI studentships?
All applications submitted via Euclid by the deadlines as specified on the relevant degree finder pages will be considered for School and UKRI studentships, as well as the Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarship. No separate application is required. You should specify in your application if you would like to be considered for this funding.
Application requirements for other funding sources can be found at the above link.
Can I apply for funding as an international student?
We welcome applicants from all over the world. There are limits to how many international students we can accept on UKRI grants, but these form only one of the funding routes we offer.
Will I have to pay tuition fees?
All studentships administered by the School will include a 100% tuition fee contribution.
Self-funded students or those with external funding will be responsible for their own tuition fee payments and will be asked to confirm how these will be paid upon matriculation in each year of study.
Do you have any funding available for MSc by Research study?
At present, we are unable to provide any scholarships for our MSc (R) programme. We welcome students with their own funding or an external scholarship.
All fully-matriculated MSc (R) students will be given a grant during their studies to support their research.
If I am successful in my application, can the University pay my visa application and NHS surcharge fees?
We do not cover costs incurred by offer-holders before their programme starts, nor can we provide any funding to students before they are fully matriculated. You should consider these costs in advance of making your application.