FAQ

1. How do I apply?
2. Am I eligible to study for a Research degree?
3. How do I obtain information on Physics and Astronomy research in Glasgow?
4. What higher degrees are offered?
5. Am I eligible for UK funding council financial support?
6. Do any other funding opportunities exist?
7. How much will my degree cost?
   

How do I apply?

All applicants should complete the standard online application for admission to postgraduate taught and research degree programmes within the College of Science and Engineering and submit the scanned supporting documentation.

Please note that you will need to register your details before you use the online application system for the first time and you must remember the username and password you create so that you can return to the system at any time. Instructions are provided throughout the online form and you can consult the Applicant's guide to online application!!!! to help you complete your application. You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish before submitting it.

The online forms to apply for a research degree are at http://www.gla.ac.uk/research/opportunities/howtoapplyforaresearchdegree/applyonline/

Supporting documents for research applicants (if not submitted electronically) should be returned to:

Postgraduate Office
College of Science and Engineering
1st Floor (Level 3)
Boyd Orr Building
University Avenue
University of Glasgow
Glasgow G12 8QQ

Tel: +44(0) 141 330 4269/8742
Fax: +44(0) 141 330 2359
Email: scieng-gradschool@glasgow.ac.uk

Am I eligible to study for a Research degree?

Applicants for research degrees are normally expected to have obtained or expect to obtain the equivalent of a BSc 2.1 or higher.

Candidates whose dominant language is not English must produce proof of English language proficiency achieved within two years prior to application*.

For all students this will normally be:

1.   British Council IELTS (minimum score 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any sub-skill);
2.   TOEFL 580 in the paper-based test with a TWE (Test of Written English) of at least 4.5;
3.   iBT TOEFL (minimum 92 with not less than 22 in writing and no less than 20 in all other sub-tests); or
4.   alternative qualifications such as the Cambridge Advanced Certificate (Grade B minimum), or Cambridge Proficiency (Grade C minimum) will be accepted.

* Study of your first degree in the medium of English in a country where English is not the dominant language may mean that your English is not at a satisfactory level for academic study in the UK.

All students who do not have English as a first language are advised to attend support classes in the University's old site: Language Centre for the first semester irrespective of whether they have attained the level stated as a condition of entry. The Language Centre provides cultural and social support in addition to an introduction to the local dialect and an essay checking service. For further information, please visit their web site.

How do I obtain information on Physics and Astronomy research in Glasgow?

The University of Glasgow was founded in 1451 and is the fourth oldest university in Britain. Glasgow has a long tradition as a centre for the study of Physics and Astronomy. Physics was taught from an early stage in the history of the University and reached world-wide prominence with the work of Lord Kelvin in the 19th century.In its present research activities, the laboratory is one of the foremost in the UK and its work is internationally recognised. This work is organised around the following research groups:

•  Astronomy & Astrophysics
•  Institute for Gravitational Research
•  Nuclear Physics
•  Optics
•  Particle Physics Experiment
•  Particle Physics Theory
•  Materials and Condensed Matter Physics

You can find the summaries of the activities of each research group at http://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/physics/research/ and specific information on postgraduate opportunities at http://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/physics/courses/phdstudy/

Before applying we advise you to make contact with the prospective research group leader to discuss possible research projects and available funding.

What higher degrees are offered?

Our standard research degree is the funded three to four year PhD.

We also offer both a taught Masters degree and a Masters by research. For more information on our taught Masters degrees, see here . MSc by research degrees are occasionally offered if you have reached an agreement with the head of the group you wish to join. No funding is available from the group for these Masters degrees.

Am I eligible for UK funding council financial support?

The majority of our research studentships are funded by the UK Government research councils, EPSRC and STFC.  These research councils have eligibility rules which mean that only people who have been resident in the UK for three years are eligible to receive a stipend (currently around 12,000 pounds per annum).  Furthermore, this residency should not have been wholly or mainly for the purpose of full time education. EU Citizens will have their fees paid but not receive the maintenance grant, hence UK candidates are preferred for these grant awards. (See http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/PostgraduateTraining/StudentEligibility.htm or http://www.stfc.ac.uk/Grants/Studs/student.aspx#Residence)

All candidates must have obtained, or expect to obtain, a BSc 2.1 or better, or equivalent. These grants also provide travel funding.

Applications for council funded positions are accepted at any time, but the main allocation of places occurs around March each year (with discussions with candidates occurring in the months preceding this) for entry that October. However, a few additional places often become available right up to the start of the positions in October as extra funding is obtained.

Do any other funding opportunities exist?

Information about various alternative funding schemes is available at the College Graduate School website.

In particular, we have several SUPA Prize Studentships that may be applied for. These prestigious and competitive awards are open to outstanding students from around the world to study for a PhD in Scotland.  These studentships are part of the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA). The round of applications for 2011 entry begins in October 2010 with the deadline on 25th January 2011. Application is online. We suggest that you discuss your application with your prospective supervisor.  Since this application is only for funding, you still need to apply to the Graduate School for a place.

Other funding opportunities:

Other PhD scholarship schemes and places funded in collaboration with industry do sometimes become available.  Alternatively you may have another possible source of funding (e.g. a scholarship from your home government, or other private funding), if so please clearly indicate this on your application form.

How much will my degree cost?

All students pay an annual tuition fee to the University which covers registration, supervision of research or study and examination and recreational facilities of £3,732 for an UK/EU student and £15,000 for an international student (fees quoted are those for academic session 2011-12). Unless you are self-funded this funding will be covered by your scholarship or research council support.

More details on tuition fees can be found at http://www.gla.ac.uk/scholarships/fees/

The University of Glasgow estimates that a single student in self-catering accommodation should allow living expenses of £8,040 per year and a minimum of £12,000 for a married couple. An extra £2,000 per year should also be added per child.