Dentistry (Community Oral Health & Oral Sciences) PhD/iPhD/MSc (Research)
The Glasgow Dental School Clinical Research Facility aims to improve oral and general health by advancing new and better ways of preventing and treating disease. We strive for our research to have a significant positive impact in the local community and the wider world.
- PhD: 3-4 years full-time; 5 years part-time;
- MSc (Research): 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time;
- IPhD: 5 years full-time;
Research projects
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Head and neck cancer epidemiology
Supervisors: david.conway@glasgow.ac.uk, alex.mcmahon@glasgow.ac.uk, alastair.ross@glasgow.ac.uk
Project description:
The research would involve descriptive/analytical epidemiological analyses exploring aspects of the disease burden and trends or risk factors or care pathways/outcomes for head and neck cancer and its subsites. Epidemiological methods would be employed on secondary analysis of a range of potential routine administrative datasets and observational studies from Scotland, UK, or globally. The project will be adapted to focus on a specific aspect of inequalities in head and neck cancer across the cancer continuum.
Complementary a mixed methods approach to understanding these data via in-depth qualitative and healthcare systems research potentially could be undertaken.
Candidates will require a strong background in statistics/epidemiology, and public health ie. via a Masters in Public Health.
References:
- Vaccarella S, Lortet-Tieulent J, Saracci R, Conway DI, Straif K, Wild CP. Reducing social inequalities in cancer: evidence and priorities for research. IARC Scientific Publication No.168. World Health Organisation, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon 2019.
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Overview
The University of Glasgow has been ranked first in the UK for Dentistry in the Complete University Guide 2021.
Our School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing has a thriving community of postgraduate research students, from both the United Kingdom and overseas. The majority of our research students undertake PhD programmes within our two research groups:
- Community Oral Health focuses on health inequalities research across the life course, concentrating particularly on oral health in children, the elderly and adults with head and neck cancer. This is done through developing a better understanding of biological, social and behavioural determinants, in order to design, develop and evaluate appropriate interventions from bench to population level.
- Oral Sciences focuses on the role of micro-organisms in the immune-pathogenesis of oral disease and it’s impact on systemic health, with particular reference to the biofilm lifestyle.
Our PhD students come from a wide variety of clinical and non-clinical backgrounds including:
- microbiology
- immunology
- dental public health
- epidemiology
- statistical modeling
- psychology and behavioural sciences.
We engage in knowledge exchange with policymakers, practitioners, researchers, industry and the public to ensure that policies and practices are based on evidence, and effectively translated into practice.
Specific areas of interest include:
- candidosis
- child oral health
- comparative oral disease
- decontamination Sciences
- endodontic disease
- head and neck cancer
- oral health of older adults
- periodontitis.
Study options
PhD
- Duration: 3/4 years full-time; 5 years part-time
Individual research projects are tailored around the expertise of principal investigators.
Integrated PhD programmes (5 years)
Our Integrated PhD allows you to combine masters level teaching with your chosen research direction in a 1+3+1 format.
International students with MSc and PhD scholarships/funding do not have to apply for 2 visas or exit and re-enter the country between programmes. International and UK/EU students may apply.
Year 1
Taught masters level modules are taken alongside students on our masters programmes. Our research-led teaching supports you to fine tune your research ideas and discuss these with potential PhD supervisors. You will gain a valuable introduction to academic topics, research methods, laboratory skills and the critical evaluation of research data. Your grades must meet our requirements in order to gain entry on to a PhD research programme. If not, you will receive the masters degree only.
Years 2, 3 and 4
PhD programme with research/lab work, completing an examinable piece of independent research in year 4.
Year 5
Thesis write up.
MSc (Research)
- Duration: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
Entry requirements
A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent.
English language requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
- 6.5 with no sub-test under 6.0.
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Common equivalent English language qualifications
All stated English tests are acceptable for admission to this programme:
TOEFL (ib, my best or athome)
- 90 with minimum R 20, L 19, S 19, W 23.
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.
PTE (Academic)
- 60 with minimum 59 in all sub-tests.
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Glasgow International College English Language (and other foundation providers)
- 65%.
- Tests are accepted for academic year following sitting.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
- Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.
Alternatives to English Language qualification
- Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English).
- Students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master’s level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years.
- Undergraduate 2+2 degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English).
- Students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years.
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept an IELTS test (Academic module) from any of the 1000 IELTS test centres from around the world and we do not require a specific UKVI IELTS test for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:
Fees and funding
Fees
2023/24
- UK: £4,712
- International & EU: £27,930
Prices are based on the annual fee for full-time study. Fees for part-time study are half the full-time fee.
Irish nationals who are living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status, and Internationals with Indefinite Leave to remain status can also qualify for home fee status.
Alumni discount
We offer a 20% discount to our alumni on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed Junior Year Abroad, Exchange programme or International Summer School with us. The discount is applied at registration for students who are not in receipt of another discount or scholarship funded by the University. No additional application is required.
Possible additional fees
- Re-submission by a research student £540
- Submission for a higher degree by published work £1,355
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed £350
- Submission by staff in receipt of staff scholarship £790
Depending on the nature of the research project, some students will be expected to pay a bench fee (also known as research support costs) to cover additional costs. The exact amount will be provided in the offer letter.
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2022/23 fees
- UK: £4,596
- International & EU: £23,950
Possible additional fees
- Re-submission by a research student £540
- Submission for a higher degree by published work £1,355
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed £350
- Submission by staff in receipt of staff scholarship £790
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Funding
The iPhD is not supported by University of Glasgow Scholarship/Funding
Support
The College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences Graduate School provides a vibrant, supportive and stimulating environment for all our postgraduate students. We aim to provide excellent support for our postgraduates through dedicated postgraduate convenors, highly trained supervisors and pastoral support for each student.
Our overarching aim is to provide a research training environment that includes:
- provision of excellent facilities and cutting edge techniques
- training in essential research and generic skills
- excellence in supervision and mentoring
- interactive discussion groups and seminars
- an atmosphere that fosters critical cultural policy and research analysis
- synergy between research groups and areas
- extensive multidisciplinary and collaborative research
- extensive external collaborations both within and beyond the UK
- a robust generic skills programme including opportunities in social and commercial training
Our excellent facilities and dedicated staff will equip you with training complementary to a range of career options, and you can tailor your study pathway to the precise aspects that suit your objectives.
How to apply
Identify potential supervisors
All Postgraduate Research Students are allocated a supervisor* who will act as the main source of academic support and research mentoring. You may want to identify a potential supervisor and contact them to discuss your research proposal before you apply. Please note, even if you have spoken to an academic staff member about your proposal you still need to submit an online application form.
You can find relevant academic staff members with our staff research interests search.
*iPhD applicants do not need to contact a supervisor, as you will start your programme by choosing a masters from our Taught degree programmes A-Z [do not apply directly to a masters].
Gather your documents
Before applying please make sure you gather the following supporting documentation:
- Final or current degree transcripts including grades (and an official translation, if needed) – scanned copy in colour of the original document.
- Degree certificates (and an official translation, if needed): scanned copy in colour of the original document
- Two references on headed paper and signed by the referee. One must be academic, the other can be academic or professional [except iPhD applicants, where only one academic or professional reference is required]. References may be uploaded as part of the application form or you may enter your referees contact details on the application form. We will then email your referee and notify you when we receive the reference. We can also accept confidential references direct to rio-researchadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk, from the referee’s university or business email account.
- Research proposal, CV, samples of written work as per requirements for each subject area. iPhD applicants do not need to submit any of these as you will start your programme by choosing a masters.
- Completed the College of MVLS Postgraduate Research Cover Letter
Notes for iPhD applicants
- add 'I wish to study the MSc in (chosen subject) as the masters taught component of the iPhD' in the research proposal box
- write 'n/a' for the supervisor name
Contact us
Before you apply
PhD/MSc/MD: email mvls-gradschool@glasgow.ac.uk
iPhD: email mvls-iphd@glasgow.ac.uk
After you have submitted your application
PhD/MSc/MD/iPhD: contact our Admissions team
Any references may be submitted by email to: rio-researchadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk
Our research environment
