Health Professions Education PhD/MD
The field of Health Professions Education is concerned with how we educate health professionals across the continuum of undergraduate and postgraduate training and lifelong clinical practice.
- PhD: 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time;
- MD (Doctor of Medicine): 2 years full-time; 4 years part-time;
Research projects
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International Medical Graduates’ experiences, well-being, outcomes, and contributions to the Medical Workforce
Supervisor: Mo Al-Haddad
Research areas: International Medical Graduates (IMGs), health care professions (HCP) migration, educational attainment, acculturation, belonging, mental health and well-being, workforce, equity and fairness
Project outline: International Medical Graduates (IMGs) are doctors who practice medicine in a country different to their country of Primary Medical Qualification. With the internationalisation of medical education, the number of IMGs and other international HCPs is increasing worldwide. The experiences of IMGs are characterised by personal and professional challenges in area related to language, culture, education and training and belonging. Overcoming these challenges leads to personal and professional growth for this resourceful and resilient group of doctors.
Your project will involve an aspect related to IMGs’ or other international HCPs’ experiences, education, acculturation, mental health and well-being, equity or workforce related issues using qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods methodologies.
Supervision: You will work under my supervision as well as other co-supervisors depending on the exact nature of the project. The PhD will be in HPE Education or Clinical and Surgical Sciences depending on the project.
Applications: Open to prospective doctoral students (doctors and other HCPs) who have an interest in studies related to this group of doctors using qualitative, quantitative or mixed research methodologies.
Initial enquiries to Prof Mo Al-Haddad
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Overview
Doctoral study in Health Professions Education (HPE) builds upon the broad scholarly and practical experience in the theory, research, and practice from our MSc in HPE.
Our PhD/MD degree:
- will prepare graduates to be at the forefront of research, scholarship, leadership, teaching and assessment in the discipline of health professions education.
- is a higher research degree, that supports a focused piece of research building on the competencies found in the MSc in HPE.
- is suitable for those wishing to develop their skills as independent and thoughtful researchers in the field. This can enable graduates to lead on their own HPE research after graduation. And enable them to incorporate their work into their scholarly practice as educators.
Those who enter the programme will come from a variety of health professional backgrounds (including medicine, dentistry, nursing, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, dietetics, optometry and more). Our learners may also have a background in education, biomedical sciences, psychology or linguistics.
Ideally, learners will also have completed a Masters’ degree in HPE, medical education or equivalent. This provides a strong foundation in the field and relevant research approaches (including theory and methodology). Therefore, we strongly recommend you consider the completion of our MSc in HPE before joining our PhD/MD.
Most supervisors are are based in the College of MVLS. Though we also encourage cross-disciplinary research and are able to draw on wider supervisory expertise relevant to you chosen area of interest.
For more information or to discuss your interest in and suitability for the programme please contact the Director for Doctoral Studies in Health Professions Education: james.boyle@glasgow.ac.uk.
Example areas of staff expertise/interest include:
- Clinical Reasoning, Decision Making and Error
- Human Factors
- Simulation based education and clinical skills.
- Faculty Development
- Linguistics
- Assessment
- Technology enhanced learning and teaching (TELT) including AI, Virtual patients and Flipped classroom.
- Quantitative and Qualitative Methods
- Small Group Teaching including Flipped Classroom, Problem-based Learning and Case Based Learning.
- Near Peer Education
- Admissions
- Curriculum
- Community Based Education
- Transitions in undergraduate and postgraduate education (e.g. IMGs)
- Sustainable Healthcare Education
- Anatomy Education
We encourage doctoral learners to come to us with topics and areas of interest for their PhD studies. Typically these are related to their own professional context. We have a wide range of research interests and welcome early conversation about areas of interest with Professor James Boyle, our Programme Director (email: james.boyle@glasgow.ac.uk).
Study options
PhD
- Duration: 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time
MD
- Duration: 2 years full-time; 4 years part-time
Entry requirements
Our regular standard of admission is usually a 2.1 honours degree, with a significant component in Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, or other relevant health profession subjects.
Required documents
Applicants should submit:- Academic Transcripts and Degree Certificates
- CV
- MVLS Cover Letter
- Two References
Normally applicants should also have completed a PG Diploma or Masters’ degree in Health Professions or Medical Education.
Consideration will be given to applicants who can demonstrate substantial experience of working in a health professions education content. Applications will also be considered from individuals with other primary degree qualifications (such as a BSc in Biomedical Science) who meet other listed requirements.
Applicants to the MD option must hold an MBChB or equivalent, and have been engaged since graduation for at least three years in either scientific work bearing directly on their profession, or in the practice of Medicine or Surgery.
English language requirements
For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English language proficiency level.
Accepted English language tests
We accept a wide range of English language tests for entry to this programme. Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date, and requirements must be met using a single test.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)
- 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
- IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
- We do not accept General Training
TOEFL iBT (including MyBest and Home Edition)
Tests taken up to 20 January 2026
- 90 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
Tests taken from 21 January 2026
- 92 Overall, no subtest lower than 4.5
Pearsons PTE Academic (test centre only)
- 65 overall with no subtest less than Reading 60; Listening 60; Speaking 65; Writing 60
Cambridge C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency
- 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
Oxford ELLT
- 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
LanguageCert Academic SELT/Academic/Academic Online
- 70 overall with no subtest less than 60
Password Skills Plus
- 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
Trinity College Integrated Skills in English II
- 96 overall with no subtest less than 90
Kaplan Test of English
- Any two subtests at 480 or higher, and any two subtests at 450 or higher
PSI Skills for English
- B2 Pass with Merit
Duolingo English Test
- 120 overall with Writing at 120 and no subtest less than 110
Oxford Test of English Advanced
- 140 Overall with any two subtests at 126 or higher, and any two subtests at 136 or higher
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 their final year at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within 6 years of programme start.
TNE degree for UK University taught at a campus outside of the UK.
- Students must be awarded the degree by the UK university and must have completed the degree within 6 years of programme start.
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 would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:
- direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
- essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
- flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.
For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:
We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:
- Heriot Watt
- Kingston Upon Thames
- Middlesex University
- Manchester University
- Reading University
- Edinburgh University
- ST Andrews University
- UCL
- Durham
Fees and funding
Fees
2027/28
- UK: To be confirmed [26/27 fee was £5,238]
- International & EU: £33,708
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 15% tuition fee discount to eligible self-funded alumni starting a Postgraduate Taught (PGT) Masters or Postgraduate Research (PGR) programme in the 2027/28 academic year.
This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed a Study Abroad programme, Exchange programme, International Summer School or Erasmus programme with us. This discount can be awarded alongside most University scholarships. 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.
Funding
Support
The College of Medical, Veterinary and 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
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.
Required documents
- Academic Transcripts and Degree Certificates
- CV
- MVLS Cover Letter
- Two References
Contact us
If you require assistance before you apply: mvls-gradschool@glasgow.ac.uk
After you have submitted your application: Admissions Enquiries form
Induction
- Getting started with PGR development: how postgraduate researchers are welcomed into our community