Postgraduate research opportunities A-Z

Postgraduate research 

Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment PhD/MSc (Research)

Postgraduate online event:
Tuesday 3 November 2026, 9am – 5pm

Chat to staff, students and academics to discover what it's like to study at our world changing campus as a postgraduate student at UofG

Postgraduate Study Finance & Funding Event:
Wednesday 4 November 2026, 5pm - 7pm
Advanced Research Centre (ARC), University of Glasgow

Come along to information sessions about finance and funding, meet university service teams and get a tour of the campus

Our aim is to develop world-leading researchers in health economic and health technology assessment, working to improve health and wellbeing through better decision-making.

  • PhD: 3-4 years full-time; 5 years part-time;
  • MSc (Research): 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time;

Overview

The School of Health & Wellbeing spans medical and social sciences and offers students an opportunity to train in a unique and vibrant interdisciplinary environment.

Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment (HEHTA) covers a broad set of activities relating to the appraisal of health service interventions including policies, procedures, devices, medicines and diagnostics. Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is the assessment of relevant evidence on the effects and consequences of healthcare technologies. Our work contributes to priority-setting and decision-making in relation to preventative, diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation strategies.

Postgraduate research (PGR) students in HEHTA graduate with a thorough and robust skillset that is transferable to future employment in academia and public, private and third sector organisations. PGR students’ development is supported by a programme of high-quality internal training, a dedicated and cohesive team and exposure to our extensive network of international colleagues. Our students’ work results in high quality publications and international conference presence and contributes to HEHTA’s international reputation across our four research themes.

Our research objectives:

  • Devise innovative methodological and applied research in the international context, with a particular focus on low and middle income countries.
  • Produce high-quality evidence-based research that is relevant and impactful.
  • Collaborate and engage with national and global policy makers to undertake relevant research and influence decision-making.

Our research spans Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Prognostics, Global Health, Health in a Changing Planet and Social Policy and Health. Individual research projects are tailored around the expertise of principal investigators within HEHTA, the School of Health & Wellbeing, and the student’s interests. Our supervisors use a variety of approaches to research including decision analysis modelling, cost benefit and effectiveness analyses, risk and prediction modeling, data linkage and advanced meta-analysis. We have excellent engagement with government agencies, the NHS and local authorities, other statutory public sector and regulatory bodies, and third sector organisations.

Study options

PhD

  • Duration: 3/4 years full-time; 5 years part-time

Individual research projects are tailored around the expertise of principal investigators.

MSc (Research)

  • Duration: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time

Entry requirements

Our regular standard of admission is usually a 2.1 honours degree. Candidates will also usually be expected to have completed or be undertaking a Master’s qualification.

Required documents

Applicants should submit:
  1. Academic Transcripts and Degree Certificates
  2. CV
  3. MVLS Cover Letter
  4. Two References

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.

Support

The School of Health & Wellbeing provides a vibrant, interdisciplinary environment to study your PhD. Through university and school PGR training programmes, we will equip you with robust, transferable research skills that are relevant to a range of career options in academia and public, private and third sector organisations in the UK and globally.

If you require assistance before you apply, please contact our Graduate School: mvls-gradschool@glasgow.ac.uk.

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 must identify a potential supervisor supervisor from the College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences 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.

Supervisor search

Research projects

If you are interested in a research project listed above, please include the title on your application.

Required documents

Applicants should submit:
  1. Academic Transcripts and Degree Certificates
  2. CV
  3. MVLS Cover Letter
  4. Two References
Apply now

Contact us

If you require assistance before you apply: mvls-gradschool@glasgow.ac.uk 

After you have submitted your application: Admissions Enquiries form