Postgraduate research opportunities A-Z

Postgraduate research 

General Practice & Primary Care PhD/MD/MSc (Research)

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 goal is to improve health by conducting world-class research and teaching in primary care.

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

Overview

Our staff, both clinical and research-based, are dedicated to undertaking internationally acclaimed research and teaching that addresses problems posed by complex care needs and inequalities, particularly in relation to chronic illness and multimorbidity, and marginalised populations such as migrants and those living in areas of severe deprivation (e.g. the Scottish Deep End Project). We have a strong focus on anticipatory approaches to health and the implementation and integration of complex service innovations (e.g. digital health services, screening) along with an emphasis on the role of health policy in shaping the experiences of patients and professionals.

PhD in General Practice & Primary Care

We undertake interdisciplinary research with colleagues across the university, as well as NHS staff, the voluntary sector and other appropriate colleagues and agencies, locally, nationally, across the UK and internationally. We aim to promote person-centred, quality healthcare with a particular focus on the role of primary care as a vehicle for better coordinated and continuous care.

Individual research projects are tailored around the expertise of principal investigators within the department. As part of the School of Health and Wellbeing we welcome applications from students from a range of backgrounds and disciplines. We use a number of methodological (e.g. qualitative interviews, epidemiological analysis, systematic reviews, randomised controlled trials) and multidisciplinary approaches with students having the opportunity to be jointly supervised by academics with clinical and research-based backgrounds.  Our work is at the forefront of Primary Care research with a particular focus on:

Approaches include:

Our PhD programme provides excellent training complementary to a range of career options, and you can tailor your study pathway to the precise aspects of primary care research that suit your objectives. Many of our graduates continue in academia to become research leaders nationally or internationally or postgraduate research associates while others play leading roles in a range of healthcare or healthcare policy organisations. We have strong local, national and global academic connections.

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

MD (Doctor of Medicine)

  • Duration: 2 years full-time; 4 years part-time (for medically-qualified graduates only)

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 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

We are a well-resourced department with strong links with health services, voluntary sector and policymakers.  We benefit from regular seminar series both within general practice and primary care and in our School of Health & Wellbeing. Our graduate students are ensured access to a comprehensive training programme and have the opportunity to participate into our annual student-led conference. In addition, PhD students within Primary Care are encouraged to publish and attend external conferences related to their research topic.

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

Our research environment

Induction

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