Psychological & Behavioural Medicine PhD/MD/MSc (Research)
Our programme integrates psychological science and interdisciplinary approaches to study behaviours that influence health, treatment, and self-care. And develops new approaches to improve mental and physical health and wellbeing.
- PhD: 3-4 years full-time; 5 years part-time;
- MD (Doctor of Medicine): 2 years full-time; 4 years part-time;
- MSc (Research): 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time;
Overview
Studying for a PhD in Psychological and Behavioural Medicine offers a uniquely rich, interdisciplinary environment where cutting-edge scientific research can make meaningful changes to people’s lives.
We bring together experts in psychology, medicine, public health, systems science and behavioural science to tackle some of the most pressing health challenges of our time. From preventing long-term conditions to improving patient care and shaping health policy. A fundamental value for this programme is understanding and addressing inequalities in health.
You will work within a vibrant, collaborative research culture that values innovation, rigorous methodology, and community engagement.
You will have
- access to state-of-the-art facilities
- opportunities to join multidisciplinary research teams
- tailored training that enhances both academic and applied skills
With strong links to clinical partners, local communities, and national organisations, this programme offers an exceptional platform to develop as an independent researcher whose work can directly improve health outcomes and transform healthcare policy and practice.
Specific areas of interest include:
- Understanding and treatment of mental health problems
- Complex interventions for mental and physical health problems
- Developing interventions to improve uptake of cancer screening and reduce inequalities
- How in person and online social networks affect health and behaviour
- How methods from mathematics, physics and complex systems science can understand health and behaviour
- Psychological factors in recovery from psychosis
- Learning disabilities
- Understanding and preventing suicide
- Neurodiversity and neurodivergence
- Diagnostic tools in epilepsy genetics
- Public mental health
- Adolescent mental health
- Social determinants of health
- Health in educational settings
- New technologies and mental/physical health
- Assessment and rehabilitation of disorders of memory, attention and executive functioning
Individual research projects are tailored around the expertise of principal investigators within our School of Health and Wellbeing. Generally, students may propose projects that align with one or more of the themes below:
- Health in day-to-day life
- Reducing risk and increasing health promoting behaviour, prevention science
- Recovering and staying well: self-care, self-management and social support when recovering from mental and physical ill health, improving treatment and support for illness
- New methods for research: developing new ways of studying psychological and behavioural medicine
Prospective students are encouraged to get in touch with individual academics within the Mental Health & Wellbeing research group within the School of Health & Wellbeing to find out about opportunities in their areas of research and supervision.
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
A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent.
English language requirements
Fees and funding
Fees
2026/27
- UK: £5,238
- International & EU: £33,210
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 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.
Sanctuary Scholarship
The University of Glasgow Sanctuary Scholarship has been created to support applicants with Refugee or Asylum Seeker status who are currently living in the UK.
Support
Our 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.
Research projects
If you are interested in a research project listed above, please include the title on your application.
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. 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.
- MVLS cover letter must be completed and uploaded with a copy of your CV.
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
- Getting started with PGR development: how postgraduate researchers are welcomed into our community