CONTACTS
For general enquiries about PhD applications and PhD research in the School of Physics and Astronomy: phas-pgradmissions@glasgow.ac.uk
For questions about the application procedure, or status of a current application: phas-graduateschool@glasgow.ac.uk
How to apply
Full details on the application process for Research degree programmes can be found on the College of Science and Engineering Research Study Webpage.
All applicants should apply online via the Online Application System.
Please note that you will need to register your details before you use the online application system for the first time. You can save and return to your application as many times as you wish before submitting it.
Should you have any questions about the application system, please contact Admissions via the Admissions Enquiries Webform.
Application System Guidance
Managing your application after you have applied: Applicant Self Service
Application System Help: Troubleshooting
Do I need to contact supervisors before applying?
Yes, all applicants should contact potential supervisors to discuss Research topics and available positions before submitting an application.
Please read the support and guidance on identifying potential supervisors.
Applicants must input the name of a potential supervisor in their application. The named supervisor information allows the school to forward the application to the correct research group for review.
Applicants who wish to apply to multiple research groups should submit one single application which clearly states multiple supervisor names or research groups. If you are unable to include multiple names, please email phas-graduateschool@glasgow.ac.uk citing your application number and details of potential supervisors.
Am I eligible to study for a Research degree?
Applicants for research degrees are normally expected to have obtained or expect to obtain a 2.1 BSc/Honours degree or equivalent.
Full details on minimum entry requirements can be found on the College of Science and Engineering Postgraduate Research webpage.
Required Documents
Applicants should submit:
- All degree transcripts and degree certificates (official copies + translations, if applicable). If you have not yet completed your degree, please upload the most recent version of your transcript.
- 2 References.
- CV.
- Name of potential supervisor.
- English Language Proficiency evidence (if applicable).
- Passport (if applicable).
- Indian Backlog (if applicable).
Personal Statements or Research Proposals are optional. Applicants are welcome to upload these as additional supporting evidence, but it is more important to have discussed research topics with potential supervisors and included a supervisor name in the application.
What English language requirements will I need?
A minimum English Language Proficiency level is required by the University. For full details on accepted qualifications and scores accepted, see the English Language Requirements tab.
Additional information and support for International Students can be found here.
English Language proficiency is also a minimum standard set by the UK Border Agency and a compulsory requirement when applying for a Student Visa from the UK Visas and Immigration department.
Potential applicants are therefore advised to register for and pass one of the qualifications in good time, prior to making an application.
International Student Support
Gov.uk Information
What Research Degrees are offered?
Our most common research degree is the funded three to four year PhD.
Some Research Groups also offer a Masters Research degree. Please note that no funding is available from groups for any Masters degree, and interested applicants must discuss possibilities for MSc Research degrees before applying.
Financial Support and Funding Opportunities
The Application deadline for all studentships is 31 January, for PhDs starting in October of any given year.
There is no separate funding application for UKRI or UofG studentships.
Applicants should:
- Clearly indicate which funding source they are applying to in the Finance Section of their application form.
- Discuss funding opportunities with potential supervisors, who can support students during internal considerations and ranking processes.
Funding Opportunities
- The majority of our research studentships are funded by the UK Government research councils, EPSRC and STFC (part of UKRI). These grants also provide travel funding. These Research Councils have eligibility rules which we advise applicants check before applying.
- Information about various alternative funding schemes is available on the Student Funding Opportunities website.
- The university also maintains a searchable database of Scholarships known to them.
- Other PhD scholarship schemes and places funded in collaboration with industry are sometimes available. Please discuss opportunities with potential supervisors.
- Alternatively you may have another possible source of funding (e.g. a scholarship from your home government, or other private funding). If so, please clearly indicate this on your application form.
Scholarships
International Students
Please read the Gov.uk information on Student Visa costs and Immigration Healthcare Surcharge costs
Tuition Fees and Fee status
Tuition Fees
All students pay an annual tuition fee to the University which covers registration, supervision of research, study and examination, and recreational facilities. You can find the latest fee information on the Postgraduate Research Tution Fees Webpage.
More details on tuition fees can be found at http://www.gla.ac.uk/scholarships/fees/
Unless you are self-funded, tuition fees will be covered by your scholarship or research council support.
Fee Status
Your fee status governs the level of tuition fee to be paid, and often feeds into eligibilty for certain funding sources. Full information and assessment criteria on our Postgraduate Fee status webpage.
To avoid delays in veriying fee status, please provide evidence of nationality, residency and/or immigration status at the point of application. All supporting documents should be uploaded to the Application Portal.
Find out about Physics and Astronomy Research in Glasgow
You can read summaries of the activities of each research group or browse specific information on postgraduate opportunities.
Before applying we advise you to make contact with the prospective research group leader and/or the academic in charge of the precise research area you are interested in to discuss possible research projects and available funding.
For information on our research and projects:
School of Physics and Astronomy Research
For information on our research groups: