Information about Applying
Informal enquiries about our Masters or Doctoral programmes are welcome at any time. Please contact pplspg@ed.ac.uk in the first instance. It helps if you can be as specific as possible about the Doctoral programme or Masters degree in which you are interested.
Below we detail some of the information which you need to know before you apply. Links to the University application forms are at the bottom of this page.
Qualifications
Entry to the Masters and doctoral programmes at Edinburgh requires a good undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. If your degree is in a different discipline or you already have a relevant Masters degree, please email us to discuss your potential application.
English Language
There are English Language requirements for Edinburgh University. It is important that you have a good command of spoken and written English. In particular, if you are not comfortable with writing academic reports in English, we recommend you to try to improve your skills before embarking on postgraduate study. There are English Language Courses offered by the University that run a few weeks before the term starts.
Costs and funding
What are the fees for the course?
How much does it cost to live in Edinburgh?
How can I fund my study?
Ways in which students typically fund themselves include:
- a grant from their home country
- a government or bank loan from the home country
- a scholarship from a private foundation
- private savings (e.g., from working)
- parental funds
or a combination of the above.
Information on funding for psychology postgraduates is gathered together on the Postgraduate Funding web page, which gives details of potential sources of funding and deadlines for applications. The University also offers a variety of scholarships for prospective postgraduate students.
Other questions
Full-time PhD students will be given their own desk space for a maximum of four years of study after which they will be moved to hot-desking facilities. If there has been a formal interruption of studies during their four years of study (e.g. as a result of maternity/sick leave), this period will be added onto the end of the four year period.
The University maintains an online copy of the postgraduate prospectus and if you have any further questions (for example on residency or accommodation), the Postgraduate Study home page may provide you with the information you require.
How to apply
If you are applying for a doctoral programme
You should apply for the Masters Programme which you wish to follow in the first year. Please start your personal statement (in the ‘programme’ tab of the EUCLID application system) with the words “I wish to be considered for the doctoral programme in XXX”, and continue with a research proposal (or attach a separate research proposal document if preferred). Guidance can be found on the Information for Prospective Students web page (you should follow the guidance for Research Proposals).
If you are applying for a Masters programme
Your application should be for the relevant Masters programme. You do not need to enter any special information in your personal statement; this should be a brief statement detailing your interest in the Masters course. Guidance on personal statements for Masters courses can be found on the Information for Prospective Students web page.
