Inflammation PhD, MScR
Awards: PhD, MScR
Study modes: Full-time, Part-time
Funding opportunities
Programme website: Inflammation
The Centre for Inflammation Research (CIR) aims to promote the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory diseases through interdisciplinary study of the initiation, regulation and resolution of inflammatory responses and provision of an outstanding environment for research training in the field.
CIR investigators aim to characterise and manipulate key control points in inflammation. We focus on:
- inhibiting the initiation of inflammation by blocking immunologically specific triggers and by modulating cellular and tissue responses to injurious stimuli
- finding new approaches to promote beneficial regulation of established inflammatory responses so as to limit tissue injury
- promoting safe resolution of inflammation and restoration of the structure and function of the perturbed tissue
We have particular interest in inflammatory diseases of the lung and kidney but the principles derived will have ready application to inflammatory responses in the liver, bowel, bone/joint and skin. There is also increasing development of research in the CIR into the links between inflammation and cancer.
The Centre was formally established in 1998.
Generic training in presentation skills, project management and writing skills is delivered through the University of Edinburgh's transferable skills programme.
The CIR is a multidisciplinary team of research groups under the directorship of Professor Chris Gregory. The CIR consists of more than 180 researchers, is equipped with state-of-the-art apparatus and is supported by external grant funding. The CIR is now located in the purpose-built Queen's Medical Research Institute along with the centres for Reproductive Biology and Cardiovascular Sciences.
These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.
A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent.
International qualifications
Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:
English language requirements
Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.
English language tests
We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
- IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
- TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
- C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
- Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
- PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
- Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 6 in each component.
Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
Degrees taught and assessed in English
We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:
We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).
If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.
Find out more about our language requirements:
Additional programme costs
Most laboratories require a bench fee of up to £5,000 for PhD and £4,000 for MScR. This cost can be covered in Research Council Studentships.
Living costs
You will be responsible for covering living costs for the duration of your studies.
Tuition fees
| Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PhD | Inflammation | 3 Years | Full-time | Tuition fees |
| PhD | Inflammation | 6 Years | Part-time | Tuition fees |
| MScR | Inflammation | 1 Year | Full-time | Tuition fees |
| MScR | Inflammation | 2 Years | Part-time | Tuition fees |
Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.
Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:
borrowing money
taking out a loan
family support
personal savings
income from work
employer sponsorship
- scholarships
Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study
Featured funding
- College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine funding opportunities
- Edinburgh Neuroscience funded PhD projects
- College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine funding opportunities
- Research scholarships for international students
- Principal's Career Development PhD Scholarships
UK government postgraduate loans
If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK's governments.
The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:
- your programme
- the duration of your studies
- your tuition fee status
Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.
Other funding opportunities
Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:
- Postgraduate Contact, Amy Ma
- Phone: +44 (0)131 242 3596
- Contact: CIR.Postgraduate@ed.ac.uk
- Centre for Inflammation Research
- Queen's Medical Research Institute
- 47 Little France Crescent
- Little France
- Edinburgh
- EH16 4TJ
- Programme: Inflammation
- School: Edinburgh Medical School: Clinical Sciences
- College: Medicine & Veterinary Medicine
Applying
Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.
PhD Inflammation - 3 Years (Full-time)
PhD Inflammation - 6 Years (Part-time)
MSc by Research Inflammation - 1 Year (Full-time)
MSc by Research Inflammation - 2 Years (Part-time)
We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.
You must submit two references with your application.
Applicants may discuss possible projects with potential supervisors in advance, however, initial applicant enquiries should be made by email to Amy Ma:
Further information on making a research degree application can be found on the College website:
You will be formally interviewed (in person, by video-conferencing or Skype).
Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:
Further information
- Postgraduate Contact, Amy Ma
- Phone: +44 (0)131 242 3596
- Contact: CIR.Postgraduate@ed.ac.uk
- Centre for Inflammation Research
- Queen's Medical Research Institute
- 47 Little France Crescent
- Little France
- Edinburgh
- EH16 4TJ
- Programme: Inflammation
- School: Edinburgh Medical School: Clinical Sciences
- College: Medicine & Veterinary Medicine