Edinburgh: Extraordinary futures await.
Postgraduate study
Degree finder
Contact us

Reproductive Health PhD

Awards: PhD

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: Reproductive Health

Research profile

The Centre for Reproductive Health (CRH) offers PhD programmes, and a one-year full-time MSc by Research programme, which aims to introduce students to modern, up-to-date molecular and cellular biological research in the field of:

  • reproductive sciences
  • reproductive health
  • reproductive medicine

You will study in a stimulating, challenging and vibrant research atmosphere, at the interface between basic science and clinical patient care.

Research topics

Topics that can be offered include using a wide range of models and in human, studying a number of important problems associated with human reproductive health and disease in:

  • testis
  • ovary
  • the uterus during the menstrual cycle and throughout pregnancy and labour
  • the fetus and neonate
  • fetal programming resulting in increased risk of chronic disease in adulthood

MSc by Research

The MSc forms an ideal insight into a PhD. You will undertake some core teaching and two 20-week research projects, performed on a very wide range of research fields within the reproductive sciences.

Reputation

The Centre for Reproductive Health is recognised internationally as a centre of excellence in research and teaching in reproductive sciences, health and medicine.

The most recent Research Assessment Exercise rated Reproductive Biology as 5*.

Research themes

The CRH has arranged its research under four themes:

  • Theme 1: Gonadal function - Including prenatal gonad and germ cell development; spermatogenesis; oocyte maturation and competence; and fertility preservation.
  • Theme 2: Sexual health - Including stillbirth and preterm birth; and in-utero programming
  • Theme 3: Pregnancy and early life - Including stillbirth and preterm birth; and in-utero programming
  • Theme 4: Menstrual health - Including pelvic pain and heavy menstrual bleeding; endometriosis, adenomyosis and fibroids; and reproductive cancer

These theme titles illustrate some of the remarkable properties that make reproductive systems such relevant and powerful models for translational studies across a wide spectrum of human diseases and pathologies in other systems.

Training and support

The CRH has close links with other internationally recognised research centres in the Institute for Regeneration and Repair (IRR) and Edinburgh BioQuarter, including:

  • the Clinical Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
  • the Simpson’s Centre for Reproductive Health
  • other research centres on the same Edinburgh Royal Infirmary site and elsewhere within Edinburgh

Many student projects are organised with and between these centres, reflecting the interdisciplinary research environment, where students and trainees are regarded as the ‘lifeblood’ for the future.

Facilities

The CRH has:

  • well-equipped, high-quality research laboratories
  • excellent imaging and histological facilities
  • an on-site biological research facility

It utilises and links with a wide spectrum of state-of-the-art clinical imaging, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics and bioinformatics centres and core facilities.

Entry requirements

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:

Fees and costs

Tuition fees

AwardTitleDurationStudy mode
PhDReproductive Health3 YearsFull-timeTuition fees
PhDReproductive Health6 YearsPart-timeTuition fees

Scholarships and funding

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

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 residency status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

Further information

  • Centre for Reproductive Health
  • Institute for Regeneration and Repair
  • 5 Little France Drive
  • Little France
  • Edinburgh
  • EH16 4UU

Application deadlines

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.

How to apply

You must submit two references with your application.

Before making your application, as well as meeting the minimum requirements for entry you must have agreed a research proposal with a potential supervisor from the Centre for Reproductive Health and have been successful at interview.

Further information on making a research degree application can be found on the College website:

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

  • [How to apply] (https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/postgraduate/applying)

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

Further information

  • Centre for Reproductive Health
  • Institute for Regeneration and Repair
  • 5 Little France Drive
  • Little France
  • Edinburgh
  • EH16 4UU