Social Policy PhD

Undertaken full-time over three years, or part-time over six years, the PhD in Social Policy is a research degree in which you will make an original contribution to knowledge by pursuing an extended and focused piece of research on a topic of your interest.

The programme is supported by the School of Social and Political Science, which enables you to acquire a broader set of transferable skills during your time with us.

The PhD programme combines work on a thesis project under the guidance of academic supervisors with comprehensive training in social research skills.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

We offer a lively intellectual environment in which to undertake postgraduate research in social policy, with a range of thematic research groups and an active seminar programme.

You will benefit from our excellent links to other social policy scholars, policymakers and practitioners both locally and across the world.

The subject area hosts some of the leading academic journals in the field.

The School of Social and Political Science provides Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) recognised research training courses for Social Science students across the University. Postgraduate research students can access core, intermediate and advanced research training courses tailored to the need of their projects.

There is also an extensive annual programme of methods workshops delivered through the School’s Research Training Centre.

The University’s Institute for Academic Development also provides a range of courses and events to assist with methodological training and career development.

• Institute for Academic Development

Edinburgh’s excellent library facilities and the presence of the headquarters of many public, voluntary and private organisations, including the Scottish Parliament, make the city the perfect place to undertake research on social and public policy.

As a PhD student at the School of Social and Political Science, you will have full access to a number of dedicated facilities in the Chrystal Macmillan Building, such as desk areas for quiet and collaborative study.   You will also have access to the University’s outstanding research library and archive facilities. These include the University’s Main Library, one of the largest academic libraries in the world with more than 2,300 study spaces, as well as the National Library of Scotland and the Scottish Records Office. 

Proximity to the Scottish Parliament and other institutions of national government provides further research opportunities

We are a large and vibrant community of social policy scholars, including over 30 research students from across the globe. Though working most closely with your supervisors, you’ll be able to draw on expertise and advice from across a diverse group of academic staff and will have fantastic opportunities for peer exchange and learning.

PhD students meet regularly during semester in a dedicated graduate seminar in social policy, with sessions focused on both research and researcher development. You’ll also be encouraged to join and actively participate in the subject area’s varied research groups and networks. A lively programme of activities is organised across the academic year by the social policy research student community, from frequent informal socials to writing retreats and an annual PhD showcase event.

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, and a UK masters degree with an overall mark of 65% or its international equivalent.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

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 7.0 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 100 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 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 8 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:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

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).

• Approved universities in 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:

• English language requirements

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

• School of Social and Political Science Scholarships

• UK Research Council Awards

For specialised guidance on submitting a competitive scholarship application, please follow the requirements and recommendations and how to contact relevant academic staff as advised here:

• Important information and recommendations

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.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding