Nursing Studies PhD

Level: Postgraduate research

Subject: Nursing

Year of entry: 2027

Study options

Full-time
  • PhD | 3 years | Start date: multiple dates
Part-time
  • PhD | 6 years | Start date: multiple dates

Key facts

School

School of Health in Social Science

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

PhD by Distance

Available

School location

Central Area

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About the degree programme

The PhD Nursing Studies programme is an advanced postgraduate research degree for students wishing to conduct in-depth independent research and contribute to nursing knowledge and evidence.

It allows you to conduct an independent research project that makes a significant contribution to your chosen field of study and to further develop your research skills.

The programme offers the possibility to work with and be supervised by a range of academics across many areas of nursing studies, who have international reputations and outstanding publications in their areas of expertise.

This programme is an advanced research degree enabling students to conduct in-depth independent research on a topic of their choice, thereby contributing to the knowledge and evidence base for nursing worldwide. Our current and past students have contributed to a range of research areas within nursing and healthcare more broadly.

Our main areas of research activity and development in Nursing Studies relate to the following groups of research: 

  • Global Public Health
  • Marginalisation and Health
  • Acute Critical Trajectories to Recovery and Rehabilitation Experience (ACToRE) 
  • Workforce Development

We have expertise in a range of qualitative and quantitative and mixed methods research approaches.

Find out more about our supervisors' specialties

Study options

This PhD programme is normally undertaken over either:

  • 3 years full-time
  • 6 years part-time

PhD study involves substantial independent research supported by two academic supervisors.

If you are unsure about committing to this kind of study, you might prefer to consider completing the MSc by Research in Nursing Studies first. 

MScR Nursing Studies

However, an MScR degree is not a prerequisite for PhD study.

If you have previous research experience or a high degree of motivation, you may wish to proceed direct to this PhD programme pathway.

PhD by Distance

The PhD by Distance is available to suitably qualified applicants in the same areas as our on-campus programmes: Clinical Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy, Health in Social Science and Nursing Studies (see our website for further information).

A PhD by Distance may be appropriate for a wide range of candidates who cannot commit to basing themselves in Edinburgh for the duration of their programme, to study either part-time (6 years) or full-time (3 years).

It is recommended (but not a requirement) that students enrolled on the PhD by Distance programme will come to Edinburgh at least once per year of study in order to meet with supervisors. The visit could also be for the annual review process, or to attend research training courses. 

It is also recommended (but not a requirement) that PhD by Distance students return to Edinburgh for their oral examination.

More information on our PhD by Distance options

How to apply

Before you apply

  1. Check that you meet the entry requirements
  2. Contact your potential supervisor(s)
  3. Discuss a draft version of your research proposal form with your proposed supervisor(s) and/or with the Programme Director

Application process

To apply for this programme you must submit the following:

After you read the application guidance, select your preferred programme, then choose 'Start your application' to begin.

If you are considering applying to more than one programme, you should be aware that we cannot consider more than 5 applications from the same applicant.

When to apply

The School of Health in Social Science operates a gathered field approach to postgraduate research applications. This means that all complete applications which satisfy our minimum entry requirements will be held until the nearest deadline, at which point applications received will be considered on a competitive basis by our subject area specific academic review panels.

The application deadlines and dates for decision are listed below. In order to ensure full consideration of your application we ask that you submit your complete application including all supporting documentation by these dates.

If you are planning to apply for the University’s funding opportunities, you must apply before the first deadline in November.

RoundApplication deadlinePlaces awarded
19 November 2026mid-January
219 April 2027mid-June

Application fee

There is no fee to apply to this programme.

What you need to apply

As part of your online application, you will need to provide:

and, if applicable:

  • your research topic
  • details of any published work

Documents you will need to provide

You will need:

References

Your references must be specific to your application, on headed paper, signed by the referee, and dated within the last 6 months. Your references can be uploaded directly by your referee, or you can upload it yourself.

Guidance on uploading a reference to the Applicant Hub

Incomplete applications

We must receive all the information before the deadline for your application to be considered.

If your online application is not ‘complete’ by the application deadline it will be rejected. If this happens, you can submit another application for a later application deadline.

Apply

Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for.

After you apply

After you apply, we will evaluate your application. If we are able to progress your application beyond the online stage, you will be invited to participate in an interview with your prospective first supervisor.

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

Search for other funding opportunities

You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.

Postgraduate funding opportunities

Tuition fees

Tuition fees by award and duration

Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year.

Full-time
Part-time

Graduate discount

If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.

Find out how to receive your graduate discount

Costs

Accommodation and living costs

You will need to pay for your accommodation and living costs (such as rent, food and utility bills) for the duration of your programme.

For 2026-2027, we estimate that it will cost an average of £18,504 each year (£1,542 each month) to live in Edinburgh as a postgraduate.

The exact amount you spend will depend on different factors, especially the accommodation you choose.

Living costs: estimates explained 

These entry requirements are for the 2027-28 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2028-29 academic year will be published in early Oct 2027.

Qualifications

A UK 2:1 honours degree and a UK masters degree, or their international equivalents, in a relevant subject area. We may also consider your application if you do not have a masters degree, but have other professional qualifications or experience; please contact us to check before you apply.

International equivalent qualifications

To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list.

English language requirements

You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.

This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.

You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:

  • an English language test (restrictions apply)
  • a degree that was taught and assessed in English (restrictions apply)
  • certain professional qualifications

English language tests we accept

We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher:

  • IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition) before 21 January 2026: total 100 with at least 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition) from 21 January 2026: total 5.0 with at least 4.5 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 7 in each component. We do not accept Oxford ELLT Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 8 with at least 7 in each component. We do not accept Oxford ELLT Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 with at least 145 in each component.
How old your English language tests can be
Tests no more than two years old

The following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:

  • IELTS Academic
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)
  • Oxford ELLT
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced
Tests no more than three and a half years old

All other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality.   

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We 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

How old your degree can be

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.

This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Find out more about our English language requirements

Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.

English language requirements

Research profile

Our Nursing Studies postgraduate students have an outstanding record of contributing to the knowledge and evidence base in nursing. The programme also has a strong tradition of welcoming students from overseas, as well as the UK.

The University of Edinburgh is a world-leader in research and innovation and an international centre of academic excellence. 

Our main areas of research activity and development currently relate to the themes of experience of health and illness, and organisation and policy for person-centred care.

The main areas of study we can supervise for postgraduate research are:

  • critical care
  • emotions and care
  • mental health
  • addictions and substance misuse
  • public health
  • community care and leadership
  • pain management
  • cancer care
  • nursing education
  • patient safety and quality issues

Find out more about our supervisors' specialties

An important aspect of our work concerns knowledge transfer and effective engagement with NHS, social care and lay organisations. The School of Health in Social Science continues to develop a programme of work in collaboration with service providers. 

Nursing Studies welcomes the opportunity to develop Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, focusing on service redesign and an organisation of care delivery that would meet the demands of the modernising agenda. The latter has implications for workforce planning, CPD and the production of the new healthcare workforce.

Our research community

We have a vibrant research community made up of over 170 students from all over the world, across our four disciplines: 

  • Clinical psychology
  • Counselling studies
  • Health in social science
  • Nursing studies

Students on this programme will become part of an active and diverse research community in the School of Health in Social Science and will have access to the wide-range of learning environments and outstanding resources that the University has to offer.

Our postgraduate researchers work in close proximity to each other, enabling them to pool their expertise and knowledge to tackle complex challenges and push the boundaries of discovery. You will be encouraged to engage with a wide range of seminars, talks, and events, and often have the opportunity to present your own research at national and international conferences.

Current PhD student research

In addition, we have appointed Postgraduate Research (PGR) Reps who facilitate training events, working breaks, writing retreats, as well as the annual School PGR conference. They also arrange a number of social activities throughout the year, so research students have an opportunity to socialise away from their studies.

Programme structure

In the first year, students typically choose a number of optional taught postgraduate courses from within the School of Health in Social Science, or other Schools within the University, as appropriate to their research programme, and as agreed with their supervisor.

Subsequent years of the PhD programme primarily focus on recruitment of study participants, data collection and analysis of the main research, which can then be written up and completed by the end of the third year.

Progression

Normal progression for a PhD in Nursing Studies involves spending the first year preparing for the main research work:

  • taking research training courses
  • reviewing literature
  • developing your research proposal

Progression to year two of the programme is dependent on a satisfactory outcome from a review board. Typically, the second year is spent doing the body of the research, usually empirical data collection and analysis, and the third year is spent completing the analysis and writing the thesis.

You will have the opportunity to attend other courses in Nursing Studies as well as a wide range of postgraduate seminar courses within the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and related disciplines across the University.

Find out the aims and structure for each year of study on this programme.

Full-time
Part-time

We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Support

You will be assigned at least two supervisors for your PhD and you will meet with your supervisors regularly.

Workshops, seminars and courses in research methods are available to postgraduate students undertaking a higher degree by research.

With close ties with other social science and humanities disciplines, and with colleagues in the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, we offer PhD students excellent opportunities for interdisciplinary supervision and research project development.

Along with your supervisors, the School Postgraduate Research team (including the PGR Director, Programme Directors and the administration team) will support you throughout your PhD journey.

Facilities

As a postgraduate student you will have access to a wide range of research resources and first-class facilities, including:

  • our dedicated Postgraduate Research study space
  • research labs
  • research centres
  • clinical facilities

More about our facilities

Career opportunities

The PhD Nursing Studies programme is designed to help you develop your skills for a successful future in research, as an academic or in a related profession.

The PhD Nursing Studies offers many opportunities. For instance, graduates who complete a PhD in nursing have gone on to obtain roles as a Director or leader in a variety of healthcare organisations, where they may supervise nursing research or projects. 

This can also include working for the government, where they may get an opportunity to influence healthcare policy and practice.

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. 

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. 

With the Careers Service, you can: 

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions 

Visit the Careers Service website 

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:

  • apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programme
  • accept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 July
  • study at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in September

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

We also offer accommodation options for couples and families.

Accommodation for couples and families

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sport Clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. 

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include: 

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustments

Health and wellbeing support services 

Disability and Learning Support

General enquiries

Contact our Postgraduate Research Admissions Administrator about your eligibility or how to apply.

PGRAdmissions.Health@ed.ac.uk
Phone:+44 (0)131 651 5144

Academic contact

Dr Catherine Clarissa

Programme Director

  • School of Health in Social Science
  • College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
  • University of Edinburgh

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