Cardiovascular Science PhD, MScR Level: Postgraduate research Subject: Medicine Year of entry: 2026 Study options Full-time PhD | 3 years | Start date: multiple dates MScR | 1 year | Start date: multiple dates Part-time MScR | 2 years | Start date: multiple dates PhD | 6 years | Start date: multiple dates Key facts School School of Neurological and Cardiovascular Sciences College College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine Programme website Centre for Cardiovascular Science PhD by Distance Not available School location Little France Apply now 17 December 2025: Introduction to Postgraduate Study Join our live session for key insights into postgraduate study at Edinburgh. Register now Overview About the degree programme The Centre for Cardiovascular Science delivers research into the causes, consequences and therapy of cardiovascular disease.We offer postgraduates the opportunity to work within internationally leading research programmes which address topics across the spectrum of cardiovascular science.Projects extend from fundamental discovery research through translation and clinical studies.Our MScR programme and PhD studentships are aimed at highly motivated candidates with relevant research experience and a strong interest in cardiovascular physiology and disease.Major research themes are:Metabolism, Obesity & Diabetes (MOD)Hypertension & Renal (HART)Cardio-metabolic Imaging (CINEMA)Coronary and Valvular Heart Disease Study options The Cardiovascular Science PhD and MScR programme options are both available to complete on a full-time or part-time basis. Applying How to apply Before making your application, you must make contact with a potential supervisor to discuss your research proposal. Further information on making a research degree application can be found on the College website:How to apply for a research degree When to apply Programme start date Application deadline There is no EUCLID data available for this programme. 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. 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: a personal statementrelevant knowledge/training skillsand, if applicable:your research topicdetails of any published workYou will also need to provide some or all of the following supporting information and documents:a research proposalname of supervisor (if known)research project (if applying to an advertised project)copies of your degree certificates and academic transcripts that confirm your current or final marksreferencesevidence you meet the English language requirementscertified translations if your original documents are not in EnglishWhen you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide. Interview As part of the application process, you will take part in an interview (either in person or online via video conferencing), led by the postgraduate director and members of the postgraduate committee. Apply Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for. Select programme - Select a programme -PhD Cardiovascular Science (3 years)MScR Cardiovascular Science (1 year)MScR Cardiovascular Science (2 years)PhD Cardiovascular Science (6 years) Funding, fees and costs 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 moneytaking out a loanfamily supportpersonal savingsincome from workemployer sponsorshipscholarshipsExplore sources of funding for postgraduate study Self-funded candidatesWe can consider applications from self-funded candidates for the PhD in Cardiovascular Science.If you are applying as a self-funded candidate, you will be expected to have an agreement with one of the Centre for Cardiovascular Science's Principal Investigators to supervise your PhD project before you apply.Featured funding UK government loans If you live in the UK, you may be eligible for a postgraduate loan for study from one of the UK’s governments.You should check that your chosen programme is eligible for the funding you want to apply for. View details: UK government loans 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 PhD Cardiovascular Science (3 years) tuition fees MScR Cardiovascular Science (1 year) tuition fees Part-time MScR Cardiovascular Science (2 years) tuition fees PhD Cardiovascular Science (6 years) tuition fees 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 Additional programme costs If you are applying as a self-funded candidate, you will be responsible for:securing funding to cover your tuition fees and living costs for the duration of your studiescovering your project's research costs - these are defined by the project supervisor and are typically more than £10,000 per year. Accommodation and living costs You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.Living costs include:foodutility billstravel, clothes, books and stationeryrecreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)Living costsAccommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.University postgraduate accommodation options and costs Entry requirements These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026. Qualifications A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent. International qualifications To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list. Where you studied - Select a country or region -AfghanistanAlbaniaAngolaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDemocratic Republic of CongoDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFinlandFranceGabonThe GambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGuatemalaGuineaHaitiHondurasHong Kong-SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKorea, Republic ofKuwaitLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLithuaniaLuxembourgMacau-SAR ChinaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMauritiusMexicoMoldovaMongoliaMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNetherlands, TheNew ZealandNicaraguaNigeriaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPacific IslandsPakistanPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTajikistanTaiwanTanzaniaThailandTogoTrinidad and TobagoTurkeyTurkmenistanUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVenezuelaVietnamWest Indies and CaribbeanZambiaZimbabweMy country or region is not listed 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 testa degree that was taught and assessed in Englishcertain 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 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. Oxford ELLT: total 7 with at least 6 in each component. Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 145 with at least 135 in each component. How old your English language tests can be Tests no more than two years oldThe 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 AcademicTOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)Trinity ISEOxford ELLTOxford Test of English AdvancedTests no more than three and a half years oldAll 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 countriesWe 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-MESCHow old your degree can beIf 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 Programme details Research profile The Centre for Cardiovascular Science aims to foster and deliver research into the causes, consequences and therapy of cardiovascular diseases.We offer postgraduates the opportunity to work within internationally leading research programmes, addressing fundamental development and control of the cardiovascular system and the origins and consequences of cardiovascular disease. The work extends from basic laboratory research through to clinical studies.In 2024, the Centre was designated as one of 8 British Heart Foundation Research Excellence Award (REA) Centres and was awarded £5 million over a five-year period, building upon 3 successive major REA investments since 2008.Major research efforts are directed at:the metabolic syndrome and risk factors for cardiovascular diseasemechanisms of atheromatous plaque formation and systemic and brain vascular dysfunctionrenal dysfunction and hypertensiondevelopment and application of imaging in heart, systemic- and neurovascular diseasesexploitation of "Big Data" and e-health science in diabetes and cardiovascular diseases Support The Centre has an excellent track record for training provision to scientists and clinicians from biomedical and non-biomedical backgrounds.Trainees on our programmes receive direct support from at least two academic advisors during their studies. A dedicated thesis committee also provides guidance throughout the programme of research.In addition to research training, the Centre hosts:an active seminar series for distinguished external speakersa theme-based forum for presentation of internal research at all levels (PhD, post-doctoral, and principal investigators) Facilities The Centre for Cardiovascular Science is situated in the £50-million, purpose-built Queen's Medical Research Institute, adjacent to the new Medical School and Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Little France.Research students can have access to:the British Heart Foundation Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) facilitiesthe Wellcome Trust Clinical Research FacilityThe Centre also supports a high-quality suite for in vivo physiological studies. Careers 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 strengthstry different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you developget help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobsattend careers events and practice interviewsget information and advice to help you make informed decisions Visit the Careers Service website Life at Edinburgh 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 programmeaccept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 Julystudy at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in SeptemberUniversity accommodation websiteAccommodation guarantee criteriaWe also offer accommodation options for couples and families.Accommodation for couples and familiesIf 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.SocietiesSport 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 Exercise, leisure and support facilities Outside of your studies, we offer a range of facilities that you might find useful day-to-day, including:sport and exercise facilitiesUniversity cafes and cateringEdinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) venues and shopsa multi-faith chaplaincy for all faiths and nonea University nursery (based at King’s Buildings campus) 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 adjustmentsHealth and wellbeing support services Disability and Learning Support Contact General enquiries Lynn MeiklePostgraduate Administrator, Centre for Cardiovascular Science Get in touch via email Phone:+44 (0)131 242 6724 Academic contact Dr Sari Pennings CVS Postgraduate Director Edinburgh Medical School: Clinical Sciences College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine University of Edinburgh Contact details Work: +44 (0)131 242 6195 Email: Sari.Pennings@ed.ac.uk
