Social Policy PhD Level: Postgraduate research Subject: Social Policy Year of entry: 2026 Study options Full-time PhD | 3 years | Start date: September 2026 Part-time PhD | 6 years | Start date: September 2026 Key facts School School of Social and Political Science College College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Programme website Social Policy PhD by Distance Not available School location Central Area Apply now 19 to 21 November 2025: Postgraduate Virtual Open Days Join us live to explore postgraduate taught and research study at Edinburgh and gain key insights before you apply. Register now Overview About the degree programme The PhD in Social Policy is a research programme in which you will make an original contribution to knowledge by pursuing an extended and focused piece of research on a topic of interest to you. We are committed to scholarly advancement but also to the dissemination of our work beyond the academy. You’ll be supported in generating real-world impact and effecting social change and you will benefit from the excellent links our academic staff have to other social policy scholars, policy makers and practitioners right around the world. Who this programme is forWe welcome doctoral students wanting to undertake advanced research on social problems and policy and practice responses to them locally, nationally and globally.We especially encourage those seeking to do research projects closely aligned with our core research themes.Our core research themes Study options The programme is undertaken full-time over three years or part-time over six years. Applying How to apply We require PhD applicants in particular to contact potential supervisors before applying to discuss their research proposal so we can ensure there is adequate supervision. You can review the School of Social and Political Science staff list to identify areas of expertise relevant to your interests.School of Social and Political Science: People You apply online for this programme. 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 Programme start date Application deadline 14 September 2026 29 June 2026 We encourage you to apply as soon as possible so that we have enough time to process your application. This is particularly important if you are also applying for funding or will require a visa. Applications may close earlier than published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand.For an application to be reviewed, it must be a complete application by the application deadline with all supporting documentation uploaded, including your transcripts.If you already have evidence that you meet the English language entry requirements, such as via an approved English language test, please upload this evidence at the time of your application. If you have not already met your English language requirements, we will still review your application and issue a decision providing it is otherwise complete. 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. ReferencesYou must submit two references with your application.Research proposalYou must submit a research proposal demonstrating your knowledge of your field of research, which will be closely evaluated as part of the decision-making process. We request that PhD research proposals are no more than four A4 typed pages in Times New Roman, 12pt font. This includes charts and figures but does not include references or a bibliography. Please ensure you have included a title in your research proposal. 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 Social Policy (3 years)PhD Social Policy (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 Featured fundingSchool of Social and Political Science ScholarshipsUK Research Council AwardsFor 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 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 Social Policy (3 years) tuition fees Part-time PhD Social Policy (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 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, and a UK masters degree with an overall mark of 65% 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 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. Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 6 in each component. Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 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 Social Policy has been taught in Edinburgh for more than a century, and we have a rich tradition of supervising students towards higher degrees as a route to careers in academia, social research and public policy.Today our group is at the heart of the scholarly community in social policy in Scotland and the UK, but also resolutely turned towards the wider world.Our highly regarded research draws on a variety of disciplinary perspectives and is methodologically diverse, spanning the full range of social science methods from action research to advanced quantitative approaches.We are committed to scholarly advancement but also to the dissemination of our work beyond the academy to generate non-academic impact and effect social change.We offer postgraduate supervision across the whole subject range, with particular expertise in:social securitylabour market policyhealth policychildren and young peopleeducation policyOur cross-cutting areas of expertise include:comparative and international social policyknowledge and policythe governance of welfare states Our research community 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.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.The subject area hosts some of the leading academic journals in the field. Find out more about Social Policy at the School of Social and Political Science Programme structure 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 programme combines work on a thesis project under the guidance of academic supervisors with comprehensive training in social research skills. Find out the aims and structure for each year of study on this programme. Full-time PhD Social Policy (3 years) (2025-2026) Part-time PhD Social Policy (6 years) (2025-2026) We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative. Support The School of Social and Political Science provides research training courses recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). You can participate in core, intermediate and advanced research training courses tailored to the needs of your project. We may also encourage you to attend courses in other schools across the University or at other institutions, if this benefits your project or professional development.The University’s Institute for Academic Development provides a range of courses and events to assist with methodological training and career development.Institute for Academic Development Facilities 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 research 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 libraries and archive facilities, including the Main Library, one of the largest academic libraries in the world with more than 2,300 study spaces.Other research facilities in the city centre include 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. 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 Professional links You will benefit from our excellent links to other social policy scholars, policymakers and practitioners both locally and across the world. 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 Postgraduate Admissions TeamGraduate School of Social & Political ScienceChrystal Macmillan Building15A George SquareCentral CampusEdinburghEH8 9LD futurestudents@ed.ac.uk Phone:+44 (0)131 650 4086 Academic contact Dr Elke Heins Programme Advisor School of Social and Political Science College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences University of Edinburgh Contact details Email: Elke.Heins@ed.ac.uk
