Genetics and Genomics PhD, MScR

Level: Postgraduate research

Subject: Veterinary Medicine

Year of entry: 2026

Study options

Part-time
  • MScR | 2 years | Start date: multiple dates
  • PhD | 6 years | Start date: multiple dates
Full-time
  • MScR | 1 year | Start date: multiple dates
  • PhD | 3 years | Start date: multiple dates

Key facts

School

Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

College

College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine

PhD by Distance

Not available

School location

Easter Bush campus

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About the degree programme

Research in the field of Genetics and Genomics aims to advance the understanding of complex animal systems and the development of improved predictive models through the application of numerical and computational approaches to the analysis of the genome.

This includes analyses and interpretation, modelling, and prediction of complex animal systems at multiple levels, from the sequence and behaviour of DNA, RNA species, proteins and other molecules, through cellular and gene networks, tissues and organs right up to whole organisms and interacting populations of organisms.

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

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

You will also need to provide some or all of the following supporting information and documents:

When you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide.

References

You must submit two references with your application.

Interview

You will be formally interviewed (in person or by video-conferencing).

Apply

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

Academic Technology Approval Scheme

If you need to apply for a student visa, you may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance certificate in order to study this programme.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme

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.

Part-time
Full-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 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:

  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel, clothes, books and stationery
  • recreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)

Living costs

Accommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.

University postgraduate accommodation options and costs

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.

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
  • a degree that was taught and assessed in English
  • 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 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 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)
  • Trinity ISE
  • 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

Research in the field of Genetics and Genomics aims to advance the understanding of complex animal systems and the development of improved predictive models through the application of numerical and computational approaches to the analysis of the genome.

This includes analyses and interpretation, modelling, and prediction of complex animal systems at multiple levels, from the sequence and behaviour of DNA, RNA species, proteins and other molecules, through cellular and gene networks, tissues and organs right up to whole organisms and interacting populations of organisms.

The biology and traits of interest include:

  • growth and development
  • body composition
  • feed efficiency
  • reproductive performance
  • greenhouse gas emissions and other indices of sustainability
  • environmental adaptation
  • responses to infectious disease and the interactions between host and pathogen
  • population responses to selection
  • inherited diseases
  • behavioural and welfare-associated traits

Research ranges from basic bioscience, computational and mathematical biology to strategic research intended to address grand challenges, e.g. food security.

Research is focused on, but not restricted to, target species of agricultural importance, including:

  • cattle
  • pigs
  • poultry
  • sheep
  • farmed fish such as salmon or tilapia
  • other aquaculture species such as oysters and mussels
  • companion animals
  • organisms of emerging agricultural interest, for example, insect species

These are studied together with associated pathogenic and commensal microorganisms, parasites and vectors that infect, colonise, or interact with these hosts.

The availability of genome sequences (both new and pre-existing) and the associated analysis toolkits for genome assembly, annotation, and interrogation enable genetics and genomics research in all these species.

Expertise includes:

  • genetics - molecular and quantitative
  • physiology - neuroendocrinology, immunology
  • genomics - functional genomics, metabolomics, proteomics, epigenomics, metagenomics

Particular strengths are in computational and mathematical biology, quantitative genetics, epidemiology, bioinformatics, phylogenetics and modelling.

Programme structure

Study is by supervised research.

Individual students are integrated within their supervisor’s group and school. You will participate fully in activities such as journal clubs, group meetings and seminar programmes.

You will be expected to complete a piece of original research, directed towards solving important, novel and open questions.

Support

Studentships are of 3 or 4 years duration and you will be expected to complete a novel piece of research which will advance our understanding of the field.

To help you in this goal, you will be assigned a principal and assistant supervisor, both of whom will be active scientists within the School. Your progress will be monitored in accordance with School Postgraduate regulations by a PhD thesis committee (which includes an independent external assessor and chair). There is also dedicated secretarial support to assist these committees and the students with University and Institute/School requirements.

All student matters are overseen by the School's postgraduate studies committee. Easter Bush also has a local postgraduate committee which will provide advice and support to students when requested. An active staff-student liaison committee and a social committee, which is headed by our postgraduate liaison officer, provide additional support.

You will be expected to attend a number of generic training courses offered by the Transkills Programme of the University and to participate in regular seminars and laboratory progress meetings. All students will also be expected to present their data at national and international meetings throughout their period of study.

Facilities

The Roslin Institute, where the majority of our research is conducted, occupies a state-of-the-art building on the University of Edinburgh's veterinary campus at Easter Bush.

Our facilities include:

  • rodent, bird, aquaculture and livestock animal units and associated lab areas
  • comprehensive bioinformatics and genomics capabilities
  • a range of bioimaging facilities, including a major new large animal imaging facility, extensive molecular and cell biology labs, and a café and auditorium where we regularly host workshops and invited speakers

Through links with major technology and service providers, we have access to the latest genomics technologies, including:

  • next-generation sequencing
  • single-cell/single nucleus sequencing platforms
  • SNP genotyping and microarray platforms
  • large-scale phenotyping platforms

In addition, we have access to world-leading computing facilities through the Edinburgh Compute and Data Facility, the Edinburgh International Data Facility and a Data-Driven Innovation program. For large-scale analyses, we also have access to a dedicated HPE Superdome (800+ cores, 23TB RAM).

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

Postgraduate Secretary, PG Research Team

Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies
Easter Bush Veterinary Centre
Roslin
Easter Bush
Edinburgh
EH25 9RG

RDSVS.PGR.Admin@ed.ac.uk
Phone:+44 (0)131 651 9194

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