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South Asian Studies PhD

Awards: PhD

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: South Asian Studies

Research profile

Centre for South Asian Studies

The Centre for South Asian Studies is the central academic unit in Scotland dedicated to the study of South Asia.

With 25 full-time associated staff in Edinburgh, honorary fellows, and more staff affiliated across Scotland and northern Britain, the Centre is also one of the four leading Centres for South Asian Studies in the UK.

We host a vibrant series of seminars, a cohort of PhD scholars and a range of researchers meaning that there is a culture of academic discussion and exchange.

The Centre brings together South Asian expertise from across the University, to create a lively environment supporting the interdisciplinary study of the subcontinent as a whole.

It has an established reputation for research excellence.

Who this programme is for

We welcome applications from scholars wishing to study any aspect of society, culture or politics in South Asia. Cross-disciplinary areas where students are particularly welcome include:

  • the historical and contemporary study of religion (Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and Hinduism) and South Asian societies
  • gender, family and population
  • nationalism and caste
  • the media
  • the South Asian diaspora
  • contemporary politics and identity
  • territorial politics (federalism, regionalism)
  • India as a global emerging power

Programme structure

We are deeply committed to our students at all levels and to investigating the social world of South Asia cross-culturally as well as within Scotland and the UK generally.

Our School hosts a large, vibrant, intellectually stimulating and international community of postgraduate students from the UK, Europe, the Nordic countries, North America, Asia and Africa. Our PhD researchers attached to the Centre work on a broad range of theoretical, methodological and substantive topics.

Undertaken full-time over three years, or part-time over six years, the PhD in South Asian Studies is a research degree in which you will explore in depth a piece of theoretical, and/or methodological, and/or substantive research on a topic of their choice.

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.

AwardTitleDurationStudy mode
PhDSouth Asian Studies3 YearsFull-timeProgramme structure 2023/24
PhDSouth Asian Studies6 YearsPart-timeProgramme structure 2023/24

Training and support

The PhD programme combines work on an individual thesis project with systematic training in research skills offered by the School of Social and Political Science.

The Centre hosts a weekly research seminar as well as regular workshops and conferences.

Facilities

The University’s Main Library has many manuscripts in oriental languages originating from the countries of the Middle East and South Asia.

You will also have access to rich library and archive resources across the University, including Divinity and Celtic and Scottish studies, as well as the National Library of Scotland (holding the papers of several Viceroys of India) and the Scottish National Record Office.

Entry requirements

These entry requirements are for the 2023/24 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2024/25 academic year will be published on 2 October 2023.

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:

English language requirements

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

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.
  • 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 70 with at least 59 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:

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).

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than three and a half years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

Fees and costs

AwardTitleDurationStudy mode
PhDSouth Asian Studies3 YearsFull-timeTuition fees
PhDSouth Asian Studies6 YearsPart-timeTuition fees

Scholarships and funding

Featured funding

For specialised guidance on submitting a competitive scholarship application, we strongly recommend you contact the Postgraduate Advisor for your subject area.

You should advise which scholarships you intend to apply for and send your draft research proposal. The Postgraduate Advisor will then contact you with guidance.

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.

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

Further information

  • Graduate School of Social & Political Science
  • Chrystal Macmillan Building
  • 15A George Square
  • Central Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH8 9LD

Application deadlines

Programme start date Application deadline
11 September 2023 30 June 2023

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.

How to apply

You must submit two references with your application.

You must submit a research proposal demonstrating your knowledge of your field of research, which will be closely scrutinised 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.

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.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

Further information

  • Graduate School of Social & Political Science
  • Chrystal Macmillan Building
  • 15A George Square
  • Central Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH8 9LD
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