Global Health Policy PhD
Awards: PhD
Study modes: Full-time, Part-time
Funding opportunities
Programme website: Global Health Policy
This programme aims to provide rigorous postgraduate training to those interested in pursuing interdisciplinary research across public health and the social sciences.
It offers a structured training towards research for a PhD, providing the basis for a research career.
The Global Health Policy Unit (GHPU) was established to carry out and disseminate research in health policy and provide exceptional postgraduate teaching.
Focusing on the principles of equity, access and universality, we have gained an international reputation for the quality and social relevance of our research.
Research themes
Our research is organised around the following four intersecting themes, each of which is central to contemporary policy debates:
- commercial sector and public health
- health systems and global governance
- social determinants of health and public policy
- science, advocacy and health policy
Our staff
GHPU staff have a history of conducting outstanding research and of playing a leading role in debates around the impact of current policies on public health and social inequalities.
We contribute to the world’s leading peer-reviewed journals and to professional journals, as well as the wider media.
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.
| Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PhD | 3 Years | Full-time | Programme structure 2020/21 | |
| PhD | 6 Years | Part-time | Programme structure 2020/21 |
We offer PhD students a supportive research environment in which you’ll find senior academics and research fellows working together on team-based projects. You are encouraged to contribute to GHPU’s ongoing projects.
All postgraduates researching public health policy are encouraged to take part in seminars and to take advantage of training courses run at School, College and University level.
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
For 2021 entry we will accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
- IELTS: total 7.0 (at least 6.0 in each module)
- TOEFL-iBT (including Special Home Edition): total 100 (at least 20 in each module). We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
- CAE and CPE: total 185 (at least 169 in each module)
- Trinity ISE: ISE III with a pass in all four components
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 or Trinity ISE, 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.
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:
| Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PhD | 3 Years | Full-time | Tuition fees | |
| PhD | 6 Years | Part-time | Tuition fees |
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.
- Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Awards
- Research scholarships for international students
- Principal's Career Development PhD Scholarships
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.
*(Revised 19 October 2020 with changes to links and advice for funding.)
Other funding opportunities
Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:
- Postgraduate Admissions Team
- Phone: +44 (0)131 651 1560/3064
- Contact: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
- Programme Advisor, Dr Daniel Clegg
- Phone: +44 (0)131 651 3998
- Contact: daniel.clegg@ed.ac.uk
- Graduate School of Social & Political Science
- Chrystal Macmillan Building
- 15A George Square
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9LD
- Programme: Global Health Policy
- School: Social & Political Science
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
- Prospectus: Social & Political Science (PDF)
Applying
Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.
PhD Global Health Policy - 3 Years (Full-time)
PhD Global Health Policy - 6 Years (Part-time) (Part-time)
| Programme start dates | Application deadlines |
|---|---|
| 13 September 2021 | 5 July 2021 |
| 13 September 2021 | 6 July 2021 |
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.
You must submit two references with your application.
We encourage 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
- Postgraduate Admissions Team
- Phone: +44 (0)131 651 1560/3064
- Contact: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
- Programme Advisor, Dr Daniel Clegg
- Phone: +44 (0)131 651 3998
- Contact: daniel.clegg@ed.ac.uk
- Graduate School of Social & Political Science
- Chrystal Macmillan Building
- 15A George Square
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9LD
- Programme: Global Health Policy
- School: Social & Political Science
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
- Prospectus: Social & Political Science (PDF)