Postgraduate study
Edinburgh: Extraordinary futures await.

Genetics and Molecular Medicine (MRC Human Genetics Unit) PhD, MScR

Awards: PhD, MScR

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

The MRC Human Genetics Unit discovers how changes in our DNA impact our lives.

Research excellence

We combine the latest computational and experimental technologies to investigate how our genomes work to control the function of molecules, cells and tissues in people and populations.

For more than half a century our research has been dedicated to understanding human genetic disease.

Today we continue to apply our clinical and scientific expertise, harnessing the power of complex data, to improve health, and the lives of patients and their families.

As well as delivering outstanding research, the institute creates a vibrant scientific community and a friendly research environment rich in both scientific and social opportunities.

What will I learn?

Our PhD and MSc programmes harness strengths in different research disciplines:

  • genetics
  • molecular biology
  • biochemistry
  • cell biology

These are tied to our scientific themes:

  • disease mechanisms
  • biomedical genomics
  • genome regulation

Our programmes also provides a strong focus on computational biology, and state of the art imaging as part of the Edinburgh Super-Resolution Imaging Consortium.

Over 30 principal investigators based in the MRC HGU contribute to these cross-disciplinary programmes spanning fundamental to clinical research.

Further information can be found on our Graduate Research and Training website:

Self-funded applicants

We also accept all self-funding/external funding applicants.

We strongly recommend you apply as early as possible, at least one month prior to entry.

Applying

To apply for any of our PhD programmes please select one of the buttons and dates in the Applying section.

For 4 year programmes, please select '3 Years (Full-time)'.

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

English language requirements

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

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

  • 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.
  • PTE Academic: total 62 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 five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

Academic Technology Approval Scheme

If you are not an EU, EEA or Swiss national, you may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance certificate in order to study this programme.

Tuition fees

AwardTitleDurationStudy mode
PhDGenetics and Molecular Medicine3 YearsFull-timeTuition fees
PhDGenetics and Molecular Medicine6 YearsPart-timeTuition fees
MScRGenetics and Molecular Medicine1 YearFull-timeTuition fees
MScRGenetics and Molecular Medicine2 YearsPart-timeTuition fees

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:

  • MRC Human Genetics Unit
  • Institute of Genetics and Cancer
  • Crewe Road
  • Edinburgh
  • EH4 2XU

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.

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:

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

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

Further information

  • MRC Human Genetics Unit
  • Institute of Genetics and Cancer
  • Crewe Road
  • Edinburgh
  • EH4 2XU