Opportunities for Postgraduate degrees by research
Research degrees provide in depth training in a specific subject through original investigation and experiment. Postgraduate degree opportunities are offered in all disciplines and subjects across the university.
PhD degrees
All disciplines at St Andrews include world leading research with academic staff working at the cutting edge of their fields (see RAE 2008 results). PhD projects entail research at the highest international standards.
The precise focus of research for a PhD is agreed between student and supervisor as far as possible to suit particular interests and needs. Specific areas of research specialisation including PhD opportunities can be found via the links to Research in Schools, and Centres and Institutes.
Doctoral degrees are normally three-year programmes (full-time, or the equivalent part-time) of supervised research, although some disciplines are currently moving to four year periods. Examination is by thesis (80,000 words maximum). The thesis is a piece of original work describing the research undertaken and its implications for present knowledge.
The normal requirement for entry into a PhD programme is a good undergraduate degree with Honours (at least 2.1 from a UK university, or equivalent) or masters degree. Information about the formal application process for PhD degrees are given under Postgraduate study.
Other Doctoral degrees
DLang is a PhD with a specific language component, offered in the School of Modern Languages. It comprises two semesters of full-time study and assessment(s) on the theory and practice of language and language-learning, followed by a thesis (80,000 words max.) prepared during the summer and the following two years and submitted by the end of the third academic year.
The Engineering Doctorate (EngD) is a four-year degree, providing an industrially relevant doctoral programme geared to training the research managers of the future. It involves a taught course component plus a challenging and original research project undertaken as a partnership between industry and academia. For further details contact the School of Physics & Astronomy.
The University offers a Doctorate in Medicine (MD) degree to candidates holding a recognised medical qualification. Candidates must have some connection with St Andrews as either graduates in Medicine or Medical Science from this University, members of academic staff or employees of the NHS in the Lothians, Fife or Tayside having a working relationship with St Andrews. Initial enquiries about the MD degree should be made to the Dean of Medicine.
The University has introduced an alternative route to a PhD by the submission of a portfolio of published work. Matriculated students and members of academic staff of at least three years standing may apply to submit a portfolio of published work for a PhD degree. Examination of a PhD by portfolio is essentially similar to that of a PhD by thesis.
Masters Postgraduate research degrees
The MPhil in Arts is a combination of coursework and research. It comprises two semesters of full-time taught courses (or equivalent part-time study) and assessment(s) followed by a thesis (40,000 words maximum) prepared during the summer and the following year and submitted by the end of the second academic session.
The MPhil in Science is normally of two years' duration, although well-qualified candidates, e.g. those possessing a good Honours degree in a relevant discipline or a suitable research background, may be admitted directly into the second year. A thesis, (40,000 words maximum) is required that gives evidence of the candidate's capacity for independent research.
Generic skills training
Working towards a Research Degree entails the accumulation of a range of skills that are widely applicable for future careers. The University's GradSkills programme adds to this a range of cross-institution generic training opportunities comprising courses, workshops, seminars, conferences, study visits and other events from which PhD and MPhil students can select to meet their individual training requirements, educational interests and career ambitions.
Financial information
The offer of a university place to undertake postgraduate research or study does not in itself carry with it the guarantee of financial support. However many research areas and research pooling alliances can offer partial or full studentships that provide financial support (covering fees and in some cases maintenance) to carry out research degree projects. Schools should be contacted directly to discuss what Research Council or alternative sources of funding may be available. See postgraduate financial information.
ORSAS awards provide funding to help outstanding full time postgraduate research students from outside the UK and European Union. Each award covers the difference between the Overseas rate of tuition fee and the Home (UK/EU) rate of tuition fee charged by the University. ORSAS awards do not cover the Home/EU fee element, maintenance or travel expenses. See External Scholarships for International Students for details of the annual competition for these awards.
Taught courses at Postgraduate level
The University also offers taught course MLitt, MSc and MRes postgraduate degrees. These normally comprise two semesters of full-time (or equivalent part-time) study together with a dissertation (15,000 words maximum) or project to be completed by the end of the academic year. These Masters degrees are often undertaken before embarking on a PhD or equivalent.