How to Apply
To apply for a PhD or other Research Degree position, please use our online postgraduate application form. Please note that we are only able to consider applications where you have provided the details of the advertised project that you are applying to work on, or the name of the Academic Supervisor that you would like to work with.
How to submit an application
When applying through the Heriot-Watt on-line system please ensure you provide the following information:
- In 'Study Option' - You will need to select 'Edinburgh' and 'Postgraduate Research'. 'Programme' presents you with a drop-down menu. Choose Chemistry PhD, Physics PhD, Chemical Engineering PhD, Mechanical Engineering PhD, Bio-science & Bio-Engineering PhD or Electrical PhD as appropriate.
- In 'Research Project Information' - You will be provided with a free text box for details of your research project. Enter Title and Reference number of the project for which you are applying and also enter the potential supervisor's name.
This information will greatly assist us in tracking your application. Please note that once you have submitted your application, it will not be considered until you have uploaded your CV and transcripts.
For general enquiries relating to EPS Research Degrees, please contact the EPS Postgraduate Research office by email pgr.eps@hw.ac.uk.
Please see the below PGR Entry requirements that all successful candidates will need to meet before an unconditional offer can be issued.
Entry requirements
Minimum Entry Policy for Postgraduate Research Candidates
- at least an upper second-class (2:1) undergraduate honours degree in the relevant subject area, or a Masters Degree is preferrable. We may also consider candidates who can demonstrate appropriate alternative learning such as experience gained in the workplace or professional qualifications.
- 2 references (these should be academic references, except for the DBA programme for which candidates should typically supply one academic and one professional reference).
- Research Proposal (unless you are applying for a DBA or an advertised project which does not require this)
- English Language Requirements – applicants must be able to meet one of the criteria below:
- If an applicant is a national of one of the countries listed on the UK Government Guidance under ‘Who does not need to prove their knowledge of English’ (copy of passport should be provided).
- If an applicant’s first language is not English but they have an English-taught Bachelors or Masters degree from one of the countries listed on the UK Government Guidance under ‘Who does not need to prove their knowledge of English’, and this is clearly stated in evidence. This qualification should have been obtained no more than five years before the applicant is due to begin their studies at Heriot watt.
- This student’s first language is not English but they have achieved at least a C in a Heriot-Watt pre-sessional English course and this is clearly stated in evidence.
- This student’s first language is not English but they have provided a recognised English language test from the list below which was taken in the past 2 years and have achieved a CEFR level B2 at the levels below:
|
Test |
PGR Entry Level |
|---|---|
|
IELTS Academic (we do not accept IELTS Indicator, IELTS online or IELTS General Training) |
Overall Score of 6.5 with no individual score lower than 6.0 |
| PTE Academic | 68 overall with a minimum of 63 in each component |
| TOEFL IBT | Overall score of 85, including reading 20, listening 19, speaking 20 and writing 21 |
| Cambridge (new) | 176-184 |
EPS Postgraduate Research Contacts
As part of your application, you may also wish to contact the research co-ordinator in your subject area.
Contact for general enquiries:
EPS Postgraduate Research Office
- pgr.eps@hw.ac.uk
- Phone
- +44 (0) 131 451 4559 / 3027
- Address
If you are interested in undertaking a PhD or other Research Degree then here are the Postgraduate Research Co-ordinators for each of our Research Institutes:-
| Institute | Main contact |
|---|---|
| Institute of Chemical Sciences (ICS) | Dr Graeme Barker |
| Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering (IB3) | Dr Anitha Devadoss |
| Institute of Sensors, Signals and Systems (ISSS) | Prof. Yoann Altmann |
| Institute of Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering (IMPEE) | Dr Michael Crichton & Dr Adam Stock |
| Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences (IPAQS) | Prof. Jonathan Leach and Dr Aurora Maccarone |