phd in international development at edinburgh university

• Schools & departments

International Development PhD

Awards: PhD

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: International Development

Introduction to Postgraduate Study

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Research profile

The University of Edinburgh is host to a thriving community of researchers working on global development issues.

We are home to internationally renowned academics working at the intersection of:

• international development policy and health
• science and technology
• urbanisation
• human rights

We also host respected centres with regional expertise in Africa, South Asia and Latin America.

Research community

As a doctoral student in International Development, you will become part of a vibrant, interdisciplinary research community. You will also join the Global Development Academy, which coordinates research and teaching on international development across the University.

We strongly encourage and support interdisciplinary research. We welcome students who are keen to develop doctoral research projects in collaboration with third parties, for example:

• non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
• multilateral or bilateral agencies
• campaign groups
• media organisations

Research seminars and events

You will have opportunities to integrate yourself into the research life of the University by attending a wide range of seminars and events.

You will be invited to take part in:

• research workshops hosted by the Global Development Academy
• regular open research seminars held by subject areas across the School of Social and Political Science

Attending events will provide opportunities to meet development policymakers, practitioners, diplomats, and internationally recognised academics.

Programme structure

The International Development PhD programme is usually undertaken full-time over three years, or part-time over six years.

As a PhD student, you will make an original contribution to knowledge by pursuing an extended and focused piece of research on a topic of interest to you.

You will participate with your peers in the bespoke course, 'International Development Exchanges and Advanced Skills', to improve your research abilities and to develop a broad set of academic and transferable skills during your time with us.

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.

Training and support

Supervision and support.

As a PhD student in International Development, you will receive regular one-to-one thesis supervision from two supervisors with expertise in your regional and/or specific research areas.

Focused supervision in the International Development group is drawn from faculty associated with:

• the Centre of African Studies
• Social Anthropology
• Social Policy
• Politics and History

In line with the emphasis on interdisciplinary research, supervision teams may comprise faculty from across the University, providing enriching expertise, training and research collaboration opportunities for our PhD students.

Your supervisors will offer expert advice throughout the entire research process, and at key points such as:

• choosing your research training courses
• refining your research design
• conducting field research
• data analysis
• writing up your thesis
• publishing your findings and moving on to the next stage in your career

You will meet with your supervisors on a regular basis to discuss the progress of your thesis.

Postgraduate community support

You will also find support from your wider academic community and peers, who you will engage with at regular seminars.

You will have additional opportunities to mix with the postgraduate cohort, including:

• International Development exchanges
• the Advanced Skills course taken by first-year doctoral students
• a series of organised monthly training and social activities

The School of Social and Political Science provides research training courses recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). You can participate in core, intermediate and advanced research training courses tailored to the needs of your project. We may also encourage you to attend courses in other schools across the University or at other institutions, if this benefits your project or professional development.

The University’s Institute for Academic Development provides a range of courses and events to assist with methodological training and career development.

• Institute for Academic Development

As a PhD student at the School of Social and Political Science, you will have full access to a number of dedicated facilities in the Chrystal Macmillan Building, such as desk areas for quiet and collaborative study.   You will also have access to the University’s outstanding research libraries and archive facilities, including the Main Library, one of the largest academic libraries in the world with more than 2,300 study spaces.

Other research facilities in the city centre include the National Library of Scotland and the Scottish Records Office.

Proximity to the Scottish Parliament and other institutions of national government provides further research opportunities.

Entry requirements

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

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:

• Entry requirements by country
• English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which 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 7.0 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 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 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT : 8 overall with at least 6 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:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

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).

• Approved universities in 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.

Find out more about our language requirements:

Fees and costs

Scholarships and funding.

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

• taking out a loan
• family support
• personal savings
• income from work
• employer sponsorship
• scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Featured funding

School of Social and Political Science Scholarships

UK Research Council Awards

For specialised guidance on submitting a competitive scholarship application, please follow the requirements and recommendations and how to contact relevant academic staff as advised here:

• Important information and recommendations

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.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding

Further information

• Postgraduate Admissions Team
• Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4086
• Contact: [email protected]
• Programme Advisor, Dr Resto Cruz
• Contact: [email protected]
• Graduate School of Social & Political Science
• Chrystal Macmillan Building
• 15A George Square
• Central Campus
• Programme: International Development
• School: Social & Political Science
• College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.

PhD International Development - 3 Years (Full-time)

Phd international development - 6 years (part-time), application deadlines.

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:

Degree Programme Table: International Development (PHD) (Full-Time) (PRPHDINTDE1F)

Year 1 academic year: 2023/24, starting in: september.

There are no compulsory courses in this year of this programme.

• Schools & departments

Depending on the field of study you are interested in, you may be able to apply for a pre-defined PhD project, or you may need to develop your own research idea.

Research in the fields of medicine, science and engineering tend to require you to:

• apply for a project that already has specific, pre-defined aims
• compete for a place on a partially or fully funded programme (often with competitive application processes).

Research in the fields of arts, humanities and social sciences tend to require you to:

• develop your own research idea (be prepared to adapt your original idea)
• source your own funding, although some funded projects may be available.

PhD research projects

Doctoral training centres and partnerships, developing your own research idea, professional doctorates.

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International Development PhD University of Edinburgh

Course options

Qualification.

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Main Campus

• TUITION FEES
• ENTRY REQUIREMENT
• UNIVERSITY INFO

Course summary

The University of Edinburgh is host to a thriving and cosmopolitan community of researchers working on global development issues.

We are home to internationally recognised academics working at the intersection of: international development policy and health; science/technology; culture; religion; migration etc.

Doctoral students in International Development become part of a vibrant, interdisciplinary research community, and members of the Global Development Academy, which coordinates research and teaching on international development across the University.

As a postgraduate in our International Development group, you will receive regular one-to-one thesis supervision from two supervisors with expertise in your regional and/or specific research areas.

Focused supervision in the International Development group is drawn from faculty associated to: Centre of African Studies; Sociology; Social Anthropology; Social Policy; Politics and History.

Tuition fees

• Afghanistan
• Antigua & Barbuda
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Burkina Faso
• Central African Republic
• Congo (Democratic Republic)
• Czech Republic
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Ivory Coast
• Korea DPR (North Korea)
• Liechtenstein
• Marshall Islands
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Northern Ireland
• Palestinian Authority
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Puerto Rico
• Republic of Ireland
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saudi Arabia
• Sierra Leone
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
• South Korea
• South Sudan
• St. Kitts & Nevis
• Switzerland
• Trinidad & Tobago
• Turkmenistan
• United Kingdom
• Vatican City
• Western Samoa

£ 26,300 per year

Tuition fees shown are for indicative purposes and may vary. Please check with the institution for most up to date details.

University information

University of edinburgh, university league table, campus address.

University of Edinburgh, The University of Edinburgh, Old College, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, City Of, EH8 9YL, Scotland

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Subject ranking.

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9th out of 79

7th out of 101 5

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