Highlights
Tuition fee
31500 GBP / year
4786 GBP / year
Unknown
Tuition fee
31500 GBP / year
4786 GBP / year
Unknown
Duration
36 months
Duration
36 months
Apply date
Unknown
Apply date
Unknown
Start date
Unknown
Start date
Unknown
Campus location
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Campus location
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

About

Pursuing a Chemistry research degree at The University of Edinburgh could be one of the best experiences of your life. 

Overview

In addition to gaining research skills, making friends, meeting eminent researchers and being part of the research community, a Chemistry research degree at The University of Edinburgh will help you to develop invaluable transferable skills which you can apply to academic life or a variety of professions outside of academia.

The Chemistry/Biology Interface

This is a broad area, with particular strengths in the areas of protein structure and function, mechanistic enzymology, proteomics, peptide and protein synthesis, protein folding, recombinant and synthetic DNA methodology, biologically targeted synthesis and the application of high throughput and combinatorial approaches. We also focus on biophysical chemistry, the development and application of physicochemical techniques to biological systems. This includes mass spectrometry, advanced spectroscopy and microscopy, as applied to proteins, enzymes, DNA, membranes and biosensors.

Experimental & Theoretical Chemical Physics

This is the fundamental study of molecular properties and processes. Areas of expertise include probing molecular structure in the gas phase, clusters and nanoparticles, the development and application of physicochemical techniques such as mass spectoscropy to molecular systems and the EaStCHEM surface science group, who study complex molecules on surfaces, probing the structure property-relationships employed in heterogeneous catalysis. A major feature is in Silico Scotland, a world-class research computing facility.

Synthesis

This research area encompasses the synthesis and characterisation of organic and inorganic compounds, including those with application in homogeneous catalysis, nanotechnology, coordination chemistry, ligand design and supramolecular chemistry, asymmetric catalysis, heterocyclic chemistry and the development of synthetic methods and strategies leading to the synthesis of biologically important molecules (including drug discovery). The development of innovative synthetic and characterisation methodologies (particularly in structural chemistry) is a key feature, and we specialise in structural chemistry at extremely high pressures.

Materials Chemistry

The EaStCHEM Materials group is one of the largest in the UK. Areas of strength include the design, synthesis and characterisation of functional (for example magnetic, superconducting and electronic) materials; strongly correlated electronic materials, battery and fuel cell materials and devices, porous solids, fundamental and applied electrochemistry polymer microarray technologies and technique development for materials and nanomaterials analysis.

Programme Structure

Training and support

  • Students attend regular research talks, visiting speaker symposia, an annual residential meeting in the Scottish Highlands, and lecture courses on specialised techniques and safety. 
  • Students are encouraged to participate in transferable skills and computing courses, public awareness of science activities, undergraduate teaching and to represent the School at national and international conferences.

Key information

Duration

  • Full-time
    • 36 months
  • Part-time
    • 72 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

  • Edinburgh, United Kingdom

What students do after studying

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

GPA admission requirements GPA
Upper Second Class
Pass (recommended)

Other requirements

General requirements

  • In general, any research area in the School of Chemistry will require you to have a degree in a related field. We may consider your application if your background is not directly related to chemistry; contact your potential supervisor for advice. 
  • We highly recommend making personal contact by email with your potential supervisor prior to making your application.
  • PhD: A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in chemistry or a related field.

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

  • Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
  • Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
  • Liability
  • Home contents and baggage
  • Accidents
  • Legal aid

We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

Get your student insurance now

Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at The University of Edinburgh and/or in United Kingdom, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees
  • International

    31500 GBP/year
    Tuition Fee
    Based on the tuition of 31500 GBP per year during 36 months.
  • National

    4786 GBP/year
    Tuition Fee
    Based on the tuition of 4786 GBP per year during 36 months.

Living costs for Edinburgh

725 - 1167 GBP /month
Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

  • School of Chemistry Studentships

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Chemistry.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

Provided by university
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
18 Sep 2025
Marshall Scholarships
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

The University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Provided by university
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
16 Feb 2026
China Scholarships Council/University of Edinburgh Scholarships
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

The University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Provided by university
Grant
5000 GBP
Deadline
14 Mar 2026
Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

The University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Provided by university
Grant
19237 GBP
Deadline
03 Feb 2026
The Chrystal Macmillan PhD Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

The University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Provided by university
Grant
19237 GBP
Deadline
03 Feb 2026
Edinburgh Law School & Cameron PhD Studentships
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

The University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Provided by university
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
03 Feb 2026
School of Divinity PhD Research Scholarships
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

The University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Provided by university
Grant
19237 GBP
Deadline
03 Feb 2026
Edinburgh College of Art PhD Scholarships
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

The University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2025
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Merit-based Need-based

Read more about eligibility

U.S. government
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
27 Oct 2025
Martingale Scholarship
Need-based

Read more about eligibility

Martingale Foundation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
19000 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Scholarships for PhD Students
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Junhua Li
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
16 Aug 2025
Amberscholar Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Amber Student
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
28 Feb 2026
Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Boustany Foundation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2025
ServiceScape Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based

Read more about eligibility

ServiceScape
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
31 Mar 2026
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Aga Khan Foundation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
6000 USD
Deadline
16 Aug 2025
Amberscholar 2025 Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Amber Scholar
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
22500 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids
Merit-based Need-based

Read more about eligibility

UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
10000 GBP
Deadline
25 Jul 2025
GREAT Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

British Council - Accreditation UK
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
31 Dec 2025
Grants of the Leopold Figl Foundation for students with residence in Lower Austria
Need-based

Read more about eligibility

Leopold Figl Foundation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2025
The PhD Prep Fellowship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Admit Lab
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
25 Aug 2025
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

educations.com
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
12 Jan 2026
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Salvado Law
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2025
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

IvyPanda
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2025
BOC Sciences Chemistry Scholarship Program
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

BOCSCI Inc.
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
90000 AUD
Deadline
Not specified
World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based

Read more about eligibility

The Ramsay Centre
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2025
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based

Read more about eligibility

Anonymous Hope Fund
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2025
Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme
Merit-based Need-based

Read more about eligibility

The Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid
Merit-based Need-based

Read more about eligibility

American Association of Petroleum Geologists Foundation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
Not specified
The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based

Read more about eligibility

IELTS from 6 to 9
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
01 Mar 2026
Voice Talent Online Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based

Read more about eligibility

Voice Talent Online
Location not available

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