Postgraduate research
Explore our postgraduate research opportunities including PhDs, Professional Doctorates, and Master's by Research.
The University of Dundee brings together some of the best researchers in the world, developing ideas that make a positive impact on and a tangible difference to the physical, social and psychological wellbeing of people and their communities, the economy and the environment.
By taking one of our research degrees, you will have the opportunity to make your own contribution of original knowledge as an esteemed member of our research community.
Along the way you’ll be supervised by experts in your field, and we’ll offer you skills training, mentoring and career support.
From the traditional PhD to our renowned Professional Doctorate Programme and Research Masters degrees, there’s a huge range of opportunities for you to explore.
Learn about research in our Schools and apply for a research degree
Doctoral Academy
The Doctoral Academy at the University of Dundee works in partnership with Schools, Professional Services, and Dundee University Students’ Association (DUSA) to provide equity of experience for postgraduate researchers across the University and ensure you thrive during your time with us.
PhD
PhDs generally take between 3 and 5 years to complete, with full time and part time options. You can propose your own research topic or apply to one of our PhD opportunities.
Propose your own PhD topic
There are also opportunities to propose you own PhD topic. Browse our research areas to see how these align with your interests and find out who to contact to discuss your proposal.
Doctoral training programmes
Professional Doctorate
Master's by Research
The Master's by Research is a type of research degree that allows you to pursue an independent research project while benefiting from expert supervision.
MFA/MDes by Research Art & Design
The MDes (Res) and MFA (Res) Masters degrees allow for independent study under the supervision of a research supervisor for one year, September to August, with many leading straight into PhD studies.
This programme is not a taught degree, but instead is structured more like a PhD. It provides you the appropriate research experience - and the refinement of research methods - in order to apply with a proposal and portfolio to a PhD.
MSc by Research
The MSc by Research is a one year research degree (two years if part time). In comparison to a taught Masters (MSc) it will have a significant amount of time devoted to original research.
We have the following MSc by Research options:
MSc by Research Anatomy & Human Identification
MSc by Research Environmental Science
MSc by Research Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science