Useful Information for PhD

There is a lot of information in this section to support you through your PhD years. We recommend bookmarking this web page and familiarising yourself with this so you know it's here when or if you need it in the future.

Regulations of Study

Guidance on thesis submission and examination. Subject Area Handbooks library. Information on Turnitin and Plagiarism.

Student Engagement

Expectations of student attendance and engagement with their studies. Applying for an extension or interruption of study, or Leave of Absence. Vacation leave allowance, and parental leave policy.

Supervision

Contact details for Postgraduate Advisors. A guide to working with your supervisors and the Code of Practice. Information on the Annual Progression Review process.

Funding

Information on research support fund options. Guidance for School/College/University scholarship students on funded Sick Leave, Parental Leave, and Interruption of Study.

Scholarship Opportunities

Find information about funding opportunities available for postgraduate study in the School of Social and Political Science. Current students can apply for ESRC, School of SPS PhD Scholarship, and Alice Brown PhD Scholarship. See their webpages for details.

Research Ethics

Guidance and process on submitting ethical reviews for approval prior to research. Ethics queries should be sent directly to the Subject Area Ethics Lead (SAREL).

Fieldwork and Travel

Full guidance on the fieldwork application process including ethics and risk assessments, insurance, and Leave of Absence requirements. Guidance on risk assessment and insurance for non-research/fieldwork travel outside of Edinburgh.

Research Training Centre

Information on training opportunities in key research method initiatives Q-Step / AQMEN / NCRM.

Choosing Courses

Guidance on how to choose courses, course change requests, auditing, and withdrawing.

Research Courses

Information on core skills courses for postgraduate research students.

Student Support

Who to contact for support during your study.

Facilities and Resources

Information on the SPS PhD Laptop Loan Scheme, University Laptop Loan Scheme, PhD study space, and PhD locker space.

Request/Edit a Student Profile

How to add your PhD student profile to the School's website.

Tutoring Vacancies and Information

Information on part-time teaching opportunities and tutor calls for research students.

PhD Awards

Information on the awarding process for PhD degree programmes.

Useful FAQs

Answers to common questions on postgraduate research on-programme administration, fees, scholarship opportunities, and COVID-19 impact.

Suggesting Improvements

Please follow this process for suggesting improvements to School or University policy or procedure.

Academics Beyond Borders

The Academics Beyond Borders scheme provides remote academic support for PhD students enrolled in universities affected by conflicts and/or repression.

PhD Students