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Astrophysics PhD at the University of Edinburgh University of Edinburgh in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Astronomy
Funding
Students are generally funded through research council studentships that cover all fees and provide a stipend for living expenses. Other funding sources may also be available. The page also notes a 10% graduate discount for eligible University of Edinburgh graduates, while accommodation and living costs are separate expenses unless covered by external funding.
Deadline
Jan 4, 2027
Country
United Kingdom
University
University of Edinburgh
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About this position
Astrophysics PhD at the University of Edinburgh (School of Physics and Astronomy, Institute for Astronomy) is a postgraduate research opportunity in physics and astronomy with a September 2027 start.
The programme is based at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh and the King’s Buildings campus, with research strengths spanning cosmology, active galactic nuclei, nearby galaxies, exoplanets, star formation, planet formation, computational astrophysics, and wide-field survey astronomy. Students work closely with the Institute for Astronomy and the UK Astronomy Technology Centre, and observational projects may use facilities in Chile, the Canary Islands, Europe, and space observatories such as JWST and Hubble.
Funding is often through research council studentships that cover all fees and provide a stipend for living expenses, though other funding sources may also be available. The page also notes a 10% graduate discount for eligible University of Edinburgh graduates. Accommodation and living costs are separate unless covered by external funding.
Eligibility: a UK 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent in physics is normally required. Applicants must also meet English language requirements. The page lists IELTS, TOEFL, C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency, Oxford ELLT, and Oxford Test of English Advanced options, with restrictions on test age and score thresholds.
Application window: for existing funded positions, the deadline is 4 January 2027, with interviews in February 2027 and offers from March 2027 onward. Applicants bringing their own funding can apply from November 2026 to May 2027.
How to apply: review the Institute for Astronomy PhD studentships guidance, then submit the online application for the PhD Astronomy programme and select the relevant award/start date. You will need a personal statement, relevant skills information, and supporting documents such as transcripts, degree certificates, references, and English language evidence. Two references are required.
Funding details
Students are generally funded through research council studentships that cover all fees and provide a stipend for living expenses. Other funding sources may also be available. The page also notes a 10% graduate discount for eligible University of Edinburgh graduates, while accommodation and living costs are separate expenses unless covered by external funding.
What's required
Applicants need a UK 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent in physics. If the academic entry requirements are not met, the university may still consider applicants who can provide sufficient evidence of outstanding research capability in the intended area. Applicants must provide a personal statement, relevant knowledge/training skills, and where applicable a research topic, published work, a research proposal, supervisor name, project details, degree certificates, academic transcripts, references, evidence of English language proficiency, and certified translations if documents are not in English. Two references are required. English language requirements apply to all applicants, including UK nationals.
How to apply
Read the Institute for Astronomy PhD studentships guidance on the IfA website, then submit the online application for the PhD Astronomy programme and select the relevant award, duration, delivery mode, and September 2027 start date. Prepare the required documents and two references before applying. Contact the Graduate School Office if you are bringing your own funding.
More information can be found here
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