Dentistry (Community Oral Health & Oral Sciences) PhD/iPhD/MSc (Research)
The Glasgow Dental School Clinical Research Facility aims to improve oral and general health by advancing new and better ways of preventing and treating disease. We strive for our research to have a significant positive impact in the local community and the wider world.
- PhD: 3-4 years full-time; 5 years part-time;
- MSc (Research): 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time;
- IPhD: 5 years full-time;
Research projects
Integrated PhD (October-April)
Our Integrated PhD combines an MSc and PhD project in a 1+3+1 format. There are two options when choosing to apply for the IPhD and these are shown below. Please review how to apply section for more information.
Option A: Choose from the listed projects.
You can select from the listed projects below and choose your MSc from the options listed on that project.
Evaluating the reach and impact of the Childsmile programme: Scotland’s national child oral health improvement programme (available as IPhD)
Inequalities in head and neck cancer (epidemiology and qualitative/mixed-methods research) (available as IPhD)
Option B: Create your own research proposal
You can create your own project, source a supervisor and they will choose an MSc programme that aligns with your research proposal.
Create your own PhD proposal
Overview
The University of Glasgow has been ranked first in the UK for Dentistry in the Complete University Guide 2021.
Our School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing has a thriving community of postgraduate research students, from both the United Kingdom and overseas. The majority of our research students undertake PhD programmes within our two research groups:
- Community Oral Health focuses on health inequalities research across the life course, concentrating particularly on oral health in children, the elderly and adults with head and neck cancer. This is done through developing a better understanding of biological, social and behavioural determinants, in order to design, develop and evaluate appropriate interventions from bench to population level.
- Oral Sciences focuses on the role of micro-organisms in the immune-pathogenesis of oral disease and it’s impact on systemic health, with particular reference to the biofilm lifestyle.
Our PhD students come from a wide variety of clinical and non-clinical backgrounds including:
- microbiology
- immunology
- dental public health
- epidemiology
- statistical modeling
- psychology and behavioural sciences.
We engage in knowledge exchange with policymakers, practitioners, researchers, industry and the public to ensure that policies and practices are based on evidence, and effectively translated into practice.
Specific areas of interest include:
- candidosis
- child oral health
- comparative oral disease
- decontamination Sciences
- endodontic disease
- head and neck cancer
- oral health of older adults
- periodontitis.
Study options
PhD
- Duration: 3/4 years full-time; 5 years part-time
Individual research projects are tailored around the expertise of principal investigators.
Integrated PhD programmes (5 years)
Our Integrated PhD allows you to combine masters level teaching with your chosen research direction in a 1+3+1 format.
International students with MSc and PhD scholarships/funding do not have to apply for 2 visas or exit and re-enter the country between programmes. International and UK/EU students may apply.
Year 1
Taught masters level modules are taken alongside students on our masters programmes. Our research-led teaching supports you to fine tune your research ideas and discuss these with potential PhD supervisors. You will gain a valuable introduction to academic topics, research methods, laboratory skills and the critical evaluation of research data. Your grades must meet our requirements in order to gain entry on to your pre-selected PhD research project. If not, you will have the options to pay outstanding MSc fees and complete with masters degree only.
Years 2, 3 and 4
PhD programme with research/lab work, completing an examinable piece of independent research in year 4.
Year 5
Thesis write up.
MSc (Research)
- Duration: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
Entry requirements
A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent.
English language requirements
Fees and funding
Fees
2025/26
- UK: £5,005
- International & EU: £31,800
Prices are based on the annual fee for full-time study. Fees for part-time study are half the full-time fee.
Irish nationals who are living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status, and Internationals with Indefinite Leave to remain status can also qualify for home fee status.
Alumni discount
We offer a 20% discount to our alumni on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed Junior Year Abroad, Exchange programme or International Summer School with us. The discount is applied at registration for students who are not in receipt of another discount or scholarship funded by the University. No additional application is required.
Possible additional fees
- Re-submission by a research student £540
- Submission for a higher degree by published work £1,355
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed £350
- Submission by staff in receipt of staff scholarship £790
Depending on the nature of the research project, some students will be expected to pay a bench fee (also known as research support costs) to cover additional costs. The exact amount will be provided in the offer letter.
Funding
The IPhD is not supported by University of Glasgow Scholarship/Funding
Support
The College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences Graduate School provides a vibrant, supportive and stimulating environment for all our postgraduate students. We aim to provide excellent support for our postgraduates through dedicated postgraduate convenors, highly trained supervisors and pastoral support for each student.
Our overarching aim is to provide a research training environment that includes:
- provision of excellent facilities and cutting edge techniques
- training in essential research and generic skills
- excellence in supervision and mentoring
- interactive discussion groups and seminars
- an atmosphere that fosters critical cultural policy and research analysis
- synergy between research groups and areas
- extensive multidisciplinary and collaborative research
- extensive external collaborations both within and beyond the UK
- a robust generic skills programme including opportunities in social and commercial training
Our excellent facilities and dedicated staff will equip you with training complementary to a range of career options, and you can tailor your study pathway to the precise aspects that suit your objectives.