PhD Biology at University of Stirling

Programme overview

A PhD in the Faculty of Natural Sciences studying the processes driving the evolution and maintenance of biodiversity, from the molecular to the ecosystem level, with research ranging from pure to strongly applied.

Faculty: Faculty of Natural Sciences | Duration: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time | Intake: 1st day of any month | Study mode: full-time / part-time | Location: Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Research areas include evolutionary interactions between plants and animal pollinators, the ecology and evolution of host-parasite interactions, species' responses to environmental change and evolutionary selection processes.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

An upper second class honours Bachelors degree or higher qualification; for some studentships and programmes a suitable masters degree may be specified. The application requires a research proposal, funding plan, proof of qualifications, an academic reference and a CV. English language (applicants whose first language is not English): IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill; Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill; TOEFL (taken before 21 January 2026) 88 overall with 20 reading, 19 writing, 19 listening and 22 speaking; TOEFL (taken from 21 January 2026) 4.5 overall with no less than 4 in any band.

Domestic applicants: GBP 5,238 a year (2026/27). UK (home) full-time rate, all subjects; part-time £2,619 per year Source

International applicants: GBP 26,500 a year (2026/27). International full-time rate; part-time £13,250 per year; registration-only fee £500 after the fee-paying years Source

Intake: 1st day of any month

Duration: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time

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