Apply early. Supervisors can accept students on a first-come, first-served basis, and the programme may close early if it reaches capacity.
Full details of the academic, English language, and application requirements for your application are detailed below.
Requirements
Applicants for the PhD in Management Science & Analytics programme should hold a postgraduate master's degree from an accredited institution in the UK or overseas showing evidence of above-average academic achievement. This includes:
- A degree classification with a mark of 65% or more overall (or UK equivalent).
- Normally a master's dissertation at the distinction level (or UK equivalent). Those with an MBA or masters' students without a dissertation are welcome to apply but should provide evidence of distinction-level work within their degree.
- Applicants with significant industry experience or with relevant professional qualifications will be given due consideration on a case-by-case basis. However, these applicants must also have a minimum of a bachelors degree in a relevant programme with significant quantitative elements.
Applications may be accepted from those still currently studying for a master's degree; however, any offer will be conditional on the successful completion of the degree at the required standard.
Please note: If you are currently studying for or have completed an undergraduate degree and do not yet have a Master's qualification, please consider applying for our MSc by Research programme. You can use this as a stepping stone on to any of our PhD programmes.
Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.
English language tests
We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
- IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
- TOEF iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
- C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) / C2 Proficiency (formerly CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
- Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
- PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
- Oxford ELLT (Global and Digital): 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.
Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the programme you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS Academic, TOEF iBT, Trinity ISE, PTE Academic, or Oxford ELLT test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the programme begins, regardless of your nationality.
Degrees taught and assessed in English
For evidence of English competency we accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:
We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries.
If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the start of the month in which your programme of study begins.
More on English language requirements
English language requirementsIn order to apply for a PhD you need to consider:
1. What is your research proposal?
2. Who do you intend to work with while undertaking your research?
We strongly recommend you make contact with a potential supervisor before applying. In your application, you must name your preferred supervisor (or up to 3 in order of preference) and the academic research area you wish to work in.
Choosing a supervisor and research area
3. Do you have the supporting documents needed for your application?
Please be aware that only complete applications will be considered. Complete applications must contain all necessary documents, including a proposed supervisor or indicating a research group in the Business School.
Joining from overseas
If you are an international student, you may need to apply for permission to study in the UK. Our Edinburgh Global office on provides information on immigration and visa requirements for students.