Science and Technology Studies PhD, MScR

Science, Technology and Innovation Studies (STIS)

The University's department for Science, Technology and Innovation Studies (STIS) is the largest and most interdisciplinary centre for science, technology and innovation studies in the world.

Based at the School of Social and Political Science (SPS), we provide world-leading academic expertise, training and specialised supervision for research students across a wide range of research topics and thematic areas.

Our research is organised around five cross-cutting themes:

• Energy, Environment and Sustainability
• Innovation in Life Sciences
• Social Studies of Biology and Medicine
• Historical Approaches to Science, Technology and Medicine
• Data and Society

Details of ongoing research projects in the subject group and of academic staff and their interests can be found on the STIS website:

• Science, Technology and Innovation Studies at SPS

STIS hosts two research institutes which bring together scholars and specialist groups from across the University:

• the Innogen Institute
• the Institute for the Study of Science, Technology and Innovation

Interdisciplinary research

The University of Edinburgh has an international reputation as a leading centre of research in science and technology studies.

Edinburgh scholars work around the globe on the social and historical aspects of developments in science and technology.

Particular strengths in research include:

• the history and philosophy of science
• the social shaping of technology
• the sociology of knowledge
• social studies of biology and medicine
• the history of medicine
• the politics of controversies and public engagement with science and technology
• science, technology and gender
• the sociology of financial markets
• innovation in life sciences (agriculture, food and health)
• social studies of information and communication technologies
• measuring and modelling the state of the environment and its sustainability
• energy transitions
• research policy, research metrics and research cultures
• science and technology in low and middle income countries

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent, and a UK masters degree with an overall mark of 65% or its international equivalent.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

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.
• TOEFL-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 (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (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: 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, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Trinity ISE, 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. (Revised 14 January 2025 to include Oxford ELLT.)

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

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 (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

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 beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements