university aberdeen phd

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Chemistry PhD University of Aberdeen

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Qualification.

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

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Course summary

Dynamic and diverse with excellent research facilities and a strong international and interdisciplinary collaborative profile. We engage and work with multiple partners (academic and industry) to enhance the impact of our research with research funding from a range of sources.

Our research covers all aspects of chemistry ranging from basic laboratory science to applied research that impacts on many aspects of modern life, such as new chemical compounds for energy conversion and storage, advanced materials such as liquid crystals, exotic magnets and superconductors, drug discovery/medicinal chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and environmental and analytical sciences. We have strong links with industry, which is reflected by major industrial sponsorship to fund research.

Our aim is to conduct chemical research that ranks among the best in the UK and internationally. Example areas of research strength include Advanced Materials, Energy, Environment and Health, resulting in high quality research outputs including papers in Nature Materials, Nature Chemical Biology, Nature Chemistry, Nature Communications, and 18 patents for a range of applications including a new proton conducting membrane, novel catalysts and treatments and diagnostic agents for Alzheimer’s disease.

In REF2021, 95% of our submission was rated as world beating or internationally excellent. Our research environment was judged to be 100% world leading or internationally excellent and we are ranked joint first for world leading research impact in Scotland.

Tuition fees

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£ 27,300 per year

Tuition fees shown are for indicative purposes and may vary. Please check with the institution for most up to date details.

University information

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Campus address.

University of Aberdeen, Directorate of External Relations, King's College, Aberdeen, Aberdeen, City Of, AB24 3FX, Scotland

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• Study a PhD or EdD
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Why research at Aberdeen?

We’re Flexible Our research degrees are offered on a full or part time basis and delivered on campus or via distance or blended learning, so you can find a route that works best for you.

We’re International We have a thriving community of about 50 research students from all over the world; you could join our community of students from the Bahrain, Cyprus, Ethiopia, France, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and USA.

We’re Experts Our international body of staff encompasses a wide range of subject specialisms in which supervision can be offered.  Our academics are involved in research and contribute to academic and professional bodies.  Find out more by visiting our People page .  

What can I study?

We offer a PhD in Education .

You can also study for a Professional Doctorate of Education (EdD) . This is a  distinctive two-part programme that offers you the opportunity to develop your capacity as a reflexive researcher before moving on to complete your own original doctoral thesis.

The programme is ideal for anyone working in any part of the education sector (school, university, museum) as well as anyone working in education-related services or disciplines such as health and social care.

Find out more 

What is the focus of an EdD?

An EdD has a practice-based focus. An EdD thesis makes a significant contribution to knowledge in the student’s selected area, but, unlike a PhD thesis, it also makes a contribution in relation to practice or understandings of practice.

As a result, candidates are expected to be working in a relevant practice context. This is not a requirement for a PhD.

How is an EdD structured?

There is a structured approach in which the taught component scaffolds students in designing their EdD research project. A PhD involves more independent doctoral research.

What are the modes of study for an EdD?

The EdD is part-time only. The PhD can be full time or part time, and on campus or online.

What should be in my personal statement? Should it cover what I would like to research?  

Your personal statement should explain why you wish to undertake an EdD in relation to your personal and professional/career development. This can involve an explanation/outline of your professional trajectory to date, and where you see yourself in the future.  A research proposal related to a specific topic is not necessary at this stage, but an indication of the sorts of research topics, issues and questions you envisage engaging with in the research stage of the EdD programme, is helpful.   The following headings may be useful in constructing your personal statemen: Why I want to study for a professional doctorate; How my professional experience makes me suitable for this programme of study; How I plan to manage my doctoral study with my current work commitments; How I hope my EdD studies will also benefit my employers and/or my clients; Potential areas of research interest to explore for my doctoral thesis and why.

Please click here for further FAQs . 

How do I get started?

Find out more PhD study .

Find our more about EdD .

All the advice you need to get started, including how to apply and finance advice, can be found at the Postgraduate Research site.

For more information you can contact us on [email protected] .

Doctor of Law

The Doctor of Law (DLaw) course aims to provide opportunities for professionals in law and related fields to study legal challenges in an academic environment, drawing on theory and practice to develop insight into familiar but critical issues and to generate innovative solutions.

The Doctor of Law (DLaw) is a professional doctorate which provides relevant professionals with the opportunity to take work-based problems, study them from a perspective that blends theoretical insights from academic study with the knowledge, practice, and skills they have acquired in their specialist field. The goal is to generate solution-oriented outcomes which are immediately relevant to their professional communities and work environment.

Mode of Attendance

Mode of Study

Course Length

• Online Learning

The course has been designed to help you return to academic work, reconnect with formal learning through carefully selected taught modules aims at strengthening your specialist knowledge and developing your research skills. You will study three research-related modules (if you are a full time student). In addition to that, you will select and study one module (30 credits) or two modules (15 credits each). You will also have regular meetings with your supervisory team.

Following completion of the taught modules in Year 1, and a successful Research Degree Transfer process, students will continue to work with their respective supervisory teams on the doctoral thesis for the remainder of the period of study. 

Students will continue their research and the writing of a 60,000-word thesis which must focus on applied research. The outcome must necessarily include practical recommendations.

Modules and delivery order may change for operational purposes. The University regularly reviews its courses. Course content and structure may change over time. See our  course and module disclaimer  for more information. 

Learning Methods

Throughout the taught stage of the course, the main mode of delivery will be lectures and interactive seminars, with appropriate support materials and discussion forums on the Virtual Learning Environment, CampusMoodle . The Law School encourages the utilisation of diverse range of teaching and learning methods (such as tutorials, forum interactions, online real time interactions, group work etc.) designed to encourage students to participate in the learning process. This approach will apply to full-time and part-time students. The group sizes for the DLaw will naturally be small and will therefore allow for effective interactions between learners and facilitators. 

Activity Summary

• Lectures, Seminars & Webinars  - 5-10 students per group, 50 hours per module
• Project (Thesis) Supervision - one-to-one, 276 hours for the whole course
• Independent Study - up to 26 hours per week

How long is a Doctor of LAw course?

The course length can vary between 30-48 months for full time and 42-72 months for part-time.

Independent Study

You will be expected to take ownership of your study and development as a researcher. This will require that you study independently throughout the course. We expect that you will spend approximately 50 hours per module for the taught aspect and approximately 26 hours per week for the research component.

Staff Delivering on This Course

The taught element of the DLaw programme will benefit from the in-school expertise through on campus and online learning and the innovative teaching approaches employed by Law School staff across our postgraduate modules. Staff with a blend of professional, academic, research and practice experiences will supervise/guide students through their doctoral journey. They will be the first point of contact for all academic issues and will be responsible for agreeing on individual schedule of work with students. They will provide guidance on the completion of the taught elements of the programme; preparing students for the transfer viva; meeting with them throughout the process to discuss and provide feedback on their research; monitoring progress and reporting progress to the Graduate School through the Research Degrees Coordinator of the Law School.

Typically students are assessed each year:

• 2 written assignments, including essay
• 1 oral assessment

YEAR 3 

• 1 oral assessment
• 1 thesis of 60,000 words

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Academic Support

The Inclusion Centre advises and supports students who disclose a sensory or mobility impairment, chronic medical condition, mental health issue, dyslexia and other specific learning differences. Applicants are encouraged to arrange a pre-entry visit to discuss any concerns and to view the facilities.

Online Learning & Support

All undergraduate and postgraduate students, whether you are learning on campus or by online learning, benefit from using our collaborative virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle. You will be provided with 24/7 online access to your learning material and resources, along with the ability to interact with your class members and tutors for discussion and support.

Study Skills Support

The Study Support Team provides training and support to all students in:

• Academic writing
• Study skills (note taking, exam techniques, time management, presentation)
• Maths and statistics
• English language
• Information technology support

Library Support

The Library offers support for your course, including the books, eBooks, and journals you will need. We also offer online reading lists for many modules, workshops and drop-ins on searching skills and referencing, and much more.

Job Prospects

The DLaw will allow professionals to further enhance their practice-based learning and expertise, while also securing the highest academic qualification - a doctorate. 

It will give them a route to career development and advancement through demonstrating higher level research and analytic skills, and the ability to turn that research into something with a practice-based application and benefit to their employer and professional sector.

Entry Requirements

What is required for a doctor of law, academic qualifications.

There are four alternative academic requirements for admission:

• A first degree in law (e.g., LLB, LAM) with a minimum of upper second class (2:1) from a recognised university and a Master of Laws (LLM) degree.
• A first degree in a relevant field outside law (e.g., BSc, BA) with a minimum of upper second class (2:1) and a Master of Laws (LLM) degree with a minimum of a ‘merit’.
• A first degree in law (e.g., LLB, LAM) with a minimum of upper second class (2:1) from a recognised university and master’s degree in a relevant field outside law (e.g., MSc, MEng, MA) with a minimum of a ‘merit'.
• A first degree in law (Bachelor of Laws Degree (Honours) with a minimum of upper second class (2:1) and five years professional or practice experience.

In exceptional circumstances, applicants with a minimum of first degree in any subject area with extensive (20 years and above) work or practice experience in law or a related field may be considered.

If unsure whether you meet any of the requirements, please contact the Course Leader for clarification.

In addition to satisfying one of the academic requirements, you must also satisfy all of the Experience, Language and Writing Skills requirements.

Experience and Language & Writing Skills

• A minimum of three years' relevant legal/professional experience in dealing with legal matters within the applicant's professional sector. For candidates with Bachelor of Laws degree (Honours) (2:1) only, a minimum of five years relevant legal/professional experience is required. 
• Applicants should be currently in a position to (or aspiring) to influence change at organisational, industry or national level.
• Good writing skills as exhibited by a research proposal (2,000 words maximum) setting out clearly the research problem (what), justification for the research (why) and the proposed research methodology (how). Guidance on writing this outline can be obtained from the Law School.

Alternative Qualifications

• Relevant First or Second Degree (preferably in Law) and extensive professional or practice experience.

The course leader shall have discretion to review all applications not meeting entry requirements, and to make the final decision on suitability of each candidate for admission in line with the University’s general admission requirements.

English Language Requirements

All international students for whom English is not their first language, must provide evidence of linguistic ability at a minimum of IELTS 6.5 (in each component) or TOEFL equivalent.

We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:

Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact [email protected]  for further information.

Academic Year 2023-2024

Scottish students, rest of uk students, eu students, international students, additional costs.

• Cost associated with travelling for DLaw related research

Some other costs are not included in the course fees:

• The cost of books that you may wish to purchase.
• Costs associated with your placement / study abroad
• Accommodation and Living Costs

Alumni Discount

Robert Gordon University is delighted to offer a 20% loyalty discount on course fees for all alumni who have graduated from RGU.

Student Funding

Postgraduate students will normally make their own arrangements for payment of fees. However, there are a limited number of SAAS funded places on certain postgraduate courses.

Scholarships and Financial Awards

You may qualify for a scholarship or financial award:

Employer funding

If you are studying a subject that will be directly beneficial to your current employer, it may be worth discussing with them the possibility of full or part sponsorship.

For new intakes, course fees are reviewed and published annually for each mode of delivery. Tuition fees are fixed for the duration of a course at the rate confirmed in the offer letter. For further information:

Any questions?

Get in touch with our team and we'll do our best to help.

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University of Aberdeen

• REQUEST INFO
• Course and lecturers
• Entry requirements
• Job prospects

Accommodation & facilities

Scholarships/bursaries, postgraduate student body breakdown source: hesa , 2021.

• Study mode: This university 35% Part Time 65% Full Time
• Study mode: All universities (avg) 44% Part Time 56% Full Time
• Student nationality 57% UK 43% International
• Study level 10,105 Undergraduate 4,950 Postgraduate
• New students 33% School leavers 67% Mature students

The University of Aberdeen is an internationally rated public university located in Scotland’s third largest city. It was rated 26th in the UK according to the 2022 Whatuni Student Choice Awards and placed 35th in the Complete University Guide 2024 league table. 

Originally founded in 1495, the university is the fifth oldest university across the UK and the third oldest in Scotland. Aberdeen continues to build on this extensive academic history, offering over 180 postgraduate programmes and a research-intensive study environment. 

The university’s activities are mainly based around Old Aberdeen and Foresterhill. Together, these campuses offer an impressive blend of historic architecture and academic tradition, combined with modern amenities and cutting-edge research facilities. Postgraduate students will find themselves near the centre of Aberdeen, with easy access to other university buildings and everything the city has to offer. 

Aberdeen is a coastal city in the east of Scotland, known for its distinctive granite architecture, high quality of regional produce and innovative cuisine. Students at the university will be able to explore the city between their studies, whether it’s an impressive range of museums and galleries or the bustling city harbour. The surrounding regions offer plenty to do during downtime, including various castles, royal residences, stunning coastlines and the famous Cairngorms National Park. 

Graduates of Aberdeen will join an extensive network of alumni stretching back hundreds of years, including figures such as Ali Smith, Iain Glen, Nick Campbell and Alistair Darling. 

Course and Lecturers

The University of Aberdeen is a distinguished institution offering a wide range of postgraduate programmes to suit every level of study and objective. 

The university offers more than 120 taught master’s courses across many different subjects, including qualifications such as MA, MSc, MLitt, MBA and more. Aberdeen is notable for its flexible approach to taught study options, as it places a focus on cross-disciplinary study opportunities, professional placements and overseas study options. 

The university also offers a range of online degrees and remote learning options, allowing students to gain a qualification around their existing lifestyle. Online short courses allow students to take the next step in their careers, while online degrees mean postgraduates can get the same degree as on-site students on a part-time basis. 

Aberdeen is a research-focused university and invests heavily in facilities and partnerships, which help its students and academics make real impacts to their respective fields. Postgraduate research students can pursue MPhil, PhD or professional doctorate degrees with the support of expert staff and modern facilities. Students can choose to design their own project, find an existing project or enter into a doctoral training programme through an associated doctoral training centre. 

Entry Requirements

Students applying for a postgraduate course at the University of Aberdeen will need to meet the entry requirements of their chosen programme before they will receive an offer of study. The criteria for entry may vary according to the level of study and subject area chosen by the applicant. 

For example, applicants applying to the MSc in Medical Physics will need to achieve a second-class grade or higher in an undergraduate honours degree in a physical science or engineering discipline. International equivalents are also considered. 

Applicants for the LLM in Criminal Justice will need a 2:1 or higher graded degree in law, or a related discipline. International equivalents also considered. 

Students applying to the MLitt in English Language and Literature will need to show evidence of a 2:1 or higher graded degree in English literature, or a related area such across the arts, humanities or social science disciplines. 

Entry requirements for postgraduate courses at Aberdeen may change over time, so applicants should check the university’s website for up-to-date information. 

Job Prospects

Postgraduate students at the University of Aberdeen benefit from strong graduate prospects, with employers valuing the university’s effective approach to education and focus on practical experience and research output. This is reflected in the 96% employment or further study rate for Aberdeen graduates within six months of completing their studies. 

The university supports graduate employability through contemporary curricula that equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in modern professional and academic environments. Teachers and faculty at Aberdeen are prominent academics and active researchers, and often bring professional expertise and industry connections to the classroom. 

Aberdeen has a Careers and Employability Service that enhances student employability through various means. Students benefit from ongoing advice and guidance throughout their studies and beyond, delivered online or in-person by career professionals. 

Postgraduate students at the university will have access to a range of careers fairs, employer events and networking opportunities. As a result, many are able to form valuable connections and arrange graduate employment, internships or industrial experience before or shortly after their graduation. 

Additional programmes such as the Leadership Academy, Career Mentoring and professional skills courses further prepare students for career success. 

Accommodation

Postgraduate students at the University of Aberdeen can choose from a wide variety of accommodation options, whatever their lifestyle or budget. 

There are several residences available to postgraduate learners, including: 

• Fyfe House, offering single rooms at £92 per week. These are self-catered rooms with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities. 
• Wavell House, offering single rooms at £92 per week. They are self-catered with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities. 
• Elphinstone Road Flats, offering shared bathroom single rooms from £108 per week and en-suite rooms for £156 per week. They are self-catered with shared kitchen facilities. 
• South House, offering shared bathroom options from £119 per week and en-suite options for £156 per week. 
• Kings Hall, offering single rooms at £156 per week. These are en-suite rooms with shared kitchen facilities. 

Rental prices at Aberdeen are inclusive of bills, covering utilities, Wi-Fi and contents insurance. 

Some students may prefer to rent privately and will have a wide choice of student lets across the city of Aberdeen. The city offers a great student lifestyle due to its low cost of living, wide range of food and leisure options, and coastal location.  

Postgraduate students at the University of Aberdeen will be able to benefit from a wide range of scholarships and bursaries, which are designed to reduce the barriers to entry for higher education and support ongoing academic achievement. 

Students may be eligible for different awards depending on their subject area, level of study or country of origin. Other characteristics or course features may also influence a student’s eligibility. 

Some of the available funding options include: 

• The University of Aberdeen Alumni Discount Scheme, which offers postgraduate students a 20% fee waiver if they have already completed a degree at the university. 
• Various scholarships which are specific to certain disciplines. These may be offered through the university, one of its departments or an external organisation. Students can find details of these events on the university’s funding database. 
• Bursaries are available to some students depending on their financial situation or background. Further details can be found on the university’s funding database. 
• Studentships and scholarships are available to postgraduate research students through a variety of organisations, including research councils and doctoral training centres. Details can be found on the university’s funding database. 

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