At the University of Stirling, our researchers are truly making a difference. We’re leading the fight against tobacco-related harm, working to improve the lives of people with dementia and feeding communities through sustainable aquaculture research.
Our research is conducted to the highest standards of quality and integrity, allowing us to support and improve life across the world.
In 2019, our world-renowned Institute of Aquaculture’s pioneering work was recognised with the UK’s most prestigious academic honour – the Queen’s Anniversary Prize – and University of Stirling academics have been appointed by the Scottish Government to lead on 10 major projects investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our aim is simple. We want our research to change lives and tackle the global issues of our time. So we provide the best conditions for our thriving community of 3,800 UK and international postgraduate students studying with us.
Collaboration is at the core of our approach – not just working across disciplines but also with business, other universities, the public sector and government. Our academics are experts in their fields, internationally-recognised and shaping research groups and hubs.
As a postgraduate researcher at Stirling, you will benefit from our Institute for Advanced Studies. The Institute offers a wide range of support and development opportunities, including access to our Researcher Development Programme and Career Development Centre.
Work is also underway on our £21.7 million Campus Central project – a major infrastructure investment which saw the opening of our brand-new Study Zone in early 2020. The Study Zone is a dedicated learning and research collaboration space designed to encourage knowledge exchange and help you to develop your research passion.
Find out more about our PhD subject areas and current PhD opportunities.
Research at Stirling is encompassed within three overarching themes: Cultures, Communities and Society; Global Security and Resilience; and Living Well. Within these themes, we have 12 research programmes which highlight the strength of strategic research activity at Stirling.
Staff in our five academic faculties are the starting point and driving force behind the research taking place at the University. We have an outstanding record of conducting world-leading and internationally excellent research. Staff collaborate across divisions and with external partners to produce research that sparks new conversations, informs government policies and impacts lives for the better.
Check out our faculty research.
If you’ve got the drive and the potential to join our ground-breaking research community, here’s how you can apply for a research degree at the University of Stirling.
Step 1: Develop your research proposal
Step 2: Choose a subject area
Step 3: Apply online
The School of Applied Social Science is a large inter-disciplinary unit, combining teaching and research interests in Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology, Social Work, Dementia and Housing Studies and a number of specialist centres.
It has a vigorous record in all these areas and in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) in 2008, 95 per cent of our research was internationally excellent, with the top 10 per cent of that judged to be 'world leading'. We are an ESRC recognised postgraduate research training centre, as part of the Scottish Graduate School.
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