About the Programme

Hosted by the University of Edinburgh in collaboration with the University of Glasgow and the Karolinska Institute, this prestigious programme provides PhD research training alongside taught courses over four years of study.

This Doctoral Landscape Award focuses on training PhD students both in quantitative skills (mathematics, statistics, computation, and digital excellence) identified as key priorities by the MRC (Medical Research Council), and in their application to a variety of data sources, from wet bench ‘omics’ to health records.  Students therefore acquire interdisciplinary training in the skills required to deliver the vision of precision medicine while ensuring that advances in research and healthcare benefit diverse populations and do not inadvertently widen existing health inequalities. 

Upon successful completion of the programme students are awarded a Doctor of Philosophy with Integrated Study in the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine from the University of Edinburgh or the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences from the University of Glasgow, depending on where the research is primarily based. 

A key challenge for precision medicine is ensuring that scientific advances are effective and accessible for all populations.  Differences in genetics, environment, socioeconomic circumstances, healthcare access, and representation in research can contribute to health inequalities.  The programme therefore places a strong emphasis on understanding and addressing these inequalities so that data-driven healthcare innovations can improve outcomes across society. 

The scientific approach integrates evidence from advanced datasets derived from clinical samples with individual genomics, electronic health records, imaging and other data-rich -omic parameters to accelerate discovery, enhance research impact and support more equitable health outcomes.

Programme Vision

This programme supports research training at the interfaces between biological, clinical, societal and computational systems. Mandatory taught elements include statistics, research ethics, innovation and entrepreneurship, health economics, data management and bioinformatics. 

Unlike a traditional PhD, which is centred primarily on a research project, this programme a incorporates bespoke 'integrated study' component that provides structured skills development alongside research training.  Students are required to gain credits through taught courses, including opportunities to design bespoke training tailored to their research interests and career aspirations.  

Courses and training can be undertaken at the University of Edinburgh and Glasgow, with additional opportunities at our external partner, the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm.  More detailed information regarding the programme structure can be found on our dedicated web page here.

Our Students

Hear directly from our students about the Precision Medicine Doctoral Training Programme, they give insight into the interview and selection process, living in Edinburgh, public engagement and the Three Minute Thesis Competition. 

Funded PhDs for Home and International applicants

Studentships will be offered each year over the next three academic years, these will be awarded across the University of Edinburgh and University of Glasgow, beginning in 2027/28. These studentship awards provide full tuition fee and stipend funding for high quality UK, EU and International applicants. The studentship you are awarded will be dependent on the project you undertake. 

Graduates of the Precision Medicine: Future Leaders of Health Equality programme will be equipped with advanced quantitative, computational, and interdisciplinary research skills.  They will be prepared to develop and apply innovative analytical approaches across a wide range of biomedical and health datasets, helping to advance precision medicine while addressing the factors that contribute to health inequalities and unequal health outcomes.

Further information about this training programme and the application process can be found on the University of Edinburgh's Degree Finder.

You can sign up for email communications by registering your interest: here 

Where our students are from

Our students come from all over the world to join the Precision Medicine programme, creating a diverse and collaborative research community.  The map below highlights where our current cohort of students are from.