Health Sciences

We host multi-disciplinary research that focuses its activities on addressing major issues around the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, care and welfare of patients.

Our School of Health Sciences draws on the multidisciplinary research skills of academic staff in three other our schools: Nursing and Midwifery, Applied Social Studies, and Pharmacy and Life Science, as well as Centre for Obesity Research & Epidemiology (CORE) and Aberdeen Centre for Trauma Research (ACTR) and The Joanna Briggs Institute Centre of Excellence

Find out more

Research Degrees

Doctorate in Physiotherapy 

We’re proud to offer a unique opportunity to qualify as a Chartered Physiotherapist combined with a PhD leading to a Doctorate in Physiotherapy. It is the first course of its kind in the UK, and the only physical therapy programme outside North America to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.

Health Sciences

We welcome proposal submissions from students to undertake research in the following indicative areas, although other areas will be considered:

• Ergonomics - Anthropometry and ergonomic safety - Dr Arthur Stewart
• Biomechanics - Gait analysis - Dr Ioannis Agouris
• Substance misuse - Dr Hector Williams
• Physiotherapy - Low back pain use of smart technology - Dr Kay Cooper
• Statistics - Modelling of athletic and sport performance - Dr Paul Swinton
• Physiotherapy - Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation - Dr Lyndsay Alexander
• Sport Science - Decision making in coaching - Dr Neil Buchanan

We also offer Health Professions research degrees in the following broad areas:

• Motion Analysis
• Back Pain
• Anthropometry
• Care of the Elderly
• Paediatrics
• Foot related knee pain
• Developmental Coordination Disorder
• The acquisition of evidence-informed clinical wisdom

Specialised Research Facilities:

• 3D Laser scanning
• Vicon Motion Capture
• Electromyography
• Breath-by-breath gas analysis
• State-of-the-Art Clinical Skills Laboratory
• Patient Interview Rooms

Normal entry requirements are a first or upper second class honours degree from a University of the United Kingdom, or from an overseas University, or degree equivalent qualification, subject to the approval of Robert Gordon University. Applicants holding qualifications other than those above shall be considered on their merits and in relation to the nature and scope of the proposed research programme. 

Applicants holding qualifications other than those above shall be considered on their merits and in relation to the nature and scope of the proposed research programme. Applicants will normally register for an MSc/PhD or MRes/PhD with transfer to PhD dependent on satisfactory progress. However, applicants who already possess a Master’s degree which includes a significant research component could be registered directly for a PhD, subject to a satisfactory research proposal, and clear evidence of research expertise. 

English Language

Any applicant whose first language or language of previous University-level instruction is not English must normally demonstrate competence in English. This should be a score of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.

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

English Language requirements

Our Pre-Sessional English Programme (PSP) is available for students who have not yet reached the required English level and those who would like to improve their language competency.

Pre-Sessional English Programme at RGU

Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.

For Academic Year 2022/2023

ALL UK/EU STUDENTS

• Full time - £4,596 per academic year
• Part time MPhil/PhD - £2,760 per academic year
• Part time MRes/MSc by research - £2,298 per academic year

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

• Full time - £17,000 per academic year
• Part time MPhil/PhD - £10,200 per academic year
• Part time MRes/MSc by research - £8,500 per academic year

Additional Costs

The following course-related 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
• Printing

OTHER FEES AND CHARGES

Alumni Discount

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

ALUMNI DISCOUNT

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.
There are also sources of funding that are applicable to categories of student.

POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS' FUNDING

Scholarships and Financial Awards

You may also qualify for a scholarship or financial award:

SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AWARDS

Disclaimer 

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 see:

Student Finance

All applications should be made via the University's online application for research students.

Our Research degrees usually start in February and October each year. There is no official deadline for you to submit your application, though we recommend you submit it as early as possible in order to ensure we can help you join us at your preferred time.

• Two academic references
• A transcript or mark sheet for all graduate qualifications
• A draft research proposal, or at least a short summary to indicate the potential area of research (Refer to Section 8 of the Application Form)

For applicants whose first language or language of university education is not English, applications must include:

• Certificate of English language competency score of IELTS 6.5 in each of the four test components (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking).
• Students who can demonstrate successful completion of tertiary (university or college) studies in a country whose national language is English, may be exempted from this requirement.