Postgraduate research opportunities A-Z

Source: https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/cees/ Parent: https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/

Central & East European Studies PhD

The University of Glasgow has a long history of research excellence related to the former socialist countries of Central and Eastern Europe following the establishment of the Department for the Study of the Social and Economic Institutions of the USSR during the late 1940s.

PhD: 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time;

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Overview

We have a dynamic and thriving PhD student community which plays a significant role in the research activities of the subject area. Our students regularly deliver papers at leading international conferences, publish their findings in leading scholarly journals, and are helping to shape the research agendas in their respective areas.\ \ Postgraduate students are provided with numerous opportunities to advance their research skills and subject knowledge. These include regular talks and classes by leading academics via an extensive visiting scholars programme, cross-institutional workshops and mini-conferences, an annual international Summer School and regular joint events with the Aleksanteri Institute, University of Helsinki.\ \ In addition, CEES Postgraduates are supported by:

Work in Progress Seminar Series for the discussion of key findings and methodological issues;
CEES Seminar Series which attracts leading scholars and policymakers working in the region;
Individual postgraduate review panels at which the Doctoral Convenor and individual supervisors can meet to discuss progress with each student;
CV development through opportunities to tutor and teach at both Undergraduate Level and Postgraduate Level and to actively participate in research projects.

PhD Supervision

Our staff provide supervision in a wide range of subjects linked to our strengths in both historical processes and contemporary societal changes within the region. We are also involved in joint supervision teams with colleagues from across the College of Social Sciences. Research groups include:

Assessing Accession - Central and Eastern Europe in the EU
Glasgow Baltic Research Unit
History, Legacy and Social Transformation
Identity, Culture and Welfare
Centre for Russian, Central and East European Studies

Study options

PhD: 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time.

Final assessment involves the submission of a thesis of between 70,000 and 100,000 words and an oral examination (viva voce).

Entry requirements

Our research degree applicants will usually possess a good Master’s degree (or overseas equivalent), with a significant component in central and east european studies.

English language requirements

For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)

7.0 overall with no subtest less than 6.5
IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Common equivalent English language qualifications accepted for entry to this programme

TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)

Tests taken up to 20 January 2026

96 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 23; Listening 23; Speaking 23; Writing 24
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.

Tests taken from 21 January 2026

98 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 23; Listening 23; Speaking 24; Writing 24
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.

Pearsons PTE Academic

66 overall with no subtest less than Reading 60; Listening 59; Speaking 59; Writing 74
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

185 overall, no subtest less than 176
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Oxford ELLT

8 overall with Reading and Listening no less than 7 and Writing and Speaking no less than 8
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

LanguageCert Academic SELT

75 overall with two subtests at 75 and no subtest less than 70
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Password Skills Plus

7.0 overall with no subtest less than 6.5
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Trinity College Tests

Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEIII Pass with Pass in all sub-tests
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

Alternatives to English Language qualification

Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)\
students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
Undergraduate 2+2 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)\
students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:

direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.

For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:

Pre-sessional courses

We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:

Heriot Watt
Kingston Upon Thames
Middlesex University
Manchester University
Reading University
Edinburgh University
ST Andrews University
UCL
Durham

Fees and funding

Fees

2026/27

UK: £5,238
International & EU: £27,720

Fees are based on the annual fee for full-time study. Tuition fees for part-time study will be charged at half the full-time annual fee.

Irish nationals who are living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status, and Internationals with Indefinite Leave to remain status can also qualify for home fee status.

Fee status and policies

Alumni discount

We offer a 20% discount to our alumni on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed a Study Abroad programme, Exchange programme, International Summer School or Erasmus programme with us. This discount can be awarded alongside most University scholarships. No additional application is required.

Possible additional fees

Re-submission by a research student £540
Submission for a higher degree by published work £1,355
Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed £350
Submission by staff in receipt of staff scholarship £790

Depending on the nature of the research project, some students will be expected to pay a bench fee (also known as research support costs) to cover additional costs. The exact amount will be provided in the offer letter.

Fully funded scholarships

Support

The College of Social Sciences Graduate School draws together internationally recognised scholars and respected practitioners to offer a range of research programmes.\

Our programmes are based on thorough training in research methods and we encourage you to take part in numerous exciting seminars, conferences and events. We offer modern library, IT services and a wide-range of support services. You will be living in one of Europe’s most exciting cities which has a vibrant cultural and social life.

Our Graduate School Researcher Development Programme will support you to plan your professional development over the course of your PhD and ensure your employability.

How to apply

Identify potential supervisors

All Postgraduate Research Students are allocated a supervisor who will act as the main source of academic support and research mentoring. You may want to identify a potential supervisor and contact them to discuss your research proposal before you apply. Please note, even if you have spoken to an academic staff member about your proposal you still need to submit an online application form.

You can find relevant academic staff members with our staff research interests search.

Gather your documents

Before applying please make sure you gather the following supporting documentation:

Final or current degree transcripts including grades (and an official translation, if needed) – scanned copy in colour of the original document.
Degree certificates (and an official translation, if needed): scanned copy in colour of the original document.
Two references on headed paper and signed by the referee. One must be academic, the other can be academic or professional. References may be uploadedas part of the application form or you may enter your referees contact details on the application form. We will then email your referee and notify you when we receive the reference. We can also accept confidential references direct to rio-researchadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk, from the referee’s university or business email account.
CV
Name of potential supervisor
Research proposal. Candidates are required to provide a single page outline of the research subject proposed (approximately 1000 words). This need not be a final thesis proposal but should include:
a straightforward, descriptive, and informative title
the question that your research will address
an account of why this question is important and worth investigating
an assessment of how your own research will engage with recent study in the subject
a brief account of the methodology and approach you will take
a discussion of the primary sources that your research will draw upon, including printed books, manuscripts, archives, libraries, or museums
an indicative bibliography of secondary sources that you have already consulted and/or are planning to consult