Postgraduate research opportunities A-Z
Source: https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/mentalhealth/ Parent: https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/
Mental Health & Wellbeing PhD
We focus on how psychological, biological and social factors shape mental disorders and suicidal behaviours across the life course, in order to drive forward fundamental discoveries in mental health and to improve care.
- PhD: 3-4 years full-time; 5 years part-time;
Research projects
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Identifying the mechanism of action of physical activity in treating depression
Supervisor: Dr Craig Melville
Project outline:Depression is a common and debilitating illness, affecting over 300 million people worldwide. There is a growing evidence base on the clinical effectiveness of physical activity for the management of depression. Researchers have proposed biological, social and psychological mechanisms of action by which physical activity helps manage depressive symptoms. In keeping with theories informing behavioural activation, preliminary experimental evidence suggests that the mechanism of action of physical activity may be due to direct effects on positive affect and physiological arousal.
Summary aim:To examine the acute and prolonged impact of physical activity on affect, arousal and depressive symptoms.
Techniques used:
- Experimental and field-based research skills
- Subjective and objective measurement of the response to physical activity
- Linear and non-linear statistical methods
References
- Harvey et al. (2010) Physical activity and common mental disorders. British Journal of Psychiatry; 197: 357-364.
- Kopp M, Steinlechner, Ruedl G et al. (2012). Acute effects of brisk walking on affect and psychological well-being in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice; 95:25-29.
- Joseffson et al. (2014) Physical exercise intervention in depressive disorders: Meta-analysis and systematic review. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports 24, 259-272.
Contact
Dr Craig Melville, University of Glasgow, School of Health and Wellbeing, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Gartnavel Royal Hospital Glasgow, G12 0X.
Tel 0141 211 0690
Overview
Mental disorders are the leading global cause of disability, and the World Health Organisation estimates that over 700,000 deaths annually are due to suicide. Therefore, research on mental disorders and suicide is vital to reducing the public health impact of disease.
Our research examines the contribution of psychological, biological and social factors to the causation of mental disorders and suicidal behaviours. Postgraduate research students working in this area can develop cutting edge skills relevant to experimental, epidemiological, qualitative and neuroimaging research methods.
A translational approach makes use of the evidence from fundamental research to develop innovative therapeutic approaches for the prevention and treatment of mental disorders and suicidal behaviours. We have expertise in clinical trial methodologies to evaluate complex interventions and implementation science.
Individual research projects are tailored around the expertise of principal investigators within the School of Health and Wellbeing. Our supervisors are from clinical and scientific backgrounds and use a variety of approaches including experimental psychology and psychophysiology, functional neuroimaging, multilevel modelling of complex datasets, health services research, qualitative, and clinical trial methodologies. We have excellent engagement with the NHS and with service user and carer organisations. Specific areas of interest include:
- Experimental and ecological approaches to understanding suicidal behaviours and self-harm.
- Interpersonal and attachment-based models of affect regulation.
- Developing interventions for detecting, responding to and preventing relapse in psychosis.
- Mother-infant attachment in depression, bipolar disorder and psychosis.
- Psychological therapies for positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
- Neuroinflammatory models of mental disorders.
- Low intensity psychological therapies for mental disorders.
- Understanding the outcomes of traumatic brain injury.
- Autism spectrum disorders and comorbid mental disorders.
- Longitudinal studies of the health of people with intellectual disabilities.
- Multimorbidity and mental disorders.
- Physical activity and weight management programs for people with intellectual disabilities.
- Assistive technologies for adults with specific neuropsychological impairments.
- Identifying shared genetic risk factors for mental disorders and cardiovascular disease.
- Attachment, childhood maltreatment and mental disorders.
- Socio-ecological models of stigma and discrimination in vulnerable populations.
Interdisciplinary research groups provide postgraduate research opportunities in these themes:
- Suicidal behaviour research
- Psychological therapies
- Bipolar disorder, psychosis and depression
- Big data and mental disorder
- Neuropsychology of neurological disorders
- Neurodevelopmental conditions and intellectual disabilities
- Attachment, childhood maltreatment and mental disorders
Prospective students are encouraged to get in touch with individual academics within the Mental Health & Wellbeing research group within the School of Health & Wellbeing to find out about opportunities in their areas of research and supervision.
Study options
PhD
- Duration: 3/4 years full-time; 5 years part-time
Individual research projects are tailored around the expertise of principal investigators.
Entry requirements
A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent.
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)
- 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
- 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 for entry to this programme
TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)
Tests taken up to 20 January 2026
- 90 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
- 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
- 92 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 22; Listening 20; Speaking 23; Writing 21
- 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
- 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
- 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)
- 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
- 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
- 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
- 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
- 70 overall with no subtest less than 60
- 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
- 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
- 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: ISEII Distinction with Distinction 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:
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: £33,210
Prices are based on the annual fee for full-time study. Fees for part-time study are half the full-time 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.
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.
Sanctuary Scholarship
The University of Glasgow Sanctuary Scholarship has been created to support applicants with Refugee or Asylum Seeker status who are currently living in the UK.
Support
The provides a vibrant, interdisciplinary environment to study your PhD. Through university and school PGR training programmes, we will equip you with robust, transferable research skills that are relevant to a range of career options in academia and public, private and third sector organisations in the UK and globally.
If you require assistance before you apply, please contact our Graduate School: mvls-gradschool@glasgow.ac.uk
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 must identify a potential supervisor supervisor from the College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences 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.
Research projects
If you are interested in a research project listed above, please include the title on your application.
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.
- MVLS cover letter must be completed and uploaded with a copy of your CV.
Contact us
If you require assistance before you apply: mvls-gradschool@glasgow.ac.uk
After you have submitted your application: Admissions Enquiries form
Our research environment
Induction
- Getting started with PGR development: how postgraduate researchers are welcomed into our community