Postgraduate research 

Tourism Studies PhD

This programme is based at the School of Social & Environmental Sustainability, Dumfries Campus. Our staff are experts in tourism policy, planning and sustainable development. Our world-leading interdisciplinary research addresses the complexity of the tourism ecosystem and proposes sustainable, innovative and impactful solutions to its challenges.

  • PhD: 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time; Thesis of 70,000-100,000 words

Overview

Our Tourism Studies Research Group promotes research and debate about the contemporary challenges posed by the analysis of tourism as a socio-economic phenomenon. The ultimate goal of our work is to inform the sustainable practice of tourism management, through world-leading interdisciplinary research.

We are committed to the global effort towards sustainable and inclusive economic development. In a post-pandemic era, the recovery of the tourism sector is pivotal for a renewed prosperity based on communities’ wellbeing. Our research in tourism acknowledges the complexity of the current research agenda and the need to work at the boundaries of diverse disciplines to propose creative, innovative and impactful solutions.

The group encompasses a comprehensive range of expertise in tourism and beyond such as:

  • tourism and regional development
  • sustainable cultural tourism
  • the geography and history of tourism
  • tourism economics
  • cultural economics
  • tourism entrepreneurship
  • philosophy
  • heritage conservation
  • architecture and planning.

All research students have two supervisors, providing complementary expertise. You will receive training in Dumfries, as well as benefit from training opportunities in Glasgow in Research Design, Qualitative Methods, Quantitative Data Analysis, Introduction to Social Theory for Researchers, Applied Qualitative Methods, and Generalised Linear Models.

Opportunities for postgraduate funding are available through the Scottish Graduate School of Social Sciences and other grant funded programmes, and applications from self-funded students are also welcome.

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).

We would particularly welcome applicants with an interest in our four priority research themes:

  • Tourism as engine for sustainable development
  • Sustainable Cultural Tourism and Heritage
  • The Geography and History of Tourism
  • Smart cities, decision support systems and the future of tourism

In addition, we welcome applications from PhD students interested in the intersection of Education, Tourism, Sustainable Development and Environmental Science. Our unique PhD (Interdisciplinary Studies) option allows students to enrol for co-supervision on topics that span the different subject areas within the school.

Entry requirements

Applicants typically require a first or upper second degree or equivalent with research components. You must demonstrate academic proficiency and a commitment to the core research themes of the School of Social & Environmental Sustainability.

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, my best or athome)

  • 96 overall with Reading 23; Listening 23; Speaking 23; Writing 24
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements, 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 English Test

  • 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:

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: To be confirmed [25/26 fee was £5,006]
  • 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.

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.

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.

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:

  1. Final or current degree transcripts including grades (and an official translation, if needed) – scanned copy in colour of the original document.
  2. Degree certificates (and an official translation, if needed): scanned copy in colour of the original document.
  3. Two references on headed paper and signed by the referee. One must be academic, the other can be academic or professional. References may be uploaded as 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.
  4. CV
  5. Name of potential supervisor
  6. 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
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