Scottish Graduate Schools

In the current academic year (2025-26) the Scottish Funding Council is investing £396,000 in the two national graduate schools. 

The Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities (SGSAH) and the Scottish Graduate School of Social Sciences (SGSSS) are co-funded by SFC and UK Research and Investment (UKRI). Each of Scotland’s universities is associated with at least one of the pan-Scotland graduate schools. 

The schools provide research students in Scotland with an enriched and enhanced experience as a result of being part of a national-level cohort and provide training and development opportunities, alongside running events such as conferences and summer schools.     

The Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities brings together all 17 of the universities in Scotland that offer PhDs in the arts and humanities. They work collectively through the school to deliver studentships, doctoral training and development. 

The Scottish Graduate School of Social Sciences brings together 16 universities across Scotland and is the UK’s largest facilitator of funding, training and support for doctoral students in social science and is funded jointly by the UKRI Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and SFC. 

Research Culture Collaboration Manager 

In 2024-25 SFC created a new Research Culture Collaboration Manager post to play a central role in supporting and advancing positive research cultures across Scotland. The role is hosted by the University of Aberdeen on behalf of the Scottish sector.  

Recognising the important role of research culture in driving research excellence and competitiveness, the Collaboration Manager works with Scotland’s universities to galvanise national level coordination.  

The Collaboration Manager aims to take advantage of national economies of scale by promoting resource sharing/development of joint resources, sharing of good practise and collaborative opportunities to influence the shifting landscape.