Molecular and Cellular Medicine

As a DPhil in Molecular and Cellular Medicine student you will spend up to four years in one of the department's many research groups, working on a project supervised by the group's principal investigator. You will take part in the extensive training programme specifically organised for graduate students within the department.

Graduate destinations

The department follows alumni to establish the long-term career paths of graduates. The majority of graduating students go on to pursue research careers in academic institutions or industry. Graduates also pursue careers in management, consulting, teaching, with science funding organisations, charities, and in scientific publishing/editing. A number of graduates have set up their own businesses (eg in editing).

Applicants are strongly advised to visit the departmental webpages to help them identify the most suitable research topic and related supervisors. Projects are available in both basic and translational science covering a variety of areas related to musculoskeletal and chronic inflammatory conditions.

Your progress will be monitored and assessed regularly via:

1. completion of a termly report by you and your supervisor(s);
2. submission of a 3,000-word transfer report within the first four terms;
3. confirmation of your ability to submit your thesis within the required maximum of 4 years; and
4. submission of your DPhil thesis (the final stage), which will be assessed by viva.

All stages will be assessed by independent senior academics.

You will develop your research skills through a range of research training in your first year, including compulsory attendance at our fundamentals in biomedical research lectures in your first week and a selection of 4 specialist modules throughout year 1 (one half-day module available every month). During the first term you will develop, in consultation with your supervisor, a clear study design for your project.

You will be required to attend and present at termly post-graduate seminars, not only to develop your presentation skills but also to benefit from the feedback, support and interaction from your University peers and senior academics. In addition the department runs weekly seminars by internal and external speakers on various topics related to chronic inflammatory conditions, which will provide further opportunity for you to broaden your knowledge in the field. Attendance at a weekly journal club is also expected.

You are also strongly encouraged to attend skills training courses run by the Medical Sciences Division.

Applicants are normally expected to be predicted or have achieved a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications), as a minimum, in biological sciences and/or related topics. The department also considers applicants from medically qualified individuals. In special circumstances, applications from other medically related subjects (eg nurses, and/or allied health professionals) will be considered for DPhil/MSc by research. Although it is not essential, preference will be given to applicants who have had recent publications and/or awards from various funding bodies.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.75 out of 4.0.

You do not need to have a previous master's degree to be considered for this DPhil.

If you hold non-UK qualifications and wish to check how your qualifications match these requirements, you can contact the National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC).

In exceptional circumstances, an applicant could be considered if they have substantial professional experience in a musculoskeletal-related field.

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

• Official transcript(s)
• CV/résumé
• Research proposal and personal statement/covering letter: Up to three pages
• References/letters of recommendation:Three overall, generally academic

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Higher level

• Global Education
• Hill Foundation Scholarships
• Kennedy Trust Prize Studentships