Biological Science — Sanger Institute

The Biological Science programme at the Sanger Institute, affiliated with the University of Cambridge, offers students a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles underlying biological systems and processes. This undergraduate degree provides a rigorous curriculum designed to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in various fields such as genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, developmental biology, and biochemistry. Students will explore the mechanisms of gene expression, genome structure, and function, gaining insight into how biological systems operate at the molecular and cellular levels. The programme emphasizes hands-on laboratory work through state-of-the-art facilities, enabling students to develop essential experimental techniques, data analysis, and problem-solving abilities relevant to cutting-edge research. In addition to core science modules, students have opportunities to specialise in areas such as genomics, bioinformatics, and evolutionary biology, aligning their studies with current scientific challenges and innovations. The curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking, scientific literacy, and collaborative skills, preparing graduates for careers in research, healthcare, biotechnology, or further academic study. Throughout the programme, students will benefit from close interaction with leading scientists and researchers, gaining exposure to the latest developments in biological sciences and genome research. The integration of theoretical coursework with practical experience ensures that graduates are well-equipped to contribute effectively to scientific discovery and technological advancements. By choosing this programme, students join a vibrant academic community committed to pushing the boundaries of our understanding of life sciences, making significant contributions to health, environment, and industry.

Supervision and monitoring

Each student has a PhD supervisor from within the Institute's Faculty who provides day-to-day supervision of their research. They also benefit from a co-supervisor (external adviser), selected from the University of Cambridge, who works in a similar or complementary discipline and meets regularly with the student.

Graduate students at the Institute are monitored and managed by the Committee of Graduate Studies, which meets monthly, together with support from dedicated administrative personnel. Monitoring of each student's progress is achieved through the submission of a project report/poster for each rotation, their first year report and thesis committee meetings which take place every six months.

The thesis committee, which consists of the primary supervisor, the co-supervisor (external adviser) and one or two Sanger Institute Faculty members, primarily serves as a scientific advisory board for the student throughout their PhD work. Its function is to offer comments, advice and support to the student in order to ensure that the thesis can be completed in an appropriate time frame and with the best possible output. In addition to the student's own research group, the thesis committee provides an independent forum for scientific discussion.

Students are expected to complete their research and submit their thesis within the time frame of the award. At this point each student must give a formal Sanger Institute seminar.

Training opportunities

Students on our 4-year PhD Programme are expected to attend training courses in transferable and general research skills such as:

• Health and safety training
• Graduate lecture series (approx 40 lectures by Sanger and European Bioinformatics Institute Faculty)
• Basic Unix
• Python programming
• Bioinformatics courses and workshops
• Next generation sequencing
• Basic and applied statistics
• Research integrity and ethics workshops
• Presentation skills
• Scientific writing skills
• Communication and public engagement workshop

A wide range of courses are also run on site for which students are eligible. As members of the University of Cambridge, students have access to lecture courses run by University departments, courses run by the Graduate School of Life Sciences and to University facilities such as the library and the careers service. There is also an excellent library on site at the Institute.

There is a fortnightly journal club which all students, except those in their final year, are expected to attend, and students are expected to participate in the programme of journal clubs and research talks within their own research division.

There is a very active academic seminar programme on site. Also students have the opportunity to meet and have informal discussions over lunch with speakers in our Distinguished Lecture Series. In addition, relevant seminar programmes within the University are widely advertised, and students are encouraged to attend.

All students have the opportunity to present their work regularly to their group. Approximately half way through their research, students have to present their work at a PhD Student Presentations Day. In the final year, once students have submitted their thesis, they are required to present their work at a Sanger Institute seminar. In addition, students are encouraged to present their work at both national and international scientific meetings, and we provide up to £1000 per year to enable them to attend such meetings.

Students at the Institute are encouraged to organise their own events such as the  EBI-Sanger Cambridge PhD Symposium (eSCAMPS). This meeting brings together students from the whole Cambridge area and gives them the opportunity to present their work to their peers and listen to a number of world renowned keynote speakers. Organising such a meeting (liaising with speakers, seeking sponsorship, managing logistical arrangements etc) allows the students involved to develop their networking, communication and management skills.

• Candidates are expected to hold, or be about to achieve, a 1st or 2:1 class degree or an  equivalent overseas qualification.If overseas (non-UK, non-EU) applicants, who have not studied in a EU country, have GRE scores, they should include them in their application, as the results from this standardised test enable us to more easily compare applicants from different countries.
• Outline any relevant work experience (max 200 words)
• Choose 3 Faculty members whose research area interests you (see our Faculty pages for information on Faculty members and their research areas)
• Outline your research interests and indicate how these fit with the research interests of the Sanger Institute (max 200 words)
• Write a personal statement on your research experience, research interests and career goals, explaining why you wish to pursue graduate training at the Sanger Institute (max 400 words)
• Provide details of two academic referees
• IELTS (Academic) 7.5
• TOEFL Internet Score 110
• Upload your University transcript(s) (and GRE scores if available) as a PDF file

Our funded studentships provide full financial support, including University tuition fees, regardless of nationality. Current tax-free stipends paid by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute are shown below.

The Biological Science program at the Sanger Institute, part of the University of Cambridge, offers students a comprehensive education in the fundamental principles and advanced techniques of biology. This program is designed to equip students with a deep understanding of molecular biology, genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics. Throughout the course, students engage in both theoretical learning and practical laboratory work, allowing them to develop essential skills for research and industry applications. The curriculum covers key topics such as DNA sequencing, gene expression analysis, structural biology, and evolutionary biology, ensuring a well-rounded expertise in the biological sciences.

Students benefit from close interactions with leading scientists at the Sanger Institute, home to some of the world's most significant genomic research projects. This proximity offers unique opportunities for hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies like next-generation sequencing and computational data analysis. The program also emphasizes the importance of research ethics, scientific communication, and teamwork, preparing graduates for careers in academia, healthcare, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries.

The university provides excellent facilities, including state-of-the-art laboratories, computational resources, and access to extensive genomic databases. The program typically includes a research project, enabling students to contribute to ongoing scientific studies and potentially publish their findings. Furthermore, the program supports professional development through seminars, workshops, and opportunities for collaboration with international research communities. Graduates of the Biological Science program are well-equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle global health challenges, advance biomedical research, and contribute to the scientific community.