Infection Immunology and Translational Medicine

The IITM DPhil programme provides integrated training in infection and immunology, and how fundamental research can be translated into benefits for human health. The course provides outstanding opportunities for research in basic mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of infectious diseases, immune and inflammatory responses to infection, and the development of drugs and vaccines. The first year comprises three laboratory rotations in different disciplines, and access to extensive training courses and support. There is then a three-year period to undertake research towards your DPhil.

Students benefit by performing research with world-leading scientists in excellent facilities, and training in state-of-the-art techniques for studying Infectious Disease and Immunology.

The first year comprises three laboratory rotations in different disciplines, and access to extensive training courses and support. There is then a three-year period to undertake research towards your DPhil.

Students benefit by performing research with world-leading scientists in excellent facilities, and training in state-of-the-art techniques for studying infectious disease and immunology.

Applicants are advised to visit the course webpage for further information about supervisors associated with this course.

The course is integrated around three themes:

• immunology
• infection
• translational medicine

In the first year you will undergo three 12-week laboratory rotations and a series of training courses relevant to your work. You will be advised on your choice of courses and laboratory rotation to help tailor an individual student package.

In the second year you will initiate your DPhil project from the large number of projects available; a list of participating supervisors is available on the course webpage. This choice will be aided by your exposure to potential DPhil supervisors and scientific areas during the first year. Programme directors will also guide you through this process.

You will present your work from your three rotations to the management committee. Each rotation will be assessed in a different format.  The first rotation will involve an oral presentation, the second a poster presentation and the third rotation a written report. There is no formal progression mark towards the final three years; however you have to write a small grant proposal at the end of the rotation year. 

In your second year you will write a literature review on a selected topic. Many of these reviews have been published in scientific literature. You will be required to meet standard University milestones for progress and will be monitored formally via supervisor feedback forms submitted three times per year.

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 a relevant biological science subject.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.5 out of 4.0.

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).

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

However, entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants have a first-class degree or the equivalent.

• Official transcript(s)
• CV/résumé
• Statement of purpose/personal statement:Up to three pages
• References/letters of recommendation:Three overall, generally academic

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Higher level

• Global Education
• Hill Foundation Scholarships