It is our aim to develop in our students the skills required to submit a satisfactory PhD thesis at the end of 3 or 4 years, or part-time over 5 years. In order to achieve this, a student will have acquired the essential skills required to design and conduct experiments (including applying for ethics approval where necessary), to analyse results, and to communicate these both in writing and orally. These skills will include those that can be transferred successfully to their choice of academic or other career.

The PhD at the Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience is achieved by supervised research and is under the jurisdiction of the Degree Committee for the Faculty of Biology. The Graduate School of Life Science also helps by providing transferable skills training too. Within the Department, the internal Departmental Graduate Educational Committee is responsible for all aspects of the running of the degree. A suitable project falling within the interests of the supervisor, and sustainable within the limits imposed by the facilities available in the Department, is agreed by both student and supervisor, and endorsed by the Graduate Committee at the point of admission. Each graduate student has a primary Supervisor, who will supervise the main body of their research, and an Advisor who acts as a supplementary source of advice and support.

Students attend a variety of seminars given by distinguished scientists and are also able to present their research by giving seminars at our annual symposium, usually in their first and third years.

The course is exclusively by research.  The project and supervisor are determined during the application process.  

We would estimate on average that the lead supervisor would provide up to one hour per week of direct supervision with additional supervision provided within the research group as designated by the lead supervisor.  There may also be the opportunity to attend regular lab meetings with the supervisor and other research group members.

Feedback

Students can expect to receive an online feedback report each term

Assessment

Thesis

Submission of a dissertation of 60,000 words and oral examination on the dissertation and on the general field of knowledge within which it falls.

• Magistr (Master's Degree) at Pass level. Diploma Specialista (completed post-1991) with a minimum overall grade of good or 4/5 Bachelor's from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and other prestigious institutions with an overall grade of 4/5 Bologna Bachelor's from other institutions with an overall grade of 5/5, Excellent
• Diploma Specialista (completed post-1991) with a minimum overall grade of Excellent or 5/5 Bachelor's from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and other prestigious institutions with an overall grade of 5/5
• IELTS (Academic) 7.0
• TOEFL Internet Score 100
• £50 application fee
• First Academic Reference
• Second Academic Reference
• Transcript
• Research Proposal. Research Proposal
• CV/Resumé
• Personal Reference

• Global Education
• Gates Cambridge Scholarships