Biomedical Imaging

The EPSRC and MRC Biomedical Imaging Centre for Doctoral Training is an innovative collaboration between the Universities of Oxford and Nottingham, combining world-leading expertise in all aspects of biomedical imaging, from cellular microscopy to medical imaging and from hardware development to image analysis, across both institutions.

The Biomedical Imaging CDT will create the next generation of industrial, healthcare and academic leaders equipped with excellent interdisciplinary skills within this vital field.

This four-year programme of research and training has strong industrial support and is highly multi-disciplinary, enabling students from a wide range of quantitative scientific backgrounds to focus on areas of research which include:

• light microscopy, eg microscope development, live cell imaging, biomedical applications;
• medical imaging, eg MRI, ultrasound, magnetoencephalography, positron emission topography; and
• image analysis, eg machine learning, image-based biological and physiological modelling.

A major advantage of the programme is that you are not required to choose the substantive DPhil project until after the initial taught training phase, allowing a more informed choice of research project to be made.

The first seven months of the course are devoted to acquiring advanced theoretical and technical skills that form the backbone of biomedical imaging, drawing from the engineering, mathematical, physical, chemical and biological sciences through a combination of intensive lecture courses and project work. Each taught module lasts for either one, two or three weeks and is assessed using a method appropriate to the course, for example, presentations, group assignments or assessed written work. This will be complemented with relevant research and communication skills training throughout the four years of the programme.

After completion of the taught training phase, two exploratory research projects of ten weeks duration each are undertaken, at least one of which will be in the institution to which you are admitted (Oxford or Nottingham). The DPhil project then follows, also based primarily in the host institution.

All projects are designed to encourage interdisciplinary research and, ideally, students undertake short projects in different, complementary areas of biomedical imaging.

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 physical sciences (ie chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics or physics) or life sciences with strong mathematical skills.

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

However, entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants have, or are on track to obtain, a first-class degree, a GPA of 3.7 or the equivalent.

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.

• Official transcript(s)
• CV/résumé
• Statement of purpose:Up to 1,000 words
• References/letters of recommendation: Three overall, all of which must be academic

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Higher level

• Global Education
• Hill Foundation Scholarships