Biosciences and Medicine PhD

at University of Surrey

Your final assessment will be based on the presentation of your research in a written thesis, which will be discussed in a viva examination with at least two examiners. You have the option of preparing your thesis as a monograph (one large volume in chapter form) or in publication format (including chapters written for publication), subject to the approval of your supervisors.

You’ll have a confirmation assessment to formally review your project. If you're a full-time student, this will take place around 12-15 months into your studies or 24-30 months if you’re studying part-time. You’ll be required to submit a written report and successfully complete an oral examination.

The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College, which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate Careers and Employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.
 

Research themes
 

Our research investigates some of the following areas: 
 

• Bacteriology 

  • Leprosy 

  • Meningococcus 

  • Pathogenic E.coli 

  • Tuberculosis 

  • Various foodborne pathogens 

• Cardiovascular sciences 

  • Blood coagulation 

  • Cardiac cell signalling pathways 

  • Gene therapy 

  • Tissue engineering 

  • The role of cardiac fibroblasts 

• Chronobiology 

  • Central and peripheral clock mechanisms 

  • Chrononutrition 

  • Molecular mechanisms underlying synchronisation of rhythms by light, melatonin, and food 

• Clinical medicine 

  • Cancer 

  • Critical care 

  • Diabetes 

  • Laparoscopic surgery 

  • Primary care and clinical informatics 

• Exercise sciences 

  • Cognitive decline 

  • Dementia 

  • DNA damage and repair 

  • Osteoporosis 

• Immunology. 

  • B cell development and function 

  • Macrophage function 

  • Peroxisomal function in the immune system 

  • T cell function in ageing 

• Metabolic medicine, food and macronutrients 

  • Diabetes 

  • Metabolic physiology 

  • Vitamin D, selenium and other micronutrients 

• Public health and food security 

  • Antimicrobial resistance 

  • Effect of cell wall polysaccharides on nutrient digestibility 

  • Iodine deficiency in pregnant women 

  • Selenium status 

• Sleep 

  • Circadian rhythms 

  • Mechanisms and functions of sleep 

  • Sleep and cognition 

• Statistical multi-omics 

  • Dissecting the genetic architecture of complex human diseases, such as cancer and Parkinson’s disease 

• Systems biology 

  • Computational modelling 

  • Gene regulation through protein translation 

  • Molecular and metabolic network analysis 

• Virology 

  • Cellular responses to viral infection 

  • Regulation of virus protein synthesis 

  • Virus morphogenesis. 

Applicants are expected to hold a good honours degree (upper second) in an appropriate discipline, but prior experience in research or industry may be acceptable. Enthusiasm for, and commitment to, independent study is essential.
 

To apply for one of our postgraduate courses that require a UK 2:1, you must achieve at least 60% or 65% in the final two years of your undergraduate study depending on the institution you have completed your degree.

To apply for one of our postgraduate courses that require a UK 2:2, you must achieve at least 55% or 60% in the final two years of your undergraduate study depending on the institution you have completed your degree.

For courses that require a UK first-class degree to be eligible for a scholarship, you must achieve at least 65% or 70% in the final two years of your undergraduate study depending on the institution you have completed your degree.

IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 5.5 in each element.

Full-time
 

• UK          £4,596
   
• Overseas     £23,400

You’ll work alongside world-leading researchers who are published in top academic journals (such as the BMJ, Nature and The Lancet) and regularly give expert media commentaries. In the 2020 Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES), 94% of our biosciences and medicine students gave positive responses regarding supervision by academic staff.