Biosciences and Medicine MD
Key information
Full-time - 3 years
- Start dates:
- January 2024
- April 2024
- July 2024
- October 2024
Part-time - 6 years
- Start dates:
- January 2024
- April 2024
- July 2024
- October 2024
Why choose this programme
- Contribute to a fast-paced area of research that’s becoming increasingly relevant to modern society
- Champion our ‘One Health, One Medicine' approach, which brings together expertise from a broad range of multidisciplinary areas
- Complete a combination of research and clinical practice over a period of two to three years (full-time) or four to six years (part-time)
- Embrace a ‘bench to bedside’ philosophy, with the potential to take part in molecular and computational studies as well as clinical trials
- Work alongside world-leading researchers who are published in established clinical academic journals, including the BMJ, Nature and The Lancet, and regularly give expert media commentaries.
What you will study
Depending on your research project, you’ll likely complete a clinically orientated project to generate data that will underpin your final thesis. Some research areas will be primarily or entirely related to the analysis of existing scientific or clinical data sets; however, all projects will require some statistical analysis. Some projects will be conducted at Surrey, whereas others will involve collaboration with other institutions.
Our current students are researching topics including:
- Combining multi-omic data analysis methods to increase understanding of key diseases, such as diabetes and cancer
- Computational approaches to modelling biological systems
- Developing the molecular and physiological bases of circadian rhythms, sleep, immunity and cardiovascular disease
- Improving the detection of colorectal cancer
- Optimising perioperative support.
Assessment
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 9-12 months into your studies or 18-24 months if you’re studying part-time. You’ll be required to submit a written report and successfully complete an oral examination.
Progress reviews
In addition to the confirmation process, you’ll have six-monthly progress reviews with your supervisors. These meetings are an opportunity to reflect on your progress, discuss successes and challenges and set targets for the next six months. These reviews will be monitored by postgraduate research directors and recorded on your student record.
You’ll also have one formal meeting with your supervisors every month and can expect to have more frequent meetings between these. The regularity of these will depend on the nature and stage of your project.
Research support
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 vibrant community of researchers are playing a pivotal role within their fields of research. We’re investigating areas including:
- Bacteriology
- Cardiovascular sciences
- Chronobiology
- Cancer
- Critical care
- Diabetes
- Laparoscopic surgery
- Primary care and clinical informatics
- Metabolic medicine, food and macronutrients
- Statistical multi-omics
- Systems biology.
Our academic staff
You’ll be supported by at least two supervisors from the School of Biosciences. Your supervisors will have scientific expertise relevant to your research project and will provide academic and pastoral support throughout your studies. Supervisors may include:
- Professor Christian Heiss, an expert in diagnostic, interventional, and experimental cardiovascular medicine
- Professor Hardev Pandha, an expert in the management of patients with urological cancers and malignant melanoma
- Dr Agnieszka Michael, an expert in ovarian and urological cancers as well as immunotherapy trials
- Dr Martin Whyte, an expert in Type 2 diabetes, mellitus, insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease
- Dr Ben Field, clinical Reader in diabetes and endocrinology.
Schools and departments
Research centres and institutes
Research facilities
The School of Biosciences is home to world-class specialist facilities.
If you’re looking to research clinical sciences and human physiology, you’ll conduct your research in:
You might also use facilities at the nearby Royal Surrey County Hospital.
If you’re a molecular and cellular science researcher, you can use our facilities in:
- Bioimaging and flow cytometry
- Bioinformatics
- Metabolomics
- Phenomics
- Stable isotope-based analysis
- Transcriptomics.
Entry requirements
Applicants are expected to be registered with the General Medical Council and working within the NHS or in an approved institution.
International entry requirements by country
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 or above (or equivalent) with 6 in each individual category.
View the other English language qualifications that we accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Application requirements
Applicants are advised to contact potential supervisors before they submit an application via the website. Please refer to section two of our application guidance.
After registration
Students are initially registered for a PhD with probationary status and, subject to satisfactory progress, subsequently confirmed as having PhD status.
Selection process
Selection is based on applicants:
- Meeting the expected entry requirements
- Being shortlisted through the application screening process
- Completing a successful interview
- Providing suitable references.
Fees
Start date: January 2024
Full-time
- UK
- £4,712
- Overseas
- £24,100
Part-time
- UK
- £2,356
- Overseas
- £12,100
Start date: April 2024
Full-time
- UK
- £4,712
- Overseas
- £24,100
Part-time
- UK
- £2,356
- Overseas
- £12,100
Start date: July 2024
Part-time
- UK
- £2,356
- Overseas
- £12,100
Full-time
- UK
- £4,712
- Overseas
- £24,100
Start date: October 2024
Full-time
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- £26,200
Part-time
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- £13,100
For fees payable in 2023/24, these will increase by 4 per cent, rounded up to the nearest £100 for subsequent years of study. Any start date other than September will attract a pro-rata fee for that year of entry (75 per cent for January, 50 per cent for April and 25 per cent for July).
Overseas students applying for 2023 entry should note that annual fees will rise by 4 per cent rounded up to the nearest £100.
View a complete list of all fees for our research programmes.
Additional costs
There are additional costs that you can expect to incur when studying at Surrey.
Funding
A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.
Apply online
If you are applying for a studentship to work on a particular project, you should enter the details of the specific project that you wish to apply for rather than your own research proposal.
Read our application guidance for further information on the application process.
To apply online first select the course you'd like to apply for then log in.
1. Select your course
Select the course you wish to apply for.
2. Sign in
To apply online sign in or create an account.
Course | Status |
---|---|
Biosciences and Medicine MD Full-time, January 2024 | Applications open Closing date: Friday 13 October 2023 |
Biosciences and Medicine MD Part-time, January 2024 | Applications open Closing date: Friday 13 October 2023 |
Biosciences and Medicine MD Full-time, April 2024 | Applications open Closing date: Friday 1 March 2024 |
Biosciences and Medicine MD Part-time, April 2024 | Applications open Closing date: Friday 1 March 2024 |
Biosciences and Medicine MD Full-time, July 2024 | Applications open Closing date: Friday 13 October 2023 |
Biosciences and Medicine MD Part-time, July 2024 | Applications open Closing date: Friday 19 April 2024 |
Biosciences and Medicine MD Full-time, October 2024 | Applications open Closing date: Monday 1 July 2024 |
Biosciences and Medicine MD Part-time, October 2024 | Applications open Closing date: Monday 1 July 2024 |
Code of practice for research degrees
Surrey’s postgraduate research code of practice sets out the University's policy and procedural framework relating to research degrees. The code defines a set of standard procedures and specific responsibilities covering the academic supervision, administration and assessment of research degrees for all faculties within the University.
Download the code of practice for research degrees (PDF).
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our policies and procedures, and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions and our registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2023/24 academic year, as a guide as to what to expect.
Please note: our offer terms and conditions will be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will vary to take into account specifics of your course.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.
Course location and contact details
Campus location
Stag HillStag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
University of Surrey Admissions
- Phone: +44 (0)1483 682222
Address
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH