Veterinary Medicine and Science PhD

At Surrey, we’re focused on collaborative veterinary research, working with leading research institutions, veterinary practices and the wider veterinary industry, to ensure everything we do is relevant to the sector.

We embrace multidisciplinary research, in line with our ‘One Health, One Medicine’ perspective, and recognise the interdependence of human, animal and environmental health.

We’re home to the Veterinary Health Innovation Engine (vHive), a research centre, start-up and incubator supported by a co-investment of £8.5 million in resources, dedicated to the development and adoption of new digital technologies in animal health.

As a PhD student at Surrey, you’ll benefit from our multi-million-pound facilities including our Veterinary Pathology Centre and Veterinary Biomechanics Laboratory. You’ll also work alongside academic staff with different areas of interest and expertise, such as applied clinical research, fundamental science, epidemiology and pathology

Our PhD is research-based, so you’ll spend most of your time developing a research question, conducting original research, analysing your results and writing up your research findings, all under the guidance of your project supervisors.

Examples of active PhD-student projects are:

• Disentangling the role of Ascaris β-tubulin isotypes in the emergence of anthelmintic resistance
• Rabies epidemiology and control
• The role of the microbiome and circulating endothelial cells in the pathobiology of cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV).

Depending on the nature of your research project, you might do computational analysis work at a desk, experimental work in a laboratory, a clinic, in the field, or a combination of these. You can work on your project onsite at the School of Veterinary Medicine or at a collaborating institution. If you do work from a collaborating institution, you’ll need to come to the University of Surrey periodically to attend training sessions, examinations and meet your supervisors.

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.

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.

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.

Partnerships

Reflecting the variety of roles that veterinarians play in society, we are proud to collaborate with a range of partners, including:

• The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)
• Fitzpatrick Referrals
• Liphook Equine Hospital
• Marwell Wildlife
• The Pirbright Institute
• Surrey Wildlife Trust
• The Westpoint Veterinary Group
• UK Health Security Agency.

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.