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Research centres
The Institute of Cardiovascular Science researchers and collaborators work from several Research Centres on the extensive UCL campus. Find out more about the overall work taking place at these Centres.
4 Year BHF PhD Studentships
Application date for 2014 entry to be announced in the autumn
Institute of Cardiovascular Science
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the world. UCL pursues a multidisciplinary approach to elucidating the causes and treatment of CVD. Training the next generation of cardiovascular researchers is a high priority for us, and with generous funding from the British Heart Foundation we are able to offer a four year PhD programme for first rate students. Project areas cover the entirety of research in this area, from public health and epidemiology to molecules and development.
The programme
The first year will comprise a three week introduction to cardiovascular biomedicine at UCL and its partner hospitals. A series of visits and seminars at participating departments will give an overview of research activity, and students will identify two areas within which they will conduct two four month projects. A portfolio of available rotations will be provided, but this is not exclusive and students may design their own rotations alongside supervisors. Examples of previous research projects are available here.
Students will chose from a wide array of advanced courses available at UCL in order to further underpin their skills in areas of their interest (from public health and statistics to imaging and stem cells). Access to undergraduate and/or masters courses may be arranged if a student desires teaching in a specific area.
The major aim of year one is to enable students to make the most informed choice of PhD project, while developing a broad knowledge of cardiovascular biomedicine. During the first two terms students will meet several prospective PhD supervisors and chose a project for the PhD, which will commence early summer. Progress through year 1 will be monitored by an e-log of activity, but it is not examined. In year 2 students initially register for M.Phil. and progress to PhD following standard UCL upgrade procedure involving a presentation, written report and oral examination
During their PhD students are strongly encouraged to present their work at international meetings and funds will be made available specifically for this purpose.
The research
UCL is ranked highly in various world university rankings. A profile of research conducted by prospective supervisors is provided here; students interested might also find it informative to scan websites of UCL’s biomedical departments, divisions and postgraduate institutes to familiarise themselves with the full range of research activities being undertaken, especially since there are strong links and collaborations with Life Sciences. www.ucl.ac.uk/slms/research-themes/cardiovascular-medicine
We would be willing, and indeed encourage, students to develop PhD projects along side a supervisor during the first year especially in our priority areas: stem cells and developmental cardiology, genetics, vascular biology, therapeutic devices, advanced imaging, epidemiology and public health sciences.
