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UCL Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology

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MPhil/PhD Clinical Trials and Methodology

The Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology at UCL has highly rated expertise in the field of clinical trials, with a combined team of over 400 clinicians, statisticians, clinical trials specialists and researchers working together with clinical staff to improve outcomes for patients.

The Clinical Trials and Methodology MPhil/PhD programme aims to train and mentor the next generation of trialists and methodologists, allowing them to expand their scientific skills and experience.

Research students studying within the ICTM receive direct supervision by world-class scientists and clinicians and are based within a Clinical Trials Unit, which allows daily interaction with researchers and trial teams. 

The ICTM provides a unique opportunity to study in an environment where important trials are conducted alongside research into their methodology, and where each directly informs the other.

Research areas

  • Research students commonly work on a project within one of the research themes of the MRC CTU at UCL.
  • We also offer an MD(Res) programme, and applicants should contact ictm.education@ucl.ac.uk to discuss possible topics and areas of study.

Format

  • Full-time students are normally registered for a minimum of 3 years.
  • Part-time students are required to register for a minimum of 5 years, although they can submit their thesis any time after 3 years registration with the support of their supervisors and the Institute, thereby terminating their registration.

All students initially register for the MPhil degree before being upgraded (typically early in the 2nd year) to the PhD degree. For a successful upgrade to PhD, the students must prepare a written report, give an oral presentation and pass an oral examination. Students are also monitored annually to ensure that they are making good progress, and that supervisory arrangements are still satisfactory to both the student and supervisor.

Once the student has completed their research and submitted their thesis, they are subject to a final oral defense of their thesis, known as the viva.

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