PhD I&I

Key information and entry

Duration
Full-time: 3-4 Years
Part-time: 5 Years

Optional qualifications
This degree is also available as a MPhil.

Entry requirements
Please refer to the UCL Graduate Degrees Entry requirements webpage to see if you have the necessary qualifications to apply to study for a research degree.

Students must have obtained a First Class degree or equivalent from a good Institution. Candidates with an Upper Second class (2:1) degree or equivalent can also apply but in this case the standing of the Institution awarding the degree will carry more weight, along with A-level (or equivalent) results. Please note: for research degree study in our Division it is not necessary to have completed an MSc first. Previous research experience will be taken into account.

Overseas students should visit the UCL International Students website for guidance on academic degree equivalence. Overseas students must also demonstrate English language proficiency and meet UCL's English language requirements.

For further information visit the UCL Prospective Students Graduate Research Degrees website.

Structure

Our PhD programme focuses on:

• Infection, which includes a strong virology community, both basic and translational (HIV-1, retroviruses, herpesviruses, hepatitis B and C viruses), and clinically oriented research in bacteriology (mycobacterium tuberculosis)
• Immunology, which includes T cell development and function, aging, innate immunity, host responses to infection, and autoimmune diseases (diabetes)
• Leukaemia and gene therapy approaches to treat cancer.

Principle research areas include:

Projects and supervisors

PhD Projects and supervisors (.pdf) »

Seminars and events

UCL offers a large selection of seminars and events with invited speakers from top Institutions worldwide. Students are encouraged to attend seminars that are relevant to their studies and their scientific interests. The Division organises bi-weekly external seminars in the fields of infection (virology, parasitology, bacteriology) and immunology, which students are expected to attend. The Division also organises weekly internal seminars where PhD students and postdoctoral fellows present their research to colleagues and faculty members.

A PhD Colloquium is held every year in June where all our PhD students present their research. Prizes for the two best presentations are awarded. A prominent scientist is also invited to give a keynote lecture covering their scientific discoveries and career. A Postgraduate Club is organised by students with the support of the programme Committee. The Club invites external speakers in different areas (science, politics, media, industry, finance). Each talk is followed by a reception where the students can talk informally with the speaker.

Fees and funding

There are a number of PhD Funding Schemes available via UCL. For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, visit the UCL Scholarships and Funding website.

Overseas students (non-EEA nationals) must obtain independent funding that covers tuition fees for 3 years, subject to yearly increments, and living expenses. Funds to cover consumables for research are desirable but may not be necessary. You must inform your prospective supervisor how you propose to fund your studies. If at this stage you have not secured funding, please indicate where you intend to seek funding from. It is essential you know exactly what costs are involved with studying a research degree.  The basic costs can be broken down into:

• Student fees
• Materials/ research costs
• Living costs.

For further details regarding fees visit the UCL Graduate Research Degrees website.