Postgraduate Research
The UCL Cancer Institute has over 150 PhD students researching aspects of cancer, pathology, oncology, and haematology.
The Cancer Institute draws together research teams at UCL which focus on Cancer Biology and Translational Research, Experimental Cancer Therapeutics, and Clinical Cancer Studies. We have over 150 PhD students researching aspects of cancer, oncology, pathology and haematology.
You can apply at any time. We accept students in September, February and May.
Studentships
Competitive scholarships are available throughout the year. The deadline for the Cancer Experimental and Computational PhD is 22nd September 2025.
Cancer Experimental and Computational PhD
We seek a talented PhD student to join a multidisciplinary consortium of co-investigators aiming to characterise the immune-peptidome of Ewing Sarcoma, both comprehensively and at a genome-wide scale.
Self funding
If you are not applying for a competitive scholarship, you may have your own funding, from your home country or a charitable organisation.
If wish to join the department, your first step is to find a supervisor and funding. We have over 130 excellent supervisors.
Discover more about their publications, projects, and other research activities.
Departments
The UCL Cancer Institute in the Faculty of Medical Sciences draws together over 400 scientists working together to develop world-class basic and translational cancer research.
Our research
UCL is one of Europe's largest and most productive centres of biomedical research. Our scientists have an international reputation for leading basic, translational and clinical cancer research.
You are welcome to approach the supervisors directly if you have a funding source. You should get written agreement they will supervise you before you enter their name on your application.
Once you have a potential supervisor and funding, you can apply either to the generic Cancer PhD programme or the department of the PhD supervisor - Pathology, Oncology, and Haematology.
Your application will then be considered and you will be invited for a formal interview. All courses are registered at the Cancer Institute.
PhD programmes
Cancer Institute PhD
World-class facilities, expert supervision and wide-ranging training opportunities give you the skills and network to help shape cancer research and practice in academia, biomedicine or healthcare.
Haematology PhD
Haematology covers areas such as leukaemia biology, stem cell transplantation, transplantation immunology, tumour immunology, cellular and gene therapy, multiple myeloma, and tumour immunodynamics.
Oncology PhD
We cover antibody-based medicines, the development of cancer drugs, head and neck cancers, treatment resistance, urological cancer biology, cancer metastasis, glioblastoma and tumour immunogenomics.
Pathology PhD
This covers areas such the genetics and cell biology of sarcoma, thoracic and molecular pathology, computational cancer biology, haematopathology, digital pathology and gastrointestinal pathology.
Research at UCL
Training programme for Cancer Institute researchers
All students have a primary supervisor, a secondary supervisor and a thesis committee for individual subject training and support throughout.
Contacts
If you need guidance, please contact us.
Cancer PGR Education
Click to email. ci.pgreducation@ucl.ac.uk
