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The Faculty of Medical Sciences offers research degrees and doctoral training for talented students in each of our divisions and institutes.
We're actually making 'living' medicines
Ursule is a PhD student in the Hans Stauss lab at the UCL Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, based in the Pears Building, Hampstead. She describes her fascination with 'living medicines' - drugs formed of cells with a life of their own. And a love of London, particularly Regent's Park.
Research programmes
- Cancer
With scientific group leaders, clinical scientists, and honorary clinical consultants, the UCL Cancer Institute is an internationally competitive centre for cancer research. The Institute is the nucleus for the UCL Cancer Research UK Centre and the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, with connections to a number of teaching hospitals and clinical trial centres. Our students benefit from excellent facilities, a conference travel fund, an active postgraduate society, mentoring and tutoring schemes and networking and careers events. We focus on excellence in training of cancer clinicians and scientists, contributing to the best possible clinical care of cancer patients. Our researchers of fundamental biological mechanisms collaborate with practitioners who translate this knowledge into clinical applications.
Programmes
- Dentistry
UCL Eastman Dental Institute is the largest postgraduate dental school in Europe. With a focus on translational research, postgraduate education and training, the institute offers specialty training and doctorates from its twin sites in central London. Graduates have gone on to further their career as clinical specialists, consultants, senior lecturers and post-doctoral researchers. Small class sizes allow students to build strong, international professional relationships with their teachers and colleagues. Research students benefit from the institute's close relationships with other divisions of UCL as well as collaborations with industry and other leading universities and hospitals across the globe.
Programmes
- Infection & Immunity
The Division of Infection & Immunity is an internationally renowned centre for research and graduate training in human immunology, pathogen biology and the host-pathogen interaction. The division is a major componant of two UCL-based research institutes, the Institute of Immunity and Transplantation and the Bloomsbury Research Institute. It has strong international links with American, European, and developing world research centres. Our PhD programme provides research training in basic and translational science and three taught Master's programmes reflect our broad-ranging research expertise. We also have a strong track record in training clinician scientists, supported by fellowships from the Wellcome Trust, MRC and BBSRC.
Programmes
- Medical Education
The UCL Medical School leads on medical education and developments in teaching and learning. Through its medical education programmes, students can learn more about curriculum development, academic standards, the assessment process, clinical and generic skills acquisition and research. In addition to the MPhil/PhD in Medical Education, students are also able to study for a Postgraduate Certificate / Diploma / MSc in Medical Education. This programme is taught jointly with the Royal College of Physicians in London to meet the requirements of doctors who are intending to have a significant role in Medical Education in the future.
Programmes
- Medicine
The UCL Division of Medicine offers research opportunities in a variety of subjects within the field of Medicine. Most of our research students on MPhil / PhD programmes are based at one of our three campuses (Royal Free, Whittington or Bloomsbury) under the supervision of UCL academics who are experts in their fields. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds. The majority secure funds for their studies via competitive selection or peer-reviewed grant. The Division aims to educate, train, and inspire the next generation of scientists and doctors and to be at the forefront of biomedical research.
Programmes
- Surgery
Our aim is to understand the causes of human disease and to develop innovative therapies and technology to improve the quality of life of the people around us. The division compasses three research themes - Tissue and Energy, Nanotechnology, and Materials and Tissue - each located at a partner hospital. Within these themes are over 30 world-class research centres specialising in sports medicine, tissue repair, regenerative medicine, oncology, biomedical engineering and laser medicine. We integrate basic, translational and clinical research through academic and clinical collaborations both within and outside of UCL. Students work and study directly alongside scientists and clinicians for an enhanced research and teaching experience.
Programmes
UCL Research Scholarships for 2025/26 entry
Applications are open for the UCL Research Excellence Scholarship and Research Opportunity Scholarship for 2025/26 entry.
To apply for either of these schemes, please review the application guidance in full.
The scholarship application deadline is 10 January 2025. However, some of our Divisions set an earlier internal deadline in December. Please check with your preferred programme to avoid disappointment.
Please ensure that all required documentation and all references sent separately have been received by the Division of your preferred PhD programme by the deadline.
The PhD experience
Progression
Morgan joined as a master's student and decided to progress to a PhD. She is researching CAR T-cell research in glioblastoma.
Alzheimer's
Oz researches how the brain cleans itself via the glymphatic system. He is also a stand-up comedian and performer.
Cancer Biology
Aśka sees free-climbing as a metaphor for approaching her research: on how cancer evades every attempt to cure it.
Liver Disease
Chinese opera lover and liver disease scholar Jiawei says creativity helps her tackle problems no-one has yet overcome.