Join our community of academics discovering solutions to some of today’s key global healthcare challenges. Our research is having an impact in areas as diverse as asthma, osteoporosis, antibiotic resistance, developmental origins of adult disease, liver disease and diabetes. We also host the UK's first Centre for Cancer Immunology.
Our interdisciplinary links across the university, the NHS and industry have allowed us to push the boundaries of medical research, bringing new drugs to market and improved treatments for patients. Our commitment to the pursuit of excellence in biomedical sciences and clinical research means we are ranked in the top 100 institutions worldwide for medicine.
You'll be supported by a small team of supervisors who'll be experts in your chosen field. Your supervisors will help you choose your research project and make sure it provides scope for originality of thought and the development of research skills.
You'll receive comprehensive training in statistics, critical appraisal and laboratory techniques. You'll also receive training in transferable skills such as communication, presentation skills, teaching and supervision, academic writing and entrepreneurship.
In addition to your supervisory team, you'll have access to further support through:
We offer 3 doctoral routes. Choosing the one that is right for you depends on your previous study and the area you want to specialise in. The fixed entry start dates for our programmes are:
Our standard PhDs are aimed at students who want to develop careers in scientific or clinical research.
You'll be based at University Hospital Southampton where you'll carry out laboratory-based research and undertake community-based projects in a variety of settings, including general practice, hospitals, community and outpatient clinics, and patients’ homes.
Our integrated programme is aimed at students who want to become independent researchers in biomedical sciences. You'll develop the advanced research, quantitative and bioinformatics skills, you'll need.
This PhD includes a taught first year. You'll take modules in research skills, biomedical sciences and quantitative cells, as well as some themed optional modules. You'll also carry out 3 research projects to develop your laboratory skills and experience working in different research environments.
Our part-time Doctor of Medicine degree route is aimed at students with a clinical background, who are employed in a hospital or institution associated with medicine at Southampton. You will need a medical qualification that is recognised by the UK General Medical Council (GMC).
As part of your degree, you'll study a project that is relevant to your clinical discipline whilst working with a wide variety of both clinical and non-clinical researchers. You'll be based at University Hospital Southampton.
You also have the option of transferring to a PhD programme at a later stage.
We have a broad range of specialist areas including biomedicine, research in clinical environments and population-based statistical studies. Our research areas include:
You can either apply for a structured studentship or propose your own PhD idea.
We offer our structured studentships in partnership with this DTP:
MRC DTP: Translational Biomedical Science
Taking a structured PhD will give you access to additional training, conferences and secondments. Details of any PhD projects when available are shown on this page.
We offer a wide range of fully funded studentships. We run several of our PhD studentships in partnership with doctoral training centres, meaning you'll benefit from enhanced training and guaranteed funding.
These studentships:
All of our iPhD studentships will be advertised on www.findaphd.com.
We offer scholarships and teaching bursaries ourselves. Your potential supervisor can guide you on what is available.
If you’re an international student you may be able to apply for a scholarship from your country.
Find out more about scholarships
Once you've found a supervisor, they can help you with potential funding sources. We offer match funding in some cases.
You'll need to state how you intend to pay for your tuition fees when you submit your application.
Find out more about funding your PhD
You can borrow up to £28,673 for a PhD starting in 2023. Doctoral loans are not means tested and you can decide how much you want to borrow.
Find out about PhD loans on GOV.UK
You may be able to win funding from one or more charities to help fund your PhD.
We charge tuition fees for every year of study. If you’re applying for a fully funded project, your fees will be paid for you.
2023 to 2024 entry:
| Subject | UK fees | International fees |
|---|---|---|
| Biomedical sciences full time | tbc | £25,500 |
| Biomedical sciences part time | tbc | £12,750 |
| Cancer sciences full time | tbc | £25,500 |
| Cancer sciences part time | tbc | £12,750 |
| Cancer sciences (distance learning) full time | tbc | £25,500 |
| Clinical neurosciences full time | tbc | £25,500 |
| Clinical neurosciences part time | tbc | £12,750 |
| Human development and health full time | tbc | £25,500 |
| Human development and health part time | tbc | £12,750 |
| Human genetics full time | tbc | £25,500 |
| Human genetics part time | tbc | £12,750 |
| Infection, inflammation and immunity full time | tbc | £25,500 |
| Infection, inflammation and immunity part time | tbc | £12,750 |
| Medical education full time | tbc | £25,500 |
| Medical education part time | tbc | £12,750 |
| Primary care and population sciences full time | tbc | £25,500 |
| Primary care and population sciences part time | tbc | £12,750 |
| Subject | UK fees | International fees |
|---|---|---|
| Biomedical science full time | tbc | £25,500 |
| Biomedical science part time | tbc | £12,750 |
| Subject | UK fees | International fees |
|---|---|---|
| Cancer sciences part time | tbc | £12,750 |
| Human development and health part time | tbc | £12,750 |
| Infection, inflammation and immunity part time | tbc | £12,750 |
| Primary care and population sciences part time | tbc | £12,750 |
2024 to 2025 entry:
| Subject | UK fees | International fees |
|---|---|---|
| Biomedical sciences full time | £4,786 | £26,100 |
| Biomedical sciences part time | £2,393 | £13,050 |
| Cancer sciences full time | £4,786 | £26,100 |
| Cancer sciences part time | £2,393 | £13,050 |
| Cancer sciences (distance learning) full time | £4,786 | £26,100 |
| Clinical neurosciences full time | £4,786 | £26,100 |
| Clinical neurosciences part time | £2,393 | £13,050 |
| Human development and health full time | £4,786 | £26,100 |
| Human development and health part time | £2,393 | £13,050 |
| Human genetics full time | £4,786 | £26,100 |
| Human genetics part time | £2,393 | £13,050 |
| Infection, inflammation and immunity full time | £4,786 | £26,100 |
| Infection, inflammation and immunity part time | £2,393 | £13,050 |
| Medical education full time | £4,786 | £26,100 |
| Medical education part time | £2,393 | £13,050 |
| Primary care and population sciences full time | £4,786 | £26,100 |
| Primary care and population sciences part time | £2,393 | £13,050 |
| Subject | UK fees | International fees |
|---|---|---|
| Biomedical science part time | £2,393 | £13,050 |
| Subject | UK fees | International fees |
|---|---|---|
| Cancer sciences part time | £2,393 | £13,050 |
| Clinical Neurosciences part time | £2,393 | £13,050 |
| Human development and health part time | £2,393 | £13,050 |
| Human Genetics part-time | £2,393 | £13,050 |
| Infection, inflammation and immunity part time | £2,393 | £13,050 |
| Primary care and population sciences part time | £2,393 | £13,050 |
You're eligible for a 10% alumni discount on a self-funded PhD if you're a current student or graduate from the University of Southampton.
We have 6 major research centres integrated with our strategy. The centres host our internationally renowned research groups.
We offer 3 research routes;
All our iPhDs studentships are advertised on www.findaphd.com.
We welcome applications for our DM programmes throughout the year. However, there may be application deadlines for funded positions. Refer to the advert for further information.
If you choose a standard PhD or DM, then decide whether to apply to an advertised research project or create your own proposal.
It's a good idea to email potential supervisors working within your field of interest to discuss potential PhD projects. It's best to do this well ahead of the application deadline.
You’ll find supervisors’ contact details listed with the advertised project, or you can search for supervisors in the staff directory.
You’ll need to send us
The application process is the same whether you're applying for a funded project, or have created a research proposal.
For both the PhD and the iPhD you should have a 2:1 honours undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification.
In addition, there are specific entry requirements for the iPhD degree.
As well as academic qualifications and practical experience, we look for evidence of your interest in the programme and an understanding of the rigorous demands of postgraduate research.
For the DM programme you should hold a medical degree which is recognised by the UK General Medical Council. We normally require you to be employed in either a clinical or research role within University Hospitals Southampton or other Trust affiliated organisations.
If English is not your first language, you'll need an IELTS minimum level of 6.5 with a 6.0 in writing, reading, speaking and listening.
Your awarded certificate needs to be dated within the last 2 years.
If you need further English language tuition before starting your degree, you can apply for one of our pre-sessional English language courses.
Check the specific entry requirements listed on the project you’re interested in before you apply.
Our Medicine PhD is available to study in person or remotely.
Research degrees have a minimum and maximum duration, known as the candidature. Your candidature ends when you submit your thesis.
Most candidatures are longer than the minimum period.
| Degree type | Full time | Part time |
| Medicine PhD | 2 to 4 years | 3 to 7 years |
| iPhD Biomedical sciences | 3 to 4.5 years | 4 to 8 years |
| Doctor of Medicine (DM) | not offered | 2 to 4 years |