Triangle

Research overview

Specific subject titles have included:

  • Haematology
  • Oncology
  • Pre-clinical Oncology
  • Pathology

You can also study in areas like:

  • Cancer Immunology
  • Stem Cell Technology

Some project areas do not offer all of the qualification options, so we recommend getting in touch with a supervisor to clarify which project area and qualification are right for you.

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Course content

For your postgraduate research degree, you'll complete a research project in your specific field of study and complete a written thesis with expert support and advice from your academic supervisor(s).

The written thesis must be no more than:

  • 35,000 words for an MRes
  • 60,000 words for an MPhil
  • 100,000 words for a PhD or DM

These word counts are inclusive of appendices, footnotes, tables, and bibliography.

You'll then take a verbal examination called a viva voce where you explain your project in-depth to an examination panel.

You'll gain your degree on passing your viva exam.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.

QualificationPhDDMMPhil or MRes
Degree

2.1 (or equivalent) degree in a relevant subject and two references including at least one academic reference.

Pass in a medicine degree, registration with the General Medical Council and two references including at least one academic reference.

2.2 (or equivalent) degree in a relevant subject and two references including at least one academic reference.

Additional information

If you've contacted a supervisor and they have informally agreed to supervise you, please provide us with a personal statement as part of the online application form. This should cover your reasons for applying, why you're interested in the programme, your previous subject and work experience and your future aspirations.

If you have not contacted a supervisor before completing the online application form, please submit a personal statement and a research proposal.

If you've contacted a supervisor and they have informally agreed to supervise you, please provide us with a personal statement as part of the online application form. This should cover your reasons for applying, why you're interested in the programme, your previous subject and work experience and your future aspirations.

If you have not contacted a supervisor before completing the online application form, please submit a personal statement and a research proposal.

If you've contacted a supervisor and they have informally agreed to supervise you, please provide us with a personal statement as part of the online application form. This should cover your reasons for applying, why you're interested in the programme, your previous subject and work experience and your future aspirations.

If you have not contacted a supervisor before completing the online application form, please submit a personal statement and a research proposal.

QualificationPhDDMMPhil or MRes
Degree

2.1 (or equivalent) degree in a relevant subject and two references including at least one academic reference.

Pass in a Medicine degree, registration with the General Medical Council and two references including at least one academic reference.

2.2 (or equivalent) degree in a relevant subject and two references including at least one academic reference.

International and EU equivalents

We accept a wide range of qualifications from all over the world.

For information on entry requirements from your country, see our country pages.

We accept a wide range of qualifications from all over the world.

For information on entry requirements from your country, see our country pages.

We accept a wide range of qualifications from all over the world.

For information on entry requirements from your country, see our country pages.

IELTS7.0 with no less than 6.0 in any element.7.0 with no less than 6.0 in any element7.0 with no less than 6.0 in any element
English language requirements

As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications.

This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English.

As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications.

This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English.

As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications.

This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English.

Additional information

If you've contacted a supervisor and they have informally agreed to supervise you, please provide us with a personal statement as part of the online application form. This should cover your reasons for applying, why you're interested in the programme, your previous subject and work experience and your future aspirations.

If you have not contacted a supervisor before completing the online application form, please submit a personal statement and a research proposal.

If you've contacted a supervisor and they have informally agreed to supervise you, please provide us with a personal statement as part of the online application form. This should cover your reasons for applying, why you're interested in the programme, your previous subject and work experience and your future aspirations.

If you have not contacted a supervisor before completing the online application form, please submit a personal statement and a research proposal.

If you've contacted a supervisor and they have informally agreed to supervise you, please provide us with a personal statement as part of the online application form. This should cover your reasons for applying, why you're interested in the programme, your previous subject and work experience and your future aspirations.

If you have not contacted a supervisor before completing the online application form, please submit a personal statement and a research proposal.

Meeting our English language requirements

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

For on-campus presessional English courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. For online presessional courses, see our CELE webpages for guidance.

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.

We treat all applicants with alternative qualifications on an individual basis. We may also consider relevant work experience.

If you are unsure whether your qualifications or work experience are relevant, contact us.

Applying

If you need advice on which research course is right for you, please check out our guide to research courses.

Multiple start dates are available for this course. Make sure you specify when you would like to start at the university in your application:

Potential start dates include:

  • 1 October
  • 1 February
  • 1 July

We strongly recommend identifying and getting in touch with a possible supervisor before making an application. They may be able to help you with your proposal and offer support to find funding opportunities in your area. Please send them a CV, research proposal and cover letter.

Find a supervisor

Our step-by-step guide contains everything you need to know about applying for postgraduate research.

How to apply

Fees

QualificationAll qualifications
Home / UKTo be confirmed
InternationalTo be confirmed

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.

You should factor some additional costs into your budget such as living expenses, printing and travel.

You should be able to access most of the books you’ll need to complete your project through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies or access to more specific titles.

Funding

The School of Medicine may make a contribution to some of your costs relating to attending conferences or research expenses, however, this will be discussed with students as appropriate.

There are many ways to fund your research degree, from scholarships to government loans.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

Postgraduate funding

Support

We're committed to providing support to postgraduate students across the course of their research studies in addition to their project supervision

Postgraduate research students will study as part of a division within the School of Medicine and each division has its own PGR representative who is there to address student concerns and feedback.

Peer support groups have been established to encourage students in all years of their studies to contribute to regular meetings covering issues such as tips for writing up and preparing for the viva. The topics are determined by the students in the group.

Further, students entering their second year of full-time study (or equivalent for part-time students) are encouraged to sign up to the formal Mentoring Scheme within the School of Medicine which offers one to one mentoring by a trained member of staff.

Researcher training and development

The Researcher Academy is the network for researchers, and staff who support them. We work together to promote a healthy research culture, to cultivate researcher excellence, and develop creative partnerships that enable researchers to flourish.

Postgraduate researchers at Nottingham have access to our online Members’ area, which includes a wealth of resources, access to training courses and award-winning postgraduate placements.

Student support

You will have access to a range of support services, including:

  • academic and disability support
  • childcare services
  • counselling service
  • faith support
  • financial support
  • mental health and wellbeing support
  • visa and immigration advice
  • welfare support

Students' Union

Our Students' Union represents all students. You can join the Postgraduate Students’ Network or contact the dedicated Postgraduate Officer.

There are also a range of support networks, including groups for:

  • international students
  • black and minority ethnic students
  • students who identify as women
  • students with disabilities
  • LGBT+ students

SU Advice provides free, independent and confidential advice on issues such as accommodation, financial and academic difficulties.

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Where you will learn

University Park Campus

University Park Campus covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities. It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.

Most schools and departments are based here. You will have access to libraries, shops, cafes, the Students’ Union, sports village and a health centre.

You can walk or cycle around campus. Free hopper buses connect you to our other campuses. Nottingham city centre is 15 minutes away by public bus or tram.

Careers

Whether you are considering a career in academia, industry or haven't yet decided, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Expert staff will work with you to explore PhD career options and apply for vacancies, develop your interview skills and meet employers. You can book a one-to-one appointment, take an online course or attend a workshop.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route. Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

90% of postgraduates from the School of Medicine secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £39,564.*

*HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022. The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on data from graduates who completed a full-time postgraduate degree with home fee status and are working full-time within the UK.

Suzann Ghannam smiling at the camera
I choose this field as cancers are relentless and so, we should be! I want to help people fight this disease through research about new modalities in treatment and understand better the pathology of different cancers. My PhD has helped me focus on tumour microenvironment and the interactions that happen in our body. In addition, I have learnt about precision medicine to achieve better treatment for patients and that one-size does not fit all but we need to consider individual variability when helping patients.”
Suzan Ghannam, PhD Student

Research Excellence Framework

The University of Nottingham is ranked 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

  • 90%* of our research is classed as 'world-leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*)
  • 100%* of our research is recognised internationally
  • 51% of our research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact**

*According to analysis by Times Higher Education ** According to our own analysis.

This content was last updated on 10 August 2023. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.