phd in molecular biology in uk

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PhD/MPhil Molecular Biology / Overview

Year of entry: 2024

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We require applicants to hold, or be about to obtain, an Upper Second class Honours degree, or the equivalent qualification gained outside the UK, in a related subject area for entry to a PhD programme. A Lower Second class Honours degree may be considered if applicants also hold a Master's degree with a Merit classification.

Full entry requirements

See full guidance on how to choose a project and submit an application on our websi te . You should then complete the online admissions application form to apply for this programme. Ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission, or this may delay the processing of your application.

Application deadlines

You must submit your application for a postgraduate research programme before the relevant deadline to be considered. You will not be able to apply after these deadlines have passed.

• January entry: 15 October (of the year prior entry)
• April entry: 15 January (year of entry)
• September entry: 15 June (year of entry)

Programme options

Programme overview.

• Learn from some of Europe's leading researchers while undertaking your own project.
• Access some of the best research facilities in the world at both the University and in hospitals around Greater Manchester.
• Undergo training in transferable skills critical to developing early-stage researchers and professionals through the Doctoral Academy's training programme.
• Conduct research at a university ranked 6th in the UK (QS World University Rankings 2023).

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:

• PhD (full-time) UK students (per annum): Standard £4,786, Low £11,000, Medium £17,500, High £23,000 International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard £27,000, Low £28,500, Medium £34,500, High £40,500

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

Contact details

Programmes in related subject areas.

Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.

• Biosciences

Regulated by the Office for Students

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website .

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website .

Structural and Molecular Biology MPhil/PhD

London, Bloomsbury

The UCL Research Department of Structural and Molecular Biology (SMB), within the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology (ISMB) conducts world-class research in the areas of modern biology, biotechnology and medicine, while providing a stimulating interdisciplinary postgraduate training and vibrant environment.

UK tuition fees (2024/25)

Overseas tuition fees (2024/25), programme starts, applications accepted.

• Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in biochemistry, cell biology, chemical biology, molecular biology, physics, chemistry or similar subjects from a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Our studentship places are limited and highly sought after; previous research experience would provide a competitive edge to prospective candidates.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

If you are intending to apply for a time-limited visa to complete your UCL studies (e.g., Student visa, Skilled worker visa, PBS dependant visa etc.) you may be required to obtain ATAS clearance . This will be confirmed to you if you obtain an offer of a place. Please note that ATAS processing times can take up to six months, so we recommend you consider these timelines when submitting your application to UCL.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website .

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

The Research Department of Structural and Molecular Biology provides a leading-edge research environment, superb access to technical resources, and world-recognised research expertise in areas such as ageing, algal biology and biotechnology, bacterial secretion, bioinformatics, computational biology, cellular protein trafficking, drug metabolism, cellular respiration, molecular microbiology, RNA and transcription biology, signal transduction, synthetic biology, protein biogenesis and folding, protein structure and dynamics and protein aggregation in disease.

We use state-of-the-art facilities in X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, cryo-electron microscopy, optical tweezers, single-molecule imaging, biophysical and biochemical analysis, molecular and cell biology.

Who this course is for

Our PhD programme will provide you with the opportunities to develop the analytical and research skills you need to answer the scientific questions of our time.

What this course will give you

The department pursues its research aims through high-level external research funding, excellent research facilities, up-to-date equipment and state-of-the-art technologies, coupled with the recruitment of high-calibre staff. SMB maintains industrial contacts and fosters collaborations with investigators from other prestigious UK and international institutions.

Our students particularly benefit from the links that we have with the Department of Biological Sciences at Birkbeck, University of London, the London Centre for Nanotechnology, the Department of Chemistry, and the Frances Crick Institute. In a well-supported mentoring environment we challenge every student to excel in their research and to develop transferable skills enhancing their career development.

The foundation of your career

We place strong emphasis on high-quality student training, interdisciplinary approaches to research, and on providing students with a considerable range of opportunities to develop transferable skills.

Our students are highly successful in obtaining research positions in academia and industry owing to the range of technical expertise that they develop, as well as their deep understanding of fundamental biological processes. They are also successful in gaining positions in other professions where, in addition to a scientific background, our students are able to offer presentation, communication, numerical and data analysis skills (e.g. clinical trials, knowledge transfer and teaching).

Employability

Our recent graduates have become researchers at leading UK universities and research centres including Cambridge, Oxford, UCL, King's College London, University of Manchester, the Wellcome Trust, Cancer Research UK; and highly reputable international academic institutions such as Cornell University, Yale, Howard Hughes Medical Institute and University of the Western Cape.

Others have entered employment in the civil service and National Health Service, or have found senior roles in industry with companies such as Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis, UCB Pharma and Genzyme.

We embody a truly international environment as many of our academic and research staff have joined UCL following a career path through other world-recognised research centres. Projects frequently include collaboration with researchers in the UK and abroad and students are strongly encouraged to present their work at UK and international research conferences. We regularly host lectures by eminent scientists and students are able to interact with guest speakers over an informal lunch. ISMB research retreats and research symposia provide other opportunities for students to network and establish important contacts for their future research and career development.

Teaching and learning

PhD students work closely with their supervisor and the research team, usually in daily contact. The considerable deepening of knowledge and understanding of the research area that is characteristic of PhD study requires constant self-directed study and participation in the discussion of research methods, data analysis and interpretation.  

Throughout the PhD programme, regular scheduled progression points are used to review academic progress. This will take the form of either a report or a meeting and is overseen by a Thesis Committee, comprised of a secondary supervisor and a thesis chair. The student is also expected to meet regularly with their supervisor and/or supervision team to oversee progress.

Students are required to undertake training in statistics, transferable skills, research ethics, and skills appropriate to their studies. These are provided by the Faculty or through the UCL Doctoral School.

The student would be expected to commit to a minimum of 36.5 hours per week, as consistent with a full-time post at UCL, or the equivalent timing for a part-time position. This time frame also includes self-directed learning. The demands of a PhD may also necessitate additional out-of-hours work to accommodate a project’s need, e.g., data collection.

Research areas and structure

Research environment.

The Research Department of Structural and Molecular Biology conducts cutting-edge fundamental and applied research ranging from improving our understanding of human health and disease to developing genetically modified algae to produce food and medicines.

We are committed to carrying out the highest quality science and providing the highest quality scientific training. Our PhD programmes are designed to attract the brightest scientific minds, and present a fabulous opportunity for highly motivated and exceptionally talented individuals to embark on their research careers.

We offer a stimulating and supportive training environment for students to carry out their PhD research project. Students are guided by their primary supervisor (a departmental research group leader) and their thesis committee, which comprises a secondary supervisor and a thesis chair.

A full-time PhD is undertaken over a 3- 4 year period. SMB PhD students spend most of their time within their research group working on their PhD project, but also take part in a number of important training and networking activities.

The PhD programme starts with an induction week, to give the new students a head start in getting to know each other, their university, faculty, division, department and the PhD programme. The importance of organising and recording your research, keeping on top of the literature, designing experiments and research integrity is emphasized.

Student progression points Throughout the PhD programme, there are regular scheduled progression points to review academic progress. The progression points allow the student to discuss how their project is progressing and receive guidance on their research from their supervisory team – their primary supervisor and the rest of their thesis committee. A set of requirements is provided for each progression point (e.g. writing a literature review or methods chapter, doing a presentation). The written reports develop writing skills which contribute directly to the final write-up of a PhD thesis in the final year. Constructive feedback is provided on each report by the supervisory team.

Student presentations Students develop their presentation skills by presenting their research to their research group and supervisory team in each year of their PhD as well as to the department. This takes the form of an annual graduate research symposium where students give an oral or poster presentation depending on the stage of the PhD they are at. Students who are part of particular cohorts (such as the MRC doctoral training programme or LIDo) also have symposia at which they are expected to present. As part of the “Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology” (ISMB, a joint institute with Birkbeck), students also present short informal talks at “Friday Wraps”.

Skills training  Throughout the PhD programme, students receive training provided by the department (e.g. in use of specialist equipment), the faculty (courses related to general life sciences topics) or provided by the Doctoral School (e.g. scientific writing, writing with LaTeX, programming, statistics). There is also access to ‘Software Carpentry’ and UCL’s acclaimed SysMIC and L2D training courses.

Seminars, workshops, lectures and conferences

The ISMB, of which our department is a part, hosts an extensive range of seminars by both internal and external speakers. Students have the opportunity to meet with visiting speakers over lunch to discuss their work. With so many world-leading institutions in London, there are also opportunities to attend to attend seminars at these neighbouring sites. In alternate years, the ISMB hosts a retreat (usually held in Cambridge) and a symposium where internationally renowned scientists give presentations. Students have access to funding to allow them to present their work at national and international conferences, providing valuable exposure to the wider scientific community, and an exciting and important learning experience.

Career development Students are encouraged to plan ahead and think about what they would like to do next. To help with this, the retreat includes external speakers, working both within and beyond academia, who talk about their own careers and offer advice to those interested in pursuing a similar

A part-time PhD can be undertaken over 5 to 7 years and the student benefits from the same opportunities as listed above for a full-time PhD.

All students funded by the BBSRC London Interdisciplinary Doctoral (LIDo) Programme need to undertake a two 3 month placements as a part of their PhD. In order to develop a new set of skills and gain experience in a non-academic sector. The placement work cannot relate to a student's PhD research project.

The placement is organised by the student.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk . Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team .

Fees and funding

Fees for this course.

Route code RRDBISSSMB01

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees .

Additional costs

Additional Fee Element - AFE

Research programmes at UCL may be subject to an Additional Fee Element (AFE). The AFE is applied to cover additional costs related to consumables, equipment and materials and other items (excluding student visas) which are not included in the composite tuition fee listed in the fees schedule and is, therefore, applied to a minority of programmes.

As each PhD programme is unique in its nature, the AFE is calculated on a student by student basis and is determined by the supervisor. The AFE is banded into four fixed amounts: £1,000, £2,500, £5,000 and £10,000, with one further band for variable sums over £10,000. Please contact your supervisor directly for advice.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs .

Funding your studies

Students interested in carrying out postgraduate research under the mentorship of a member of staff could gain funding and scholarships through several available routes. There are four-year PhD programmes funded by the MRC, BBSRC and NERC, as well as BBSRC CASE (industrial collaboration) three-year and four-year studentships. There may also be funding opportunities through individual research grants.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website .

Research degrees usually start on 1 October, but may also start on 1 February or 1 May. Deadlines and start dates can be dictated by funding arrangements for studentships and scholarships. In most cases you should identify and contact potential supervisors before making your application. For more information please see our How to apply page.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

Year of entry: 2023-2024, got questions get in touch.

Division of Biosciences

[email protected]

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PhD in Biological Science (EBI)

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Established in 1983, the EMBL International PhD Programme provides students with the best starting platform for a successful career in science. Characterised by first-class training, internationality, dedicated mentoring and early independence in research, it is among the world's most competitive PhD training schemes in molecular biology. All of EMBL's six outstations participate in the programme.

EMBL-EBI provides a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary environment in which research and service provision are closely allied. We are a world leader in bioinformatics research and service provision, as we are at the centre of global efforts to collect and disseminate biological data. We share a campus with the Wellcome Sanger Institute, 12 miles south of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. EMBL PhD students at EMBL-EBI are members of the University of Cambridge and one of its Colleges. They receive their degree from Cambridge University; the programme is coordinated in Heidelberg with local support at EBI. Please visit the EMBL International PhD Programme  pages to learn about how to apply. Please note all applicants must secure a place on the EMBL programme before submitting an application to the University of Cambridge.

EMBL PhD students receive theoretical and practical training and conduct a research project under the supervision of an EMBL faculty member, monitored by a thesis advisory committee. The duration of PhD studies is normally three-and-a-half to four years.

In Year 1 all new PhD students will attend the EMBL Predoctoral Core Course in Molecular Biology in Heidelberg; attend Primers for Predocs; undergo nomination of a thesis advisory committee to monitor student progress, and submit and defend a project proposal.

In Year 2 students will need to submit a second annual report to the thesis advisory committee, participate in the Bioinformatics course and predoc seminar day.

In Year 3 students will need to submit a third annual report to the thesis advisory committee.

In Years 3/4 students will need to write and submit their thesis:  PhD awarded following Degree Committee approval and successful completion of an oral examination.

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the end of October. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the  Postgraduate Open Day  page for more details.

See further the  Postgraduate Admissions Events  pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.

Key Information

3-4 years full-time, study mode : research, doctor of philosophy, european bioinformatics institute, course - related enquiries, application - related enquiries, course on department website, dates and deadlines:, lent 2024 (closed).

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Easter 2024 (Closed)

Michaelmas 2024, easter 2025, similar courses.

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Dynamic Molecular Cell Biology (Wellcome Trust)

PhD Dynamic Molecular Cell Biology (Wellcome Trust)

This programme brings together the skills and expertise of more than 30 internationally recognised molecular cell biologists who provide training in a broad range of cell biology, structural biology and in vivo topics and techniques; from analysing dynamic behaviour of cells in organisms to studies of intracellular behaviour and progression into single molecules and high-resolution electron microscopy. Training also covers the spectrum from the purest studies of fundamental cell biology through to direct and translational applications to human disease. Our aim is to train the next generation of researchers at the interface of structural and cell biology to help understand whole animal health and disease.

We are looking for talented and motivated students who are willing to take up the many varied challenges in molecular cell biology and are open to learning about new disciplines and working across different fields.

Visit the Dynamic Molecular Cell Biology webpages to read profiles of current students and find out more about the programme.

Programme structure

In your first year, you will have the opportunity to study a range of research topics with different supervisors and undertake three ten-week lab-based research projects:

• Your first rotation will be in a cellular lab, where you will gain experience in cell culture and standard wide-field/confocal cell imaging alongside super-resolution imaging.
• Your second will be in a disease/model organism lab to extend your skills into in vivo applied context and in techniques such as multiphoton imaging.
• Your third will be in a molecular lab enabling you to become familiar with in vitro biochemical and biophysical methods.

Write-ups, posters and presentations on the three rotation projects are completed by the end of June. You will then select your full PhD laboratory and focus on your proposed research project before the second year starts.

You will join a single laboratory for the remaining years of your PhD. On occasions there may be collaborative projects between two participating labs. You will be integrated into the PhD programme of your host school, which will depend on your chosen topic. In general, these programmes involve submission of an end-of-year progress report to your departmental postgraduate progression panel and an afternoon of seminars presented by your year cohort in that school. You will also remain under the wing of the Dynamic Molecular Cell Biology programme itself, which has its own monitoring procedure.

World-leading research

The University of Bristol is ranked fifth for research in the UK ( Times Higher Education ).

94% of our research assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Entry requirements

A first or upper second-class Honours degree or Master's degree in a biomedical or life science discipline.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our  profile level C.

Further information about  English language requirements and profile levels .

Fees and funding

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support .

For postgraduate research students who are not funded by UK Research Councils or (specific) UK charities, it is usual to charge a bench fee. A bench fee covers the costs of laboratory consumables, specialist equipment and other relevant costs (such as training) for the duration of the programme. The bench fee charged can vary considerably depending on the nature of the programme being undertaken. Details of specific bench fee charges can be provided on request and will be made clear in the offer letter sent to applicants.

Alumni discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study.  Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding for 2024/25

This programme is fully funded by the Wellcome Trust. The trust provides funding to cover PhD programme fees at UK student rate, research expenses, a stipend for living expenses, contribution towards travel and also towards transferable-skills training. International students are welcome to apply. We are also able to fully fund one or two overseas fees in each cohort.

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career prospects

The majority of graduates go on to perform post-doctoral research in world-leading laboratories in the UK, Europe and the US. Amongst many other things, some students have taken graduate-level entry to study medicine, entered teacher training programmes, or trained to become patent lawyers.

Meet our supervisors

The following list shows potential supervisors for this programme. Visit their profiles for details of their research and expertise.

Research groups

Core research areas are:

• multiprotein complexes in gene maintenance and expression;
• dynamic organisation, regulation and re-modelling of the cytoskeleton;
• molecular complexes involved in protein translocation and trafficking;
• cell organisation, morphogenesis and tissue function;
• cancer, neuroscience, infection and immunity, cardiovascular biology.

Group leaders:

• Professor Peter Cullen
• Professor Anne Ridley
• Professor Jonathan Hanley
• Dr Jon Lane
• Dr Bernadette Carroll
• Professor Jan Frayne
• Dr Adam Grieve
• Dr Siang Boon Koh
• Professor Ash Toye
• Professor Ian Collinson
• Dr Anna Chambers
• Professor Rafael Carazo Salas
• Professor Mark Dillingham
• Dr Mark Dodding
• Professor Mark Szczelkun
• Dr Alan Cheung
• Dr Robin Corey
• Dr Thom Sharp (from 2024 intake)
• Dr Chrissy Hammond
• Dr Borko Amulic
• Dr Eugenia Piddini
• Professor Alastair Poole
• Dr Beck Richardson
• Dr Helen Weavers
• Professor Christoph Wuelfing
• Dr Parthive Patel
• Dr Bethan Lloyd-Lewis

How to apply

Apply via our online application system. For further information, please see the guidance for how to apply on our webpages.

4 January 2024

DTE Administrator

Faculty of Life Sciences

School of Biochemistry

Explore more

Find out about the bristol doctoral college.

Molecular Biosciences (Microbiology) Integrated PhD

Most students complete this programme in 4 years full-time.

This is a specialised PhD Programme that follows an agreed research training model in molecular microbiology.

Students will develop an understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of life, and its applications in health, medicine or food biosecurity, preparing you for a career in research or industry.

Biosciences research has a huge impact on helping people live longer and healthier lives. With the World Economic Forum identifying healthcare as one of the top 10 Global Challenges for 2030, there is a growing demand for specialists in this field. This course provides you with an understanding of the molecular basis of biological systems and focuses on applying this knowledge to improve human health and disease, food biosecurity and sustainable biotechnologies.

With the successful completion of the programme, you will graduate with the specialist knowledge and employability skills for a career in academic, clinical, industrial or commercial sectors anywhere in the world. Recent examples of graduate roles include a Healthcare Scientist, an Analyst, a Production Technician and an Agricultural Engineer.

Find out what our research graduates go on to do

Find out about the department's research subgroup activities.

• Programme structure

Most students complete this programme in 4 years. You cannot take less than 3 years to finish your research and the maximum time you are allowed is normally 5 years.

Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

Your academic progress and general welfare will be monitored by your supervisor.

Academic milestones

• Registration
• Taught phase
• Candidature
• Confirmation
• Give notice of intention to submit a thesis / portfolio
• Submission for examination
• Examination (Viva Voce)
• Examiners report
• Final submission of thesis / portfolio
• Programme content
• Doctoral skills online
• Doctoral skills workshop
• Interaction and networking
• Laboratory sessions
• Online resources
• Practical sessions
• Research project
• Supervisory team
• Video materials

Taught content

For the Integrated PhD in Molecular Biosciences (Microbiology) programme you will be enrolled on the MSc Molecular Biosciences (Microbiology) in your first year. You will take courses at Master’s-level, where you will be expected to undertake training through two research projects and critically analyse research through seminar presentations and written work.

The unique course structure is designed in consultation with clinical and industrial partners to give you the specialist knowledge and practical skills needed for a career in molecular biosciences. You’ll gain extensive research experience by carrying out two research projects, working in dedicated postgraduate labs and with researchers from the Department of Life Sciences and our new Milner Centre for Evolution .

The course also includes a ‘Broadening horizons’ unit, giving you the opportunity to further strengthen your employability by doing a project addressing the challenges of global environment sustainability. You’ll apply your skills related to either entrepreneurship, teaching, media and communication, or public engagement.

Your MSc will be awarded upon successful completion of both the MSc and doctoral research stage of the programme. In the event you successfully complete the MSc but do not transfer to the research stage, your MSc will be awarded at the end of year 1.

Research content

Progression to your research stage in year 2 will be subject to successful completion of the MSc (with a minimum overall programme average of 50%, including 50% in the dissertation), and acceptance by a lead supervisor for the research project. Your thesis proposal and interdisciplinary supervisory team will be decided by the end of the first year. In years 2 through 4 you will conduct your PhD thesis research.

Although the registration period for an integrated PhD programme at the University of Bath is 5 years it is expected that you will submit your PhD thesis within 4 years of commencing your studies.

Professional Development

Professional development is a crucial element of doctoral study, not only in supporting your research but also as part of your longer term career development. Our DoctoralSkills workshops and courses will help you build your skills and help you succeed in your doctorate.

Read more about professional development support

Assessment methods

• Data analysis practical
• Dissertation (MSc route only)
• End point assessment
• Multiple choice examination
• Online assessment
• Practical work
• Presentations
• Written examination

Assessment description

Most research students who ‘do a PhD’ register in the first instance as probationer for the programme of PhD. Confirmation of PhD registration is subject to your passing an assessment process, which normally involves submission of written work and an oral examination.

Candidates are expected to carry out supervised research at the leading edge of their chosen subject, which must then be written up as a substantial thesis.

The final stage of the PhD programme is the oral or viva voce examination, in which students are required to defend the thesis to a Board of Examiners.

• Entry requirements

Academic requirements

At least an upper second class honours degree or equivalent.

English Language requirements

• IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in all components
• The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 62 with no less than 59 in any element
• TOEFL IBT: 90 overall with a minimum 21 in all 4 components

You will need to get your English language qualification within 24 months prior to starting your course.

If you need to improve your English language skills before starting your studies, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course to reach the required level.

Two references are required. At least one of these should be an academic reference from the most recent place of study.

• Fees and funding

Fees and funding information for Molecular Biosciences (Microbiology) Integrated PhD

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.

Learn how we decide fee status

Tuition fees are liable to increase annually for all University of Bath students. If you aren't paying your fees in British pounds, you should also budget for possible fluctuations in your own currency.

Find out more about student fees

Extra costs

A training support fee of £5,000 per annum is required in addition to the tuition fees - this applies from the second year of the programme onwards (this fee does not apply to your first year).

Funding options

Find funding for doctoral research

Payment options

You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer.

Paying your tuition fees

• Application information
• Programme title Molecular Biosciences (Microbiology) Integrated PhD
• Final awards MSc and PhD
• Mode of study Full-time
• Course code RSBB-AFM51
• Department Department of Life Sciences
• Location University of Bath Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY

3 months prior to the intended start date (for international applicants) or 2 months prior to the intended start date (for home applicants). For example, for an end of September start, the deadline is 30 June (international) and 31 July (home).

• Regulator The Office for Students (OfS)

Applicant profile

See our guide about how to apply for doctoral study

Selection process

All applicants need to take part in an interview and decision making process before being accepted onto this programme.

Immigration requirements

This PhD is covered by the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS). If you are an international student, you may require an ATAS certificate to join this course and you can find out more about the visa requirements for studying in the UK .

For additional support please contact the Student Immigration Service for matters related to student visas and immigration.

• Programme enquiries

Doctoral Admissions

• Apply for this programme
• Related programmes
• Molecular Biosciences (Bioinformatics) Integrated PhD full-time

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