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Introduction
Why choose this course?
All students enrol as probationer research students. During the first year you will formally register your research proposal for one of the below routes.
Masters by Research
These research degrees run for one year full time or two years part time and allow students to critically investigate and evaluate an approved topic and combine the equivalent of up to one semester’s taught programme (focusing on research training) with a major research project. As with other research degrees, they are examined by thesis and viva.
Length of study: Full-time: 1 year. Part-time: 2 years.
Entry requirement: Applicants should normally hold a first or upper second class honours degree of a Higher Education Institution in the UK or a qualification which is regarded by the Research Degrees Committee as equivalent to such an honours degree.
MPhil
If you undertake an MPhil you will:
 critically investigate and evaluate an approved topic
 demonstrate understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field
 Present and defend a substantial thesis by viva.
Length of study: Full-time: 2 years. Part-time: 3 years.
Entry requirement: The minimum entry requirement for an MPhil degree, or an MPhil with the intention of transferring to a PhD, is a first-class or upper second-class UK honours degree or equivalent qualification.
Applications are also welcomed from those holding qualifications other than the above and will be considered on their merits and in relation to the nature and scope of the work proposed. You will be required to provide the names of two academic referees.
MPhil with the possibility of transfer to a PhD
A candidate registered initially for an MPhil may be able to transfer to a PhD, and has to complete a transfer process within the Faculty, once sufficient progress has been made on the work to provide on the evidence of the development to PhD.
This is normally after 18 months of full-time study or 24-26 months of part-time study). Transfer comprises three main elements:
 a 1000 word transfer report which should be sent to the relevant Postgraduate Research Tutor and the supervisory team
 an oral presentation and/or interview
 an additional piece of work as indicated by the Faculty, Department/School or supervisory team.
Length of study: Full-time: 3 years. Part-time: 4 years.
PhD (direct entry)
If you undertake a PhD you will:
 critically investigate and evaluate an approved topic, resulting in an independent and original contribution to the field
 demonstrate understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field
 present and defend a substantial thesis by viva.
Length of study: Full-time: 2 years. Part-time: 3 years.
Entry requirement: The normal entry requirement for the degree of PhD is a master’s degree in a discipline which is appropriate to the proposed research and which has included research training and a research project.
In exceptional cases, applicants who have a good honours degree (or equivalent) may apply for direct registration to PhD if they have appropriate research or professional experience at postgraduate level which has resulted in published work, written reports or other appropriate evidence of accomplishment.
Overview
The Department of Biological and Medical Sciences is a small and friendly department with around 40 research students. The department offers a structured training programme for all students, spanning the subject areas of Cell and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology.
We have close partnerships with hospitals and local industry. Some of our students conduct much of their research within those placements, while others are based in the field or in the department’s own research laboratories.
We welcome applications for projects relating to our research expertise. This covers three main themes:
 Biomedical Sciences
 Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology
 Environmental biology.
You may register for a research degree on a full-time or part-time basis. Applications are welcome from part-time students in employment who wish to undertake a research project connected with their work. We also periodically advertise funded studentships.
Research expertise
The Department of Biological and Medical Sciences is home to over 30 research groups and is organised into four overlapping themes, underpinned by our two research centres. Our research is funded by a range of sources including BBSRC, NERC, MRC, Wellcome, and the Leverhulme Trust.
Our long-standing reputation for research excellence is underpinned by expert supervision from internationally recognised staff and comprehensive research skills training.
Institutes and Centres
 Centre for Bioimaging
 Biomedicine
 Centre for Functional Genomics (CfG)
 Cell and Developmental Biology
 Genetics and Genomics
 Ecology and Evolution
Modules
Entry Criteria
ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.
IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Entry requirements
All students must be able to meet the University’s requirements for a research degree, which is to be able to devote a minimum of 35 hours per week (full-time) or 15 hours per week (part-time) to the programme of research.
The minimum entry requirement for the degree of MPhil, or MPhil with transfer to PhD, is a first-class or upper second-class UK honours degree or equivalent qualification.
The normal entry requirement for a PhD is a Masters degree, or exceptionally a good honours degree/equivalent.
The normal entry requirement for a Masters by Research (MA, MSc, LLM) is a first-class or upper second-class UK honours degree or equivalent qualification.
English language requirements
Our requirement is IELTS: 6.5-7.0 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking), depending on the subject. Please note that an IELTS certificate must be current; they are only valid for 2 years from issue. For further information about the test visit the IELTS website. Please note that we are unable to accept TOEFL qualifications.
English requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements.
Assessment
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
Learning and assessment
You will be supported by a supervisory team, usually two people, who are experts in their field and provide direction and support.
We take a structured and pro-active approach to supporting the success of our students. This includes regular assessment points involving written reports and supportive interviews (where the views of people outside the supervisory team are given).
We also encourage our students to present their work on a regular basis. All research groups have regular group meetings (often at lunchtime) where students present their work to peers and these form a central part of the development of research.
Career Opportunities
Much of our training is aimed at helping you to achieve excellence in your research degree. We'll help you to identify the skills that are appropriate for further employment and explore your career aims.
We are proud of the fact that many of our students go on to postdoctoral research posts. If research is not your long term career aim, we'll support you to identify likely areas of employment and to develop the skills that you'll need.
We also aim to keep strong links with our alumni and support them as their careers develop.
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