Program Overview

Introduction to the Virology PhD/MD/MSc (Research) Program

The Virology PhD/MD/MSc (Research) program is conducted at the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research. The Centre's expertise spans molecular virology, in vivo pathogenesis, virus-cell interaction, viral immunology, viral ecology, clinical virology, virus epidemiology, mathematical modelling, and bioinformatics.

Program Details

• Duration:
  • PhD: 3-4 years full-time, 5 years part-time
  • MSc (Research): 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
  • MD (Doctor of Medicine): 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time (for medically-qualified graduates only)
• Research Projects:
  • Barriers to influenza virus cross-species transmission
  • Cryogenic correlated light and electron tomography of virally infected cells
  • Understanding virus-virus interactions: from cells to populations

Research Projects Overview

Barriers to Influenza Virus Cross-Species Transmission

Supervisor: Massimo Palmarini
Project Outline: This project investigates the mechanisms that allow certain avian influenza viruses to spillover into humans, using a combination of virological and evolutionary approaches.

Cryogenic Correlated Light and Electron Tomography of Virally Infected Cells

Supervisor: Stephen Carter
Outline and Techniques: This project utilizes cryo-CLEM/cryo-electron tomography to study the complex relationships between viruses and the host cell during infection, with access to cutting-edge instrumentation at the Scottish Centre for Macromolecular Imaging (SCMI).

Understanding Virus-Virus Interactions: From Cells to Populations

Supervisor: Pablo Murcia
Background and Aims: This project aims to determine the processes that drive interactions among respiratory viruses at the population, within-host, and cellular levels, using a multi-virus and multi-scale approach.

Entry Requirements

• A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent
• English language requirements:
  • IELTS Academic: 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
  • TOEFL (ibt, mybest, or at home): 90 overall with Reading 20, Listening 19, Speaking 19, Writing 21
  • Pearsons PTE Academic: 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
  • Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE): 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
  • Oxford English Test: 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
  • LanguageCert Academic SELT: 70 overall with no subtest less than 60
  • Password Skills Plus: 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
  • Trinity College Tests Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests
• Alternatives to English Language qualification:
  • Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI, including Canada if taught in English)
  • Undergraduate 2+2 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI, including Canada if taught in English)

Fees and Funding

• Fees 2026/27:
  • UK: To be confirmed
  • International & EU: ｣33,210
• Alumni Discount: 20% discount to our alumni on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes
• Possible Additional Fees:
  • Re-submission by a research student: ｣540
  • Submission for a higher degree by published work: ｣1,355
  • Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: ｣350
  • Submission by staff in receipt of staff scholarship: ｣790
  • Bench fee (also known as research support costs) to cover additional costs

Support

The College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences Graduate School provides a vibrant, supportive, and stimulating environment for all postgraduate students, including excellent facilities, cutting-edge techniques, training in essential research and generic skills, excellence in supervision and mentoring, and interactive discussion groups and seminars.

Research Environment

The School brings together basic, applied, clinical, and translational researchers to study infection with a focus on viral, parasitic, and bacterial pathogens of both humans and animals, and immunology and inflammation with a focus on chronic inflammatory diseases. The research environment includes access to a wide range of cutting-edge research facilities, core facilities in fluorescence activated cell sorting analysis, histology, and state-of-the-art imaging.