PhD Veterinary Medicine and Science

Program Overview

Develop your skills and understanding of the latest veterinary research.

We're committed to addressing the key challenges of our age through research that has an impact. Our research spans across species, improving the health and welfare of animals. From reducing lameness in sheep using technology, understanding cancer, cardiovascular and degenerative diseases, to how viruses and bacteria work, so we can better understand and treat them.

Our expertise are made up of research groups and specialist research centres, including:

The School of Veterinary Medicine part of Unit of Assessment (UoA6 Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Science) has improved their position in the upper half of the UoA and seen a significant increase in the proportion of outputs assessed as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ from those submitted to REF2014. The Unit’s research environment is also recognised as being 75% ‘world-leading’ and 25% ‘internationally excellent’.

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021

Our Veterinary Medicine and Science PhD will give you specialist training in a broad range of topics. You'll learn the theory and practical techniques you'll need for a successful research career in veterinary medicine and science.

You'll design, plan and deliver an original and independent research project, with supervision and support from our research experts. Training in key skills is also provided. Skills you'll learn will depend on the nature of your chosen project.

During your first year, you'll work on a report and a confirmatory review. The review will be a written report on your thesis and progress so far, including comments from your principal supervisor.

You'll be required to attend a minimum number of formal and documented supervision sessions and submit a research portfolio detailing your formal and informal training records.

The confirmatory review must be passed to progress to the remainder of the PhD programme. If you do not pass the confirmatory review, you may be awarded an MRes degree instead.

After completing your first year, you'll be given the status of PhD student. You'll continue to focus on your chosen research topic, with support from your supervisor. The standard PhD course is three years, but some funded PhD courses are for 3.5 or four years. All PhDs must be completed within 4 years.

Assessment

You'll need to complete:

You'll carry out your PhD under the supervision of one primary, and one secondary supervisor from the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science. Both will be academic members of staff in the school and will have university training on the responsibilities associated with being a postgraduate supervisor.

You may also have additional supervisors from specialist research facilities, other Universities, research institutes or from industry.