Program Overview

Overview

The Biosciences MPhil, PhD, and MD degrees at Newcastle University focus on the fundamental biology of life, driving forward a mechanistic understanding of human health and disease, and the development of next-generation clinical therapies. The research encompasses over 100 different research groups, bringing together biochemists, bioengineers, cellular, molecular, systems, and computational biologists to form a vibrant multi-disciplinary community.

Qualifications Explained

• MPhil: A Master of Philosophy degree, available in all subject areas, which involves research training and the completion of a 40,000 - 50,000 word thesis.
• PhD: A Doctor of Philosophy degree, which involves original research making a significant contribution to the knowledge of a specific subject, resulting in a substantial piece of work (80,000 – 100,000 words) in the form of a supervised thesis.
• MD: A Doctor of Medicine degree, which combines research findings with clinical practice, resulting in a substantial piece of work (80,000 – 100,000 words) in the form of a supervised thesis, awarded to professionally qualified doctors.

How You'll Learn

Assessment methods include:

• Thesis
• Viva The research proposal should outline the broad area of interest and proposed methods. The Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS) researcher development programme is designed to help students perform better as researchers, boost their career prospects, and broaden their impact.

Your Development

The FMS researcher development programme covers techniques for effective research, methods for better collaborative working, essential professional standards and requirements, and researcher development. The programme is flexible and can be adapted to meet the changing needs of students as they progress through their doctorate.

Your Future

The Careers Service at Newcastle University is one of the largest and best in the country, with strong links to employers. The service provides support for students to develop their careers, discover lifelong learning opportunities, and support future generations.

Quality and Ranking

Newcastle University is ranked:

• 42% of research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• Global Top 140 University – QS World University Rankings 2026
• Global Top 160 University - Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025
• Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

Facilities

The university's facilities include:

• Cell imaging
• High throughput technologies
• Bioinformatics and proteomics
• Transcriptomics and X-ray crystallography
• Proteomics and biological mass spectrometry

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year):

• MPhil: Home students - Not set, International students - £31,900-£46,000
• PhD: Home students - Not set, International students - £31,900-£46,000
• MD: Home students - Not set, International students - £31,900-£46,000 The fees include the costs of matriculation, registration, tuition, library access, examination, re-examination, and graduation.

Entry Requirements

The entrance requirements for 2026 entry are:

• MPhil: A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a science or medicine related subject.
• PhD: A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent. Further research experience or a master’s degree would be advantageous.
• MD: A MBBS, or an equivalent medical degree. English Language requirements:
• IELTS: 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 6.0 in all sub-skills)
• Pearson: 62 overall (with a minimum of 54 in all sub-skills)
• Duolingo English Test: 105 overall (with a minimum of 90 in all sub-skills)
• TOEFL: 90 overall (with a minimum of 19 in all sub-skills)

How to Apply

The application process involves:

• Submitting a research proposal outlining the broad area of interest and proposed methods
• Uploading a short (non-binding) research proposal to indicate the area of interest
• Attending a selection interview (either on campus, by video-conferencing, or Skype)
• Paying a deposit of £1,500 (for international students or students from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland who need a visa to study in the UK)
  Programme codes:
• MPhil Full time: 7300F
• MPhil Part time: 7300P
• PhD Full time: 8300F
• PhD Part time: 8300P
• MD Full time: 8800F
• MD Part time: 8800P

Research Areas

The Biosciences MPhil, PhD, and MD degrees offer supervision in a wide variety of research areas, including:

• Cell division & signalling
• Chromosomes and genome instability
• Gene expression, epigenetics and chromatin
• RNA biology and protein translation
• Technology and drug development
• Molecular and human genetics and genomics
• Molecular microbiology, metabolomics and antimicrobial resistance
• Host-pathogen interactions
• Microbiota
• Fungal microbiology
• Biochemistry and structural biology
• Bioinformatics
• Neuroscience
• Immunity and inflammation
• Cancer biology
• Ageing and geroscience
• Animal and human behaviour
• Stem cell biology
• Tissue engineering
• Epithelial physiology and disease
• Mitochondrial biology and disease
• Sensory, perceptive and cognitive neurology
• Developmental biology and genetics
• Proteomics
• Comparative and evolutionary genomics