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Students
Tuition Fee
GBP 16,350
Per year
Start Date
2025-10-01
Medium of studying
On campus
Duration
48 months
Program Facts
Program Details
Degree
PhD
Major
Biotechnology | Genetics | Molecular Biology
Area of study
Natural Science
Education type
On campus
Timing
Full time
Course Language
English
Tuition Fee
Average International Tuition Fee
GBP 16,350
Intakes
Program start dateApplication deadline
2025-10-01-
2026-03-01-
About Program

Program Overview


Life Sciences MPhil/PhD/PhD by Published works

Key Facts

  • Level: PostgraduatePG PhD
  • Duration: MPhil: Full time 12 months - 3 years, Part time 30 months - 5 years
    PhD: Full time 2 years - 4 years, Part time 3 years - 6 years
    PhD by Published Works: 1 - 2 years
  • Starting: October, March
  • UK Fees >: See Fees and Funding
  • International Fees >: See Fees and Funding
  • Location >: Waterside

Overview

If you are a graduate in a life science or similar discipline, this MPhil/ PhD / PhD by Published Works programme offers an excellent route to expand your knowledge and research skills within in the vibrant life sciences sector. Successful defence of the final thesis will provide the researcher with a level 8 qualification that can offer an excellent opportunity to move into higher management positions within the industry. Find out more about the Centre for Physical Activity and Life Sciences (PALS).​**The application deadline for starting in October is 1 August and 11 December for starting in March. **


Highlights

  • Dedicated state-of-the-art laboratories and specialist facilities: view our Labs tour
  • Strong links with Northampton General Hospital (pathology).
  • Research active staff in areas including Cancer, infectious diseases and genetics.

Entry Requirements

  • ​​2:i undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a Life Sciences related subject.
  • ​Master’s Degree from a UK university (or equivalent) in a relevant subject area.
  • ​Students with lower-level qualifications or qualifications in a different subject area, but relevant experience will also be considered on an individual basis.
  • ​We welcome applications from students with internationally recognised qualifications which are an equivalent to our entry requirements stated above.
  • ​All candidates are required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.
  • ​English Language Requirements
    • ​IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores not below 6.5. Your score in writing must meet 6.5.
    • ​Applications with IELTS lower than 5.5 in all components will automatically not be considered.

Programme Places Information

  • ​All offers of a place on the programme are subject to:
    • ​a successful interview.
    • ​suitable Research Supervision Team.
  • ​Research proposals should be developed in consultation with a potential supervisor. For further information, see How to Apply page.
  • ​It is important that you contact a potential supervisor to find out any requirements as far as a proposal and/or application is concerned, before submitting your application. Find out more about research proposal requirements.
  • ​Our Graduate School website offer further information on Postgraduate Research courses.​

Course Content

  • Course Details

This Life Sciences PhD is a practical course based on a single research project, carried out under the training and supervision of our Research Supervisors.


All students also participate in a programme of transferrable and research skills training. When you finish this course, you will be able to find research and development roles within the Biotech and Pharmaceutical sectors or progress into an academic career or enter business at a managerial level.


FAQs

  • What is the difference between a full PhD and a PhD by Published works?

A PhD involves conducting original research and writing a thesis, while a PhD by Published Works is awarded based on a collection of previously published papers demonstrating significant contributions to the field. Additional information about choosing your type of research degree can be found on our How to apply for Research degree study page.


Fees and Funding

  • 2025/26 Tuition Fees

Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 25/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.


  • Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees
    • UK – Full Time: £5,700
    • UK – Part Time: £2,845
    • International – Full Time: £16,350
    • International – Part Time: £7,640
  • Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by means of Published Works

Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by means of published works.


  • UK – Part Time: £3,600
  • International – Part Time: £7,840

Please visit the funding page for more details on how to fund your study.


Careers and Employability

  • ​Our students progress on to post-doctoral research or enter non-academic careers including R&D in industry as well as medical writing, scientific journalism, healthcare informatics, data science, big data analytics, marketing and management, technical sales and market research/consulting.​

Facilities

  • ​​We have specialist category II research laboratories for molecular biology, cell culture and microbiology​

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Program Outline


Degree Overview:

This Life Sciences PhD is a practical course based on a single research project, carried out under the training and supervision of Research Supervisors. All students also participate in a programme of transferrable and research skills training. Upon completion, students will be able to find research and development roles within the Biotech and Pharmaceutical sectors or progress into an academic career or enter business at a managerial level.


Careers:

Students progress on to post-doctoral research or enter non-academic careers including R&D in industry as well as medical writing, scientific journalism, healthcare informatics, data science, big data analytics, marketing and management, technical sales and market research/consulting.


Other:

  • The program offers an excellent route to expand knowledge and research skills within the vibrant life sciences sector.
  • Successful defense of the final thesis will provide the researcher with a level 8 qualification that can offer an excellent opportunity to move into higher management positions within the industry.
  • The program has strong links with Northampton General Hospital (pathology).
  • Research active staff in areas including Cancer, infectious diseases and genetics.
  • The program has dedicated state-of-the-art laboratories and specialist facilities.
  • The application deadline for starting in October is 1 August and 11 December for starting in March.

2024/25 Tuition Fees Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years. Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees UK – Full Time: £5,500 UK – Part Time: £2,775 International – Full Time: £15,950 International – Part Time: £7,450 Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by means of Published Works. Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by means of published works. UK – Part Time: £3,500 International – Part Time: £7,650 2023/24 Tuition Fees Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years. Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees UK – Full Time: £5,340 UK – Part Time: £2,695 International – Full Time: £15,480 International – Part Time: £7,245 Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by means of Published Works. Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by means of published works. UK – Part Time: £3,400 International – Part Time: £7,460

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