Program Overview

Overview of the Biological Sciences (PhD) Program

The Biological Sciences (PhD) program at the University of Huddersfield is a research-based degree that allows students to explore and pursue a research project built around a substantial piece of work, demonstrating evidence of original contribution to knowledge. Completing a PhD can give students a great sense of personal achievement and help them develop a high level of transferable skills, which will be useful in their subsequent career, as well as contributing to the development of knowledge in their chosen field.

Key Information

Entry Requirements

• A Master's degree from a UK University or equivalent, normally with a classification of merit or distinction, in a discipline appropriate to the proposed program to be followed.
• An upper second-class honors degree (2:1 or above) from a UK university in a discipline appropriate to that of the proposed program to be followed.
• Appropriate research or professional experience at postgraduate level, which has resulted in published work, written reports, or other appropriate evidence of accomplishment.
• If the first language is not English, students will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification, with a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 overall and no element lower than 6.0.

Start Dates and Application Deadlines

• Start dates: 1 October 2025, 12 January 2026, 20 April 2026.
• Application deadlines:
  • For September 2025: 13 June 2025 for International and Scholarship Students, 4 July 2025 for Home Students.
  • For October 2025: 13 June 2025 for International and Scholarship Students, 4 July 2025 for Home Students.
  • For January 2026: 17 October 2025 for International and Scholarship Students, 14 November 2025 for Home Students.
  • For April 2026: 23 January 2026 for International and Scholarship Students, 20 February 2026 for Home Students.

Duration

• The maximum duration for a PhD is 3 years (36 months) full-time or 6 years (72 months) part-time, with an optional submission pending (writing-up) period of 12 months.
• Sometimes it may be possible to mix periods of both full-time and part-time study.

Teaching and Assessment

• As a minimum, students can expect to meet with their supervisors at least once a month (once every two months for part-time students).
• Self-directed study is to be agreed in liaison with the student and their supervisor, with self-directed study and supervision time equating to 35 hours per week (for full-time research degrees).
• A research degree has no compulsory taught element, with the study period being 52 weeks a year and a 35-day annual leave allowance.
• Feedback, normally written, is provided on all assessments following submission.

Fees and Finance

• In 2025/26, the full-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate researchers will be £5,050.
• In 2025/26, the part-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate researchers will be £2,525.
• Tuition fees will cover the cost of study at the University, with fees for subsequent years of study potentially rising in line with inflation (RPI-X).

Research Areas

The University of Huddersfield offers a wide range of research areas for the Biological Sciences (PhD) program, including but not limited to:

• An investigation of the evolution of the post-translational gamma-carboxylation of proteins.
• An investigation of the post-translational gamma-carboxylation of vitamin K dependent proteins in normal and cancer cells.
• Cancer Research: Could cannabinoids provide new hope for cancer patients?
• Characterisation of a Glioblastoma migratome for novel drug discovery.
• Creating non-natural variants of the biotechnologically important enzyme P450 BM3.
• Evolutionary Biology of Transposable Elements in Unicellular Eukaryotes.
• Evolutionary Cell Biology of Metabolism in Unicellular Eukaryotes.
• Exploring orphan CYPs and redox partner interactions in the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
• Exploring the CYP 4 enzymes as drug targets.
• Glycosylation as a regulator of development, metabolic physiology, and disease.
• Hypoxia and necrosis as drivers of brain tumour dissemination and opportunities for targeted improved treatments.
• Identification of the molecular mechanisms of longevity in long-lived mutants of insulin and Klotho signalling.
• Investigating the Anti-inflammatory Effects of Garcinia kola and Garcinoic Acid on Neutrophil Function.
• Investigating the anti-inflammatory effects of novel alkaloid derivatives.
• Investigation of the evolution and polymorphic variation of molybdoflavoenzymes.
• Investigation of the evolution and polymorphic variation of vitamin K epoxide reductases.
• Molecular Evolution Of The Unicellular Relatives of Animals.
• Museomics approaches to uncover long-term temporal changes in genetic diversity and population structure of yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis).
• Pre-clinical biological and pharmacological screening and evaluation of novel compounds for potential anti-cancer activity.
• Preclinical evaluation of novel putative anti-cancer agents and their anti-cancer activity in the context of the hypoxic tumour microenvironment.
• Structural Studies of Borrelia Outer Membrane Proteins.
• Targeting NETosis to reduce cancer proliferation and migration in 3D bioprinted models of highly invasive, difficult-to-treat cancers.
• Targeting cancer’s metabolic re-wiring - potential opportunities to selectively kill cancer cells?