Program Overview

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Introduction to the Doctor of Medicine (DM) Program

The Doctor of Medicine is a flexible, variable intensity, clinical research-based doctorate. It provides students with research skills, in-depth knowledge, understanding, and expertise in their chosen field of research.

About the Course

To apply to this course, students must be medically-qualified (registered with the UK General Medical Council) and employed at the time of application at ST1 grade or above (including those who have completed their training) within the University of Oxford, in Primary Care within Oxfordshire, or in an approved NHS Trust.

The Doctor of Medicine is a highly distinctive degree, flexible enough to allow students to study part-time for some parts of their degree and full-time for others. This flexibility enables students to balance time for Doctor of Medicine degree work with their professional duties.

Research Areas

The Doctor of Medicine project will be in synergy with the student's clinical work but may be undertaken across the whole spectrum of medical science, from basic biology to clinical therapies. Students are expected to develop their own research proposal in consultation with their proposed supervisors.

Entry Requirements

The requirements for this course include:

• An undergraduate degree with honors in Medicine
• Ongoing registration with the UK General Medical Council
• Employment at the time of application at ST1 grade or above
• Evidence of excellence in the area of clinical practice that is in synergy with the research project
• Relevant experience in the area of clinical practice that is in synergy with the research project
• Relevant publications will be an advantage to all applicants

English Language Proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's standard level. The minimum scores required to meet the University's standard level are:

• IELTS Academic: 7.0 overall with at least 6.5 in each component
• TOEFL iBT: 100 overall with at least 22 in Listening, 24 in Reading, 25 in Speaking, and 24 in Writing
• C1 Advanced: 185 overall with at least 176 in each component
• C2 Proficiency: 185 overall with at least 176 in each component
• Oxford Test of English Advanced: 155 overall with at least 145 in each component

Funding and Costs

The University expects to offer over 1,100 full or partial graduate scholarships across a wide range of graduate courses. The fees for this course are charged in two parts: a registration fee and a submission fee.

College Preference

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. The following colleges accept students on the Doctor of Medicine:

• Brasenose College
• Corpus Christi College
• Green Templeton College
• Harris Manchester College
• Hertford College
• Kellogg College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Lincoln College
• The Queen's College
• St Catherine's College
• Somerville College
• Wadham College
• Wycliffe Hall

How to Apply

Before starting an application, students should consult the Medical Sciences Graduate School's website to identify the most suitable course for their intended area of research. The application form will include questions that collect information that would usually be included in a CV/résumé.

Application Requirements

The application requirements include:

• A statement of purpose (maximum 500 words)
• A research proposal (maximum 1,500 words)
• A workplan (maximum 1,500 words)
• Official transcript(s)
• Three references, with at least one from a proposed supervisor and one independent of the proposed supervisor(s)

Admission Status

The admission status for this course is open, with applications still being accepted. The latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships is 12:00 midday UK time on Tuesday, 2 December 2025.

Key Facts

• Course code: RJ_MD9P1
• Expected length: 2 to 8 years
• Places available: approximately 20
• Applications per year: 18 (three-year average)
• Expected start date: 5 October 2026
• English language requirement: Standard level required