Program Overview

PhD in Surgery

The PhD in Surgery is a research-based program that focuses on improving the surgical management of disease through basic and translational research, together with clinical trials. The Department of Surgery has a strong clinical emphasis and a shared mission to advance the field of surgery.

Research Areas

The main clinical themes of the department are:

• Transplantation
• Trauma and orthopaedic surgery
• Urology
• Vascular surgery These broad clinical themes are aligned with world-class underpinning research strengths in:
  • Stem cell medicine
  • Immunology
  • Organ perfusion
  • Cell biology
  • Surgical oncology

Course Overview

The course introduces students to research skills and specialist knowledge. Its main aims are:

• To give students with relevant experience at a first-degree level the opportunity to carry out focused research in the discipline under close supervision
• To give students the opportunity to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests

Learning Outcomes

During the course of this study, program students will be expected to:

• Read and assimilate relevant background information
• Formulate a clear and well-defined hypothesis
• Design an experimental strategy to address the hypothesis
• Acquire the necessary skills and carry out laboratory work
• Interpret experimental data appropriately and draw sound conclusions
• Write a suitably detailed and formatted thesis

Program Details

• Duration: 3-4 years full-time, 4-7 years part-time
• Study Mode: Research
• Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
• Department: Department of Surgery

Admission Criteria

Those who wish to progress to a PhD after completing an MPhil will be required to satisfy their potential supervisor, Head of Department, and the Faculty Degree Committee that they have the skills and ability to achieve a higher degree and have funding in place.

Similar Courses

• Medical Science (Surgery) MPhil
• Surgery MCHIR
• MD (Doctor of Medicine) MD

Key Information

• Applications open: September 4, 2024, for Lent 2026, and September 3, 2025, for Michaelmas 2026
• Application deadlines: October 2, 2025, for Lent 2026, and May 14, 2026, for Michaelmas 2026
• Course starts: January 5, 2026, for Lent 2026, and October 1, 2026, for Michaelmas 2026
• Funding deadlines: January 7, 2026, for course funding, and October 15, 2025, for Gates Cambridge US round only