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Postgraduate Study - PhD and Research Degrees

Healthcare and Medicine

Degrees

Degree types explained

  • MSc by Research/MPhil/PhD Clinical & Biomedical Sciences
  • MD Doctor of Medicine
  • MS Master of Surgery
  • MSc by Research MPhil/PhD Medical Imaging (Exeter St Luke's only)
  • MPhil/PhD/MSc by Research Nursing Science
  • MSc by Research/MPhil/PhD Genetics and Genomics
  • MSc by Research/MPhil/PhD Medical Studies 
  • MPhil/PhD/MSc by Research Neuroscience
  • MPhil/PhD Food, Nutrition & Health
  • MPhil/PhD Complex Living Systems
Duration

Degree duration details

Start date

MPhil/PhD/MS/MD: Flexible monthly start dates
MSc by Research Medical Imaging: September, January or April
MSc by Research Medical Studies: Flexible monthly start dates

Locations Streatham Campus
Penryn Campus
St Luke's Campus
Study modes

Study mode details

Full time and part time
Study mode details

Overview

Our research based around four distinct themes:

  • Diabetes, Cardiovascular risk and Ageing
  • Environment and Human Health
  • Health Services Research
  • Neuroscience and Mental Health

Healthcare and Medicine

View 2024 Entry

How to apply

Apply online

Ask a question

Contact

Web: Enquire online
Phone: 0300 555 6060 (UK)
+44 (0)1392 723044 (non-UK)

Web: Enquire online

Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72

Top 10 icon

Top 10 in the UK for our world-leading and internationally excellent Clinical Medicine research

Based on 4* + 3* research in REF 2021

Medal with star on icon

Our Public Health research is 11th in the UK for research power

Submitted to UoA2 Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care. REF 2021

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Major capital investment in new buildings and state-of-the-art facilities

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Vibrant and active research student community supported by excellent pastoral and academic staff 

Research overview

As a postgraduate student in University of Exeter Medical School you will be part of a thriving community, benefiting from quality research-led teaching and supervision, as well as access to outstanding facilities. We can offer a wide range of supervision across our core research areas but we are also involved with interdisciplinary research with other Colleges in the University of Exeter.

  • Based in both Exeter and Truro, we operate across the whole of the South West.
  • Research at the cutting-edge of health innovation, making a difference across the world.
  • High-quality research referenced by other academics in major journals across the world.
  • Close-working relationship with the National Health Service (NHS) - our priorities will continue to reflect national needs and priorities.
  • Commitment to high-quality applied medical research spanning from the basic biomedical to applied health services.
  • Medical imaging research focuses on musculoskeletal imaging and diseases associated with aging.
  • Research into new diagnostic techniques including computer-assisted diagnosis and thermal imaging techniques.

Read more

Our research based around four distinct themes:

  • Diabetes, Cardiovascular risk and Ageing
  • Environment and Human Health
  • Health Services Research
  • Neuroscience and Mental Health

Our research themes are delivered across our three research departments:

Clinical and Biomedical Sciences

The department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences' research delivers direct benefit to patients, the NHS and the pharmaceutical industry. Its aim is to understand the underlying molecular and genetic basis of disease and to apply this knowledge in innovative ways that lead to improved treatment and a better quality of life for patients.

Clinical and Biomedical Sciences

Health and Community Sciences

The department of Health and Community Sciences' research strengths lie in applied health research and underpinning methodological work. Its focuses on research that reflects the needs of patients and of health service providers, based on partnership with the NHS and other public bodies and a strong commitment to public involvement.

Health and Community Sciences

Public Health and Sports Sciences

The Public Health and Sports Sciences deparment work across several research groups. 

Public Health and Sports Sciences

Many academic staff engage in research in partnership with organisations including the NHS, NIHR, The Wellcome Trust, Medical Research Council (MRC) and a wide range of health-related charities and international universities and institutions. View a list of our current research students.

How to apply

Entry requirements

To be considered, PhD applicants need to meet the following entry requirements:

  • A good undergraduate degree (in the UK, at least an upper second class honours) in a relevant subject
  • A taught Masters degree in a relevant subject

 

Requirements for international students

If you are an international student, please visit our international equivalency pages to enable you to see if your existing academic qualifications meet our entry requirements.

English language requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for each course can be found below. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

PhD and Research Programme application process

The information below applies to self-funded PhD, MPhil and Masters by Research applicants, but if you are applying for a funded PhD studentship, please follow the specific instructions related to that application.

  • Pinpoint your PhD research area
  • Investigate whether this area is available at Exeter
  • Ensure that you meet our English language entry requirements (international students only)
  • Construct and refine your PhD research proposal
  • Approach your potential supervisor(s)
  • Apply online

PhD studentships pages can be accessed in our Funding lists on Finance tabs under each research topic page, and are also available from the Postgraduate Research search results pages on this site, on the PhD projects tab.

Full details of the application process can be found on our Apply now webpage.

Read more

Fees and funding

Tuition fees per year 2025/26

For those studying for more than one year, our fees are expected to increase modestly in line with Consumer Price Inflation measured in December each year. More information can be found on our Student Finance webpages.

Tuition fees per year 2024/25

For those studying for more than one year, our fees are expected to increase modestly in line with Consumer Price Inflation measured in December each year. More information can be found on our Student Finance webpages.

Our Postgraduate Funding webpage provides links to further information. If you are considering a PhD in the future, in addition to University of Exeter funding, we have been successful at securing postgraduate funding for PhD research through our Funded Centres.

Current available funding

Supervision

You can expect:

  • High-quality research supervision to develop and nurture your potential
  • A tailored supervision approach to help best suit your requirements
  • Accessible supervisors who are enthusiastic about working directly with postgraduate research students
  • Regular timetabled meetings with your supervisor
  • 'Open door' policy to all postgraduate students - instant access to world-leading researchers who will share their expertise and ideas with you
  • Regular meetings with your supervisory team, other members of your research group, and mentors

Find a supervisor

Sarah talks about her experience of juggling her role as a GP with studying for her PhD at Exeter. She explains how her research explores the possibility of personalising urgent referrals in order to identify cancer earlier and help GPs make better decisions about who to test for the disease.

Sarah

PhD Student