The PhD in Medicine is a 4-year programme covering the whole spectrum of medical science from basic biology to clinical therapies.
How to apply Requirements Funding opportunities
The 4-year PhD in Medicine at the University of Cambridge offers an outstanding opportunity to pursue cutting-edge biomedical research in a world-class academic and clinical environment. Students are embedded within one of four major research sections—Cardiovascular and Respiratory Medicine (CaRM), Immunology and Infectious Disease (ImID), Perioperative, Acute, and Critical Care and Emergency Medicine (PACE)— each addressing critical challenges in human health through interdisciplinary collaboration.
The programme is designed to develop future leaders in medical research by providing rigorous scientific training, access to advanced technologies, and close mentorship from internationally recognised investigators.
What to expect
In addition to hands-on research training within their host lab, PhD students benefit from a rich programme of departmental and university-wide development opportunities, including:
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Postgraduate workshops focused on advanced research techniques and experimental design
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Research seminars held across the Biomedical Campus and wider University, featuring leading scientists from Cambridge and beyond
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Skills-focused seminars covering essential topics such as scientific writing, publishing, intellectual property, entrepreneurship, and thesis preparation
This comprehensive training ensures students are not only equipped to excel in their research but also prepared for diverse careers in academia, industry, and beyond.
Applications
Doctoral Training Programme in Medical Research (DTP-MR)
The 4-year DTP-MR PhD programme in the Department of Medicine offers a flexible and fully funded route into biomedical research.
The programme is a 0.5 + 3.5 year structure:
| Lab rotation (6 months) |
Students complete two 3-month lab rotations in different research groups across the department. This allows them to explore diverse scientific approaches and refine their research interests before selecting a final PhD project. |
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| Research project (3.5 years) | Following the rotations, students embark on a 3.5-year research project within one of the department’s core research sections. |
Applicants can nominate potential supervisors but are not required to have a supervisor in place at the time of application. However, they should have a clear idea of their research interests and be prepared to discuss these during the first-round interview.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a second-round interview conducted by the Clinical School’s DTP-MR panel. By this stage, candidates are expected to have identified potential supervisors and rotation projects that align with their interests.
Direct PhD Applications
In addition to applying through our structured programmes, candidates can apply directly to individual supervisors within the Department of Medicine. In this route, students do not undertake lab rotations and instead begin their PhD research within a single research group from the outset.
Applicants pursuing this route are encouraged to explore independent funding opportunities, which may include (but are not limited to) the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, Cambridge Trust, and other external schemes. Further details can be found on the Postgraduate Funding pages provided by the University’s Postgraduate Admissions Office.
