PhD Programmes
The departments and institutes of the School of Clinical Medicine have on average over 900 postgraduate students pursuing a range of degree courses including: Masters, PhDs, Medical Doctorates and a number of other higher degrees.
PhD Programmes
Prospective students interested in pursuing a postgraduate degree course in a subject area related to clinical medicine at the University of Cambridge should consult the School’s individual departmental websites for detailed information about the courses which they run and the University’s Postgraduate Admissions website for information on the application process and on funding opportunities.
For more information on courses available and how to apply please see: University of Cambridge Course Directory
Doctor of Medicine
The MD degree is a doctorate awarded to clinicians who have undertaken an extended period of scientific research. It provides an opportunity for doctors to receive recognition of research achievement within an approved academic programme. The MD, on a par academically with the PhD, spans a maximum of six years, allowing candidates to undertake their research alongside clinical or other responsibilities, at the end of which their dissertation is examined by viva.
Standard MD
Overview
The MD Degree, on a par academically with the PhD, is aimed at medically qualified clinicians working in Cambridge who hold suitable research appointments within Cambridge University Health Partners (i.e. the University of Cambridge, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, and Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust).
Research projects, allied to the area in which the candidate is currently employed, can be undertaken across the whole spectrum of medical science from basic biology to clinical therapies. All applicants must be employed by CUHP at the time of their application and have sufficient dedicated research time (full- or part-time) to complete the proposed research.
Applicants are asked to submit a detailed research proposal with their application. If accepted, a University supervisor will be formally appointed and the candidate will be expected to work on the project part-time (usually alongside their clinical commitments within CUHP), and to submit their final dissertation within a maximum of six years.
You will need to identify a potential University of Cambridge supervisor who is prepared to supervise your work for the duration of the programme before you apply.
Like the PhD, the work is examined by dissertation and viva. As registered part-time students of the University, MD candidates will have access to a wide range of library and computing facilities, as well as social and pastoral resources in their Colleges.
Eligibility
The essential academic/professional requirements for the MD are:
• a medical degree giving entitlement to provisional or full registration with the General Medical Council
and either:
• a primary degree of the University of Cambridge (e.g. BA, MB BChir, MPhil, PhD – at least 4 years must have elapsed since being awarded your medical degree (MB BChir, MBBS, MB ChirB, etc) before you may apply)
or
• an appropriate contract of employment within a member institution of Cambridge University Health Partners which allows a minimum of normally two-years’ full-time research (or part-time equivalent), plus time to write up the dissertation. Applicants are expected to be at ST1 grade or above.
Fees
For applications in academic year 2018 (October 2018-September 2019) the fee for the entire course is £8,015 but can be paid in five equal instalments of £1,603 – subject to annual increases. Any outstanding balance is payable before submission of the dissertation.
For applications in academic year 2019 (October 2019-September 2020) the fee for the entire course is £8,337 but can be paid in five equal instalments of £1,668 – subject to annual increases. Any outstanding balance is payable before submission of the dissertation.
To Apply MD (CUHP) Application Guide (2018)
Apply using the Applicant Portal which can be found on the Graduate Admissions website (see links in the right-hand navigation). You will be able to create and submit your application, and request references.
An application is only complete when:
- you have submitted your application via the Applicant Portal and paid the £50 application fee
- you have uploaded the required supporting documents via the Applicant Self-Service
- your referees have provided their references.
NB: Please note that you will need to identify a potential University of Cambridge supervisor who is prepared to supervise your work for the duration of the programme, before applying.
MD by Special Regulations
Overview
If you hold a primary Cambridge degree and are working outside Cambridge, you must apply to take theMD by Special Regulations.
You do not become a registered student of the University of Cambridge and you will not have access to University or College resources other than those available to you as an alumnus. Such resources should be available to you at your host institution. You will also be required to show proof that you have the active support of a suitable supervisor at your host institution.
Eligibility
Applicants for this course should have achieved: a medical degree giving entitlement to provisional or full registration with the General Medical Council. In addition, applicants must have a primary degree of the University of Cambridge (e.g. BA, MB BChir, MPhil, PhD – at least 4 years must have elapsed since being awarded your medical degree MB BChir, MBBS, MB ChirB, etc before you may apply) and be working at an institution outside Cambridge.
How to Apply
If you are interested in applying to the MD by Special Regulations, please review the Application Guide MD Application Guide_Special Regs 2019 . If you have further queries please contact the Administrative Secretary to the MD Committee at: md-admin@medschl.cam.ac.uk .
Fee
The fee for the MD by Special Regulations is a one-off payment of £1,866. Should your application be unsuccessful, all but £500 will be returned to you. Payment must be made by cheque to the ‘University of Cambridge’, and sent to:
PLEASE NOTE: The GCATS office is closed for the moment and the team are all working from home. Please do not send any post to the GCATS Office as it may be a while before it will be collected. Please use electronic communications only.
Administrative Secretary to the MD
Graduate and Clinical Academic Training
University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine
Box 111, Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Cambridge, CB2 0SP
Enquiries
Postgraduate Training Office
PLEASE NOTE: The PECAT office is closed for the moment and the team are all working from home. Please do not send any post to PECAT as it may be a while before it will be collected. Please use electronic communications only.
University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine
Box 111, Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Cambridge, CB2 0SP
Tel: 01223 761494
Doctor of Medicine, contact:
Ms Jane Muir
Secretary to the MD Committee
Email: md-admin@medschl.cam.ac.uk
Master of Philosophy by Research (MPhil)
The MPhil by Research programmes offer one year of full-time research (or two years part-time research) followed by submission and examination of a research thesis. MPhils by Research are available in almost all Departments and University Partner Institutions in the School of Clinical Medicine
Master of Philosophy by Research (MPhil)
The MPhil by thesis is most commonly taken as a stand-alone research degree by candidates with only one year of funding or who can fit two years of part-time study into their professional training or employment. If this course is taken as part of a route to the PhD a further three years of study and funding are required as well as satisfactory performance in the MPhil.
For more information on courses available and how to apply please see: University of Cambridge Course Directory
Taught Master Programmes
The MPhil by Advanced Study incorporates research together with a large taught component. In the School of Clinical Medicine, there is the opportunity to study for an MPhil by Advanced Study in:
MPhil in Epidemiology
The Masters in Philosophy in Epidemiology is a one year full-time Master’s degree in Epidemiology open to postgraduates in biomedical and numerate disciplines. Read more…
MPhil in Genomic Medicine
The MPhil in Genomic Medicine is taught by the Department of Medical Genetics, in partnership with Cambridge University Hospitals, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and European Bioinformatics Institute. Read more…
MPhil in Public Health
The MPhil in Public Health will provide course participants with the necessary theoretical knowledge, which when combined with appropriate practical experience, can serve as a foundation for a career as a public health professional in either a service or an academic setting. Read more…
MPhil in Primary Care Research
The MPhil in Primary Care Research will provide students with theoretical knowledge and skills as well as practical research experience to launch an academic clinical career in primary care. Read more…
Institute of Continuing Education
The University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education also offers part-time taught Masters programmes. Master of Studies (MSt) degree courses can be taken in a range of subjects, including Genomic Medicine and Healthcare Data.
The MSt in Genomic Medicine is part of the suite of postgraduate courses in Genomic Medicine and designed to educate suitably qualified NHS healthcare professionals from across the multi-professional team to prepare for the future adoption of genomic technologies and the increasing use of genomic information as part of the diagnostic and treatment pathway. Read more…
The MSt in Healthcare Data: Informatics, Innovation and Commercialization is aimed at developing individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to be able to understand and critically evaluate electronic healthcare data in a manner compatible with innovative commercialization opportunities. Read more…
MPhil in Translational Biomedical Research
PECAT administrates the MPhil in Translational Biomedical Research. Information can be found on the Course and Programmes tab on this site
Higher Doctorates and Higher Degrees by Special Regulations
Higher Doctorates and Higher Degrees by Special Regulations have special eligibility requirements, the main one of which is that applicants must already hold a primary degree of the University of Cambridge (or an MA awarded under Statute B, III (6) or a degree of the University by incorporation).
Higher Doctorates in the School of Clinical Medicine
Doctor of Medical Science (MedScD)
Doctor of Science (ScD)
For further information please see: http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/students/studentregistry/exams/higher/phdspecial.html
Higher Degrees by Special Regulations
Doctor of Medicine (MD) by Special Regulations
See above for further information.
PhD by Special Regulations
In order to qualify for the PhD by Special Regulations you will need to demonstrate that: your published work comprises a significant contribution to scholarship; and you meet the eligibility criteria for the degree.
For further information please see: http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/students/studentregistry/exams/higher/phdspecial.html
