Biotechnology MPhil

The MPhil is a one-year research degree where students get the opportunity to study a specific research project. The MPhil degree can act as a stand-alone degree for applicants who would like to gain experience in a specific area, or can be linked to a PhD programme. Rather than register on a direct entry 3 or 4 year PhD, some postgraduates may first register on a one-year MPhil programme. Subsequently students may then wish to transfer on to a full PhD programme with a further 2 or 3 years of study.

As genome projects for animals, plants and microorganisms continue to advance, new opportunities arise which offer huge potential benefits in healthcare, agriculture and the environment, through the production of new drugs, novel crops and bioremediation. The Faculty houses the UK Centre for Tissue Engineering and there are strong links with industry. The Faculty is well placed to exploit emerging research opportunities with industry as the first purpose-built BioSciences Incubator is situated adjacent to the Faculty and is where companies which spin out from our basic research can be located. Research in Biotechnology is diverse, and the following represent just a few examples:

• Wound Healing,
• Injury and Repair,
• Cancer Biology,
• Arthritis Research,
• Appetite and Body Weight,
• Neurodegeneration & Movement Disorders;
• Animal Cell Biotechnology;
• Microbial Pathogenicity & Production of Therapeutics,
• Fungal Biotechnology & Protein Production,
• Genetic Engineering of Crops,
• Containment of Transgenes in the Environment,
• Bioremediation of Terrestrial & Aquatic Environments
• Bioinformatics.

Each year the Faculty of Life Sciences has a number of studentships on offer to eligible UK/EU applicants. These studentships are funded by awards from UK research councils (i.e. BBSRC, EPSRC, MRC, NERC, ESRC, AHRC). Studentships are linked to specific PhD projects and are available for applicants to work in the laboratories of named principal investigators. Each year the list of funded PhD projects varies. In addition, throughout the year other studentships may be available through charities, internal funds and some industry-sponsored awards.

The Faculty endeavors to assisting academically excellent international students who wish to undertake a research degree within biological or life science. The Faculty has a number of different scholarship options available to international students.

Applicants are advised to check the Faculty postgraduate web pages for lists of current funding opportunities and eligibility criteria.