PhD/MPhil Epidemiology

Year of entry: 2024

Overview

Degree awarded
Doctor of Philosophy
Duration
3-4 years PhD, 1-2 years MPhil
Entry requirements

We require applicants to hold, or be about to obtain, an Upper Second class Honours degree, or the equivalent qualification gained outside the UK, in a related subject area for entry to a PhD programme. A Lower Second class Honours degree may be considered if applicants also hold a Master's degree with a Merit classification.

Full entry requirements

How to apply

See full guidance on how to choose a project and submit an application on our websi te . You should then complete the online admissions application form to apply for this programme. Ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission, or this may delay the processing of your application.

Application deadlines

You must submit your application for a postgraduate research programme before the relevant deadline to be considered. You will not be able to apply after these deadlines have passed.

  • January entry: 15 October (of the year prior entry)
  • April entry: 15 January (year of entry)
  • September entry: 15 June (year of entry)

Programme options

Full-time Part-time Full-time distance learning Part-time distance learning
PhD Y Y Y Y
MPhil Y Y Y Y

Programme overview

  • Learn from some of Europe's leading researchers while undertaking your own project.
  • Access some of the best research facilities in the world at both the University and in hospitals around Greater Manchester.
  • Undergo training in transferable skills critical to developing early-stage researchers and professionals through the Doctoral Academy's training programme.
  • Conduct research at a university ranked 6th in the UK (QS World University Rankings 2023).

Open days

Attending an open day is a great way to find out what undertaking postgraduate research at Manchester is like. Find out about our  upcoming open days .

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:

  • PhD (full-time)
    UK students (per annum): Standard £4,786, Low £11,000, Medium £17,500, High £23,000
    International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard £27,000, Low £28,500, Medium £34,500, High £40,500
  • PhD (part-time)
    UK students (per annum): Standard £2393, Low £5,500, Medium £8,750, High £11,500
    International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard £13,500, Low £14,250, Medium £17,250, High £20,250
  • PhD (full-time distance learning)
    UK students (per annum): Standard £4,786, Low £11,000, Medium £17,500, High £23,000
    International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard £27,000, Low £28,500, Medium £34,500, High £40,500
  • PhD (part-time distance learning)
    UK students (per annum): Standard £2393, Low £5,500, Medium £8,750, High £11,500
    International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard £13,500, Low £14,250, Medium £17,250, High £20,250

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

Contact details

School/Faculty
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Contact name
Doctoral Academy Admissions Team
Telephone
+44 (0)161 275 5608
Email
Website
https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/
School/Faculty
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

Programmes in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview

We require applicants to hold, or be about to obtain, an Upper Second class Honours degree, or the equivalent qualification gained outside the UK, in a related subject area for entry to a PhD programme. A Lower Second class Honours degree may be considered if applicants also hold a Master's degree with a Merit classification.

English language

For applicants whose first language is not English, or if you have not studied recently in the UK, you must provide evidence of how you meet the English Language requirement.

We mainly accept IELTS or TOEFL tests. Please note IELTS and TOEFL are only valid for two years.

We require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 overall or TOEFL (iBT) 90. Each component of the English test should meet the minimum requirement of IELTS 5.5 in all components, TOEFL (iBT 22). For the  writing component , we expect you to have achieved a minimum of 6.0 (IELTS).

The English language requirements are slightly higher for applicants wishing to undertake the Distance Learning programme.  We require a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 overall, with a score of 6.5 or above in each component.

If your IELTS or TOEFL expires before the start of your programme, you will need to take another official English test before we can issue you with a CAS for your visa application. This is a requirement of UKVI.

For more information about English language tests see  English language requirements .

Please contact us at FBMH.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk for further information.

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Other international entry requirements

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. For these and general requirements, including English language, see  entry requirements from your country .

Professional entry qualification

Postgraduate Research Study by Distance Learning

In addition to meeting the standard entry requirements, applicants wishing to study through Distance Learning will need to meet some additional requirements.  If these requirements cannot be met, the Doctoral Academy reserves the right to reject any requests for Distance Learning, but this will not be associated with the academic assessment of an applicant (ie an academic offer for standard attendance can still be considered).

The Distance Learning PhD maximises flexibility and decreases the need for travel and actual presence on campus.  It does not decrease the time and commitment required for serious and successful PGR study.  Distance Learning students must prove that they have the time, commitment, language ability and facilities available needed to work remotely.  

As part of their application, students should demonstrate that they have:

  • 2.5 days per week minimum study time (part-time students) or full-time hours (full-time students)
  • Access to study sites and research participants
  • If seconded from employment to undertake the programme - written approval and support from employer for study time
  • Adherence to University and home environment ethics and research governance procedures
  • Consistent computer and IT access
  • Broadband connection: minimum downstream 2 Mb, upstream 256k
  • up-to-date Windows/Mac software
  • Webcam and microphone

Applicants should submit an online application form in the usual way, selecting Distance Learning as the form of study.  Applicants will then be asked to complete the `DL proforma' which asks for further confirmation of meeting the above requirements, outlining the reasons for wishing to undertake the programme by DL and plans for attending the University as explained in the Teaching and Learning section of the Programme details page.

Application and selection

How to apply

See full guidance on how to choose a project and submit an application on our websi te . You should then complete the online admissions application form to apply for this programme. Ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission, or this may delay the processing of your application.

Application deadlines

You must submit your application for a postgraduate research programme before the relevant deadline to be considered. You will not be able to apply after these deadlines have passed.

  • January entry: 15 October (of the year prior entry)
  • April entry: 15 January (year of entry)
  • September entry: 15 June (year of entry)

Advice to applicants

In addition to the formal online application, candidates should send all supporting documents (CV, transcripts, certificates, confirmation of funding, English language ability (if applicable) and a personal statement).

About the personal statement   

We recommend that your personal statement summarises:

  • any research experience and your interests;
  • your motivation for postgraduate research study;
  • why you want to do a postgraduate research degree in Manchester;
  • your career development to date;
  • your future career plans;
  • other supporting information: recent publications if any or other research training and experience;

If you have completed a research project during your undergraduate/master's study, please give a short description of the work you undertook, including the following details:

  • the research problem
  • your key findings
  • techniques acquired and skills learned

This information is especially important for applicants from overseas, so we can fully assess your practical background and experience alongside your academic qualifications. Failure to include this information may delay the processing of your application.

See further guidance on how to choose a project and submit an application  on our website .

Interview requirements

Candidates will be required to attend an interview with their prospective supervisor as well as an independent Postgraduate Tutor. If it is not possible for you to attend in person, we are able to interview by Zoom/video conferencing.

Disclosure and Barring Service check

Depending on the project you undertake, you may be required to undertake DBS screening.  We will notify of you this requirement if appropriate.

Programme details

Programme description

Our PhD/MPhil Epidemiology programme enables you to undertake a research project that will improve understanding of Epidemiology.

Our main research themes within epidemiology investigate autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, neurological, psychiatric and cognitive genetic epidemiology, male infertility and cancer at a population and family level.

In particular, our research covers:

  • the distribution of disease and related health-behaviours and their relationship with the complex interaction between people, place and time and inequalities;
  • genetic and genomic epidemiology to investigate health and disease, particularly where longitudinal clinical data has been collected;
  • 'omics-based molecular epidemiology, disease risk algorithms, and non-molecular eg occupational and environmental determinants of health and outcomes;
  • the design and implementation of complex interventions, underpinned with evidence from other disciplines including anthropology, social sciences, health psychology and urban planning;
  • the use of more novel applications to capture cross sectional and longitudinal behaviour and outcome measures;
  • using digital/web-based techniques of crowd-sourcing, social media, geo-coding, and machine learning;
  • the use of novel techniques to assess the exposome
  • epidemiological, evaluative and policy related research in the field of substance misuse, within the areas of health and criminal justice.
  • how health service interventions, from policies to lab-based sciences, impact on society more widely

Special features

Training and development

All of our postgraduate researchers attend the Doctoral Academy Training Programme delivered by the Researcher Development team . The programme provides key transferable skills and equips our postgraduate researchers with the tools to progress beyond their research degree into influential positions within academia, industry and consultancy. The emphasis is on enhancing skills critical to developing early-stage researchers and professionals, whether they relate to effective communication, disseminating research findings and project management skills.

Teaching and learning

PhD/MPhil programmes are based on individual research projects that last three to four years (PhD) or one to two years (MPhil), working with a specific Primary Supervisor and Co-Supervisor(s).

Applicants are specifically matched with a Primary Supervisor and individual project based on their research interests and background.

International applicants interested in this research area can also consider our PhD programme with integrated teaching certificate .

This unique programme will enable you to gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning, whilst also carrying out independent research on your chosen project.

Attendance Requirement for Distance Learning Programme

Students must maintain expected virtual presence and communication with their Supervisor in order to remain registered on the programme and follow all online progression milestones as for any PGR student.

Students must attend, in person, the Welcome and Induction activities organised by the Doctoral Academy in September.  As a result, a September start date is preferable.  Students should also attend, in person, the compulsory `Life as a PhD Student' training.

Students are encouraged to consider undertaking additional training offered via the Doctoral Academy Training Programme.

It is expected that students will spend a minimum of one working week (5 days) in attendance at the University (in addition to welcome/induction days).  This may coincide with formal study weeks (ie in NMSW) and will present the opportunity for the student to spend time with their Supervisory team, visit the Library or local research facilities.

Students must participate in the formal Annual Review meeting, ideally in person, but attendance via Skype etc can be considered.

The final oral examination will be held at the University of Manchester.  Only in very exceptional circumstances will a student be allowed to undertake the viva remotely.

Scholarships and bursaries

Funded programmes and projects are promoted throughout the year. Funding is available through UK Research Councils, charities and industry. We also have other internal awards and scholarships for the most outstanding applicants from within the UK and overseas.

For more information on available the types of funding we have available, please visit the  funded programmes  and  funding opportunities  pages.

What our students say

Find out more about what it's like to undertake a postgraduate research degree at Manchester on the Doctoral Academy Blog and the support available through our Faculty Doctoral Academy.

Facilities

You will have access to a range of  research and learning facilities  across the University and at some of our partner organisations.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk

Careers

Career opportunities

Your postgraduate research degree will open up a range of career opportunities after you graduate. Find out more on the  Careers  page.