PhD/MPhil Genomics

Year of entry: 2025

Overview

Degree awarded
PhD/MPhil
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

Apply online

Before applying you must:

  • Choose a programme or find a project you want to apply for and check you’re eligible.
  • Speak to the listed supervisor about your suitability for their project or programme.
  • Understand how your project is funded and, if it is self-funded, consider how you plan on funding it.
  • Read our ‘How to apply’ page to find out more and ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission.

Visit our Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Postgraduate Research page to find out more.

Programme options

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

Programme overview

  • Undertake research in a field you’re passionate about and join a project addressing leading challenges in the area while working with some of Europe's leading researchers and academics.
  • Choose to research at a university ranked and 6th in the UK (QS World University Rankings, 2025) and 2nd in the world for social and environmental impact (THE Impact Rankings, 2024), where 93% of research activity is ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ (Research Impact Framework, 2021)
  • Access some of the best research facilities in the world at the University, through our industry partners, and at hospitals around Greater Manchester.
  • Benefit from dedicated support throughout your PhD journey, from pre-application to graduation and everything in between, through our Doctoral Academy
  • Undergo training in transferable skills critical to developing early-stage researchers and professionals through the Doctoral Academy's training programme and progress into a career in research, academia or industry.

Visit our Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Postgraduate Research page to find out more.

Open days

Visit our Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Postgraduate Research page to find out about upcoming open days and events.

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2025, the tuition fees are as follows:

  • PhD (full-time)
    UK students (per annum): Standard £5,006, Low £11,500, Medium £17,500, High £23,500
    International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard £27,000, Low £29,500, Medium £35,000, High £41,500
  • PhD (part-time)
    UK students (per annum): Standard £2,503, Low £5,750, Medium £8,625, High £11,750
    International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard £13,500, Low £14,750, Medium £17,500, High £20,755

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).

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 .

Application and selection

How to apply

Apply online

Before applying you must:

  • Choose a programme or find a project you want to apply for and check you’re eligible.
  • Speak to the listed supervisor about your suitability for their project or programme.
  • Understand how your project is funded and, if it is self-funded, consider how you plan on funding it.
  • Read our ‘How to apply’ page to find out more and ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission.

Visit our Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Postgraduate Research page to find out more.

Advice to applicants

Before you start your application, you should:

  • Identify the programme or find the specific research project you'd like to apply for.
  • Contact the listed project supervisor and speak to them about your suitability for the project.
  • Understand how your project is funded or, if you are self-funding, you should have an idea of how you are funding your project and have discussed this with your supervisor.

If you already have funding:

  • Find a specific self-funded project and contact the project supervisor to talk to them about your suitability for the project; OR
  • Determine your own research project and title, find a potential supervisor in this research area and contact them to discuss supervising your research.

Supporting documents

You'll also need to make sure you have the following documents before you apply:

  • Personal statement
  • Certificates and transcripts
  • CV
  • Confirmation of funding (if you are self-funded)
  • English language ability
  • Names and details of two referees to support your application

Visit our ‘How to apply’ page to find out more about the information required for each of these supporting documents.

Any missing information 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)

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

Genomics is the study of genomes, the complete complement of genetic material in each cell of an organism, and it lies at the heart of many of our research programmes in biology, medicine and health. Our research covers genomic structure, function and evolution, employing on-going developments in high-throughput experimental techniques such as next-generation sequencing.

Our PhD/MPhil Genomics programme enables you to undertake a research project in an aspect of genomics that will advance the field. We have many international experts in genomics at Manchester and cutting edge facilities to enable your research.

Our facilities enable genome sequencing for individual or population studies, genome engineering, single cell analyses, as well as high-throughput functional assays such as RNA-Seq that can characterise and quantify the RNA products found in cells or tissues, and epigenomic assays to identify chromatin modifications. Data from these applications provides an unprecedented opportunity to understand how the genome encodes the function of cells, tissues and organisms. Our genomics PhD students are using these genomic technologies and data to tackle major problems in biology, medicine and health research. 

In the field of Genomic Medicine, Manchester has one of the UK's leading centres for genomic medicine as part of the internationally pioneering 100,000 Genomes Project. Our researchers such as Professors Bill Newman  and Graeme Black have identified numerous genes associated with a variety of genetic diseases and have been at the forefront of developing next generation sequencing technologies for molecular diagnosis throughout the NHS.

Manchester also has considerable expertise in computational and molecular bioscience where our experts undertake big data analysis and develop software, algorithms and pipelines for application in biology and biomedicine, as well integrating advanced techniques for studying relevant molecules. This includes world leaders in non-coding RNA biology ( Professor Sam Griffiths-Jones ), evolutionary genomics ( Professor Daniela Delneri ) and proteomics ( Professor Simon Hubbard ), as well structure prediction and modelling of the effects of genetic variations of protein structure and function ( Professor Simon Lovell ).

Our ' Evolution, systems and genomics' domain has 130 research groups associated with it, with almost 700 researcher members and approximately £50 million in live grant funding at any one time. With such a diversity of expertise you are guaranteed to find an expert subject supervisor for your research, as well as being immersed in a vibrant, diverse and supportive environment.

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.

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.