PhD/MPhil Immunology / Programme details

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

Appropriate control of the immune system is essential for a number of reasons. In the context of infectious disease and cancer, it is important to generate immune responses to counter these threats.

Excessive immune responses against infectious agents, however, can themselves be a cause of pathology. Other causes of immune mediated pathology are immune responses against self, which lead to autoimmunity, or against harmless antigens, which lead to allergy or hypersensitivity.

It is therefore important to understand how the immune system is regulated. A multitude of different cells of the innate and adaptive immune system act together to co-ordinate immune responses.

Understanding the interactions of these elements will not only help in the development of approaches to manipulate the immune system to induce the appropriate responses against infectious agents and tumours, but also to prevent inappropriate responses against self and harmless chemicals. 

For more information on the Manchester Immunology Group please see http://www.mig.manchester.ac.uk/  

Visit The Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation to find out more about immunology research at The University of Manchester.

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.

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.

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.

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