PhD/MPhil Medical Genetics

Year of entry: 2025

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

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

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

The field of genomic medicine integrates basic and clinical research. At a genetic level, the aim is to identify the genetic basis of both single gene and complex disorders.

This includes studying the normal role of the genes and proteins that have been identified, as well as understanding the functional consequences of pathogenic genetic variants.

Ultimately, the aim is to translate this research knowledge into healthcare benefits, including improved diagnosis and management, as well as, ultimately, into new treatment methods for the conditions investigated.

The University of Manchester has internationally-recognised expertise in several areas of genomic medicine that include the following:

  • Biochemical genetics: Diagnosis, research and development of treatmentsof a range of metabolic and lysosomal diseases, including mucopolysaccharide diseases.
  • Developmental genetics: The main aim is to understand the cellular and molecular processes behind both normal development and genetic disease and to improve diagnosis and management of human genetic disorders and birth defects. Manchester leads the European Reference Network for this group of disorders. Major programs of work include studies on the genetic basis and molecular treatment of visual impairment; chromatin remodelling disorders, including Kabuki syndrome.
  • Health services research in genetics: Qualitative and quantitative programmes focused around the evaluation of genetics clinical services and the psychosocial impact of genetic disease.
  • Cancer genetics: Includes research into the inherited forms of breast and colorectal cancer. We also have specific interests in neurofibromatosis and schwannomatosis linked to nationally commissioned clinical services.
  • Neurogenetics: Includes conditions encountered in paediatric neurogenetic practice, with the aim of improving the diagnosis, management and, ultimately, treatment of these disorders. Particular expertise has been developed in the study of Aicardi-Goutières syndrome.
  • Inflammatory disorders: rare Mendelian forms of inflammation can provide insight into common disorders including systemic lupus erythematosis.
  • Renal genetics: studies on the lower urinary tract include characterising bladder disorders including urofacial syndrome and bladder exstrophy. Expertise is considerable in renal cystic disease and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) modelling.
  • Cardiac Genetics: Studies on the rare inherited heart rhythm disorder catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia include variant characterisation and treatment modelling using iPSC.
  • Pharmacogenetics: study of how genetic variation can result in different responses to medication and how to avoid adverse reactions in clinical practice and the effects of medication taken in pregnancy on the developing fetus.
  • Ophthalmic genetics: studies on Mendelian and complex conditions including retinal and corneal dystrophies and age-related macular degeneration. Expertise in bioinformatic analysis of next generation sequencing data, and functional and treatment modelling using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC).

State-of-the-art genomic technologies including exome and genome sequencing are employed in the centre to facilitate the work.

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.