BHF PhD Programme / Programme details

A unique first year

The first year of the programme differs from a traditional PhD. As one of our trainees, you will experience several lab project rotations and taught units.

This diverse first year is designed to provide you with a broad and varied research experience to help you choose the area you want to specialise in for the next three years of your PhD programme.

When you successfully complete the first year, you will be awarded an MRes in Cardiovascular Sciences.

Broad, interdisciplinary approaches

The programme brings together principal investigators from across the University with world-leading expertise in the molecular, cellular and physiological mechanisms underpinning cardiovascular function in health and disease with translation to the clinic.

Our goal is to encourage you to take novel, interdisciplinary approaches to key research questions that enhances our understanding of cardiovascular health and disease.

We actively encourage students from a wide variety of academic backgrounds to apply for the programme. Projects are offered in a wide range of subject areas including functional physiology, cell signalling, human genetics, in vivo disease modelling, informatics, bioengineering, computer modelling, novel delivery mechanisms, omics approaches, structure-function mechanisms, regenerative medicine and imaging.

Our current BHF PhD students are active members of the research group, participating in seminars, keynote lectures, external conferences and public engagement activities.

See our website for more information.

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.

The programme is based around and MRes award in the first year, followed by individual research projects working with a specific Primary Supervisor and Co-Supervisor(s).

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.