Pharmacology

In the first instance, applicants are strongly advised to visit the department's website to identify potential supervisors based on their research area of interest. Selecting the correct research project is a hugely important first step, so it is recommended that you contact potential supervisors directly to discuss possibilities before you apply online for a place on the course.

On the DPhil, your research will be carried out at Oxford under the supervision of a member of academic staff. You will work within their research group on a project at the forefront of the subject, and at the end of your time with the department you will produce a doctoral thesis that represents a significant advance in the field. You will become the world expert in your research area and you will have demonstrated that you are an original and creative thinker capable of independent scientific work at a very high level.

If you are interested in joining the department as a DPhil student, you are strongly encouraged to look at the Department of Pharmacology's current research to help identify the most suitable area of research.

Selecting the correct research project is a hugely important first step, so it is recommended that you contact potential supervisors directly to discuss possibilities before you apply online for a place on the course.

On starting as a probationary research student, besides regular monitoring undertaken by your supervisor and department, the University checks your progress twice – firstly, your transfer to DPhil status and secondly, the confirmation of your DPhil status.

DPhil candidates will be assigned to two supervisors, one acting as the main day-to-day research supervisor and the second as an additional mentor. The allocation of graduate supervision is the responsibility of the Department of Pharmacology and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Department of Pharmacology.

In the case of students who require specific help to adjust to an academic programme or to a new range of skills, supervisors will work with them to ensure that they have additional support.

According to the department's last survey, 100% of DPhil students have either gone on to continue their education or are in employment. Departmental academics follow their alumni with interest.

Examples of careers and employers on completion of the DPhil: postdoctoral research, the pharmaceutical industry, the Wellcome Trust, the biotechnology industry, graduate medical study, investment banking and Google UK.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. In certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information, please see our page on changes to courses.

Other courses you may wish to consider

Applicants are strongly advised to visit the Medical Sciences Graduate School website to help them identify the most suitable course and supervisors.

If you're thinking about applying for this course, you may also wish to consider the courses listed below. These courses may have been suggested due to their similarity with this course, or because they are offered by the same department or faculty.

Courses suggested by the department

Pharmacology MSc by Research
Ion Channels and Disease DPhil
Interdisciplinary Bioscience (BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership)
Cardiovascular Science DPhilAll graduate courses offered by the Department of Pharmacology

All graduate courses offered by the Department of Pharmacology

Pharmacology DPhil

Pharmacology MSc by Research

Pharmacology MSc

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Entry requirements