Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics

In the first instance, applicants are strongly advised to visit the department's website (see Further Information and Enquiries) to identify potential supervisors based on their research area of interest.

You will conduct your research at Oxford under the supervision of academic staff who are at the forefront of developments in your chosen research project area. You will explore your research subject area to new depths and have the opportunity to present your findings to members of the international scientific community with whom, one day, you may collaborate with. At the end of your study with us you will produce a doctoral thesis that represents a significant advance in the field. You will have become a 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.

You will have access to regular departmental seminars, skills and training courses, peer presentation groups for fine tuning presentation deliverance, graduate student social events that incorporate informal talks aimed at students.

You will be encouraged to submit termly reports on your progress and report courses undertaken. The Supervisor will also contribute to the termly reports. You will also be encouraged to transfer your status towards the end of the first year and then defend a final viva and be awarded a MSc by Research.

Applicants are encouraged to communicate with their potential supervisor(s) prior to submitting an application. The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics 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 Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics.

An alumni survey in 2013 showed nearly two-thirds were employed in academic research or had returned to medicine in conjunction with academic research. Other careers include industrial research, teaching, scientific publishing, patent law and banking. A few graduates enter charitable fundraising, charitable scientific employment and pharmaceutical consulting positions.

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.

All graduate courses offered by the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics

Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics MSc by Research

Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics DPhil

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Entry requirements