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In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), a national assessment of research at UK universities, 100% of our research impact cases were ranked as internationally excellent or world leading.

In addition to subject specific training, a wide ranging core training programme is undertaken by our research students in order to support the acquisition of generic research skills and provide opportunities for peer-group support.

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PhD Programme

The St George's PhD programme offers up to four studentships per year, and each studentship has a three year duration. Students will be provided with world-class expertise in areas of strategic importance to UK and global medical research.

Learn more about the PhD programme including how to apply.

PhD(MPhil)

PhD candidates normally register for an MPhil in the first instance and must pass a formal examination normally 9 to 12 months after registration before transferring onto a PhD programme. You will undertake a research project under the continued guidance of at least two supervisors, one of whom is based at St George's. 

The minimum period of study for a PhD is two calendar years of full time study or the equivalent in part time study. A PhD thesis should consist of an account of your own investigations, form a distinct contribution to the knowledge of the subject and afford evidence of originality by the discovery of new facts and/or by the exercise of independent critical power. You should normally have, or expect to obtain, at least a second class honours degree or MSc in an appropriate discipline before applying.

Want to hear from our current PhD students?

The PhTea Break podcast is a new creation from the PhD community at St George’s University of London. In each episode members of the community discuss their research projects with a non-scientific audience in mind, and share their experiences of being a PhD student.

MD(Res)

The MD(Res) degree is designed for practising clinicians with a medical qualification and who are registered with the General Medical Council.

It can be studied full time (minimum registration period – one year) or part time (minimum registration period – two years and students are normally expected to spend at least eight session a week on research).

Your appointed supervisors will guide you for the length of registration and your thesis should deal with any branch of medicine, surgery or medical or dental science. 

Find a supervisor and project

You can use the FindAPhD website to search for the right course for you.

Research at St George's is conducted within 4 research institutes (see table below) and the Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education, each of which has academic staff responsible for postgraduate research students.

They can offer you help and guidance in finding a suitable supervisor.

Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute

Dr Atticus Hainsworth (MPhil/PhD Lead)
Dr Bridget Bax (MPhil/PhD Students)

Dr Michel Papadakis (MD(Res) students)

Infection and Immunity Research Institute

Dr Pascal Drake (MPhil/PhD students)

Professor Derek Macallan (MD(Res) students)

Population Health Research Institute

Professor Richard Atkinson (MPhil/PhD students)

Medical and Biomedical Education Institute

Dr James Erskine (MPhil/PhD students)

Dr Florencia Cavodeassi (MPhil/PhD students)

TBC (MD(Res) students)

Centre for Allied Health

Dr Jackie McRae (MPhil/PhD students)

If you have any further questions, please contact the Programme Manager (Research Degrees) on +44 (0)20 8725 0191 or you can email researchdegrees@sgul.ac.uk.

How to apply

Your proposed supervisor will guide you through the application process and will provide you with the application form at the appropriate time.

Fees

Information about research degree fees can be found in our salaries and fees 2023 to 2024 document (PDF).

The London Intercollegiate Doctoral Training Partnership (MRC LID)
The London Intercollegiate Doctoral Training Partnership (MRC LID) is a partnership between St George’s, University of London (SGUL) and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC).

MRC LID brings together two outstanding specialist schools to provide integrated skills training to develop a cohort of biomedical and public health scientists with world-class expertise in areas of strategic importance to UK and global medical research.

The themes for studentship awards beginning over the academic years 2022/23 onwards are:

  • Global health
  • Health data science
  • Translational and implementation research
  • Infectious diseases

Applications for September 2024 entry are now open and the application deadline is Tuesday 16 January 2024. Further details about entry criteria and the application process can be found on the MRC LID website.

Global Health Research in Africa Doctoral Training Programme – 2022-2027

The Africa Health Research Training programme (CREATE) is a partnership between London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and four other UK universities – Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), Kings College London (KCL), Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), and St George’s, University of London (SGUL), as well as six African Partner Institutions – Biomedical Research and Training Institute (BRTI, Zimbabwe), Zvitambo Institute for Maternal and Child Health Research (Zimbabwe), Medical Research Council Gambia (MRCG), Medical Research Council Uganda (MRCU), Centre for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia), Zambart (Zambia).

This Wellcome Trust funded Programme is focusing on funding up to 5 PhD Fellowships per year, for 5 years and runs from 2022 to 2027 and will fund 25 Fellowships in total. It is open to early career healthcare professionals that have a focus on improving health and wellbeing in Africa. Applications from nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals (NMAHPs) are actively encouraged.

Student loans
Postgraduate Doctoral Loan from the UK Governement could help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course, such as a PhD.
PhD scholarships for international students
FindAPhD have put together a comprehensive list of PhD scholarships available for international students, including scholarships from the UK Government, charities and trusts and funding for specific nationalities.

 

FindAPhD

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