Basic & Medical Biosciences Research - MPhil/PhD/MDRes

Overview

The School of Basic and Medical Biosciences brings together five internationally renowned research departments; Centre for Human and Applied Physiology (CHAPS), Centre for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (CSCRM), Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics (MMG), Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics (Randall), St John’s Institute of Dermatology (St John’s).

Based at Guy’s and Denmark Hill campuses with over 450 staff, we educate and train the next generation of researchers, clinicians, and healthcare professionals.

Our research investigates human health at all resolutions, from the molecular mechanisms underlying disease to clinical trials and medical applications.

REF2014: Overall, CHAPS ranked 6^th; Genetics (comprising CSCRM, MMG and St John’s) ranked 1^_st for Clinical Medicine; Randall ranked 10^th
Research income: £15 m per year.
Current number of academic staff: 67 principal investigators, 56 PhD supervisors.
Current number of graduate research students: 163
Current number of graduate research assistants: 175

Recent publications include:

Current research projects:

Details of current research projects can be found via: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/bmb/research-impact/research-impact

Partner organisations

Key information

Duration MPhil/PhD: three to four years full-time, six to seven years part-time. MD(Res): two to three years full-time, four to five years part-time.

Study mode Full-time, Part-time

Further details

Awarding institution King's College London

Faculty Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine

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Course detail

Description

The research focus of the School of Basic and Medical Biosciences is to answer fundamental questions about biology in health and disease. Clinical and discovery scientists collaborate in a multi-disciplinary environment on a range of exciting and innovative areas spanning the analysis of stem cell programming, molecular biophysics and genetics of human disease through to the development of innovative new technology, therapies and clinical trials

Our cross-disciplinary approach enables us to tackle emerging, cutting-edge questions in areas such as human physiology, cancer, dermatology, diabetes, liver failure, genetic diseases, ageing, and pain.

For further information about the research within the School, please refer to the School website.

Course study environment

PhD students work alongside staff researchers and are supervised by two members of academic staff. Each student has a dedicated Thesis Progression Committee that monitors the student’s progress and gives advice and support. Students meet with their committee, and report on their progress, every six months. Each student is also assigned a postgraduate co-ordinator who is attached to the department in which they are based.

Broadening horizons and wider participation is actively encouraged with the opportunities to visit universities abroad via the Global Research Grant, engage with policy makers through events like ‘Voice of the Future’, and to get involved with training the next generation of scientist through school schemes like K+ and shadow a scientist.

There is a vibrant student society with opportunities to get involved in student organised social activities, both within departments and across the School, and contributing our School PhD student blog.

Each department has student representatives who meet regularly with the School PGR Lead, Department PGR Coordinators and Operations Officer Education to discuss and implement ways to enrich the student environment. One such development has been establishing an annual School Careers day for both PhD students and research staff.

Postgraduate training

KCL offers a large number of training and skills development opportunities. Details of training opportunities are provided to all students by the Centre for Doctoral Studies in their monthly newsletter with specific training for bioscience researchers organised through the Health Sciences Doctoral Training Centre.

Participation in the annual Postgraduate Research Symposium is compulsory for all students and provides an opportunity to improve science communication, presentation skills and to develop collaborations.

Students are required to give research reports as part of their department’s seminar programme as well as regularly presenting within their group lab meetings and student-led journal club, providing peer support in addition to that given by supervisors.

Our postgraduate students also have the opportunity to assist with teaching of undergraduates as demonstrators in practical classes or by leading tutorials.

Head of group/division

Head of School
Professor Mathias Gautel
School Postgraduate Research Lead
Dr Baljinder Mankoo

Contact for information

Postgraduate Research Admissions Enquiries

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7848 7000

Contact email

Please fill in the Admissions enquiry Form

School contacts

Postgraduate Research Lead: Dr Baljinder Mankoo

Email: baljinder.mankoo@kcl.ac.uk

Operations Officer Education: Helen Rudkin

Email: helen.rudkin@kcl.ac.uk

Course website

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/lsm/schools/basic-and-medical-biosciences/index.aspx

Entry requirements

Minimum UK requirements

Bachelor's degree with 2:1 honours in an appropriate subject

A 2:2 degree may be considered only where applicants also offer a Master's degree with Merit or above.

International requirements

Visit our admissions webpages to view our International entry requirements.

English Language requirements

Band D

Visit our admissions webpages to view our English language entry requirements.

Please do not complete an application form until you have spoken with and have confirmation from your preferred supervisor. Information about research staff can be found on King’s Research Portal here: https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/

Application procedure

Studentships will be advertised in findaphd.com, Naturejobs, job ac u and the College’s Health Schools Studentships website.

All applicants are required to complete the KCL online application form. Short-listed applicants will be interviewed by at least two academics. Proposed research projects must be approved by the School Postgraduate Research Committee before an offer can be made.

Personal statement and supporting information

You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

Personal Statement	Yes	A personal statement of up to 4,000 characters (maximum 2 pages) is required.
Previous Academic Study	Yes	A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents.
References	Yes	Two references are required with at least one academic. Professional references will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago.
Other	Optional	You may also wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of your application.

Joint PhDs - Application advice

Studentships will be advertised in findaphd.com, Naturejobs, the College’s Health Schools Studentships website or on www.jobs.ac.uk.

Application closing date

October 2019 entry – 26th July 2019 for International students and 30th August for Home/EU students.

January 2020 entry – 25th October 2019 for International students and 2nd December 2019 for Home/EU students.

April 2020 entry – 14th February 2020 for International and Home/EU students.

July 2020 entry - 15th May 2020 for International and Home/EU students

Help and support

If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, or if English isn't your first language, our academic preparation courses can help you get ready for study in the UK.

Preparation courses

Fees and funding

UK/EU Tuition Fees 2019/2020

Full time tuition fees:

£5,300 per year (MPhil/PhD)

£5,300 per year (MPhil/PhD Clinical)

£5,300 per year (MDRes)

£5,300 per year (MDRes Clinical)

Part time tuition fees:

£2,650 per year (MPhil/PhD)

£2,650 per year (MPhil/PhD Clinical)

£2,650 per year (MDRes)

£2,650 per year (MDRes Clinical)

Current regulations allow some students to pay UK tuition fees on the basis of their EU citizenship or residency. Until these eligibility criteria are changed, the EU tuition fee will remain the same as the UK tuition fee.

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

International Tuition Fees 2019/20

Full time tuition fees:

£23,400 per year (MPhil/PhD)

£44,500 per year (MPhil/PhD Clinical)

£23,400 per year (MDRes)

£44,500 per year (MDRes Clinical)

Part time tuition fees:

£11,700 per year (MPhil/PhD)

£22,250 per year (MPhil/PhD Clinical)

£11,700 per year (MDRes)

£22,250 per year (MDRes Clinical)

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

Financial help and support

Visit the fees and funding webpages to find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans and other financial help available at King's.

Testimonials

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I chose King's College London because I wanted to study at a top university. It offers a world-class education as you are taught by renowned teachers in fantastic facilities and this explains its international reputation.

Next steps

Upcoming events

Jun 22 Undergraduate Open Day | Arts and Sciences | Strand Campus | Saturday 22 June

Jul 6 Undergraduate Open Day | Health and Life Sciences | Guy’s Campus | Saturday 6 July

Sep 7 Undergraduate Open Day | Arts and Sciences | Strand Campus | Saturday 7 September

Full list of student events

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Basic & Medical Biosciences Research MPhil/PhD/MDRes