28 PhD programmes offered by the university

The Biological Science (EBI) programme from The University of Cambridge is coordinated in Heidelberg with local support at EBI. Please visit the EMBL International PhD Programme pages to learn about how to apply. Please note all applicants must secure a place on the EMBL programme before submitting an application to the University of Cambridge.

The Biological Science (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology) programme from the University of Cambridge is one of the world's leading research institutes. Discoveries and inventions developed at the LMB, such as DNA sequencing or methods to determine the structure of proteins, have revolutionised all areas of biology.

The Biostatistics programme from the University of Cambridge is an internationally recognised research department specialising in statistical modelling with application to medical, biological or public health sciences.

The Biological Science (Sanger Institute) course from University of Cambridge aims to provide training and research opportunities in genomics that reflect the unique nature of Sanger Institute science.

Interdisciplinary Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at University of Cambridge aims to train the next generation of academic and industrial leaders equipped with the skills to navigate and bridge the technical realm with the broader commercial and social landscape.

This Plant Sciences course from the University of Cambridge is an outstanding University Centre for research in plant and microbial sciences.

The Biotechnology from University of Cambridge, offers a PhD in Biotechnology. The specifics of any project will dictate the activities of the student.  This can be molecular biology on through quantum mechanics. 

The Clinical Neurosciences programme from University of Cambridge, is based on individual needs and abilities, and is designed to help you to think clearly, originally and practically, and to prepare you for leadership in science. We teach our postgraduate students how to plan and carry out cutting-edge research.

Plant Biosystems Design is jointly administered by the Universities of Bristol, University of Cambridge and York, and the John Innes Centre. It aims to catalyse interdisciplinary partnerships and drive innovation in the application of engineering principles to plant biology and biotechnology.

This Transformative Technologies for Pharmaceutical Science from University of Cambridge is a four year fully-funded doctoral training programme that aims to develop future leaders in data-driven approaches to pharma research and development that are informed by and provide new insight into our understanding of biological processes.

This Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics programme from University of Cambridge, is a three to four-year research programme culminating in submission and examination of a thesis containing substantial original work. PhD students carry out their research under the guidance of a supervisor, and research projects are available from the wide range of subjects studied within the Department.

The Pharmacology programme from the University of Cambridge, students undertake a period of supervised research and are expected to submit a thesis for examination within their fourth year at the latest. Students also attend relevant lectures and seminars and participate in skills development activities.

The Biological Anthropology from University of Cambridge, is an opportunity for original research leading to a thesis within a structured research environment that encourages both independence and collaboration. 

This Clinical Biochemistry course from the University of Cambridge is a research-based course. Students receive training in scientific laboratory skills and methods appropriate to the PhD project. 

This Applied Nuclear Physics and Technology from University of Cambridge is part of the Physics-led Applications for Nuclear Engineering & Technology (PLANET) programme – a UKRI Doctoral Focal Award led by the University of York with the Universities of Cambridge, Edinburgh, Lancaster and Surrey.

This Biological Science (BioSCaPe) from University of Cambridge is a four year fully-funded doctoral training programme that aims to develop future leaders in bioscience. Based within the world-class South Cambridgeshire bioscience cluster, the programme combines cutting-edge research with entrepreneurial and leadership training.

The Physics course from the University of Cambridge, is a full-time period of research which introduces, or builds upon, research skills and specialist knowledge. Students are assigned to a research supervisor, a specialist in part or all of the student's chosen research field, and join a research group which might vary in size between 4 and 80 individuals.

The Chemistry course from the Department of Chemistry from University of Cambridge  introduces students to research skills and specialist knowledge.

This Biological Science (Babraham Institute) course from the University of Cambridge ensures that our students are able to gain a wide range of experience.

The Zoology course from the University of Cambridge is home to a community of researchers from a great diversity of disciplines, ranging from cell and developmental biology to field ecology and conservation. Evolutionary biology is a major focus of our work.