"During my time at the IMS, I’ve had the chance to do science and learn a lot alongside the brightest in the field. I’ve attended conferences and monthly seminars by luminaries or Nobel Prize winners and I’ve experienced student life at its fullest. I’ve met new friends and like-minded people while improving areas of my character that were previously underdeveloped. This period has been one of the best of my life. The place has so much to offer and I STRONGLY encourage every “student” at any level to find a way to go there, for as long as possible."
Recent student
How to apply for a PhD in Clinical Biochemistry
Candidates should apply for admission for a PhD in Clinical Biochemistry through the University of Cambridge Applicant Portal. More info about the requirements and admission process can be found on the course page for the PhD in Clinical Biochemistry and the University’s Postgraduate Study pages. Shortlisted applicants for the PhD in Clinical Biochemistry will be invited for an academic interview by the Department. Applicants who impress at interview may be offered one of two options:
- A non-funded PhD offer – applicants would need to secure funding either by self-funding (check finance requirements), securing external funding (non-University of Cambridge) or by securing funding having opted in to the University funding competition via the application portal.
- A nomination to be further considered for specific funded PhD programmes (School of Clinical Medicine managed PhD studentship funding including DTP in Medical Research, MRC iCase) - Unlike the main University funding competition, there is no separate section within the application portal to request nomination for Clinical School managed funding. The Department will assess all offer holders and nominate for Clinical School managed funding based on the criteria of the specific schemes and the strength of the applications. If you are nominated for Clinical School managed funding, you will be required to attend an additional interview organised by the School. Further details will be provided if you are nominated and shortlisted for an interview.
Application deadlines
The deadlines for funding applications may be different to the course funding deadline.
Annual timeline (for Michaelmas Term starters), please check specific dates via the University page and on the Clinical Biochemistry course page:
- September – applications open
- October – Gates US funding deadline
- Beginning December – University Funding competition deadline
- April – final course application deadline
How to apply to other PhD funded programmes
To carry out a PhD, you must have financial support to cover both the University Composition Fee and a maintenance stipend for the duration of your studentship. There are a significant number of funding sources available for postgraduate applicants, details of which can be found on the University’s Postgraduate Funding Search. Many of our Principal Investigators at the IMS-MRL are affiliated to various PhD programmes, often providing fully funded PhD studentships. Please note some funding programmes have their own deadlines which will be different to course deadlines, so it is very important that you check these carefully. There will also be certain eligibility criteria and for some you might need to choose a project from an approved list or upload additional forms in the application portal. We encourage you to specifically consider the following funding programmes and learn more through their websites.
- PhD Programme for Health Professionals – apply for the PhD for Health Professionals course specifically, via the University’s applicant portal.
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship (non-UK) – apply for a PhD in Clinical Biochemistry via the University’s PG application portal by the Gates deadline and complete the Gates Cambridge Scholarship part of the funding section.
- The Cambridge Trust and Cambridge Trust Scholarships available for African applicants - apply for a PhD in Clinical Biochemistry via the University’s PG application portal by the funding deadline and complete the funding section.
- Cambridge Australia Scholarships – apply for a PhD in Clinical Biochemistry via the University’s PG application portal and complete the funding section.
- BBSRC Cambridge Biosciences DTP PhD Programme - see website for further details and apply through the applicant portal
- Cambridge 4-Year BHF PhD Programme in Cardiovascular Research – see website for further details and apply through the applicant portal
- MRC Epidemiology Unit PhD Programme – see website for further details and apply through the applicant portal
- AstraZeneca-Funded Non-Clinical PhD studentships – see website for further details
- The Cambridge Home and EU Scholarship Scheme (CHESS) PhD Awards (UK and EU) – see website for further details
College websites may also have details of College funding not listed in the Funding Search.
Please note the Department of Clinical Biochemistry has no regularly available funds to support three-year PhD students, although studentships funded by UK Research Councils, medical charities or other sources may occasionally be available and advertised.
Get in touch
For PhD enquiries, please contact phdprogramme at medschl.cam.ac.uk
