oxford university phd biology

The Oxford Interdisciplinary Bioscience DTP is an inclusive and innovative four-year graduate training programme, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (UKRI-BBSRC). It aims to equip a new generation of researchers with the skills, insight and knowledge needed to tackle the most important challenges in bioscience research.

The programme is led by the University of Oxford, in partnership with eight world-class research organisations: The Pirbright Institute, Oxford Brookes University, Diamond Light Source, ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, STFC Central Laser Facility, The Rosalind Franklin Institute, the Research Complex at Harwell and the Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford (NNRCO).

The course admits students who wish to conduct fundamental and applied bioscience research. Students from a diverse range of backgrounds are encouraged to apply including students with degrees in the Life Sciences, Physical Sciences and Computational and Mathematical Sciences.

Research areas include: Integrative Plant and Animal Biology, Mechanistic Molecular and Cellular Bioscience, Transformative Technologies, Bioscience for Health, Animal Health and Welfare, Crop Science, Industrial Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals.

Prospective students are invited to join us for our Open Day  on Wednesday November 8th 2023.

Mission Statement

Our Mission We aim to deliver training that will enable a new generation of researchers to drive forward the frontiers of bioscience, and to translate this research into high-impact applications.

Our Vision We aspire to be a world-leading partnership that inspires, enables and supports both staff and students to achieve their full potential in order to enrich scientific knowledge, tackle global and industrial challenges, and benefit the wider community. We are distinctive for our world-class research and facilities and our collaborative, interdisciplinary training approach.

Our values We aim to create a community that is innovative, inclusive and collaborative, in which everyone feels valued, respected, and supported.

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Computational Biology and Bioinformatics

Welcome to computational biology and bioinformatics.

This research group develops computational and statistical methods for the analysis of such data, with particular emphasis on methods for biological networks and biological sequences.  The analysis of biological data such as DNA sequences, gene expression arrays and single cell data can reveal new insights into intracellular mechanisms as well as evolutionary processes.

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology do not have formal definitions that anybody has to adhere to, but would typically be understood as follows: 

Bioinformatics is today extremely diverse and can include data sources from multiple levels:  Sequence Data remains a very dominating form of data, but are crucially supplemented by structural information (small molecules, macromolecules such as protein, RNA and more), expression levels of genes, concentrations of molecules in cells and tissues, and phenotypes. Such data can be analysed by simple stochastic models or lately by machine learning techniques that can use (and needs) huge amounts of very heterogenous data. 

Computational Biology has a much wider domain and include large topics such as Computational Neuroscience, Computational Embryology, Whole Cell Modelling, Biosphere Modelling and more. Computational Biology also include a larger suite of techniques such a Dynamical Systems, Partial Differential Equations, Physical Chemistry, Dynamics on Networks and more. 

The recent twin crises of the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change has highlighted the importance of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology.  Understanding the pandemic spread has relied heavily on epidemiological models and sequence data, while structural information has been crucial in finding weak points of the SARS CoV-2 virion and its replication. Understanding the detailed consequences of climate change cannot be done without modelling of the biological components (e.g. the physiology of individuals, populations, species, and ecosystems) of the biosphere under slightly changed circumstances. 

These computational approaches to the biosciences will continue for decades and could eventually achieve very detailed simulations of biological systems. The Department is very enthusiastic about this development and determined to be a key player contributing to these ambitious endeavours. 

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Biological physics

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Professor Yeomans appointed OBE

Professor Nynke Dekker joins University of Oxford

The physics of antimicrobial resistance

Biologically inspired physics is an extraordinarily wide field, covering the behaviour of systems from single-molecule machines to organisms, ecosystems and evolution. We use the tools of physics to address biological problems and we use biology to create new tools of physics. Our work at the interface between disciplines impacts medicine and healthcare as well as the biological and physical sciences and industry.  

Most of our experimental biophysics research is located in the Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Research in a state-of-the-art new building completed in 2021 and dedicated to high-risk, high-reward research ‘to catalyse discovery by bringing the physical sciences into the cell’. The institute provides shared infrastructure and brings together collaborating groups from across physical and life sciences in Oxford.

Biomolecular motors and machines

Rotary molecular motors are essential agents of movement and energy transduction in living organisms and our biophysics of molecular motors group , led by Richard Berry , focuses in particular on the bacterial flagellar motor and F1FO ATP synthase. The group uses novel forms of light microscopy to understand how these complex machines work and how they are built, maintained and controlled in living cells.

Gene expression is the vital path that converts DNA information into functional proteins, RNA machines and a wide variety of signals. Our gene machines group   is led by Achillefs Kapanidis and studies mechanisms and machines of gene expression of microbial pathogens using single-molecule biophysical methods and biochemistry. The group also develops single-molecule fluorescence methods and assays for pathogens such as viruses and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

The copying or replication of DNA is one of the central processes in all living organisms. In the Nynke Dekker lab, we aim to understand the molecular processes underlying DNA and RNA replication and to gain spatiotemporal insight into their dynamics. We use cutting-edge single-molecule biophysical tools, such as fluorescence and force spectroscopy, which provide a complementary approach to bulk biochemistry and address relevant questions about replication dynamics that cannot be addressed otherwise. Our current focus is on eukaryotic DNA replication, including the chromatin context, while maintaining an interest in bacterial and viral systems.

We study the assembly of synthetic biomolecular nanostructures, built largely from DNA and RNA, and in particular biomimetic molecular machinery. The self-assembled structures and devices group , led by Andrew Turberfield , aims to create disruptive technologies for the physical sciences and manufacture as well as probes of cellular structure and function to underpin advances in 21st-century medicine.

Ion channels

Our work with ion channels is led by Stephen Tucker and focuses on the intimate relationship between ion channel structure and function at an atomic level and the role of ion channels in health and disease. The ion channels group works primarily with K2P potassium channels and uses a range of computational, biophysical and electrophysical approaches to study their properties.

Biomechanics

Sonia Contera leads a biomechanics and scanning probe group investigating how mechanical properties of cells and tissues are coupled to chemistry and electricity to create biological function. The group uses atomic force microscopy to measure structures and mechanical properties with nanometre accuracy in living systems and works at the interface of physics, biology and nanotechnology.

Statistical physics and simulation of biological systems

Work in statistical biophysics, led by Ard Louis , applies theoretical and computational tools from statistical mechanics to study the emergence of complex behaviour from the interaction of many individual objects. The statistical biophysics group focuses on the physics of evolution and of self-assembly, including coarse-grained simulation of nucleic acid interactions and nanostructures, algorithmic information theory and deep learning.

Julia Yeomans leads a theory of soft and active matter group that addresses a variety of problems in soft matter and biological physics using theoretical and computational tools from statistical mechanics and hydrodynamics. They are particularly interested in the dynamics of soft-matter, motility at low Reynolds number, the interactions of fluids with structured surfaces, and active systems including dense suspensions of swimming bacteria and the mechanobiology of tissues.

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The Influence of Fragmented Landscapes on Speciation

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Juliana Rosa Matias Ciccheto, Ana Carolina Carnaval, Sabrina Borges Lino Araujo, The Influence of Fragmented Landscapes on Speciation, Journal of Evolutionary Biology , 2024;, voae043, https://doi.org/10.1093/jeb/voae043

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In the face of unprecedented global transformations, unraveling the intricate mechanisms governing biodiversity patterns is imperative for predicting and interpreting species responses. An important element in this interplay is fragmentation and the spatial mosaic or arrangement of suitable sites within the landscape. Beyond its well-documented impact on biodiversity loss, fragmented landscapes also influence the origin of biodiversity, by influencing speciation dynamics. This research employs a model that integrates spatial configuration and dispersal abilities of individuals to investigate the impact of landscape configuration on species’ evolutionary trajectories. Specifically, we propose a microevolutionary model where individuals are characterized by their dispersal ability and a genome, allowing population evolution and diversification. Space is explicitly characterized by suitable and unsuitable sites that define fragmented landscapes. Our model demonstrates how intermediate dispersal abilities enhance diversification. However, simulations of more fragmented landscapes result in a lower total number of individuals and a lower percentage of occupied sites by individuals, particularly when species have limited dispersal abilities. Furthermore, we have found that intermediate levels of fragmentation can stimulate greater species richness, while higher levels of speciation and extinction events tend to occur under higher fragmentations. Our results also show a non-monotonic dependence of richness on dispersal, supporting the intermediate dispersal hypothesis as promotor of diversification, demonstrating the synergistic effects of landscape configuration and species dispersal ability in the processes of speciation, extinction, and diversification. This impact of fragmentation poses a real challenge for biodiversity in the context of a dynamic world.

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Microbiology, Infection and Tropical Medicine

Oxford's contribution to infectious disease has been enormous. Penicillin and the related cephalosporin antibiotics were discovered and developed here. More recently Oxford has played a key role in the introduction of artemisinin-related drugs for malaria and in the development of new vaccines for bacterial meningitis and Ebola.

Oxford is rated the top University in the UK in the area of Infection and Immunity. It has a strong core of microbiological expertise ranging from fundamental through to translational research and clinical trials. Areas of strength in basic research include microbial structure-function relationships, aspects of viral, bacterial and parasite pathogenesis, and interaction of pathogens with the immune system including immune evasion strategies. Areas of strength in translational research include study of the mucosal microbiota in health and disease, development of vaccines against parasitic, bacterial and viral pathogens and screening for novel drugs against viral infections. Much translation research is done in Oxford’s Tropical Medicine research units in Africa and Asia. Microbiology research is performed in a number of University Departments including the Nuffield Department of Medicine , Sir William Dunn School of Pathology , Paediatrics and Biochemistry . Institutes include the Weatherall Institute for Molecular Medicine , the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology , the Jenner Institute and the Institute for Vaccine Design .

Researchers in Oxford form part of the  MRC Centre for Genomics and Global Health , an international collaboration that integrates genomic and population genetic data with clinical and epidemiological data to understand and combat globally important infectious diseases.

Supervisors in Microbiology, Infection and Tropical Medicine

Ambrose Agweyu

Principal Investigator

Ageing, Geratology and Degenerative Diseases

Bioinformatics, statistics and computational biology, genes, genetics, epigenetics and genomics, molecular mechanisms (including dna damage and repair), neurodegenerative diseases, neuroscience, structural biology, molecular, cell, systems and structural biology.

Brian J Angus

Translational medicine and medical technology.

Azim Ansari

Sir Henry Dale Fellow, Group Leader

Host-pathogen interactions

Proochista Ariana

Associate Professor

Sarah Atkinson

Associate Professor and Honorary Consultant in Paediatrics and Paediatric ...

Haematology

Adaptive immunity and autoimmune disease, bacteriology, epidemiology and population dynamics, parasitology, paediatrics, primary care, clinical epidemiology, and health care delivery.

Kevin Baird

Professor of Malariology

Lindsay Baker

Anti-microbial drugs, cell biology and microscopy, membranes, membrane proteins, ion channels and transporters, structural biology, protein science and proteomics.

Ellie Barnes

Gastroenterology and hepatology, immunodeficiency, hiv and aids, innate immunity and inflammation, mucosal immunology and inflammatory bowel disease, transplantation and tolerance.

Rachael Bashford-Rogers

Dna and protein sequence analysis, functional genomics, cancer diagnostics (biomarkers and imaging), cancer therapeutics (including biologicals) and vaccines, cellular mechanisms (including tumour microenvironment, angiogenesis and metastasis), developmental biology and stem cells, cell fate specification and differentiation, diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism, molecular & statistical genetics & translational genomics, inflammation-driven cancer, mucosal immunity, gene expression, genomics and statistical genetics, genetic disorders and therapies, leukaemia and lymphoma, lineage commitment and differentiation in haematopoiesis, systems biology, ophthalmology, visual and circadian sciences, ophthalmology, antibody and protein therapy, biomedical engineering, drug discovery and pharmacology, immunology of reproduction, james berkley, maternal health, reproductive, genitourinary and sexual medicine.

Professor of Biochemistry

Biochemistry and chemical biology

Stuart Blacksell

Professor of Tropical Microbiology

Francesco Boccellato

Leadership Fellow

Persephone Borrow

Thomas Bowden

Glycobiology.

Angela Brueggemann

IDEU Director and Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Population, Global, and Public Health

Chris Butler

Professor of Primary Care

Design of patient pathways and clinical support systems

Evidence-based health care, clinical trials methodology and epidemiology, primary care and general practice, climent casals-pascual.

Alfredo Castello Palomares

Posttranscriptional networks in infection

Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology

Richard Cornall

Cell commitment, multipotent stem cells.

Prabin Dahal

Post-doctoral Research Fellow

Nick PJ Day

Statistical genetics, adrianus dondorp.

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3545-3758

Alexander (Sandy) Douglas

Simon Draper

Susan Dunachie

Mike english, diagnostics, health experiences research, medical statistics, monitoring chronic disease, patient safety, psychology and psychiatry, social psychology, surgical science and practice.

Professor of Infectious Diseases

Ervin Fodor

Kevin Foster

Professor of Evolutionary Biology

Mathematical modeling

Inflammatory bowel disease.

Christophe Fraser

John frater.

Ronald Geskus

Sarah C Gilbert

Geraldine gillespie.

Philip Goulder

Professor of Immunology

Jonathan Grimes

Philippe guerin, tomas hanke.

Maria Harkiolaki

Principal Beamline Scientist

Matthew Higgins

Professor of Molecular Parisitology

Adrian Hill

Lakshmi Mittal and Family Professorship of Vaccinology

Deirdre Hollingsworth

Peter horby.

Georgia Isom

Astrid Iversen

Professor of Virology and Immunology

Cellular and molecular neuroscience

Viral and autoimmune liver disease.

David Jackson

Professor of Human Immunology

Dominic Kelly

BRC Consultant in Paediatrics and Vaccinology.

Syma Khalid

Samson Kinyanjui

Colin Kleanthous

Iveagh Professor of Microbial Biochemistry

Paul Klenerman

Sidney Truelove Professor of Gastroenterology

Julian C Knight

Dominic Kwiatkowski

Teresa Lambe

Professor of Vaccinology & Immunology, Calleva Head of Vaccine Immunology

Trudie Lang

Clinton Lau

Wellcome CDA Research Fellow

KTRR Senior Research Fellow in Data Science

Epidemiology

Global health.

Martin Maiden

Evidence-based health care.

Kevin Marsh

Philippa Matthews

Honorary Consultant in Infectious Diseases & Microbiology

Richard Maude

Professor of Tropical Medicine

Rose McGready

Jacob McKnight

Senior researcher

Andrew McMichael

Helen McShane

Catherine (Sassy) Molyneux

Professor of Global Health

Paul Newton

Hoa Thi Ngo

Francois h nosten.

Piero Olliaro

Professor of Poverty Related Infectious Diseases

Rafael Perera

Director Medical Statistics and Director of Graduate Studies

Cardiovascular Sciences

Epidemiology & clinical trials, vascular disease, clinical trials methodology, medical statistics.

Frances Platt

Head of Department

Integrative physiology

Stem cells and cell therapy.

Sir Andrew Pollard

Ashall Professor of Infection & Immunity

Richard Price

Oliver pybus.

Professor of Evolution & Infectious Disease

Jan Rehwinkel

Professor of Innate Immunology

David Roberts

Professor of Haematology

Mark Roberts

Signal transduction.

Christine S. Rollier

Associate Professor in Vaccinology

Sarah L Rowland-Jones

Sumana Sanyal

Peter Sarkies

Dna replication and repair, epigenetics, chromosomal biology.

Jason Schnell

Musculoskeletal science, structural biology and proteomics.

Trevor Sharp

Professor of Neuropharmacology

Genes and developmental neuroscience

Psychology, mental health and psychiatry, systems, cognitive and behavioural neuroscience.

Peter Simmonds

Professor of Virology

Alison Simmons

Adrian Smith

Associate Professor, Director of Clinical Studies and Honorary Consultant in ...

Matthew Snape

Professor in Paediatrics and Vaccinology

Kasia Stepniewska

IDDO Head of Statistics

Mathew Stracy

Christoph Tang

Louise Thwaites

Guy Thwaites

Sarah Tonkin-Crine

Associate Professor & Health Psychologist

Alain Townsend

Emeritus Professor of Molecular Immunology

Professor of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Group Head / PI and Hon Consultant ...

Stephan Uphoff

Sir Henry Dale Research Fellow

Richard Wade-Martins

Professor of Molecular Neuroscience

Alzheimer's disease

Gene therapy, induced pluripotency, motor neuron disease.

Senior Clinical Research Fellow

Linda Wicker

Bridget Wills

Daniel Wilson

Matthew Wood

Professor of Neuroscience

Cellular and molecular biology in musculoskeletal systems

Clinical neuroscience, clinical trials and epidemiology, embryonic stem cells, myocardial biology & energetics, nanomedicine, stem cell biology and tissue engineering, parkinson's disease, circadian sciences and sleep, david wyllie.

Nicole Zitzmann

Professor of Virology & Director of Glycobiology Inst

• Interdisciplinary Bioscience DTP (BBSRC)
• Doctoral Training Fellowship Scheme for Clinicians
• Infection Immunology and Translational Medicine

Other Relevant Programmes

• Postgraduate Diploma in Paediatric Infectious Disease
• Vaccinology

Related links

• Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Vaccines
• Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Infection

Find out more about the people who make up our department. A list of senior academic post holders can also be found on the Contact Us page .

If you are a new member of our department and would like to have a profile page created, or you're a current member wishing to update an existing profile, please fill in this form . 

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DPhil in Chemistry

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• How to Apply

About the course

This is a research degree leading to the award of a DPhil in Chemistry. The course admits students across the full breadth of research in the department, which focuses on fundamental science aimed at making significant and sustained long-term impact.

The main aspect of the course is an original research project, which develops research skills, knowledge and expertise in an area of cutting-edge chemistry. You will work with one or more academic supervisors, on a project that falls within the department's research themes:

• Advanced Functional Materials and Interfaces
• Chemistry at the interface with Biology and Medicine
• Energy and Sustainable Chemistry
• Innovative Measurement and Photon Science
• Kinetics, Dynamics and Mechanism
• Theory and Modelling in the Chemical Sciences

Many students work on projects that cut across the traditional boundaries of chemistry, and some work in interdisciplinary fields that exploit the department's strong connections with other departments of the University.

A typical week would primarily be spent carrying out your research, along with attending research group meetings, preparing reports, and keeping up-to-date with the scientific literature. You will also have access to a range of training opportunities, including specialist training within the department on key research techniques. Alongside your research project, you will be expected to develop your transferable skills, and many courses and opportunities for this are provided by the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences division and the wider University.

The Department of Chemistry has a strong and vibrant research community, of which you will become part, and you will be encouraged to attend a range of events including seminar series, lectures from distinguished visiting researchers, and the annual Graduate Symposium.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Department of Chemistry 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 Chemistry.

You will join a research group supervised by one or more members of the Department of Chemistry, sometimes in collaboration with other departments.

If you require specific help to adjust to an academic programme or to develop a new range of skills, your supervisor will work with you to ensure that you have additional support.

All students have meetings with their research supervisors to discuss and review their progress. These typically occur weekly or fortnightly.

You will be admitted as a Probationary Research Student. At the end of the first year, you will undergo a Transfer of Status assessment, to ensure that you have the potential to gain a doctorate. This assessment is made by independent assessors on the basis of a report, a short presentation and an oral examination. Assuming that you satisfactorily transfer to DPhil status, your research proceeds with quarterly reporting throughout the rest of your course. By the end of the third year, you must pass the Confirmation of Status assessment, to ensure that you are on track to complete the thesis within a reasonable time.

You will be expected to submit a DPhil thesis within, at most, four years from the date of admission. Your thesis will be read by two examiners, one of whom is normally from Oxford and one from elsewhere, and you will be assessed via the thesis and an oral (viva voce) examination. The examiners will judge, along with other requirements, whether you have made a significant and substantial contribution to your particular field of learning.

Graduate destinations

This is a new course, formed by the amalgamation of four of our previous courses: DPhil in Chemical Biology, DPhil in Inorganic Chemistry, DPhil in Organic Chemistry, DPhil in Physical and Theoretical Chemistry.

Students who have graduated from our previous chemistry doctoral courses often remain in chemistry. Many continue in academic research as post docs and, later, run their own independent research programmes. Some go into the educational sector, and some go into industry (particularly the health-related industries such as pharmaceuticals). There is a wide variety of other destinations, including scientific writers, patent attorneys, government and the civil service; and a few go into financial services.

The department runs annual careers events for graduate students, and the Oxford University Careers Service offers a variety of specialist support. The department also hosts a large number of visits from prospective employers, where students can find out more information. There is an Alumni Officer, who keeps in touch with graduates, and the department runs a number of social and scientific events for them.

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. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency. In addition, 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 illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

Entry requirements for entry in 2024-25

Proven and potential academic excellence.

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

Please be aware that any studentships that are linked to this course may have different or additional requirements and you should read any studentship information carefully before applying. 

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in a subject relevant to the proposed research. Normally this will be a chemistry degree, but degrees in other physical sciences or in a biological science may be suitable.

Entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants have a first-class degree or the equivalent.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.5 out of 4.0.

If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.

GRE General Test scores

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience

• A previous master's degree (either an integrated maser's degree or stand-alone) is preferred, but is not required.
• Prior publications are not expected but may help to indicate your aptitude for research.
• Applicants with substantial professional experience are welcome.
• It would be expected that graduate applicants would be familiar with the recent published work of their proposed supervisor and have an understanding of the background to their proposed area of study.

English language proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's  standard level . If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. The minimum scores required to meet the University's standard level are detailed in the table below.

*Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) † Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of your course. Our Application Guide provides further information about the English language test requirement .

Declaring extenuating circumstances

If your ability to meet the entry requirements has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (eg you were awarded an unclassified/ungraded degree) or any other exceptional personal circumstance (eg other illness or bereavement), please refer to the guidance on extenuating circumstances in the Application Guide for information about how to declare this so that your application can be considered appropriately.

You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the types of reference that are required in support of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Supporting documents

You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the supporting documents that are required as part of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Performance at interview

Interviews are normally held as part of the admissions process.

The criteria for shortlisting are academic merit, references and motivation. 

Interviews are arranged directly by the prospective supervisors and usually they are conducted via MS Teams. Typically, the interview lasts 30 minutes and it may include discussion on your research interests and subject-related questions.

How your application is assessed

Your application will be assessed purely on your proven and potential academic excellence and other entry requirements described under that heading.

References  and  supporting documents  submitted as part of your application, and your performance at interview (if interviews are held) will be considered as part of the assessment process. Whether or not you have secured funding will not be taken into consideration when your application is assessed.

An overview of the shortlisting and selection process is provided below. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide  more information about how applications are assessed . 

Shortlisting and selection

Students are considered for shortlisting and selected for admission without regard to age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief (including lack of belief), sex, sexual orientation, as well as other relevant circumstances including parental or caring responsibilities or social background. However, please note the following:

• socio-economic information may be taken into account in the selection of applicants and award of scholarships for courses that are part of  the University’s pilot selection procedure  and for  scholarships aimed at under-represented groups ;
• country of ordinary residence may be taken into account in the awarding of certain scholarships; and
• protected characteristics may be taken into account during shortlisting for interview or the award of scholarships where the University has approved a positive action case under the Equality Act 2010.

Processing your data for shortlisting and selection

Information about  processing special category data for the purposes of positive action  and  using your data to assess your eligibility for funding , can be found in our Postgraduate Applicant Privacy Policy.

Admissions panels and assessors

All recommendations to admit a student involve the judgement of at least two members of the academic staff with relevant experience and expertise, and must also be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies or Admissions Committee (or equivalent within the department).

Admissions panels or committees will always include at least one member of academic staff who has undertaken appropriate training.

Other factors governing whether places can be offered

The following factors will also govern whether candidates can be offered places:

• the ability of the University to provide the appropriate supervision for your studies, as outlined under the 'Supervision' heading in the  About  section of this page;
• the ability of the University to provide appropriate support for your studies (eg through the provision of facilities, resources, teaching and/or research opportunities); and
• minimum and maximum limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted to the University's taught and research programmes.

Offer conditions for successful applications

If you receive an offer of a place at Oxford, your offer will outline any conditions that you need to satisfy and any actions you need to take, together with any associated deadlines. These may include academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course. These conditions will usually depend on your individual academic circumstances and may vary between applicants. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide more information about offers and conditions . 

In addition to any academic conditions which are set, you will also be required to meet the following requirements:

Financial Declaration

If you are offered a place, you will be required to complete a  Financial Declaration  in order to meet your financial condition of admission.

Disclosure of criminal convictions

In accordance with the University’s obligations towards students and staff, we will ask you to declare any  relevant, unspent criminal convictions  before you can take up a place at Oxford.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

Some postgraduate research students in science, engineering and technology subjects will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate prior to applying for a  Student visa (under the Student Route) . For some courses, the requirement to apply for an ATAS certificate may depend on your research area.

Students are supervised by some of the country’s most gifted research chemists, many of whom have world-class reputations. You will work in an environment which encourages and inspires you to acquire and develop a wide range of communication, study, and research skills.

Workspace will be related to individual circumstances. If undertaking experimental work, you will be provided with space in a laboratory with access to all the required equipment. If undertaking theoretical research, you will have shared office space.

The department has one of the largest and well-resourced research laboratories in the world. You will have access to the Department of Chemistry IT support staff, to the Radcliffe Science Library and other university libraries, and centrally provided electronic resources, technical workshops and glass workshops. Experimental facilities are available as appropriate to the research topic. The provision of other resources specific to your project should be agreed with your supervisor as a part of the planning stages of the agreed project.

Oxford is one of the leading chemistry research departments in the world, with around 80 academic staff carrying out international level research and an annual research income of around £15 million.

In the most recent national assessment of research (REF 2021) 66% of our research output was judged world-leading, and 32% was judged internationally excellent. The department has a number of research themes, including:

• chemistry at the interface with biology and medicine
• sustainable energy chemistry
• kinetics, dynamics and mechanism
• advanced functional materials and interfaces
• innovative measurement and photon science
• theory and modelling of complex systems.

The facilities at Oxford for research and teaching are among the best available in the UK, with a wide range of the latest instrumentation and a huge computational resource networked throughout the University and beyond to national computing centres. Among the facilities available are the latest in automated X-ray diffractometers, electron microscopes, scanning tunnelling microscopes, mass spectrometers, high-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers and specialised instruments for the study of solids.

For 2024 entry and beyond, the Department of Chemistry will offer the DPhil in Chemistry and MSc by Research in Chemistry courses, which amalgamate the previous research degrees offered in Chemical Biology, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Physical & Theoretical Chemistry.

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The University expects to be able to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across the collegiate University in 2024-25. You will be automatically considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships , if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential. 

For further details about searching for funding as a graduate student visit our dedicated Funding pages, which contain information about how to apply for Oxford scholarships requiring an additional application, details of external funding, loan schemes and other funding sources.

Please ensure that you visit individual college websites for details of any college-specific funding opportunities using the links provided on our college pages or below:

Please note that not all the colleges listed above may accept students on this course. For details of those which do, please refer to the College preference section of this page.

Annual fees for entry in 2024-25

Further details about fee status eligibility can be found on the fee status webpage.

Information about course fees

Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). For courses lasting longer than one year, please be aware that fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on changes to fees and charges .

Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. They also don’t cover any additional costs and charges that are outlined in the additional information below.

Continuation charges

Following the period of fee liability , you may also be required to pay a University continuation charge and a college continuation charge. The University and college continuation charges are shown on the Continuation charges page.

Where can I find further information about fees?

The Fees and Funding  section of this website provides further information about course fees , including information about fee status and eligibility  and your length of fee liability .

Additional information

There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees (or, after fee liability ends, continuation charges) and living costs. However, please note that, depending on your choice of research topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel expenses, research expenses, and field trips. You will need to meet these additional costs, although you may be able to apply for small grants from your department and/or college to help you cover some of these expenses.

Living costs

In addition to your course fees, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.

For the 2024-25 academic year, the range of likely living costs for full-time study is between c. £1,345 and £1,955 for each month spent in Oxford. Full information, including a breakdown of likely living costs in Oxford for items such as food, accommodation and study costs, is available on our living costs page. The current economic climate and high national rate of inflation make it very hard to estimate potential changes to the cost of living over the next few years. When planning your finances for any future years of study in Oxford beyond 2024-25, it is suggested that you allow for potential increases in living expenses of around 5% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation. UK inflationary increases will be kept under review and this page updated.

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. Please note that ‘college’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 43 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as societies and permanent private halls (PPHs). 

If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. Before deciding, we suggest that you read our brief  introduction to the college system at Oxford  and our  advice about expressing a college preference . For some courses, the department may have provided some additional advice below to help you decide.

The following colleges accept students on the DPhil in Chemisty:

• Balliol College
• Brasenose College
• Campion Hall
• Christ Church
• Corpus Christi College
• Exeter College
• Hertford College
• Jesus College
• Keble College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• Lincoln College
• Magdalen College
• Merton College
• New College
• Oriel College
• Pembroke College
• The Queen's College
• Reuben College
• St Anne's College
• St Catherine's College
• St Cross College
• St Edmund Hall
• St Hilda's College
• St Hugh's College
• St John's College
• St Peter's College
• Somerville College
• Trinity College
• University College
• Wadham College
• Wolfson College
• Worcester College
• Wycliffe Hall

Before you apply

Our  guide to getting started  provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

If it's important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline – eg under a December or January deadline in order to be considered for Oxford scholarships – we recommend that you aim to complete and submit your application at least two weeks in advance . Check the deadlines on this page and the  information about deadlines  in our Application Guide.

Application fee waivers

An application fee of £75 is payable per course application. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:

• applicants from low-income countries;
• refugees and displaced persons; 
• UK applicants from low-income backgrounds; and 
• applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria.

You are encouraged to  check whether you're eligible for an application fee waiver  before you apply.

Readmission for current Oxford graduate taught students

If you're currently studying for an Oxford graduate taught course and apply to this course with no break in your studies, you may be eligible to apply to this course as a readmission applicant. The application fee will be waived for an eligible application of this type. Check whether you're eligible to apply for readmission .

Application fee waivers for eligible associated courses

If you apply to this course and up to two eligible associated courses from our predefined list during the same cycle, you can request an application fee waiver so that you only need to pay one application fee.

The list of eligible associated courses may be updated as new courses are opened. Please check the list regularly, especially if you are applying to a course that has recently opened to accept applications.

Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?

You should make contact with the academic (s) in your area of research to discuss potential research topics and likely availability of funding. You can approach academic staff directly via the contact details provided.

General enquiries should be made to the Graduate Studies Team.

Completing your application

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents .

For this course, the application form will include questions that collect information that would usually be included in a CV/résumé. You should not upload a separate document. If a separate CV/résumé is uploaded, it will be removed from your application .

If any document does not meet the specification, including the stipulated word count, your application may be considered incomplete and not assessed by the academic department. Expand each section to show further details.

Proposed field and title of research project

Under the 'Field and title of research project' please enter your proposed field or area of research if this is known. If the department has advertised a specific research project that you would like to be considered for, please enter the project title here instead.

You should not use this field to type out a full research proposal. You will be able to upload your research supporting materials separately if they are required (as described below).

Proposed supervisor

Under 'Proposed supervisor name' enter the name of the academic(s) who you would like to supervise your research. 

The department recommends that you name three to four proposed supervisors and list them in order of preference. Your proposed supervisors can be from different sections of the chemistry department. Assessment of your application may be delayed if no proposed supervisors are listed.

Referees: Three overall, of which at least two must be academic

Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete. Please note that you may still be required to ensure your third referee supplies a reference for consideration.

Academic references are preferred, although a maximum of one professional reference is acceptable where you have completed an industrial placement or worked in a full-time position.

Your references will be assessed for:

• your intellectual ability
• your academic achievement
• your motivation and interest in the course and subject area
• your ability to work effectively both in a group and independently
• your research potential in the chosen area

Official transcript(s)

Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.

More information about the transcript requirement is available in the Application Guide.

Statement of purpose: A maximum of 1,000 words

Rather than a research proposal, you should provide  a statement of purpose. 

Your statement should be written in English and explain your motivation for applying for the course at Oxford, your relevant experience and education, and the specific areas that interest you and/or you intend to specialise in.

If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.

Your statement will be assessed for:

• your reasons for applying
• your ability to present a coherent case in proficient English
• your commitment to the subject
• your preliminary knowledge of the subject area and research techniques
• your capacity for sustained and intense work
• reasoning ability
• your ability to absorb new ideas, often presented abstractly, at a rapid pace

Start or continue your application

You can start or return to an application using the relevant link below. As you complete the form, please  refer to the requirements above  and  consult our Application Guide for advice . You'll find the answers to most common queries in our FAQs.

Application Guide   Apply

ADMISSION STATUS

Open - applications are still being accepted

Up to a week's notice of closure will be provided on this page - no other notification will be given

12:00 midday UK time on:

Friday 10 November 2023 Applications more likely to receive earlier decisions

Friday 19 January 2024 Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships

Friday 1 March 2024 Applications may remain open after this deadline if places are still available - see below

A later deadline shown under 'Admission status' If places are still available,  applications may be accepted after 1 March . The 'Admissions status' (above) will provide notice of any later deadline.

† Contact the department using the details below if you wish to discuss an alternative start date

Further information and enquiries

This course is offered by the Department of Chemistry

• Course page on the department's website
• Funding information from the department
• Academic and research staff
• Departmental research
• Residence requirements for full-time courses
• Postgraduate applicant privacy policy

Course-related enquiries

Advice about contacting the department can be found in the How to apply section of this page

✉ [email protected] ☎ +44 (0)1865 272569

Application-process enquiries

See the application guide