Cancer (Intercalated) PhD

PhD research is carried out in groups, centres and institutes associated with the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine in Edinburgh or the College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences in Glasgow. We emphasise cross-city interactions, which may include:

• collaborative projects
• joint symposia
• other activities bringing together PhD students, clinical research fellows and other researchers or clinicians As well as benefiting from the vibrant cancer research community across Edinburgh and Glasgow, we will encourage PhD students to network with students in other UK centres.

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

The programme is tailored specifically for intercalating medical students and is only available to students who are currently undertaking an intercalated medical degree, a MBChB, MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery). Only students registered at the following universities are eligible to apply:

• The University of Edinburgh
• The University of Glasgow
• University of Aberdeen
• University of St. Andrews
• University of Dundee
• University of Belfast
• University of Newcastle

Students studying in Scotland can enter the programme at the end of year 4 following their first clinical year.

Due to limited places, entry to this programme is highly competitive. Meeting the minimum requirements for consideration does not guarantee an offer of study.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the programme you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Trinity ISE, or Oxford ELLT test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the programme begins, regardless of your nationality. (Revised 14 January 2025 to include Oxford ELLT.)

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

This scheme is designed to offer PhD training integrated into a clinical medical degree and maximise retention of participants in medical research. We see Programme alumni as the future academic clinical leaders in cancer research. Selected applicants will be trained in cutting-edge practical, scientific and analytic skills with a focus on scientific excellence. They will also gain in-depth understanding of the rigour, discipline and precision required for translational research. We expect the high-profile medical and scientific journals to publish the outcomes of students’ research. Many projects will focus on cancer pathogenesis or treatment, while others may focus on developing high-level skills applicable to important questions in cancer research.