Entry requirements

Candidates must usually achieve a minimum upper-second class (2:1) UK honours degree (or overseas equivalent) in a relevant subject.

Months of entry

January, October, April

Course content

As a PhD student in the Department of Biological Sciences, you will become part of a rich research environment at Birkbeck and University College London.

The department is part of a multidisciplinary centre for world-class research, the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology (ISMB), which seeks to integrate techniques from the chemical and physical sciences to provide insight into the molecular basis of biological processes.

Our academic staff have many years' experience in teaching both part-time and full-time research students and offer internationally recognised expertise in the following key areas of research:

Structural biology
Microbiology
Computational biology
Chemical biology
Cell biology
Biophysics
Biology (organismal).

Department specialisms

Our academic staff have many years' experience in teaching both part-time and full-time research students and offer internationally recognised expertise in the following key areas of research: Structural biology Microbiology Computational biology Chemical biology Cell biology Biophysics Biology (organismal).

Information for international students

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.

Fees and funding

UK students

Part-time home/EU students: £ 2187 pa Full-time home/EU students: £ 4121 pa

International students

Part-time overseas students: £ 6050 pa Full-time overseas students: £ 11995 pa

As part of the Institute for Structural and Molecular Biology (ISMB) the Department of Biological Sciences attracts funding for PhD studentships that ensure researchers of the highest standard can pursue their research with us. Each year we invite applications for fully funded PhD studentships provided by the BBSRC, MRC, Wellcome Trust and others. Information about funded PhD opportunities within the department is available on the Department of Biological Sciences website.

Please note that applicants for studentships must be able to satisfy specific eligibility requirements in relation to qualifications and residency.

Find out more about other research funding opportunities at Birkbeck.

We are pleased to consider Brazilian PhD students on the Science without Borders programme.