Research course

Cancer Studies

Institution
Keele University · School of Life Sciences
Qualifications
PhDMPhil

Entry requirements

Entry to our research programmes usually requires a Honours degree with a first or 2.1 classification, or the equivalent if you have been educated outside the UK.

Please visit the Keele website for more information on Postgraduate Research Entry Requirements.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Please note, all course information including entry requirements relates to the 2022/23 academic year.

The recent completion of the human genome project has afforded new and exciting avenues for research that define the genetic basis for human disease.

The research seeks to define the molecular basis of cancer and identification of genetic determinants that predispose individuals to particular disease outcomes. Frequently the research groups combine the strengths of collaborations between clinicians and basic scientists, including a focus on primary tissue or patient derived samples. The studies undertaken include both genetics and epigenetics aspects of cancer and a range of cancers (breast, pituitary, ovarian).

In addition, funding from the World Cancer Research Cancer Fund has enabled a study of fetal epigenetics as determined from cord-blood samples at term. Increasingly these types of studies adopt a “whole-genome” approach looking at more than 40,000 genes in single experiments. The equipment housed within our genomics lab and through collaborations allows us to perform these types of studies. In addition these studies are reliant on in-house expertise in medical statistics and bioinformatics.

Fees and funding

For information related to fees and funding, please visit the individual course page on the Keele University website.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

  • PhD
    part time
    72 months
    • Online learningis available for this qualification
    full time
    36 months
    • Online learningis available for this qualification
  • MPhil
    full time
    12 months
    • Online learningis available for this qualification
    part time
    24 months
    • Online learningis available for this qualification

The PhD/MPhil are purely by research culminating into a PhD/MPhil thesis defended at a viva, and there are no taught elements. For most students, the PhD/MPhil start date is end of September. Overseas students can start at different times during the year based on obtaining visa, confirmation of funding, etc. For more information, get in touch with the listed course contact or contact the Keele Doctoral Academy.

Course contact details

Name
Postgrad Research Administrator
Email
a.billington@keele.ac.uk