Cancer Medicine PhD / MPhil / MD
A broad range of research interests provides for world-class research in cancer medicine, supported by world-class clinical research into several major types of cancer.
Why study with us?
The collaborative atmosphere within the Institute which has enabled me to benefit not only from the knowledge and guidance of my supervisors, but also from the wider research community.
Dr Laura Cossar - Cancer Medicine PhD student
309
academic members of staff.
359
registered postgraduate research students.
Overview
Cancer medicine research is aimed at developing discoveries that can ultimately be translated into patient benefits.
Fundamental research into the mechanisms leading to cancer development and progression with the aim of understanding the processes that lead to cancer development and which constitute potential therapeutic targets. This is achieved by translational research taking advantage of new and on-going clinical trials in cancer that combines existing therapies with novel approaches and uses predictive and prognostic biomarkers.
Scientific research is performed in an environment that has a wealth of clinical expertise and research which ensures that basic scientific research is always performed with insights of relevance to patients provided by leading clinical teams and an awareness of detailed clinical issues.
Our research interests include:
- Fundamental research into the mechanisms leading to cancer development and progression with the aim of understanding the processes that lead to cancer development and which constitute potential therapeutic targets
- Clinical studies conducted with the intent to advance therapies to the clinic or develop principles for application of therapeutics to human disease (part of the remit of the Cancer Research UK Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre)
- Investigations in humans and human materials which define the biology of disease and provide the scientific foundation for the development of new or improved therapies for human disease
- Translational research taking advantage of new and on-going clinical trials in cancer often of novel and modifications of existing therapies and also to develop novel predictive and prognostic biomarkers.
Research themes
- Fundamental studies of cancer cells and the molecular biology of cancer
- Translational research and tumour specific research in many areas including:
- Pancreatic cancer
- Haemato-Oncology
- Head and Neck cancer
- Liver Cancer
- Lung cancer
- Ocular cancers
- Colorectal cancer
- Gastro-oesophageal cancer
- Urological cancer (including Renal Cancer)
- Breast cancer
Training
PhD students can take taught modules - on either a formal basis with exams taken and a record of completion generated or less formally. Commonly, students use the opportunity to upskill in areas like bioinformatics and statistics, but modules on defined areas of biology are also available. A wide variety of further development opportunities are available from the PGR Development Hub.
Facilities
The Institute of Translational Medicine research infrastructure is designed to give researchers access to world class facilities in the best possible environment.
Our facilities give us the ability to drive biomedical research from patient samples to the laboratory bench and vice versa from newly generated drug compounds into clinical trials. The departments of the Institute have the following facilities and resources:
- Biomedical Imaging
- Centre for Antimicrobial Pharmacodynamics
- Centre for Drug Safety Science
- Health Data Science Network
- Centre for Preclinical Imaging
- Clinical Trials Research Centre
- Harris-Wellbeing Preterm Birth Research Centre
- Liverpool Bio-Innovation Hub (LBIH) Biobank
- Liverpool Cancer Trials Unit
- MRC North West Hub for Trials Methodology Research
- North West Cancer Research Centre – University of Liverpool
- Pancreas Biomedical Research Unit
- UK Experimental Arthritis Treatment Centre for Children
- Wolfson Centre for Personalised Medicine.
Postgraduate researchers also benefit from flexible access to world-class equipment and expertise through the Shared Research Facilities provided by The Technology Directorate.
Study options and fees
The fees below reflect one year of study during the 2024/25 academic year
| MPhil / PhD / MD | Duration | UK students | International Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full time | 2-4 years | £4,786 |
|
| Part time | 4-6 years | £2,393 |
|
The fees stated in the table above exclude potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’. You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter.
* Please note that if you are undertaking a PhD within the Faculty of Science and Engineering the fee you pay, Band A or Band B, will reflect the nature of your research project. Some research projects incur a higher fee than others e.g. if you are required to undertake laboratory work. You will be informed of the fee for your programme in your offer letter.
^ Self-funded, full-time international students studying a PhD programme classified as Band A will receive a £2,000 reduction in their fees for the first year only.
Entry requirements
Applicants for postgraduate research study at Liverpool are normally expected to hold a UK first degree with a First Class or Upper Second Class degree classification, or a Second Class degree plus a Master’s degree. Equivalent international qualifications are also accepted, and their equivalence will be evaluated on the basis of the information provided by the National Academic Recognition and Information Centre (NARIC) as well as internal guidance based on our experience of a qualification’s suitability as a preparation for our programmes.
English language requirements
| IELTS Academic requirement - SELT and non-SELT | Overall 6.5 no band below 5.5 |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT requirement | Minimum 88 overall with L 17 W 17 R 17 and S 19 |
| C1 Advanced CAE requirement | Overall 176 with no less than 162 in any paper |
| Trinity College London, Integrated Skills in English (ISE II) | ISE II with an overall pass with merit in components |
| Cambridge IGCSE as a First Language | Grade C |
| Cambridge IGCSE as a Second Language | Grade B |
| Cambridge English Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International (Proficiency) | Overall 176 with 162 in components |
| Cambridge English Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International (Advanced) | Overall 176 with 162 in components |
| Cambridge English Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International (Advanced) | Overall 176 with 162 in components |
How to apply
Research degree applications can be made online. You'll also need to ensure that you have funding to cover all fees.
Applications are open all year round.
More about applying for research degrees
Before you apply, we recommend that you identify a supervisor and develop a research proposal
Find a supervisor
View supervisors in this area
Need help finding a supervisor? Contact us
- ISMIB PGR Administrator
- Email: ismibpgradmin@liverpool.ac.uk
- Phone: +44 (0)151 794 5455
Related studentships: self-funded and funded PhD projects
Find a scholarship
We offer a range of scholarships to help you meet the costs of studying a research degree.