Eye and Vision Sciences PhD / MPhil / MD
Eye and vision science research in Liverpool extends from basic molecular interactions through to health service implementation with the goal of translating our findings for the benefit of patients. Our team of non-clinical and clinical scientists come from a range of backgrounds and work closely together studying the mechanisms, prevention, early detection and treatment of eye diseases.
Why study with us?
100
research staff creating new insights into patients, lifestyles, health issues, bioscience, epidemiology and care.
£11
annual budget with total research income at over £8m, with partners including Wellcome Trust, UK Research Councils and NIH (USA)
50%
of our funded research awards involve collaborations between scientists and clinicians.
Overview
The Department of Eye and Vision Science and their clinical counterparts in St Paul’s Eye Unit in the Royal Liverpool University Hospital work side by side and this has allowed the Department to develop into one of the key centres in the UK for medical research into vision-threatening diseases and build its internationally recognised reputation in eye research.
The Institute of Ageing & Chronic Disease provides a powerful focus for understanding the many variables - from bioscience to social - that influence ageing and chronic disease in people throughout their lives. Our research activity ranges from molecule to population, laboratory to bedside, and we have over 100 research active staff creating new insights into patients, lifestyles, health issues, bioscience, epidemiology and care.
These insights into eye and vision science are translating into real world benefits, whether it's the new approaches we are developing to allow efficient drug delivery into the eye or the retina scan we created to detect cerebral malaria in African children. Delivering this kind of return on investments helped us attract solid funding, with partners including Wellcome Trust, UK Research Councils, NIH (USA), Unilever and GSK.
With our extensive in-house research facilities and strong UK and global academic partners, we're well-placed to continue our mission and realise our ambitious plans in the ageing and chronic disease field.
Facilities
The cutting-edge facilities in the University of Liverpool’s new William Henry Duncan Building provide a state-of-the-art hub in which our clinical and non-clinical scientists carry out their research. Our translational research is facilitated and enhanced by our close links with St Paul’s Eye Unit and the Clinical Eye Research Centre both the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
Research groups
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
A good (2:1 or above) Honours first degree in an appropriate science subject is required as a minimum, which, preferably, will be relevant to the area of interest.
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
- ILCaMS PGR Administrator
- Email: ilcamspgradmin@liverpool.ac.uk
- Phone: +44 (0)151 794 4225
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