Gastroenterology PhD / MPhil / MD
Research in gastroenterology provides excellent opportunities for laboratory and clinical research focusing on the physiology of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and pathogenesis of GI diseases in both humans and animals.
Why study with us?
As a PhD student in the Gastroenterology department I have access to excellent expertise and facilities as well as a friendly and supportive environment to work in.
Rachael Hough - Gastroenterology PhD student
309
academic members of staff.
359
registered postgraduate research students.
Overview
The Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology builds on a long and prestigious history and remains a leading international centre for research into the fundamental principles of human physiology.
Laboratory research is based mainly on the University campus in the Henry Wellcome Laboratory of Molecular & Cellular Gastroenterology. We also conduct clinical research and trials at the Royal Liverpool & Broadgreen University Hospital.
Our focus is on “translational” research: taking advances in basic medical research out of the laboratory and into the hospital clinic ‘from the bench to bedside’. This involves a whole range of experimental techniques, from mechanistic studies involving cell-lines through to patient studies and clinical trials.
Our research interests
Investigations in humans and animals which define the biology of GI disease and provide the scientific foundation for the development of new or improved therapies.
Research themes
Our research areas specifically focus on:
- Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancers - molecular pathogenesis; regulation of apoptosis in the GI tract; the gastrin family of peptides; epithelial glycobiology; development of biomarkers
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) – role of immune cells; bacterial factors; the development and assessment of novel therapies
- Gastric physiology and response to NSAIDs
- Gut microbiota, enteric infection and bacteraemia
- Volatile Organic Compounds in GI disease
- Development and imaging of 3-D ‘mini-gut’ models.
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 research infrastructure of the Institute of Translational Medicine is designed to give researchers access to world class facilities in the best possible environment.
Our centres, facilities and resources 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. They provide powerful, productive collaborations between experts within the University and organisations worldwide.
- 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.
Research groups
Gastroenterology Research Unit
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
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