Infectious diseases remain major problems worldwide for people and animals. Climate change and globalisation led to the emergence of new diseases. In the Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Sciences (IVES) we have a global reputation in infectious disease research and study a wide range of pathogens that infect people and animals including zoonotic and one health high consequence threats. Our work occurs in UK, Europe, Africa and Asia.

Why study with us?

Overview

The University of Liverpool’s Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Sciences (IVES) was established to bring together leading medical, veterinary and basic science researchers from across the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.

Infectious disease related research in humans includes basic, clinical and epidemiological studies of a range of neurological, gastrointestinal, respiratory, vector-borne and sexually-transmitted infections, including zoonotic diseases. Investigations on the spread of zoonotic pathogens; the escalation and spread of antimicrobial and anti-viral resistance; diagnostic and vaccine development; the understanding of human behaviour as a driver of disease transmission; and the influence of the environment and climate on the transmission of disease all comprise research in the field of Infections Disease.

IVES is the home of the University of Liverpool’s Microbiome Innovation Centre which promotes and facilitates academic and industrial innovations in microbiome research, as well as the impact of microbiomes on human and animal health and disease. IVES also played a fundamental role in understanding the biology of SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic and respiratory challenges including TB.

The NIHR (National Institute for Health Research) Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Gastrointestinal Infections is one of 14 HPRUs across England, part of a £58.7 million investment by the NIHR to protect the health of the nation. The NIHR HPRU in Gastrointestinal Infections at the University of Liverpool is a partnership with the UK Heath Security Agency (UKHSA) and the University of Warwick. The institute also host the the NIHR funded Global Health Research Group on Gastrointestinal Infections, in partnership with Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (Malawi), Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kenya) and Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia). This partnership also works with leading researchers at Yale University and Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme (Malawi)

Research themes

Vector borne diseases
Parasitic diseases
Viral diseases
Bacterial diseases
Human/anthropogenic drivers of infectious diseases
Environmental/ climate drivers of infectious diseases
Emerging threats in infectious diseases
Emerging zoonotic diseases
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
Gastrointestinal diseases
Respiratory diseases

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	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences £29,750 (Band A)^ Faculty of Science and Engineering* £29,750 (Band A)^ or £23,400 (Band B) Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences £23,400 (Band B)
Part time	4-6 years	£2,393	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences £14,900 (Band A)^ Faculty of Science and Engineering* £14,900 (Band A)^ or £11,700 (Band B) Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences £11,700 (Band B)

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

Students will normally have a minimum of a 2:1 class honours degree in a relevant biological science subject, or an equivalent medical, veterinary or dental qualification. Applicants are selected on the basis of their curriculum vitae, qualifications and referees’ reports, together with their perceived ability to complete the programme successfully and on the value of the training offered to their subsequent career plans.

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
PTE Academic requirement	61 with minimum scores of 59 in each component
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