Ocular Oncology PhD / MPhil / MD
The University has invested over £20 million in cancer research which has been used for the creation of several new posts in the Department, and in the establishment of the University of Liverpool Cancer Research Centre (ULCRC) building.
Why study with us?
The ocular oncology course offers first-class knowledge and techniques into the genetics, histopathology and tissue culture of ocular cancers. The findings are then translated into patient care for prognostication and treatment by the excellent multidisciplinary team.
Luna Djirackor - Ocular Oncology PhD student
309
academic members of staff.
359
registered postgraduate research students.
Overview
Professor Sarah Coupland is a Lead of the Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Group (LOORG), Professor Sarah Coupland is a Consultant Histopathologist and the George Holt Chair of Pathology, University of Liverpool. She is also the Director of the North West Cancer Research Centre-University of Liverpool. The group focuses clinical on molecular genetics of cancers with particular interests in uveal melanoma; conjunctival melanoma; intraocular and ocular adnexal lymphomas.
Research themes
ITEM: CR-UK funded multicentre single arm phase II study of imatinib in good performance status patients with c-kit positive metastatic uveal melanoma. Associated biosamples collected for translational purposes include; blood samples, formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue blocks of the metastatic lesions and matched primary tumours (where available).
SUAVE: CR-UK funded multicentre randomised phase II study of sunitinib in good performance status patients with metastatic uveal melanoma. Associated biosamples collected for translational purposes include; blood samples, formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue blocks of the metastatic lesions and matched primary tumours (where available).
Our research themes include:
- Uveal melanoma
- Conjunctival melanoma
- Intraocular and ocular adnexal lymphomas
- CNS lymphoma.
Our reserach interests include:
- The role of tumour stem cells in uveal melanoma development and progression
- Identification of regulators of metastasis
- Molecular characteristics of metastatic liver lesions in uveal melanoma: the search for therapeutic targets
- Comparative digital transcriptional profiling of canine and human uveal melanomas
- Proteomic discovery of serum biomarkers in metastatic UM
- The role of a novel inhibitory isoform of VEGF in ocular melanoma
- Conjunctival melanoma: a multicentre study correlating baseline features with histology and genetics
- Gross chromosomal abnormalities in iris melanoma
- Estimating survival prognosis after treatment of choroidal melanoma Medical education.
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 Institutes 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 Institute has 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.
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
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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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