PhD Biomedical Sciences

About the project

• Research

PhD Biomedical Sciences

• Overview
• Degree details
• Our students
• Research
• Entry and fees
• Careers
• Facilities
• Supervisors
• Recently viewed
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Overview

By studying for a PhD in Biomedical Sciences at the University of West London, you will gain meaningful insight and in-depth expertise within your chosen topic. As a research student with our School of Medicine and Biosciences, you will be part of an interdisciplinary community of leading researchers in diverse areas across the biomedical sciences.

We invite applications for doctoral research in various topic areas, including but not limited to:

See details of specific PhD opportunities listed below .

This PhD in Biomedical Sciences is available for you to study:

As part of your application, please state whether you are applying for an online PhD.

See a list of potential PhD supervisors and read about their expertise in the " supervisors " section lower down the page.

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

• genomics
• bioinformatics
• ageing and memory
• pharmacology
• translational medicine.
• full-time or part-time
• on-campus or online
• starting in September or February.

About your degree

With academic staff with extensive professional experience, we provide a stimulating and supportive environment where you will benefit from:

Our online PhD in Biomedical Sciences allows you to undertake a postgraduate research degree from a location that fits with your lifestyle and commitments. As part of your application, please state that you are applying for an online PhD. As an online PhD student, you will not be required to visit the campus: all supervision, training, reviews and the viva voce examination are provided online.

An online PhD may not be suitable for all projects, and consideration will be given to the suitability of the research project and whether it can be completed successfully without regular access to campus facilities.

This course is available for you to study full-time or part-time, online or campus-based.

All PhD students will have access to the University’s student support services , the Library’s e-resources collection and IT support services . You are also welcome to attend the annual doctoral students’ conference on campus.

A PhD is founded on independent research. You will undertake a systematic and in-depth exploration of your chosen topic to produce a substantial body of knowledge and make an original and important contribution to the subject area.

The support provided by your supervisory team will be vital to your student experience and scholarly advancement. You and your supervisors will have regular one-to-one meetings which will provide you with opportunities to develop your research topic and discuss your progress.

Based in the heart of Ealing, west London, you can make use of the excellent transport links to travel to the capital or further afield – ideal for attending research meetings and networking events.

If you would like guidance or more information about studying for a PhD in Biomedical Sciences, please contact Professor Hermine Mkrtchyan .

• peer feedback and discussion
• a series of masterclasses and lectures from industry figures
• support by a supervisor and a second supervisor suited to your project.
• PhD opportunities
• Support
• Networking

Research areas

• Applying DNA sequencing for food safety Supervisor: Professor Hermine Mkrtchyan Contact: [email protected] The microbiological safety testing of food is largely reliant on methods and standards developed decades ago. Recent microbiome research demonstrated a paradigm shift from traditional microbiology to genomics-based approaches. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the value of DNA sequencing in the monitoring of pathogens. We seek to explore the potential for innovative sampling techniques and DNA sequencing-based methodology to improve food microbiology testing.

Applying DNA sequencing for food safety

• Supervisor: Professor Hermine Mkrtchyan
• Contact: [email protected]
• Bacteria at the edge of death – curiosity or exploitable backdoors for novel antimicrobial therapies? Supervisor: Dr Volker Behrends Contact: [email protected] Antibiotics are the frontline to treat bacterial infections, but the rise of antimicrobial resistance highlights the need for new therapeutic strategies. This project aims to explore an unconventional approach - studying the physiological changes and desperate survival mechanisms employed by pathogenic bacteria like the ESKAPE pathogen group when exposed to extreme stresses near the point of death. Recent findings from our lab showed that a previously underexplored virulence factor in Pseudomonas aeruginosa has a role as a final gambit to combat oxidative stress and under high antibiotic doses. Understanding these last-ditch defences and costs associated with them could reveal vulnerabilities to target with adjunctive therapies that shut off survival pathways, overcoming antibiotic resistance. This interdisciplinary project aims to employ advanced techniques including controlled cultures, microcalorimetry and metabolomics analysis. The goal is to comprehensively map the cellular responses, metabolic reprogramming, and survival mechanisms of major pathogens pushed to the brink of death. For the PhD candidate, there is scope to gain hands-on experience in microbial culture, several types of analytical chemistry, several -omics sciences and the associated data analysis.

Bacteria at the edge of death – curiosity or exploitable backdoors for novel antimicrobial therapies?

• Supervisor: Dr Volker Behrends
• Contact: [email protected]
• Colostrum therapy for epithelial damage: mechanisms and pathways Supervisors: Professor Ray Playford , Professor Paul Kelly Contact: [email protected] Location: UWL and QMUL, with time potentially spent in Zambia Funding for: UK and Zambian students Project summary The successful candidate will spend 3 years using cell culture-based tools to explain the findings of a recent clinical trial which showed that bovine colostrum can alter mucosal cell dynamics and reduce epithelial damage in African children with severe acute malnutrition. For background reading of our research outputs on this topic see Nat Commun. 2024 Apr 17;15(1):2910. & Nutrients. 2021;13(1):265. Aims and objectives To determine the effect of colostrum on cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and barrier function in Caco2 cells, using flow cytometry, immunostaining, western blotting, alongside electrical resistance and tracer permeation across cell monolayers. To determine the effect of colostrum on cell dynamics and barrier function in cells exposed to bacterial pathogens, including pathobionts identified in microbiome studies. Tools for measuring these effects will be chosen from measures identified in Aim 1. To generate organoids from intestinal biopsies and repeat all of the above using non-transformed cells in free suspension, gel matrix and reconstituted monolayers.

Colostrum therapy for epithelial damage: mechanisms and pathways

• Supervisors: Professor Ray Playford , Professor Paul Kelly
• Contact: [email protected]
• Location: UWL and QMUL, with time potentially spent in Zambia
• Funding for: UK and Zambian students
• To determine the effect of colostrum on cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and barrier function in Caco2 cells, using flow cytometry, immunostaining, western blotting, alongside electrical resistance and tracer permeation across cell monolayers.
• To determine the effect of colostrum on cell dynamics and barrier function in cells exposed to bacterial pathogens, including pathobionts identified in microbiome studies. Tools for measuring these effects will be chosen from measures identified in Aim 1.
• To generate organoids from intestinal biopsies and repeat all of the above using non-transformed cells in free suspension, gel matrix and reconstituted monolayers.
• Developing approaches to avoid antibiotic overuse in COPD Supervisor: Professor Hermine Mkrtchyan Contact: [email protected] To reduce burden and improve clinical symptoms, almost all patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and exacerbations are often prescribed long-term antibiotic regimes. Choosing this approach, however means that many patients may well receive unnecessary antibiotics, promoting selective pressure and antibiotic resistance, which is a public health concern globally. The problem worsens because many of the bacteria responsible for the infection are resistant to multiple antibiotics. We develop non-invasive tests and approaches using novel sequencing technologies able to achieve rapid pathogen and AMR detection and reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.

Developing approaches to avoid antibiotic overuse in COPD

• Supervisor: Professor Hermine Mkrtchyan
• Contact: [email protected]
• Health equity in women from a Black heritage Supervisor: Professor Bernadine Idowu Contact: [email protected] Health equity, as defined by the WHO, is the state where every individual can attain their optimal health and wellbeing. With the UK's population becoming increasingly diverse, it is imperative for the NHS to cater to the healthcare needs of all demographics, including providing specialised care tailored to specific groups, such as women from Black heritage, namely African or Caribbean. Findings from desperately needed research in health and wellbeing in these groups has the potential to drive changes in medical education, professional development and collaboration between the NHS for improved healthcare outcomes.

Health equity in women from a Black heritage

• Supervisor: Professor Bernadine Idowu
• Contact: [email protected]
• Increasing the visibility, representation and sense of belonging of Black biomedical scientists in higher education Supervisor: Professor Bernadine Idowu Contact: [email protected] There is a high percentage of Black students in higher education (HE), but when narrowed down to the numbers of Black students studying STEM subjects, it is noticeably low. Similarly, the lack of Black academics teaching and researching in STEM is obvious, which then reflects on the lack of Black principal investigators leading on research for diseases effecting ethnic minorities. There must be a channel to ensure Black students know the importance of why they should consider studying STEM, specifically Biomedical Science in HE. Students should be taught why they are needed in research and the impact their presence will make. They in turn will act as ambassadors/role models for students in primary and secondary schools, showcasing the contributions they can make in the STEM field. Visibility matters in ensuring STEM becomes a diverse and inclusive environment. This PhD proposal seeks to investigate a case study in higher education, where Biomedical Science is a subject that Black students are studying in higher numbers. Visible is a diverse staff body teaching and conducting research, from postgraduates to professors, on issues affecting ethnic minorities, at a university that is committed to providing and supporting an inclusive environment that supports equality, diversity and inclusion in all areas. This case study will be an example of transformative practice that hopefully can be used as best practice in higher education.

Increasing the visibility, representation and sense of belonging of Black biomedical scientists in higher education

• Supervisor: Professor Bernadine Idowu
• Contact: [email protected]
• New medicines targeting cancer resistance and recurrence Principal supervisor: Professor Kamyar Afarinkia Contact: [email protected] For a number of years, our laboratory has investigated the role of chemotactic axes in tumour growth and metastasis. More recently, our focus has broadened to investigate the role of these axes in radio and chemoresistance. We have hypothesised that chemotactic agents are released within necrotic core of tumours and spread outwards from these domains through tumour tissue. Concurrently, tumour cells gain the expression of chemotactic receptors as a result of hypoxia. Binding of chemotactic agents to chemotactic receptors on tumour cells, causes the cells to increase proliferation, migrate outwards and become less susceptible to radio- and chemotherapy. Inhibition of the binding of chemotactic agents to chemotactic receptors will therefore prevent tumour growth, metastasis and resistance. We have a number of projects focused on lung, brain, breast, prostate and blood-borne cancers in which we investigate the role of chemokines CCL19 and CCL21 acting on receptor CCR7; CXCL12 acting on receptor CXCR4; and annexin A1 (ANXA1) acting on receptor FPR-1. In addition to biological investigation of the role of chemotactic axes in disease, our projects involve development of new cancer therapies using small molecule antagonists for CXCR4 (ICT2522), CCR7 (ICT13069) and FPR-1 (ICT12035).

New medicines targeting cancer resistance and recurrence

• Principal supervisor: Professor Kamyar Afarinkia
• Contact: [email protected]
• Novel cancer therapeutics targeting tumour metabolism Principal supervisor: Professor Kamyar Afarinkia Contact: [email protected] Tumour cells undergo metabolic reprogramming to support their rapid and uncontrolled proliferation and gain a competitive advantage over normal cells. This involves shifting metabolic pathways to those that favour quick ATP generation, for example prioritizing glycolysis. In this process, the expression of a number of enzymes including glutaminase and hexokinase-2 is elevated. Inhibition of these enzymes robs cancer cells from the ability to quickly generated energy they need to grow and can therefore be used to prevent tumour growth. In this project, you will investigate comparative expression of glycolytic enzymes between cancer and normal tissue and assess if treatment of cancer cells with inhibitors of these enzymes can reduce cell proliferation and migration. The ultimate goal of this project is development of new cancer therapies based on inhibition of these glycolytic enzymes.

Novel cancer therapeutics targeting tumour metabolism

• Principal supervisor: Professor Kamyar Afarinkia
• Contact: [email protected]
• Profiling environmental hotspots for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) Supervisor: Professor Hermine Mkrtchyan Contact: [email protected] The rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health crisis which threatens the lifesaving role of antibiotics modern medicine is built upon. The primary source for AMR is the environment, whereby AMR bacteria are borne from genetic changes directed by external factors, such as presence of antibiotics either naturally occurring (from other bacteria and fungi) or from industrialised antibiotics. Our previous work has shown that AMR genes on mobile elements, increase transmission of AMR between species and worryingly AMR bacteria are now found in different ecological niches. Therefore it is necessary to implement systematic strategies to identify resistant bacteria from potential hotspots in various environments. This goal would significantly benefit from the implementation of innovative and highly portable approaches to detect resistant bacteria from diverse environmental sources. Inaccessibility to cost effective and rapid methods for monitoring antibiotic resistance has had a major impact on what can be implemented for a sustainable intervention. Environmental hotspots of antibiotic pollution are complex and include various vectors, including water sources, surfaces (fomite transmission) and newly described vectors of transmission such as the air. Rapid, high resolution, cost effective approaches to identify the antibiotic resistance burden in the various environments are desperately needed, which this project will address.

Profiling environmental hotspots for antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

• Supervisor: Professor Hermine Mkrtchyan
• Contact: [email protected]
• Role of interferons in tumour growth Principal supervisor: Professor Kamyar Afarinkia Contact: [email protected] Interferons are a class of proteins which are released as a result of an inflammatory response at the site of bacterial/viral infection and cancer. Interferons interact with receptors on cells in the periphery of the site of infection/cancer to prevent the spread of disease through tissue. A number of cancer therapeutics based on the administration of PEGylated interferon proteins are currently available. However, clinical applications of these treatments are limited due to severe systemic toxicity, which means they often cannot be given to patients at a sufficiently efficacious dose. The systemic toxicity arises from the widespread expression of interferon receptors, which means administered interferons act not only at the site of the tumour but throughout the body. In this project, you will investigate the role of a newly discovered class of interferons (Type III interferons), which, unlike Types I and II have fewer receptors. You will initially compare the expression of Type III receptors between cancer and normal tissue, and then assess if treatment of cancer cells with Type III interferons can reduce cell proliferation and migration in cell-based models. Research outlined in this project ultimately paves the way for the development of new cancer therapies.

Role of interferons in tumour growth

• Principal supervisor: Professor Kamyar Afarinkia
• Contact: [email protected]
• Targeting the HOX/PBX interaction in prostate cancer Principal supervisor: Professor Richard Morgan Contact: [email protected] Our previous work has revealed that the HOX and PBX genes, a family of transcription factors with key roles in early development but which are usually silent in adult cells, are widely dysregulated in both cell lines derived from prostate cancer and patient tumours. Furthermore, a peptide (HXR9) that blocks the interaction between HOX proteins and their PBX cofactor selectively kills a broad range of prostate derived cell lines in vitro, and the intratumoural delivery of HXR9 blocks the growth of prostate tumours in vivo in a mouse flank model of this malignancy. However, we failed to find in this study any individual HOX or PBX gene, or group of these genes, that could accurately predict the sensitivity of tumours to HXR9. This PhD proposal seeks to establish whether the expression of a single gene or group of genes (which may or may not be HOX/PBX) in primary prostate tumours predicts their sensitivity to killing by HXR9, and what the function of these genes are in tumours. This is of potentially high significance clinically, as a gene expression signature that predicts sensitivity would make it possible to determine if patients were likely to benefit from HXR9 treatment before therapy begins, and might also identify strategies for enhancing the therapeutic response, by for example identifying drugs that can act synergistically with HXR9.

Targeting the HOX/PBX interaction in prostate cancer

• Principal supervisor: Professor Richard Morgan
• Contact: [email protected]
• The oncobiome and its role in cancer Supervisor: Dr Volker Behrends Contact: [email protected] Recent research has revealed that microbial communities associated with tumours (oncobiomes) can have a profound impact on patient prognosis in cancer. One example is oncobiome-induced resistance to gemcitabine, a commonly prescribed anti-cancer drug, in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, further limiting treatment options for one of the hardest-to-treat cancers. Building on our previous work examining the physiological interactions between host cells and microbes, this interdisciplinary project aims to employ cutting-edge techniques spanning cell and microbial culture, sequencing as well as analytical chemistry. The PhD candidate will characterise the oncobiome composition, profile host-microbe interactions and identify microbial metabolites that influence cancer pathogenesis in pancreatic and ovarian cancer models. Within this project, there is scope to work with and alongside experts in cancer metabolism, stable-isotope labelling and next-generation sequencing and to employ machine learning and artificial intelligence to integrate and correlate different -omics data. This research has the potential to uncover novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers for improved cancer management.

The oncobiome and its role in cancer

• Supervisor: Dr Volker Behrends
• Contact: [email protected]
• Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells for Immune Regulation and Tissue Repair Supervisors: Dr Fang Xiao Contact: [email protected] Liver failure is a life-threatening condition associated with high mortality and significant healthcare burden. Although liver transplantation has substantially improved patient outcomes, its application remains limited by donor organ shortages, immunological rejection, long-term immunosuppression, and high treatment costs. Similarly, chronic inflammation is a major driver of pathological vascular remodelling, contributing to cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, restenosis, and hypertension. Both liver disease and vascular remodelling are characterised by dysregulated immune responses that promote tissue injury, fibrosis, impaired regeneration, and disease progression. Therefore, there is an urgent need for novel immunoregulatory strategies capable of controlling inflammation, restoring immune homeostasis, and promoting tissue repair. Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells that play a central role in initiating immune responses and maintaining immune tolerance. Tolerogenic dendritic cells (tDCs), a specialised subset of immature DCs, have attracted considerable interest as potential cell-based therapies due to their ability to suppress excessive immune activation and promote regulatory immune responses. In addition to their immunomodulatory functions, increasing evidence suggests that tDCs may contribute to tissue regeneration and vascular homeostasis through the regulation of inflammatory pathways involved in liver injury and vascular remodelling. This project will investigate the therapeutic potential of human tolerogenic dendritic cells as immunoregulatory therapies for inflammatory liver disease and vascular remodelling. The research will explore how tDCs regulate inflammatory responses, promote hepatocyte survival and tissue regeneration, and modulate pathological vascular remodelling. Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms through which tDCs restore immune tolerance and facilitate tissue repair. By integrating in vitro studies with humanised mouse models where appropriate, the project aims to advance the translation of tDC-based therapies for inflammatory, cardiovascular, and regenerative diseases.

Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells for Immune Regulation and Tissue Repair

• Supervisors: Dr Fang Xiao
• Contact: [email protected]
• Urinary tract pathogens – E. coli and beyond Supervisors: Dr Volker Behrends (UWL), Professor Lesley Hoyles (Nottingham Trent University) Contact: [email protected] Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most prevalent infectious diseases, causing significant morbidity and healthcare costs. This collaborative project between the University of West London and the Nottingham Trent University aims to characterise a panel of uropathogenic bacteria and profile their physiological responses after growth in different conditions, including artificial urine media, and their response to challenge with a probiotic strain of E. coli. The project will correlate genomic sequences and metabolic profiles of major pathogens like uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC), Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Proteus and others. Their virulence characteristics, biofilm formation abilities and responses to physiological stresses will be analysed with and without challenge by E. coli 83972, a non-virulent colonizer of the urinary tract. The successful PhD candidate will gain hands-on experience in a range of cutting-edge techniques including microbial culture, metabolomics methods like liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, analysis of next-generation sequencing data and integrated multi-omics data analysis. This multi-disciplinary project provides an exciting opportunity to illuminate novel therapeutic targets and probiotic-based interventions against urinary tract infections.

Urinary tract pathogens – E. coli and beyond

• Supervisors: Dr Volker Behrends (UWL), Professor Lesley Hoyles (Nottingham Trent University)
• Contact: [email protected]
• Modifying regulatory T cell derived extracellular vesicles for transplant tolerance Supervisor: Dr Lesley Smyth Contact email: [email protected] Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a subpopulation of CD4+ T cells that suppress many cells of the immune system, including effector T cells (Teffs), dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages. Tregs, isolated from murine and human sources, secret extracellular vesicles (EVs), which like their cellular counterpart have regulatory function. Treg EVs inhibit Teffs proliferation and modify cytokine profiles as well as DCs function, which was attributed in part to the expression of regulatory molecules and microRNAs (miRNAs). In vivo administration of murine Treg EVs improved skin and kidney transplant survival in MHC mismatched transplant models, whilst human Treg EVs inhibit tissue damage in a humanised skin murine transplant model. These studies have focused on EVs isolated from polyclonal Tregs with specificity for self-antigen. However, preclinical models using donor (graft) specific Tregs has highlighted the superior nature of these cells in prolonging graft survival compared to polyclonal Tregs. These results suggest that conferring antigen specificity to Treg EVs may enhance their efficacy. This PhD project will focus on conferring antigen specificity to Treg EVs subsets. This work has important clinical applications, as conferring donor-specificity Treg EVs to the graft will potentially improve their efficacy as a cell-free therapy to induce transplant tolerance.

Modifying regulatory T cell derived extracellular vesicles for transplant tolerance

• Supervisor: Dr Lesley Smyth
• Contact email: [email protected]
• Probiotic yeast extracellular vesicles: possible orally administered therapeutic reagents for inflammatory bowel diseases Supervisor: Dr Lesley Smyth Contact email: [email protected] Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Chron’s are associated with chronic inflammation. These debilitating conditions affect 1 in 250 of the UK population, as well as an estimated 6 million people worldwide, leading in some patients to the loss of the bowel and disability, and for others, the development of bowel cancer. Current IBD treatments, which include systemic administration of steroids and immunosuppressant drugs, such as dexamethasone (DEX), help control the inflammation, however, their prolonged use has serious systemic adverse side effects, which limit their use. Therefore, there is an impetus to design novel methods to deliver these drugs orally without eliciting the aforementioned. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), naturally released from both eukaryote and prokaryote cells, have efficacy as drug delivery systems, when administered orally. However, several limitations, such as low yield, scalability, expense of a personalised medicine, and reproducibility, limit mammalian cell derived EVs commercial use currently. A viable alternative to deliver drugs are EVs released from probiotic yeast, such as S. boulardii. In clinical trials, this yeast had beneficial effects for IBD patients and, in preclinical models of IBD, S. boulardii administration has intestinal anti-inflammatory effects, which can be enhanced in the presence of drugs. Delivery of S. boulardii to the gut modifies immune cells, gut epithelial cells as well as the microbiome, leading to improved gut integrity and improved clinical outcomes. Despite this, administration of live yeast increases antigen load in the intestine, which is problematic, and some reports suggest that in immunocompromised patients, probiotics can cause systemic infections. This PhD project will focus on designing gut-targeted, naturally derived nanotherapeutic modalities, isolated from the probiotic yeast S. boulardii, to deliver anti-inflammatory payloads, such as DEX, to the immune cells lining the gut. Both in vitro and in vivo experimental models will be used. This work has important clinical applications, potentially ensuring that IBD patients enjoy a better quality of life, free from the damaging side effects of currently used systemic drugs.

Probiotic yeast extracellular vesicles: possible orally administered therapeutic reagents for inflammatory bowel diseases

To enable you to enhance your professional profile, we support you throughout your research degree by:

We provide structured research training, expert supervision and an environment where you can discuss your research with other PhD students and researchers.

We run seminars in research methods from the Graduate Centre, as well as an ongoing series of events and activities organised by Schools and Colleges. Specialist help with academic English for students for whom English is not their first language is available.

We contribute to national and international initiatives and promote collaboration and networking opportunities. We also encourage and support you to publish and disseminate your research in academic journals and via presenting papers at conferences.

We run an annual conference for doctoral students, where you are encouraged to present a paper about your research. As well as being an opportunity to discuss your work with other students, the conference is a chance to gain valuable experience in presenting your research and participating in open discussions with academic peers.

You will also find other opportunities such as postgraduate student seminars and forums within your specific subject area.

Once you start a PhD course at UWL, you become part of our research community. You will have access to a postgraduate common room, located at our Ealing campus on St Mary’s Road, where you will meet fellow researchers from other subject disciplines offering scope for collaborations or simply to discuss ideas, allowing you to be part of a vibrant research environment.

• Supervisor: Dr Lesley Smyth
• Contact email: [email protected]
• providing research seminars
• organising doctoral events and activities
• facilitating networking and collaboration opportunities
• encouraging and supporting publication and dissemination of your research
• offering opportunities to gain teaching expertise and experience.

What our students say

The staff members that I encountered were warm, welcoming and supportive of my studies. The relatively small size of the University’s postgraduate school created a close family/communal environment for both staff and students. This provided a good support system as I could quickly grow acquainted with the postgraduate team and other doctoral research candidates.

Abdulazeez Rotimi - PhD

The staff members that I encountered were warm, welcoming and supportive of my studies. The relatively small size of the University’s postgraduate school created a close family/communal environment for both staff and students. This provided a good support system as I could quickly grow acquainted with the postgraduate team and other doctoral research candidates.

Abdulazeez Rotimi - PhD

• UWL PhD student wins national recognition for ground-breaking prostate cancer research A PhD student from UWL’s School of Medicine and Biosciences has received national recognition from the Royal Society of Biology for her exceptional academic and research excellence. Seazel Daynisha Fernandes has been awarded both the Top Student Award and the Top Project Award for her innovative research in prostate cancer. These honours recognise her outstanding academic performance and the exceptional quality of her final project, which has laid the foundations for a new approach to prostate cancer treatment. Read more about Seazel's achievements

Centre for Innovation in Genomics and Microbiome Sciences

CIGMiS is a leading transdisciplinary research hub recognised nationally and internationally for advancing microbiome science.

Biotherapeutic drug development

Our research group focuses on the development and formulation of novel antibody-based medicine (biotherapeutics) with application in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.

Research at the School of Medicine and Biosciences

The School of Medicine and Biosciences is active in research with an interdisciplinary community made up of researchers in diverse areas including genomics, bioinformatics, pharmacology, ageing and memory and translational medicine.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirements for a research degree are:

We look for individuals with:

Applicants should also submit a well-considered and persuasive research proposal, clearly outlining their aims, context and potential contribution to the field.

The minimum entry requirements for a research degree are:

We look for individuals with:

Applicants should also submit a well-considered and persuasive research proposal, clearly outlining their aims, context and potential contribution to the field.

• Requirements: UK
• Requirements: International
• a good first degree (First Class or Upper Second Class), or equivalent qualification in a relevant field
• a Masters degree (MA, MSc, MBA or MRes) with Merit, or equivalent postgraduate or research experience.
• dedication to undertaking rigorous and meaningful research
• enthusiasm for contributing to academic and creative practice
• a genuine passion for their chosen subject area.
• a good first degree (First Class or Upper Second Class), or equivalent qualification in a relevant field
• a Masters Degree (MA, MSc, MBA or MRes) with Merit, or equivalent postgraduate or research experience.
• Competence in written and spoken English is a pre-requisite for entrance to this programme.
• An IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.5 (with no element under 6.0).
• dedication to undertaking rigorous and meaningful research
• enthusiasm for contributing to academic and creative practice
• a genuine passion for their chosen subject area.

Fees & funding

Please note that the following writing-up fees apply for the final year of full-time PhD study , a reduced amount from the standard fee per year:

Writing-up fees do not apply for the final year of part-time PhD study. The standard fee applies.

• Funding: UK
• Funding: International
• On campus PhD (Year 4): UK £1,900. International: £6,000
• Online PhD (Year 4): UK £1,000. International: £3,000.
• Fees for the 2027/28 academic year and onwards may be subject to change.
• Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course and you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year, except if otherwise stated.
• If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

Funding for postgraduate students usually comes from one or more of a range of key sources:

Find out more about funding opportunities .

Examples of most of these types of funding are included on the postgraduate studentships website (except for funding you may be able to obtain from your employer and self-funding).

The PhD Bursary is available to home and international students enrolling on a full-time PhD course in 2026/27. The Bursary consists of a £500 fee reduction in your first year of study and for each subsequent year of study, subject to successful progression, up to a maximum of 4 years.

We offer other generous bursaries and scholarships to make sure your aspirations are your only limit. See our PhD scholarships and bursaries .

Please note that the following writing-up fees apply for the final year of full-time PhD study , a reduced amount from the standard fee per year:

Writing-up fees do not apply for the final year of part-time PhD study. The standard fee applies.

• research councils
• charities and trust funds, including those funded by the UK government
• higher education institutions
• overseas governments (international students only)
• employers
• professional and career development loans
• self-funding (including family funds).
• On campus PhD (Year 4): UK £1,900. International: £6,000
• Online PhD (Year 4): UK £1,000. International: £3,000.
• Fees for the 2027/28 academic year and onwards may be subject to change.
• Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course and you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year, except if otherwise stated.
• If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

For any overseas students, your first port of call should be grant-awarding bodies in your own country (e.g. The Ministry/Department of Education) and your local (or nearest) office of the British Council.

The British Council manage a small number of international studentship grants in some countries and should be able to tell you what other awards may be available to you - they also produce the sources of funding for international students guide.

The PhD Bursary is available to home and international students enrolling on a full-time PhD course in 2026/27. The Bursary consists of a £500 fee reduction in your first year of study and for each subsequent year of study, subject to successful progression, up to a maximum of 4 years.

Your future career

Gaining a PhD in Biomedical Sciences will prepare you for a wide range of careers in healthcare, biotech industry, teaching and research. Studying for a PhD enables you to develop an area of specialism that will give you an edge whether you are planning to work within the field of law or to develop expertise to teach in academia.

During your PhD, you will also be learning transferable core skills that apply to jobs both in and out of academia, including:

By the end of your research degree you will be able to articulately apply these skills to enhance your career path.

• written and oral communication
• research and information management
• public speaking
• project management
• leadership
• critical thinking
• collaboration
• analysis and problem-solving
• conflict resolution
• negotiation.

Job roles

• private therapist
• medical researcher
• pharmaceutical researcher.

Graduate employers

• the NHS
• medical research laboratories
• pharmaceutical research
• the food industry
• health education and public health
• international aid and development.

Medicine and Biosciences facilities

Discover the facilities available to students within the School of Medicine and Biosciences.

Bioscience laboratories

Our labs are equipped with high-quality technology including cell culture equipment, microscopes and genetic analysis tools, enabling students to conduct advanced experiments and analyse complex data.

The Paul Hamlyn Library

The Paul Hamlyn Library provides an extensive range of books, journals and digital resources, PC and Mac workstations and a variety of study spaces.

The Graduate School

If you are interested in studying for a PhD or Professional Doctorate, the Graduate School is here to support your research.

Rami Ranger House (Postgraduate Student Centre)

Rami Ranger House is a focal point for the University’s postgraduate and international students, providing dedicated space for social and learning interaction.

This building, which is three storeys high, offers spaces for collaborative working, socialising, supervision and mentoring on the ground floor. The first floor has work spaces for the postgraduate support teams to use, while the second floor provides guest accommodation for visiting scholars.

Biomedical sciences

At the University of West London, we offer a comprehensive range of courses that are designed to equip our students with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to succeed in the biomedical sciences industry.

Find out more

Discover seven reasons to study with us and how studying at UWL will support your future career.

Find out about student accommodation and the support for students.

Explore our campus and sites and book onto a campus tour or open day .

Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

Rankings

• † Fees - the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the course. Fees are subject to change. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full-time taught international fees are subject to an annual increase.
• Teaching - your course will primarily be delivered in-person, however it may include delivery of some activities online, either in real-time or recorded.
• Testimonials - quotes are provided by current or former UWL students. These are mostly from the course but quotes from a UWL student on another course may be used if, for example, the course is new.
• Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.
• Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming, however staff and course content may have since changed.
• Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route and a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.
• The National Student Survey 2026 result is based on the average of all answers by the taught student populations.
• Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and after, 1992.
• PRES - rank out of 53 institutions.

Research areas