MRC Doctoral Degree Training Programme in Precision Medicine

This programme is a Doctoral Training Programme (DTP) in Precision Medicine jointly run between the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, leading to a completed award of a PhD with integrated study. It focuses on evidence-based disease treatment and prevention, using genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, and integrates clinical and multi-omics data to support discovery and tailored therapies.

The programme is part of the School of Genetics and Cancer (College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine) and offers full-time study. The PhD with integrated study has two variants based on prior learning: a 3.5-year option for students with a masters degree in a relevant subject, and a 4-year option for students entering with a BSc (Hons), with additional taught courses alongside a research project.

Applicants apply for a specific project and complete both the EUCLID application and the Precision Medicine recruitment form. Shortlisted candidates are invited to an interview that takes place online and lasts for around 35 minutes. Candidates prepare a 5-minute presentation on why they want to undertake the chosen project and what skills they have that are relevant to the project, its progression, and the programme.

For funded students who meet all necessary eligibility requirements, the studentship includes payment of annual tuition fees, a stipend for each of the 4 years of the PhD, and a Research Training Support Grant of 5K per year plus an annual Travel Grant of £300. Accommodation and living costs must be paid by the student for the duration of the programme. No obligations after completion are stated.

• Level: Postgraduate research
• Subject: Medicine
• Degree/award: PhD with integrated study
• Academic qualification: A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent
• English language: Applicants must prove their English language abilities are at a high enough level to study the programme, including UK nationals
• English language tests accepted: IELTS Academic (total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component; no IELTS One Skill Retake); TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition) with specified minimums and restrictions; C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE) (total 176 with at least 169 in each component); Trinity ISE (ISE II with distinctions in all four components for the stated entry); Oxford ELLT (total 7 with at least 6 in each component; no Oxford ELLT Skill Retake); Oxford Test of English Advanced (total 145 with at least 135 in each component)
• English language test currency: Tests no more than two years old for IELTS Academic, TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition), Trinity ISE, Oxford ELLT, and Oxford Test of English Advanced on the 1st of the month in which the programme starts; other English language tests no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which the programme starts
• Project application requirement: You are required to apply for a specific project
• Project choices limit: Applicants can apply for a maximum of 3 projects
• Project listing requirement: The selected projects must be listed on the Precision Medicine recruitment form uploaded with the application, and the Principal Supervisor for each project must be listed on the EUCLID application
• Delivery mode: Full-time

• Payment of annual tuition fees
• Stipend for each of the 4 years of the PhD (based on UKRI minimum doctoral rate)
• Research Training Support Grant: 5K per year
• Annual Travel Grant: £300
• Accommodation and living costs: must be paid by the student for the duration of the programme

1. Start your application by going to the Apply section and choosing the option with the award, duration, delivery mode and start date you want to study.
2. Complete the EUCLID application.
3. Complete the Precision Medicine recruitment form.
4. Upload the Precision Medicine recruitment form to the Research Proposal section of your EUCLID application.
5. Apply for a specific project; choose up to a maximum of 3 projects and list them on the Precision Medicine recruitment form.
6. On the EUCLID application, list the Principal Supervisor for each project you are applying for.
7. Submit the online application with the required information and documents.
8. After the application deadline, shortlisted candidates are contacted with interview details; interviews are online and last for around 35 minutes.

• Personal statement
• Relevant knowledge/training skills
• If applicable: your research topic
• If applicable: details of any published work
• Research proposal
• Name of supervisor (if known)
• Research project (if applying to an advertised project)
• Copies of degree certificates and academic transcripts confirming current or final marks
• References
• Evidence you meet the English language requirements
• Certified translations if original documents are not in English
• CV
• Precision Medicine recruitment form (completed and uploaded with the application)