Postgraduate research
Biological sciences
Work with a supportive team of expert academics and use the latest facilities on MPhil or PhD biological sciences research.
About
Biological Sciences at Southampton offers the latest learning and biological research facilities. 100% of our research has been rated world-leading or internationally excellent for its impact on society (REF, 2014).
Our research follows themes that focus on the causes and resolutions of some of the most substantial challenges facing humanity and the natural world today. You'll work with us on the latest scientific developments.
In our graduate school, you will also gain the broader personal and professional skills essential both for your PhD research and for your lifelong career choices.
We have a strong record of supporting postgraduate research students in this exciting and rapidly developing subject area.
We offer 2 PhD routes:
Standard route
Apply directly through the university to an advertised project, or by proposing your own PhD idea.
Doctoral partnership route
Applying through one of our doctoral training partnerships (DTP). PhD projects are advertised with a title, supervisor, remit and funding already in place. Taking a structured studentship will give you access to additional training, conferences and secondments.
Main areas of research
Our main areas of research are:
- computational and systems biology
- developmental biology
- ecology and evolution
- microbiology
- molecular and cellular biosciences
- neuroscience
- plants and food security
Similar research degree topics
Find a research project
You can either apply for a structured studentship or propose your own PhD idea.
We offer our structured studentships in partnership with these DTPs:
If there are no projects advertised currently, we still welcome enquiries to potential supervisors to discuss projects and funding options.
Advertised PhD research projects
13 advertised projects
Funding and fees
Find a funded PhD
We offer structured studentships in partnership with doctoral training centres, meaning you'll benefit from enhanced training and guaranteed funding. These studentships:
- are fully funded
- come with a maintenance grant to help towards living costs
- are open to UK and international students
Scholarships
We offer scholarships and teaching bursaries ourselves. Your potential supervisor can guide you on what is available.
If you’re an international student you may be able to apply for a scholarship from your country.
Find out more about scholarships
Fund your own PhD research project
Once you've found a supervisor, they can help you with potential funding sources. We offer match funding in some cases.
You'll need to state how you intend to pay for your tuition fees when you submit your application.
Find out more about funding your PhD
Take out a PhD loan
You can borrow up to £29,390 for a PhD starting on or after 1 August 2024. Doctoral loans are not means tested and you can decide how much you want to borrow.
Find out about PhD loans on GOV.UK
Apply for funding from a charity
You may be able to win funding from one or more charities to help fund your PhD.
2022 to 2023 entry:
| UK | International | |
|---|---|---|
| Full time | £4,596 | £24,600 |
| Part time | £2,298 | £12,300 |
2023 to 2024 entry:
| UK | International | |
|---|---|---|
| Full time | To be confirmed | £25,500 |
| Part time | To be confirmed | £12,750 |
2024 to 2025 entry:
| UK | International | |
|---|---|---|
| Full time | £4,786 | £26,100 |
| Part time | £2,393 | £13,050 |
2025 to 2026 entry:
| UK | International | |
|---|---|---|
| Full time | To be confirmed Spring 2025 | £26,100 |
| Part time | To be confirmed Spring 2025 | £13,350 |
Alumni discount
You're eligible for a 10% alumni discount on a self-funded PhD if you're a current student or graduate from the University of Southampton.
Potential supervisors
Research institutes, centres and groups
Our research institutes, centres and groups bring together specialists to share knowledge and solve problems.
Institute for Life Sciences
We bring together interdisciplinary researchers with expertise across the themes of health and medicine, living systems, disruptive life technologies, and insights through data
Ecology and Evolution
The Ecology and Evolution research group covers the interactions of species with their environment.
Microbiology
We work on topics like patient treatment regimens, catheter design and management, and surgical instrument decontamination.
Neuroscience
We work on national and global priorities of health and well-being, underpinning research in neuroscience, and age-related neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s.
Plants and Food Security
We study the response of plants to the environment at the molecular, whole plant and ecological levels. This includes interactions with nematodes, insects and microbes.
How to apply
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Choose your application route
Choose between the standard route or DTP route.
If you choose the DTP route you must apply through their website:
-
Contact your potential supervisors
If you choose the standard route, email potential supervisors working within your field of interest to discuss potential PhD projects or writing your own proposal. It's best to do this well ahead of the application deadline.
You’ll find supervisors’ contact details listed with the advertised project, or you can search for supervisors in the staff directory.
-
Gather your application documents
You’ll need to send us
- your CV with details of your academic record and research interests
- your academic transcript
- details of 2 current academic referees, with their institutional email addresses
- a short statement of your research interests
- IELTS or TOEFL certificate if English is not your first language
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Apply
Facilities
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Imaging and Microscopy Centre
The Imaging and Microscopy Centre is a core facility for advanced life sciences imaging at Southampton University. -
Plant growth facility
The plant growth facility provides a glasshouse and a selection of Controlled Environment Rooms (CERs) capable of housing traditional and novel plants.
Entry requirements
You'll need either:
- an upper second class honours (2:1) degree
- an equivalent set of qualifications, for example a lower second class (2:2) honours degree, plus an MSc
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you'll need an IELTS minimum level of 6.5 with a 6.0 in writing, reading, speaking and listening. Your awarded certificate needs to be dated within the last 2 years.
Visit our English language proficiency pages to find out more about other qualifications we accept.
If you need further English language tuition before starting your degree, you can apply for one of our pre-sessional English language courses.
Programmes and durations
Research degrees have a minimum and maximum duration, known as the candidature. Your candidature ends when you submit your thesis.
Most candidatures are longer than the minimum period.
PhD programmes
| Programme | Full time | Part time |
| Biological sciences | 2 to 4 years | 3 to 7 years |
If you choose the DTP route, check their website for duration and part time or full time options: