Medicine research degrees

Our postgraduate research in medicine including entry requirements for PhDs and other research degrees.

a microscopic image of breast cancer cells

We provide a high quality research and training environment for more than 500 scientists and clinicians.

Our goal is to improve the understanding of the mechanisms of disease to address important health problems and to deliver practical solutions leading to health improvement for individuals, communities and populations. Working together we aim to translate research between the laboratory and the clinic, with fundamental research themes being informed by important clinical problems.

The research strategy is strongly informed by our close working relationship with NHS Tayside, and this partnership is driving the development of the Tayside Academic Health Science Network, which will impact on local, national and international healthcare delivery and improvement.

Our activities include collaborations at local, national and international levels and we receive funding from various sources including UK research councils, medical charities.We also have strong links with major pharmaceutical companies, who contribute to funding of applied research.

Research themes

The principal research themes of the School of Medicine are:

  • Cancer
  • Neuroscience
  • Precision Medicine
  • Pharmacology, Drug Outcomes and Regulatory Medicine
  • Health and Bioinformatics
  • Imaging and Health Technologies
  • Chronic Metabolic, Cardiovascular and Inflammatory Diseases

We are based on the University of Dundee’s Ninewells Campus, co-located with Ninewells Hospital (one of the largest teaching hospitals in the UK). Researchers have access to a number of excellent core research facilities and School support services.

We pride ourselves on delivering an excellent research-led and learning experience for undergraduate and postgraduate students in Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science. We have a vibrant graduate programme for Masters by Research and PhD students and provide training for postdoctoral researchers supported by research awards and personal fellowships.

To read more, please visit our School of Medicine research pages.

PhD opportunities in Medicine

Propose your own PhD topic

If you want to propose your PhD topic, you can use the contact details below to contact a staff member to discuss your proposal.

How to write your best postgraduate research proposal

Entry requirements

You should have an honours degree at 2.1 or above, and/or a Masters degree in a relevant discipline.

English language requirements

Medicine

IELTS (overall) Reading Listening Speaking Writing
6.5 5.5 5.5 6.0 6.0

Medical Education

IELTS (overall) Reading Listening Speaking Writing
7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0

We also accept other English language qualifications

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you are a national of certain countries.

Don't meet the English language requirements?

English language programmes

Prepare for university study and benefit from extra English tuition with an English language programme.

Research skills programme

If your previous degree did not include research skills you may be able to apply to our Structured PhD. This includes both research skills training and English Language tuition.

Medicine PhD tuition fees

  • MD in Medicine
  • Doctoral Research in Medicine
Academic year of entry Scottish/Rest of UK fee status International fee status
2024/25
Band 1 £4,786
per year of study		 £21,940
per year of study
Band 2 £9,120
per year of study		 £26,570
per year of study
Band 3 £13,148
per year of study		 £30,965 or £39,800
per year of study
Academic year of entry Scottish/Rest of UK fee status International fee status
2025/26
Band 1 £5,006
per year of study		 £24,134
per year of study
Band 2 £9,765
per year of study		 £26,940
per year of study
Band 3 £13,805
per year of study		 £34,062 or £43,780
per year of study

Medicine Masters by Research tuition fees

Academic year of entry Scottish/Rest of UK fee status International fee status
2024/25
Band 1 £4,786
per year of study		 £21,940
per year of study
Band 2 £9,298
per year of study		 £26,570
per year of study
Band 3 £13,148
per year of study		 £30,965 or £39,800
per year of study
Academic year of entry Scottish/Rest of UK fee status International fee status
2025/26
Band 1 £5,006
per year of study		 £23,050
per year of study
Band 2 £9,765
per year of study		 £27,900
per year of study
Band 3 £13,805
per year of study		 £32,500 or £41,800
per year of study

 

Tuition fee per year of study (subject to a 3% annual increase for Scottish/Rest of UK students and a 5% annual increase for International students).

The tuition fee, and mode of attendance shown within the application system is provisional and confirmed when you are made an offer.

Part time study, where available, is charged on a pro-rata basis.

Scottish/Rest of UK fee status annual increase

Each year, UKRI sets a recommended fee and stipend level for Scottish/Rest of UK students, which we use as the basis for fees charged to this group.

UKRI usually increases its fee and stipend levels in line with inflation, based on the Treasury GDP deflator. 

Therefore, the Scottish/Rest of UK fees detailed in this table for 2025/26 (and beyond) can only be estimated according to the typical increase. 

The fee charged to you may differ, though only slightly, from the figure given.

Apply for a research degree

You can apply for a PhD or other postgraduate research degree using our Direct Application System.

We have three start dates per academic year.

PhD Medicine

MSc by Research Medicine

Medicine (non-graduating) (research)

MD Medicine

MD Medicine (part time)

 

Disabled students

The University of Dundee welcomes applications from disabled students.

Enquiries

PGR Admin Team
School of Medicine
[email protected]