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Postgraduate research in pharmacy, pharmacology and biomedical sciences

Ready to start your research career? Explore our postgraduate research degrees in pharmacy, pharmacology and biomedical sciences

If you want to further your research in Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, Portsmouth is the ideal place to continue your journey.

Our Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences research focuses on growing our understanding of how the body functions in health, how it malfunctions in disease, and the genetic and molecular drivers of physical and mental illnesses.

We're researching the molecular, cellular, physiological and behavioural processes occurring in the body at times of health and disease. We're identifying and characterising the biomarkers of disease, and helping develop new drugs from initial discovery to clinical application with our partners in industry.

Much of our research takes place at the Institute of Life Sciences and Healthcare (ILSH). Some of our successful projects at ILSH include researching microporous materials for environmental and drug delivery, sperm freezing to reduce the use of animals in research, and developing endoscopy methods and training to improve patient outcomes. 100% of our impact case studies in the area of Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy were rated as very considerable in terms of their reach and significance in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021)

As a postgraduate research degree student, you'll join our collaborative research community, help find new, more effective treatments for patients, and play your part in turning knowledge into impact.

Research degrees

Find out about our PhD, MPhil, MD, Professional Doctorate and PhD by Publication opportunities in Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences below, including how to apply, entry requirements and funding your degree. For more detailed information about the application process, visit our How to Apply pages.

Pharmacy, Pharmacology & Biomedical Sciences PhDs and MPhils

Explore our pre-approved funded and self-funded PhD projects in Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, or submit your own research idea. 

PhD and MPhil projects

Funded

There are currently no funded PhD projects available in this area – for more information on funding your own research project, visit our pages on funding your research degree.

Self-funded

 

Submit your own idea

If you already have a research idea, find a supervisor whose research interests match yours by searching our Find a PhD Supervisor page. Once you've identified someone suitable, contact them to discuss your idea.

MD (Doctor of Medicine)

An MD is for qualified medical professionals who want to gain a research degree. From lab-based to qualitative research methods, you'll draw on your clinical expertise. You can apply to start an MD in October or February. 

Professional Doctorate

If you're a working professional interested in pursuing work-based research in the field of Pharmacy or Biomedical Sciences find out more about our Professional Doctorate in Pharmacy (DPharm), or Biomedical Sciences (DBMS).

PhD by Publication

A PhD by publication is a postgraduate research degree based on research you've already undertaken and had published (excluding self-publishing) before registering with us.

Eligible research outputs include peer-reviewed academic papers, complete books or chapters in anthologies, and other materials accepted for publication, exhibited or performed. You'll have to submit these materials for examination between 6–12 months after registering with us.

For more information, please visit our PhD by Publication page.

Duration, fees and funding 

What do my tuition fees cover?

If you're self-funding your PhD, you'll pay tuition fees to the University to cover course and university costs.

Your tuition fees cover:

  • The cost of your postgraduate research programme* at the University as well as charges for registration, tuition, supervision, and examinations
  • Bespoke training, professional development courses, networking, and research support through The Graduate School
  • Research seminars and workshops (university-wide and faculty-specific)
  • A contribution to funding to attend a conference or development activity in your research field
  • Tailor-made weekly and monthly events, including weekly, themed experienced researcher-led talks and workshops
  • Helping you become part of our thriving research community, including Research and Innovation services where 77% of our research is world leading and internationally excellent in REF 2021
  • Your graduation ceremony
  • Viva examination and administration costs
  • The facilities and equipment you need to complete your studies, such as computer rooms, access to laptops, the Library, and laboratories
  • Access to resources including electronic journals, alternative guide to funding, and thousands of hours of educational videos on LinkedIn Learning
  • University support services including academic, financial, careers and wellbeing support and personal tutors
  • Membership of the Students' Union (giving you the right to vote in elections, join clubs and societies, and get free independent advice)
  • Access to software such as Microsoft Office, SPSS and Adobe Creative Suite (this includes Photoshop, InDesign, and Adobe Premiere Pro)

*Please note that some research programmes may come with additional bench fees.

How long will my research degree take?

  • MPhil: 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time
  • PhD: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
  • PhD by Publication: 1 year part-time

How much will my degree cost?

PhD and MPhil

UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students 

  • Full-time:   £4,712 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,356 per year (may be subject to annual increase)*

EU students

(including Transition Scholarship)

  • Full-time:   £4,712 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,356 per year (may be subject to annual increase)*

International students

  • Full-time students: £19,200 (may be subject to annual increase)
  • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £9,600 (may be subject to annual increase)

PhD by Publication 

External candidates: £4,712

Members of staff: £1,850

All fees are subject to annual increase. If you are an EU student starting a programme in 2023/24 please visit this page.

PhD and MPhil

UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students 

  • Full-time:   £4,786 per year 
  • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,393 per year

EU students

(including Transition Scholarship)

  • Full-time:   £4,786 per year 
  • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,393 per year

International students

  • Full-time students: £19,200 (may be subject to annual increase)
  • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £9,600 (may be subject to annual increase)

PhD by Publication 

External candidates: £4,786

Members of staff: £1,950

All fees are subject to annual increase. If you are an EU student starting a programme in 2024/25 please visit this page

Bench fees

Some PhD projects may include additional fees – known as bench fees – for equipment and other consumables, and these will be added to your standard tuition fee. Speak to the supervisory team during your interview about any additional fees you may have to pay. Please note, bench fees are not eligible for discounts and are non-refundable.

Funding support

MPhil full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the Government Postgraduate Loan (UK/EU students only).

PhD full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the Government Doctoral Loan (UK/EU students only).

For information on other sources of funding, visit our funding your postgraduate research degree page.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for a PhD, or MPhil include an upper second class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject, or a master’s degree in an appropriate subject. Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications may be considered. All applicants are subject to interview.

If English is not your first language, you'll need English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Exemptions apply to those applicants who have studied in the UK, and to applicants with a degree whose medium of instruction is English.

Support and facilities

When you join us, you'll be supported by our Graduate School, alongside your assigned supervisory team, who'll help you get the most from our facilities. The Graduate School will help you become part of our thriving, collaborative research community, and help grow your skills as a researcher through the Graduate School Development Programme, which offers training, workshops and events.

As a postgraduate researcher, facilities you can use include our microscope suite, cell culture facilities, molecular biology laboratories, microscope software, and our radioisotope facility.

Depending on your research project, you could work in our European Xenopus Resource Centre, which supports researchers using Xenopus models. The Centre is funded by the Wellcome Trust, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs). Researchers are encouraged to deposit Xenopus transgenic and mutant lines, Xenopus in situ hybridisation probes, Xenopus specific antibodies and Xenopus expression clones.

What can a postgraduate research degree do for my career?

Once you complete your postgraduate research degree, you'll be a highly-skilled researcher with the knowledge and skills to make an impact in many different industries.

Your postgraduate research qualification demonstrates to potential employers that you're an intelligent, capable and motivated person, with provable abilities and experience in critical thinking, problem-solving, project management, communication, leadership and creativity.

After researching with us, our successful postgraduate research candidates have gone on to impressive positions in a variety of fields.

Apply

Apply for a research degree in Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences by completing our online form.

April (2024 start)

October (2024 start)

February (2025 start)

Current research

Find out more about the work we're doing in our 5 areas of expertise in Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences.

Clinical Microbiology

We're researching how microbes can cause infectious diseases and benefit human health, and tackling antibiotic resistance by identifying new molecules in pathogenic microbes.

Microbiome rendering
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Molecular mechanisms of diseases

We're exploring the molecules and molecular processes that cause diseases, and working to develop better treatments.

Molecular structure model
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Neurobiology

We're looking at the architecture and function of the nervous system – and how it relates to development, normal health, and neurological disorders.

MRI scan, close-up
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Pharmacy Practice

We're working to improve the practices, selection, use and disposal of pharmaceuticals to protect the environment, and we're promoting the vital role pharmacists can play in delivering better care to patients.

Close up of nursing student handling pharmaceuticals
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