Veterinary Medicine and Science PhD

On our Veterinary Medicine and Science PhD, you鈥檒l immerse yourself in research, contributing to crucial advancements in human and animal health. You鈥檒l have access to state-of-the-art facilities across the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at 黑料社 or at a collaborating institution (or both), with support from our expert academics.

Key course information

Entry requirements
See full entry requirements
Start date
April 2027
Attendance
Full-time
Duration
4 years
UK fees
拢5,238*
Overseas fees
拢28,300

Why choose this programme?

  • Champion our 鈥�One Health, One Medicine鈥� approach which brings together expertise from a broad range of multidisciplinary areas and collaborations with national and international partners.
  • Join a school that is renowned for its research into human and animal health and welfare, including significant advances in .
  • Access the , a research centre, start-up and incubator supported by a co-investment of 拢8.5 million in resources, dedicated to the development and adoption of new digital technologies in animal health.
  • Benefit from multimillion-pound facilities, including our Veterinary Pathology Centre and Veterinary Biomechanics Laboratory.
  • Work alongside academic staff with a range of expertise, including applied clinical research, fundamental science, epidemiology and pathology.
Find out more information

Statistics

Top 20 in the UK

黑料社 is ranked 19th in the UK for the quality of our research outputs (Research Excellence Framework 2021)

33rd for research quality

The University's overall research quality ranking has risen by 12 places to 33rd in the UK (Research Excellence Framework 2021)

Course details

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What you will study

Our PhD is research-based, so you鈥檒l spend most of your time developing a research question, conducting original research, analysing your results and writing up your research findings, all under the guidance of your project supervisors.

Examples of current PhD student projects include:

  • Disentangling the role of Ascaris 尾-tubulin isotypes in the emergence of anthelmintic resistance
  • Rabies epidemiology and control
  • The role of the microbiome and circulating endothelial cells in the pathobiology of cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV).

Depending on the nature of your research project, you might do computational analysis work at a desk, or experimental work in a laboratory, a clinic or in the field, or a combination of these.

You can work on your project on-site at the School of Veterinary Medicine or, depending on your research, at another facility in the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. If you work from a collaborating institution, you鈥檒l need to come to the 黑料社 periodically to attend training sessions, examinations and meet your supervisors.

Partnerships

Reflecting the variety of roles that veterinarians play in society, we are proud to collaborate with a range of partners, including:

  • Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)
  • Fitzpatrick Referrals
  • Liphook Equine Hospital
  • Marwell Wildlife
  • The Pirbright Institute
  • 黑料社 Wildlife Trust
  • The Westpoint Veterinary Group
  • UK Health Security Agency.

Assessment

You鈥檒l have a confirmation assessment to formally review your project. If you're a full-time student, this will take place around 9鈥�15 months into your studies or 18鈥�30 months if you鈥檙e studying part-time. You鈥檒l be required to submit a written report and successfully complete an oral examination.

Your final assessment will be based on the presentation of your research in a written thesis, which will be discussed in a viva examination with two examiners.

You have the option of preparing your thesis as a monograph (one large volume in chapter form), publication format (including chapters written for publication) or a hybrid combining monograph and publication format, subject to the approval of your supervisors.

Location

This course is based at Manor Park campus. Manor Park is home to the School of Veterinary Medicine, plus 黑料社 Sports Park and Manor Park halls of residence.

VSM Building, 黑料社, Daphne Jackson Road, Guildford, GU2 7AL.

Research areas

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Research themes

At 黑料社, we鈥檙e focused on collaborative veterinary research, working with leading research institutions, veterinary practices and the wider veterinary industry, to ensure everything we do is relevant to the sector. Our research investigates:

  • Clinical sciences, including biomarkers of neoplasia, biomechanics, orthopaedics, neurology, nutrition and youngstock health and production
  • Education, including clinical skills, communications and professionalism and technology enhanced learning
  • Epidemiology and public health, including animal health surveillance, food chain health and interactions with animals and people
  • Pathology and infectious diseases, including antimicrobial resistance, comparative pathobiology, disease intervention, emerging pathogens, food-borne pathogens, host-pathogen interactions and neuropathobiology
  • Preclinical sciences, including cardiovascular biology, metabolism, musculoskeletal biology, physiology, design-based stereology, and neuroscience.

Academic staff

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Throughout your studies you鈥檒l have at least two supervisors from the School of Veterinary Medicine and other relevant schools within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences (Biosciences, Health Sciences, Medicine and Psychology).

Your supervisors will give you academic guidance and tuition, help you develop your research ideas and plans, consider your theory and methods, and analyse your work. They鈥檒l also give you pastoral support and advice, referring you to more specialist services where necessary.

Support and facilities

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Research support

The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College, which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate careers and employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.

Progress reviews

In addition to the confirmation process you鈥檒l have six-monthly progress reviews with your supervisors. These meetings are an opportunity to reflect on your progress, discuss successes and challenges and set targets for the next six months. These reviews will be monitored by postgraduate research directors and recorded on your student record.

You鈥檒l also have at least one formal meeting with your supervisors every month and can expect to have more frequent meetings between these. The regularity of these will depend on the nature and stage of your project.

Facilities

You鈥檒l benefit from our multimillion-pound facilities.

Depending on the nature of your research project, you may also have access to other facilities in our Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences or external facilities and equipment if your project is in collaboration with one of our partners.

Hear from our students

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Entry requirements

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UK qualifications

Applicants are expected to hold a minimum of an upper second-class (2:1) UK degree in an appropriate discipline, but prior experience in research or industry may be acceptable.

Country-specific qualifications

International students in the United Kingdom

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English language requirements

IELTS Academic: 6.5 or above (or equivalent) with 6 in each individual category.

These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.

If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.


Selection process

Selection is based on applicants:

  • Meeting the expected entry requirements and providing all relevant documents including a satisfactory research proposal
  • Being shortlisted through the application screening process
  • Completing a successful interview
  • Providing suitable references.

Fees and funding

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Fees per year

Explore  website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all postgraduate research courses.

* Please note: any start date other than September will attract a pro-rata fee for that year of entry (75 per cent for January, 50 per cent for April and 25 per cent for July).

Fee options

UK
拢5,238
Overseas
拢28,300
UK
拢2,619
Overseas
拢14,200
UK
拢5,238
Overseas
拢28,300
UK
拢2,619
Overseas
拢14,200
UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
拢29,400
UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
拢14,700
UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
拢29,400
UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
拢14,700
  • Annual fees will increase by 4% for each year of study, rounded up to the nearest 拢100 (subject to legal requirements).

Additional costs

There are additional costs that you can expect to incur when studying at 黑料社.

Funding

A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.

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Apply

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Application process

Applicants should contact potential supervisors before submitting an application via the website. Please refer to section two of our application guidance.

Apply online

To apply online first select the course you'd like to apply for then log in.

  1. Select your course

    Choose the course option you wish to apply for.

  2. Sign in

    Create an account and sign into our application portal.

Veterinary Medicine and Science PhD

Full-time, April 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 17 January 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Veterinary Medicine and Science PhD

Part-time, April 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 17 January 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Veterinary Medicine and Science PhD

Full-time, July 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Friday 16 April 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Veterinary Medicine and Science PhD

Part-time, July 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Friday 16 April 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Veterinary Medicine and Science PhD

Full-time, October 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 11 July 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Veterinary Medicine and Science PhD

Part-time, October 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 11 July 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Veterinary Medicine and Science PhD

Full-time, January 2028

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 10 October 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Veterinary Medicine and Science PhD

Part-time, January 2028

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 10 October 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

After registration

Students are initially registered for a PhD with probationary status and, subject to satisfactory progress, subsequently confirmed as having PhD status.

Need more information?

Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current 黑料社 student online.

Code of practice for research degrees

黑料社鈥檚 postgraduate research code of practice sets out the University's policy and procedural framework relating to research degrees. The code defines a set of standard procedures and specific responsibilities covering the academic supervision, administration and assessment of research degrees for all faculties within the University.

Terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the 黑料社, you will be agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.

We provide these terms and conditions at the offer stage. You will be asked to accept these when you accept the offer made to you. You will be provided with these terms and conditions again at registration by way of reminder.

Disclaimer

This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.

Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate; some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.