Newcastle University

Postgraduate

Microbiology MPhil; PhD; MD

MPhil: minimum 12 months full time; minimum 24 months part time
PhD: minimum 36 months full time; minimum 72 months part time
MD: normally 24 months full time; normally 48 months part time

Fees

Fees per academic year 2013-14

UK and EU: full time £4,320-£13,410 part time £2,160-£6,750
International: full time £14,180-£23,360 part time fees
Fees may vary according to the exact nature of the research project.

More information is available about tuition fees and discounts.

Research Areas

MPhil/ PhD supervision is available in the following subject areas:

Medical sciences
Research into fundamental aspects of the cell biology and biochemistry of bacteria, providing scientific insights crucial for the discovery and development of new antibiotics, as well as providing solutions to a huge range of industrial and environmental problems; chromosome replication and segregation; transcription and translation; protein structure, function and engineering; cell envelope, growth and division; synthetic biology, development and gene regulation; bacterium-host interactions.

Biological sciences
Microbial biology in a range of habitats; discovery of natural products, eg antibiotics; reduction of food spoilage; production of biofuels, bioremediation of polluted environments; pathogens and host–pathogen interactions in a range of diseases including those in plants and coral reefs.

Civil engineering and geosciences
Microbial ecology; environmental microbiology; environmental engineering and Earth systems; biogeochemistry; microbiological aspects of engineered and natural environments; anaerobic crude oil degradation in petroleum reservoirs; engineered biological treatment systems; the microbial ecology of climatically significant processes such as methane cycling.

Research Degree Training and Skills Development

We have an international reputation for many areas of our research, which creates a dynamic environment for postgraduate study. In addition to subject-specific research training, our Medical Sciences Graduate School and Science, Agriculture and Engineering Graduate School have a thriving postgraduate research culture, with additional support for international students. They have an excellent record for timely PhD submission, provide training in professional/key skills and research techniques and support personal development.

+Entrance Requirements

An upper-second-class Honours degree, or equivalent, in an appropriate area relevant to the proposed topic of research. Appropriate experience is desirable.

MD candidates need a MBBS, or equivalent medical degree.

Candidates whose first language is not English require IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 90 (Internet-based), or equivalent.

Our INTO Newcastle University Centre can provide extra tuition to help you meet the University's English language requirements.

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has rules for international students regarding minimum English language requirements.

+Scholarships and Other Sources of Funding

Funded PhD positions are usually advertised on the Newcastle Biomedicine website (Medical Sciences).

International Students, consult your own government for funding. The University offers International Scholarships, and there are funding opportunities by external organisations available.

More information on scholarships, studentships, bursaries and other funding is available from our database.

+How to Apply

Visit our postgraduate application site.

Applications for research degrees are considered throughout the year although specific deadlines for funding may apply. Depending on the specific area of your research, your application may be administered by the Medical Sciences Graduate School or the Science, Agriculture and Engineering Graduate School.

There are three possible start dates for your research degree:

23 September 2013
6 January 2014
or 28 April 2014

However, these dates are not mandatory and in some circumstances permission can be granted for alternative start dates.

Please note: As a formal condition of the offer to study at Newcastle University, students from outside the UK/EU are required to pay a deposit of £1,500 or submit an official letter of sponsorship for their chosen programme. The deposit payment is non refundable, but will be deducted from tuition fees upon registration.