PhD & DM Opportunities
Information on Postgraduate Studentships (PhD or DM) in the NDDC
Applying to be a post graduate student (PhD or DM) in the Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre (NDDC), University of Nottingham.
Introduction
Thank you for your interest in studying for a higher degree in the NDDC. We train non-clinical and clinical scientists in subjects ranging through molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, microbiology, clinical research and epidemiology. We are the largest GI research grouping in the UK with 20 principal investigators and a vibrant community of post doctoral researchers, research technicians, doctors, nurses, administrators and support staff……..and of course post graduate students! We were graded 5* in the last Research Assessment Exercise. Our researchers and students are based in laboratories in Medical Gastroenterology, Surgical Gastroenterology, the Academic Unit of Cancer Studies and the Institute of Infections, Immunity and Inflammation.
The degrees
PhD is a research degree which is normally completed in 3 years full time study. The main component is conducting novel research; this is written up as a thesis which is published and defended. Research is supervised by one or more of the NDDC Principal Investigators, usually with considerable help from other staff. Techniques are often new to the students and lots of training is given. There is also a formal research training component of the Nottingham PhD which is now compulsory (run through the School of Clinical Sciences – SCS) and there are additional optional modules (run through SCS and the Graduate School). Details of the compulsory formal research training component can be found at here.
DM is a research degree for medically qualified doctors. It is very similar to a PhD but often has a more clinical flavour; it is usually completed in two to three years full time study. It is NOT a professional qualification like an MD in the USA. There is also a formal research training component of the Nottingham DM degree which has been specially adapted from September 2005 to make it specifically suitable for clinicians studying for a higher degree. Clinicians studying for PhD will also take these modules in place of others. From September, details available here.
There is frequently misunderstanding from clinically-qualified applicants from outside the European Union about what attainment of these degrees means. These are research degrees which will show that you have been trained in research. They do NOT qualify you to follow specialist vocational training in this country nor allow you to carry out clinical work during or following your studies. For this you need qualifications that enable you to register with the General Medical Council. For further information contact the GMC.
What do I need to study for a PhD or DM in the NDDC ?
The three things you need are suitable qualifications, funding for University fees and living expenses, and a supervisor who has agreed to supervise your work during your time in Nottingham.
Qualifications
Academic Qualifications - The usual minimum qualification is a good 2:1 or equivalent, or a further post graduate degree such as an MSc. In practice, many of our students have first class degrees.
English Language Qualifications - You also need a good command of spoken and written English and the minimum standard is :
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An International English Language Testing Score (IELTS) of 6.5
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A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 250 with 4.5 in written English.
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A GCSE in English language at grade C or above
Professional Medical Qualifications – Clinically qualified research students who are planning to see patients as part of their research need a medical qualification recognised by the General Medical Council in the UK and suitable Medical Insurance. For further information contact the GMC. They also need evidence of current Hepatitis B immune status.
Funding
Possible sources include;
Studentships - These pay your fees and contribute to living expenses. They may be funded by The University of Nottingham or Research Councils or charities. They are advertised by the University of Nottingham both nationally and on the University website. These studentships are the usual source of funding for UK and some EU non clinical students. Home and EU students can contact Andrea.Greener@nottingham.ac.uk for details about upcoming opportunities. There are several studentship competitions available to international students. These usually pay the fees only and therefore students would generally have to be able to fund their living expenses. International students should contact the International Office.
Competitive External Studentships or Fellowships – These are applied for by the student with the help of a supervisor in the NDDC. This is a common route for clinical PhD students. It often requires the student to do some preliminary work in Nottingham in their spare time or study time whilst in a full-time clinical SHO or SpR post.
Money raised by the student themselves – In the case of international students, the usual source is the student’s government or a national or international funding body, although some students are financed through family or business money. This is the usual route for non EU students. Students using this route should be sure that their funding is sufficient; details of fees for Nottingham degrees including information on the recommended living costs are available here.
Supervisor
Whichever funding route you follow, you will need an identified supervisor within the NDDC. These are listed on this website under “people” and you should visit the web pages to see the research interests of these Principal Investigators. You will need to be accepted by a supervisor before we process your application and preferably before you apply. You can contact potential supervisors through their contact details on the web pages. They will want to see a copy of your CV, to know how you intend to fund your studies, and to know which areas of research interest you. Your detailed research project is normally formulated with your supervisor but they will want to know any preliminary plans you may have.
Application to the University
Once you have suitable qualifications, funding, and a supervisor who has agreed to take you on, you should fill in a University Postgraduate Student application form. Details on applying are available here. Be sure to identify your proposed supervisor on the form.
Please note that applications will only be considered with the necessary supporting documentation. Supporting documents should accompany or closely follow the application, but MUST be received within 4 weeks of the application being submitted.
Good Luck!
We hope you decide to join our research community and are successful in your application. If you are successful, we are confident you will find study and research in the NDDC to be exciting, rewarding and fun !
Further information
The NDDC is part of the School of Clinical Sciences. SCS has an excellent post graduate handbook and a webpage with information available to prospective students. Details can be found here. You should also look at the University Postgraduate Prospectus