Postgraduate Research Degrees
At the forefront of interdisciplinary research and teaching in Life Sciences, the School is home to internationally recognised research scientists and state-of-the-art facilities, allowing you to work in a high quality research-focused environment.
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - 3 or 4 years full time, 7 years part time
- MSc by Research (MScR) - 1 year full time, 2 years part time
- Visiting Postgraduate Students
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
3 or 4 years full time, 7 years part time
The PhD is based on a single research project under the training and supervision of one of our Research Leaders. The School has strong links with research institutions, business, and industry, both in the UK and overseas, working to develop innovative and exciting areas of research and technology. Research is interdisciplinary and ranges from laboratory-based fundamental science to field-based applied agriculture and biomedicine.
Doctoral Training CentresLink opens in a new window
The University offers several interdisciplinary Centres for Doctoral Training, which aim to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to tackle today's global issues. They bring together various areas of expertise and offer a dynamic environment for PhD student training.
Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership (MIBTP)Link opens in a new window
The MIBTP is a BBSRC-funded doctoral training partnership between the University of Warwick, the University of Birmingham, the University of Leicester, Aston University and Harper Adams University. The MIBTP has an ambitious vision to deliver innovative, world class research across the Life Sciences to boost the growing Bioeconomy in the Midlands and across the UK.
PhD Studentship projects will be focused in vital research areas such as food security, bio-energy and industrial biotechnology, as well as using interdisciplinary and quantitative approaches to biology.
Students from a wide diversity of academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply: those with creative drive in both theoretical disciplines (for example, maths, computer science, statistics) as well as experimental science (for example, biology, biomedicine, chemistry, biotechnology).
NERC CENTA DTP
CENTA (Central England NERC Training Alliance) is a consortium of Universities and research institutes that are working together to provide excellence in doctoral research training within the remit of the Natural Environment Research Council. As a CENTA student, you will belong to a consortium well resourced to provide you with extensive training to give you confidence in all aspects of your research.
MRC-funded Doctoral Training Partnership (MRC DTP)Link opens in a new window
Supervised by internationally leading experts from Warwick Medical School and the School of Life Sciences, this four year PhD programme brings together cutting-edge imaging technology with innovative data analysis to address a range of biomedical research questions in Cellular Dynamics, Neurobiology and Infection. The aim of this programme is to provide tomorrow's research leaders with the quantitative imaging skills that will lead them to a better understanding of human disease and to the design of new diagnostics and therapies. Students from a wide diversity of academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
PhD by Published Research
Seeking a PhD by virtue of research work that you have already published represents a very different route to achieving a PhD, and will only be applicable to a small number of individuals.
MSc by Research
1 year full time, 2 years part time A practical course based on a single research project under the training and supervision of one of our Research Leaders. Research is interdisciplinary and ranges from laboratory-based fundamental science to field-based applied agriculture and ecology.
An MSc by research will give you hands-on experience of your specialism and can be used in preparation for a PhD.
Visiting Postgraduate Students
The School of Life Sciences welcomes applications for visiting postgraduate research student places.
However, it is strongly advised that you contact the department to discuss your needs before you apply as a visiting student.
Contact Us
Postgraduate research enquiries: