Overview

The School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine is an internationally recognised centre of excellence for the study of cancer biology, infection and immunology, and regenerative medicine.

Ongoing refurbishment of our immunology, microbiology, virology, regenerative medicine and cancer research laboratories has created an outstanding working environment with state-of-the-art facilities. Researchers in the school also have access to facilities within the Faculty of Life Sciences, for example the Molecular Recognition Centre and Cell Imaging, Proteomics and Wolfson Bioimaging Facility.

Staff research interests include:

  • childhood and adult cancers
  • regenerative medicine
  • molecular genetics
  • developmental biology
  • haematological disorders
  • immunology
  • virology
  • bacterial antibiotic resistance
  • bacterial pathogenesis.

The school combines basic research with a focus on translation, in other words turning basic scientific discoveries into something that is clinically useful. Key successes of this type include the development of novel drugs, therapies and diagnostic tests, and the implementation of changes to clinical practice. Several members of staff in the school are clinicians.

We have a list of pre-defined research projects available for the MSc by Research.

Entry requirements

A first or upper second-class honours degree (or international equivalent) in a biomedical science discipline is required for entry to the PhD programme. We may consider MSc by research applications from candidates with a lower second-class degree (or international equivalent).

Applicants for the MD should be medically qualified and should consult with the graduate director before applying.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

Go to admissions statement

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level C.

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Fees and funding

UK: full-time
£4,758 per year
UK: part-time
£2,379 per year
Overseas: full-time
£26,000 per year

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Bench fees

For postgraduate research students who are not funded by UK Research Councils or (specific) UK charities, it is usual to charge a bench fee. A bench fee covers the costs of laboratory consumables, specialist equipment and other relevant costs (such as training) for the duration of the programme. The bench fee charged can vary considerably depending on the nature of the programme being undertaken. Details of specific bench fee charges can be provided on request and will be made clear in the offer letter sent to applicants.

Alumni discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding for 2024/25

Details about funded places and scholarships are listed on the Faculty of Life Sciences website and the School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine website.

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career prospects

Graduates have varied careers, including academic research, contract research, working in industry, diagnostics and clinical science, secondary education, higher education, science communications, journalism and research council grant administration.

Meet our supervisors

The following list shows potential supervisors for this programme. Visit their profiles for details of their research and expertise.

a.essafi@bristol.ac.uk;bethan.lloyd-lewis@bristol.ac.uk;k.t.a.malik@bristol.ac.uk;eugenia.piddini@bristol.ac.uk;anne.ridley@bristol.ac.uk;stefan.roberts@bristol.ac.uk;borko.amulic@bristol.ac.uk;adam.finn@bristol.ac.uk;g.jones@bristol.ac.uk;a.mumford@bristol.ac.uk;l.nicholson@bristol.ac.uk;laura.rivino@bristol.ac.uk;christoph.wuelfing@bristol.ac.uk;matthewb.avison@bristol.ac.uk;darryl.j.hill@bristol.ac.uk;ruth.massey@bristol.ac.uk;jim.spencer@bristol.ac.uk;rafael.carazosalas@bristol.ac.uk;w.z.kafienah@bristol.ac.uk;andrew.davidson@bristol.ac.uk;d.a.matthews@bristol.ac.uk;siangboon.koh@bristol.ac.uk;asme.boussahel@bristol.ac.uk;anu.goenka@bristol.ac.uk;alice.halliday@bristol.ac.uk;p.patel@bristol.ac.uk;luca.shytaj@bristol.ac.uk;adam.chambers@bristol.ac.uk;christine.chew@bristol.ac.uk;

Research groups

Research within Cellular and Molecular Medicine is focused on three strategic themes: infection and immunity; cancer biology; and tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Infection and immunity

This wide-ranging research theme includes:

  • immunology, especially tumour immunology and autoimmune disease;
  • microbiology, especially bacterial pathogenicity and antimicrobial resistance;
  • virology, including the study of important human viruses such as coronaviruses, influenza viruses, adenoviruses, HIV and dengue viruses.

Cancer biology

Cancer is a major cause of death in the UK and the lifetime risk of developing cancer is about one in three. Over 50 per cent of cancers are preventable. The overall research aim for the groups within cancer biology is to increase our understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of cancer and to bring advances in these areas to the clinic, in terms of prevention strategies, early diagnosis and targeted novel treatments.

Tissue engineering, stem cell biology and regenerative medicine

Research includes work with human blood stem cells, on cartilage regeneration through tissue engineering in the laboratory and after implantation in the patient, and on the generation of new biomaterials.