Career opportunities
A PhD is the highest level of academic achievement available and vital for the continued professional development of scientists. Visit the programme website for more information
Completing a PhD at Birmingham will extend your knowledge base in your chosen subject, as well as enhancing your problem solving and analytical; communication and teaching; and leadership and management skills – all of which are valued across the academic and private sectors. It’ll also provide you with the opportunity to develop your network of peers, collaborators and colleagues to support your onward career.
Many of the postgraduate research students go onto roles such as Research fellow/postdoctoral researcher, medical writer, scientist/research scientist in the pharmaceutical industry, and clinical trial coordinator.
Employers include the NHS Trusts, Cancer Research UK, pharma and biotech companies (including AstraZeneca, Covance, Binding Site, Immunocore, Johnson and Johnson), Medical Communications agencies (e.g. Fishawack, Insight Medical Writing), the Armed Forces and the University of Birmingham.
Programme Structure
Research projects:
- At Birmingham, you can apply for an advertised PhD or propose your own research. An advertised PhD is typically part of an established research project and is usually funded by the University or another funding body.
- If you want to pursue your own research project, you can apply to the research programmes to propose this.
Visit programme website
Admission requirements
Academic requirements
GPA: Upper Second Class
English requirements
- TOEFL iBT: 88 (or 4.5 on the new TOEFL iBT 1-6 score, CEFR-aligned; equivalent to the 0-120 score)
- PTE Academic: 67
- IELTS: 6.5
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Other requirements
General requirements
- To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet the general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
- 2:1 Honours degree in a subject relevant to the research area you applying to
Visit programme website
Fees and funding
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are shown in AUD and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.
- International (Non-residents): 55,828 AUD/year (≈ 29,310 GBP/year)
- Domestic (Citizens or residents): 9,977 AUD/year (≈ 5,238 GBP/year)
Additional Details
- UK: £2,619 (part-time)
- International: £14,665 (part-time)
Living costs
Birmingham, United Kingdom: 1,457-2,160 AUD/month
