About the Department of Oncology
The Department of Oncology consists of approximately 170 staff and 30 students. We are a multi-site department based mainly in Cambridge Biomedical Research Campus - home to Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, various University of Cambridge Departments, internationally renowned research institutes and several pharmaceutical companies.
Our research focuses on determining the onset of cancer and its progression, with the aim to develop and implement methods for improving the prevention, early detection and treatment of the disease.
Cambridge's Biomedical Research Campus offers students access to state-of-the-art research and clinical facilities. Additionally, many of our student supervisors are both research group leaders and practising clinicians, facilitating solid links between our laboratory science and its clinical application. During the course, our postgraduate students undertake a research project based on the specific interests of their supervisor. Students also acquire diverse skills: from specialised scientific techniques to personal and professional development, all of which take place in a supportive environment.
Our postgraduate courses not only help students attain a world-class education but train them to become the next generation of world-class researchers.
Please visit the Department of Oncology website to find out more about the department and our research interests: https://www.oncology.cam.ac.uk/
4 courses offered in the Department of Oncology
Cancer Biology - MRes + PhD
The Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Cambridge Centre is a dynamic collaboration of academic researchers, clinicians, and the pharmaceutical and biotech industries based in the Cambridge area. We combine world-class science and technology with excellent patient care to pioneer new ways to prevent, detect and treat cancer. By working together across different disciplines, we are breaking down the barriers between the laboratory and the clinic, enabling patients to benefit from the latest innovations in cancer science.
The CRUK Cambridge Centre has an innovative MRes/PhD programme, with the aim of training the cancer research leaders of the future across the widest possible range of disciplines working together to make meaningful progress in this challenging and rewarding area.
At the end of the MRes/PhD programme, candidates will be prepared for a career at the forefront of cancer research. The course design reflects our belief that, for this to happen, students need a much deeper and broader knowledge of cancer biology and its relationship to the clinic, as well as a breadth of experience in experimental work to make an informed choice of research area.
Cancer Biology (part-time) - MRes + PhD
The Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Cambridge Centre is a dynamic collaboration of academic researchers, clinicians, and the pharmaceutical and biotech industries based in the Cambridge area. We combine world-class science and technology with excellent patient care to pioneer new ways to prevent, detect and treat cancer. By working together across different disciplines, we are breaking down the barriers between the laboratory and the clinic, enabling patients to benefit from the latest innovations in cancer science.
The CRUK Cambridge Centre's innovative part-time MRes/PhD programme will train the cancer research leaders of the future across the widest possible range of disciplines, working together to make meaningful progress in this challenging and rewarding area.
The course is designed for NIHR Academic Clinical Fellows (ACFs) and the applicant’s Clinical Training Director must be supportive that protected research time can be adapted to suit the MRes programme timetable and requirements. The course does not provide salary, however makes use of the protected academic time allocated to NIHR Academic Clinical Fellows (ACFs). As this academic time needs to fit around the course, it will require the support of the applicant’s Clinical and Academic Training Programme Director so that protected research time can be adapted to suit the MRes programme timetable and requirements. The course is also open for part time study for non-clinical MRes students, who will be fully funded by the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre.
At the end of the MRes/PhD programme, candidates will be prepared for a career at the forefront of clinical cancer research. The course design reflects our belief that, for this to happen, students need a much deeper and broader knowledge of cancer biology and its relationship to the clinic, as well as a breadth of experience of experimental work to make an informed choice of research area.
Medical Science (Oncology) - MPhil
The MPhil degree is a research based degree offered full-time over 12 months or part-time over 24 months. It is designed to produce postgraduates with rigorous research and analytical skills, who are exceptionally well equipped to go on to doctoral study, postgraduate research, or employment in industry and the public sector.
Students undertake a bespoke research project, which is agreed at the application stage with their Principal Supervisor. Towards the end of their MPhil course, students produce a written thesis about their research project. Assessment for award of MPhil degree is by oral examination of the student's research thesis and their broader knowledge of their chosen area of research.
Most research training is provided within the structure of the student’s research group and is overseen by their Principal Supervisor. Informal opportunities to develop research skills also exist through mentoring by other members of staff and fellow students.
Students are encouraged to attend scientific meetings, seminars and postgraduate courses relevant to their area of interest. They are also expected to participate in journal clubs and lab meetings and to take advantage of the numerous and varied training opportunities offered by the University.
Each student has a Principal Supervisor and is also assigned an Adviser who provides additional support. In addition, our Postgraduate Administrator acts as the first point of contact for any student with a query or difficulty not directly related to their scientific work.
Student matters in the department are overseen by our Director of Postgraduate Education and the Cancer Biology Postgraduate Education Committee.
Oncology - PhD
The PhD in Oncology is a research based course offered over 3 to 4 years full-time, or over 4 to 7 years part-time. It is designed to produce postgraduates with rigorous research and analytical skills, who are exceptionally well equipped to go on to doctoral study, postgraduate research, or employment in industry and the public sector.
Each student undertakes a bespoke research project, which is agreed with their Principal Supervisor during the application process.
PhD students are initially on probation, with progression to the PhD being dependent on passing a PhD Registration Assessment (PRA); this involves submission of a written progress report which is then assessed by oral examination conducted by two assessors. Full-time PhD students are on probation during their first year and must pass their PRA before they enter their second year of study. Part-time students are on probation for their first two years and must pass their PRA before they enter their third year of study.
Both full-time and part-time students are also required to produce regular written progress reports throughout the course of their degree.
At the end of their PhD, students produce a thesis of 60,000 words maximum, followed by an oral examination based on both their thesis and their broader knowledge of their chosen area of research.
Each student is assigned a Principal Supervisor who oversees their research project and an Adviser who provides additional support. Our Postgraduate Administrator acts as the first point of contact for any student with a query or difficulty not directly related to their scientific work. All student matters in the department are overseen by our Director of Postgraduate Education and the Cancer Biology Postgraduate Education Committee.
Most research training is provided within the structure of the student’s research group and informal opportunities to develop research skills are available through mentoring by other members of staff and fellow students. All students are encouraged to attend scientific meetings, seminars and postgraduate courses relevant to their area of interest. They are also expected to participate in journal clubs and lab meetings and to take advantage of the numerous and varied training opportunities offered by the University.
2 courses also advertised in the Department of Oncology
Medicine MRC DTP iCASE - PhD
From the Faculty of Clinical Medicine
The Cambridge Medical Research Council's Doctoral Training Programme will be offering five Industrial MRC CASE (iCASE) studentships for doctoral study, to start in October 2025, and these can be based in either the School of Clinical Medicine, or the School of Biological Sciences.
Each studentship is fully-funded for four years, to include a stipend, all course fees, plus a research training support grant.
National Institutes of Health Oxford/Cambridge Programme NIH Ox/Cam - PhD
From the Department of Medicine
This innovative programme was established in 2002 as a collaboration between the University of Cambridge and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the US. Its aim is to train outstanding students in biomedical research, taking advantage of the excellent research environments in Cambridge and the US. Students work on collaborative projects organised by co-supervisors in Cambridge and the NIH, spending two years at each institution. Students have access to all NIH facilities and are paid by the NIH. The PhD is awarded by the University of Cambridge.