This programme is designed to allow clinical health professionals to reach their full potential and pursue a successful academic career.  Up to seven fellowships are offered each year with a single round of admissions.

Fellowships, supported either by the University or Wellcome Sanger Institute, cover the broad themes of Genetic and Molecular Basis of Disease; Pathogens, Infectious Disease and Immunity; Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Medicine; Behaviour, Mental Health and Neurological Diseases; Epidemiology, Prevention and Public Health; Health Care Delivery and Improvement.  Interdisciplinary research, with doctoral projects co-supervised by biomedical researchers and university investigators in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, is also encouraged.

To be eligible to apply for the fellowships, you must be qualified in clinical, dental or veterinary medicine, or be a non-medical health professional registered with a national professional regulatory body in the UK [see programme website for more info].  

Medical and dental applicants must be eligible for/already have GMC/GDC registration and be in a training grade (i.e., not a Consultant, University Faculty or equivalent position) in the UK or RoI.  Veterinary applicants can have achieved board certification following completion of clinical residency but should not hold an academic position within the University.

Although veterinary postgraduates are not eligible for a Sanger Institute-funded fellowship, they can undertake research at the Sanger Institute supervised either solely or jointly by a Sanger faculty member, whilst supported by another fellowship from the programme.

Non-medical healthcare professionals may be at different stages in their clinical careers, but should possess relevant research experience to be able to take advantage of this opportunity.  They would also not be expected to be University Faculty or equivalent positions.

It is important to note that fellowships supported by the Universities of Cambridge and East Anglia are only open to health professionals in clinical training in the UK and RoI. Wellcome Sanger-funded fellowships are open to health professionals in clinical training both in the UK and overseas.  All successful candidates must be registered with their appropriate national professional regulatory body in the UK prior to commencement of the fellowship.

For medical graduates who do not hold academic clinical fellowships (ACFs) and non-medical health professionals, there is the opportunity to undertake a three-month pre-doctoral research placement. During this time, you can undertake mini-projects with research groups in your area of interest, to enable you to make an informed choice of PhD project and supervisor(s), and subsequently to formulate a “Project Proposal” leading to a PhD.

At the start of the Programme, all fellows attend induction events for postgraduate students organised at the University of Cambridge, the University of East Anglia or Wellcome Sanger Institute. The programme includes lectures, workshops, and taught modules, constituting a personal portfolio of training.

Throughout the Programme and after completion, you will be mentored by one or more individuals from the Faculty and Management Committee of the PhD programme.

Year One

During year one, fellows are encouraged to present regularly at lab meetings and to attend journal clubs and seminars. Under University of Cambridge regulations, all PhD students are "probationary" in their first year. Those who wish to progress to a PhD must complete and pass an assessment after 12 months, satisfying their supervisor(s), Head of Department and Faculty Degree Committee that they have the skills, ability and scientific basis to achieve the higher degree, in order to be registered for the PhD.  Fellows are therefore required to write a report on their work to date and plans for forthcoming work, and attend a viva. There is also a summer symposium where fellows present their work.

Year Two

Fellows are encouraged to continue to present regularly at lab meetings, departmental seminars and at meetings of learned societies.  They may also be asked to present a poster at the summer symposium.  Progress will be reviewed by the mentoring committee.

Year Three

Ongoing regular presentations at lab meetings, departmental seminars and meetings of learned societies are encouraged.  Progress will be reviewed by the mentoring committee and, again, fellows are asked to present at the summer symposium.  Fellows will prepare their thesis for submission (deadline of 30 September) and the final viva will take place in October or November.

Further information can be found on the programme website.

Continuing

Those who wish to progress to a PhD after completing an MPhil will be required to satisfy their potential supervisor, Head of Department and the Faculty Degree Committee that they have the skills and ability to achieve the higher degree.

Open Days

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the end of October. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the Postgraduate Open Day page for more details.

The University of East Anglia Postgraduate Open Days are also still largely virtual. Registration is available via https://www.uea.ac.uk/visit/postgraduate-open-days

Departments

This course is advertised in the following departments: