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Postgraduate Study

Course closed:

Cardiovascular Research is no longer accepting new applications.

This programme has a "1+3" structure: the master's (MRes) year aims to deliver research experience and training to prepare students for focusing on a topic for PhD, and it also offers opportunities to sample multidisciplinary teaching and research to broaden appreciation of the context in which their own research falls.

In the MRes year, students will rotate in the laboratories of three different contributing supervisors to give the experience of different working environments; attend lectures and seminars to gain a critical understanding of the major topics in their area of research; choose from a series of lectures and practicals on research methods; and develop a doctoral research proposal, which is assessed along with other elements, for a master's degree. 

The Cardiovascular Research programme trains scientists in cross-disciplinary research related to cardiovascular disease, combining formal training in molecular and cellular biology, physiology of model organisms, human physiology, human genetics and genomics.

The programme brings together world-leading expertise in three interlinked research areas: vascular biology; stem cell and developmental biology; and population health and genomics. Contributing researchers are drawn from cardiovascular medicine and respiratory medicine, public health and primary care, clinical biochemistry, clinical pharmacology, haematology, biochemistry, pharmacology and physiology, and several interdisciplinary institutes: the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Institute of Metabolic Science, and Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine.

The main aims of the MRes are:

  • to give students with relevant experience at a first-degree level the opportunity to carry out focused research in the discipline under close supervision; and
  • to give students the opportunity to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests.

Learning Outcomes

Successful students will be awarded the MRes in Medical Science at the end of the first year and will start their PhD in the lab of their chosen supervisor.

By the end of the MRes, students will have:

  • a comprehensive understanding of techniques, and a thorough knowledge of the literature, applicable to their own research;
  • demonstrated originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in their field;
  • shown abilities in the critical evaluation of current research and research techniques and methodologies;
  • demonstrated some self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and acted autonomously in the planning and implementation of research.

Continuing

Students must successfully complete and pass the MRes to a satisfactory standard in order to progress to the PhD course.


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.

See further the Postgraduate Admissions Events pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.

Key Information


1+3 years full-time

Study Mode : Research

Doctor of Philosophy
Master of Research in the first instance

Department of Medicine

Course - related enquiries

Application - related enquiries

Course on Department Website

Dates and deadlines:

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2023
Application deadline
Dec. 5, 2023
Course Starts
Oct. 1, 2024

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Course Funding Deadline
Jan. 4, 2024
Gates Cambridge US round only
Oct. 11, 2023

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2024, Lent 2025 and Easter 2025.


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