The Department of Molecular and Cell Biology offer supervision for the degree of:
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - full-time and part-time
Master of Philosophy (MPhil) - full-time and part-time
We also offer supervision for the degree of Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Supervision and research areas
We offer PhD and supervision in Molecular and Cell Biology in areas compatible with the research interests of our academic staff:
Biochemistry
Cancer and Cell Biology
Cell Physiology and Pharmacology
Cell Signalling and G Protein-coupled Receptor Molecular Pharmacology
Mechanisms and Principles of Gene Expression
Molecular Physiology of the Cardiovascular System
Structure, Dynamics, and Assembly of Macromolecular Complexes
Structure-based Drug Discovery and Design
Structure-function Relationships in Ion Channels and Receptors
Interested in a different research area?
It is important that the area you want to work in is broadly compatible with our research interests - otherwise we may not be able to accept your application.
PhD description
PhD students complete an independent research project under the guidance of a supervisory team. The research is normally completed over a maximum period of 3.0-3.5 years (full-time) or 6.0-6.5 years (part-time).
A fourth year (full-time) or seventh year (part-time) or the remaining part of this can be used to prepare the thesis for examination. The thesis should not normally exceed 50,000 words and must make an original contribution to knowledge and contain work of publishable quality. The thesis must then be defended in a viva voce (oral) examination before a degree can be awarded.
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution
July 2025
Main Campus
University Road,
Leicester,
Leicestershire,
LE1 7RH, United Kingdom
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution
January 2026
Main Campus
University Road,
Leicester,
Leicestershire,
LE1 7RH, United Kingdom
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
The University of Leicester is currently home to over 4,000 international students, making it a wonderfully multicultural place to study.