DPhil in Cancer Science

The scheme caters to researchers from a wide range of backgrounds.  There are four types of application welcomed as described below.

• Application Track 1 – Clinical Trainees. Qualified doctors at all stages of training from the foundation training to higher specialist training.

• Application Track 2 – Medical Undergraduates. Medical students who are currently undertaking a primary medical qualification (MBBS, MBChB or equivalent). At entry, we will be looking for evidence of completion of at least the first two years of a primary medical qualification and achievement at the level of an upper-second or first-class honours degrees (or iBSc).

• Application Type 3 – Non-Clinical/Fundamental Scientist (Biological background). Science graduates that hold (or be predicted to achieve) the equivalent of a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in biological, medical, or chemical science, as appropriate for the projects offered.
• Application Type 4 – Non-Clinical/Fundamental Scientist (Maths/Physics background).  Science graduates that hold (or be predicted to achieve) the equivalent of a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in engineering, mathematical/data, or physical science, as appropriate for the projects offered. 

More information can be found on the University of Oxford’s programme page under the 'How to apply' section.

All offered places are fully funded at the home rate. This includes salary / stipend, University and College fees, and a research consumables budget of £13k p.a.. Salary and stipend provisions are summarised below:

• Track 1: 3 years of salary at Grade E63 or E64 Clinical Researcher rate.
• Track 2: 3 years of stipend at the rate of £21,000 per annum.*
• Track 3: 4 years of stipend at the rate of £21,000 per annum.
• Track 4: 4 years of stipend at the rate of £21,000 per annum.

^{_{*Track 2 students may also be eligible for MBChB tuition fees (at the UK home rate) for a maximum of four years}}

Your Application

Full details on how to apply via your relevant track can be found through the links below.  

• Track 1 (Clinical Trainees)
• Track 2 (Medical Undergraduates)
• Track 3 (Non-Clinical/Fundamental Scientist - Biological background)
• Track 4 (Non-Clinical/Fundamental Scientist - Maths/Physics background) 

See the eligibility tab for more information on each track.

Interviews

Interviews are offered to the top-ranked applications, with the results being announced shortly afterwards. All applicants will be judged on the following;

• Evidence of a prior interest in the area of research proposed is likely to advantage your application.
• Prior publications are not required, but research experience and a track record demonstrating an interest in research may be an advantage.
• It would be expected that graduate applicants would be familiar with the recent published work of their proposed supervisor.
• Commitment to and passion for a career in cancer research.
• Reasoning ability and academic curiosity.

If you are thinking of applying to the scheme, useful advice can be found here. If you have any further questions about the programme or the application, please email cancertraining@medsci.ox.ac.uk.

The pre-recorded videos for previous open days can be found below. 

If you have any questions about the DPhil in Cancer Science or applications, you can contact us on cancertraining@medsci.ox.ac.uk and we will direct your question to the most appropriate person.

Prof Mark Middleton - Introduction to the DPhil in Cancer Science & the CRUK Oxford Centre

Prof Rob Gilbert - Cancer Research Training in Oxford

Dr Catherine Swales - Incorporating a DPhil into your undergraduate medical studies

Prof Chris Pugh - Incorporating a DPhil into your postgraduate clinical training

Applications to the DPhil in Cancer Science programme are now closed. Check back here in September for the updated project booklets for the 2026 intake. 

Project submissions now open

Project submissions from Oxford-based PIs are now open.  

The DPhil in Cancer Science is inviting PIs from across Oxford University’s medical, physical, engineering, data, and mathematical sciences to submit their project ideas for its 2026 intake.

Each year we advertise over 50 projects and appoint up to 15 studentships encompassing clinicians, medical undergraduates and non-clinical/fundamental scientists.

Clinicians and Medical Undergraduate students are enrolled directly onto 3-year projects. Non-clinical / fundamental science students successfully enrolled onto our 2026 cohort will take on two 6-month rotations within their first year, before deciding on a final 3-year project for the remainder of their DPhil.

When completing your application, you will be asked to summarise a 3-year DPhil research project and stipulate which track of applicant would be suitable for your project. Projects for which non-clinical students are eligible will also be required to submit an outline for the initial 6-month rotation project.

The deadline for applications is Friday 6^th June 2025.  For further details and to apply, please refer to the documents linked below.

2026 Intake Project Submission Form 

2026 Intake Guidance for Supervisors

FAQ's

Global biopharma company GSK is investing up to £50 million in a collaboration with Oxford to advance the understanding of how cancer develops, which could inform future development of vaccines to prevent cancer. The agreement establishes the GSK-Oxford Cancer Immuno-Prevention Programme, aimed at exploring the potential of cancer prevention through vaccination.

The programme leverages the complementary expertise of GSK and Oxford in the science of the immune system, vaccine development and cancer biology. It is hoped that the insights generated through the programme into how cancer develops could inform new approaches to vaccination for cancer prevention, offering fresh hope in the fight against the disease.

There will be a number of GSK-Oxford DPhil studentships available for the 2026 intake. Further details on how to apply will be added to this page when applications open in September.