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.

Applications from international candidates will be accepted, however funding at the home level is only available for this programme and therefore international applicants would need to source further funding for the remaining fees. If you are a prospective applicant from the EU, please refer to the following pages on fees and funding.

^{_{*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 cancer@medsci.ox.ac.uk.

CRUK Black Leaders in Cancer DPhil scholarship programme

The CRUK postgraduate studentship programme, Black Leaders in Cancer, was developed in close consultation with the research community, including the expert partner organisations Black in Cancer and Windsor Fellowship. This programme aims to help develop the next generation of Black leaders in cancer research. 

Students on this scheme will benefit from being a part of Oxford’s DPhil in Cancer Science Programme which provides interdisciplinary cutting-edge training in a world-renowned research environment. As well as having access to a comprehensive programme of mentoring, career support, leadership training and networking led by the Windsor Fellowship and Black in Cancer.

Students will be accepted onto our non-clinical programmes via Track 3 (Biological) or Track 4 (Maths/Physics/Engineering), whichever is relevant to their scientific background.

One non-clinical studentship place will be available at Oxford for the 2025 intake. The DPhil in Cancer Science is open to applications from 11 September 2024, until 3 December (12, noon), 2024. Available research projects can be found in our Non-clinical Project Booklet (see the project booklet tab). 

Eligibility

This scheme is aimed at students from Black heritage backgrounds pursuing a DPhil in a cancer-related field. It is open to people who self-identify as being from a Black heritage background, including a mixed background, for example: Black African, Black Caribbean, Black Other, Mixed background (to include Black African, Black Caribbean or other Black backgrounds).

You can read more information on the above eligibility requirements in CRUK’s frequently asked questions

In addition to the eligibility for this scheme, you must also meet the general entry requirements for the DPhil in Cancer Science programme which can be found on the course pages; Track 3 (Biological) or Track 4 (Maths/Physics/Engineering), whichever is relevant to your scientific background. 

Information sessions

The Windsor Fellowship are running 2 insight sessions this year:

• 2 October 2024 12:30 – 14:00
• 8 October 2024 at 12:30 – 14:00

 The sessions are an opportunity for candidates interested in the programme to find out more information and ask questions to a panel of representatives from the training centres, Cancer Research UK and Black in Cancer. You can learn more about the programme and the insight sessions here.

How to apply:

1)    Submit a formal application to the Windsor Fellowship to register your interest and confirm eligibility for the programme.

 2) Apply through the University of Oxford Graduate Admissions website for the relevant track, based on your scientific background:

• Track 3 (Non-Clinical/Fundamental Scientist - Biological background)
• Track 4 (Non-Clinical/Fundamental Scientist - Maths/Physics background) 

Please indicate within your application that you have applied to the CRUK Black Leaders in Cancer Scholarship Programme: In Section A 'Departmental Studentship Applications' of the Graduate Application Form please use the departmental studentships application box to input the code BLCSP24

If you have any questions about the Black Leaders in Cancer Scholarship Programme, please get in touch: cancer@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 cancer@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 open. Full details of projects available can be found in the clinical and non-clinical project booklets below. Please refer to the eligibility tab to determine your track before applying. 

Applicants on Track 1 or 2, please refer to our Clinical booklet. Track 3 and 4 applicants, please refer to our Non-Clinical booklet.  

Prospective students should apply with a prioritised list of three projects selected from one of these booklets by midday on Tuesday 3rd December.

• Clinical: DPhil in Cancer Science Project Booklet 2025

• Non-Clinical: DPhil in Cancer Science Project Booklet 2025

Please note the above booklets have been updated on 22 October 2024 as one project is no longer available for selection. 

Project submissions now closed

Project submissions from Oxford-based PIs are now closed for the 2025 admissions round.  

Each year we advertise over 50 projects and appoint around 15 studentships encompassing clinicians, medical undergraduates and non-clinical/fundamental scientists. Examples of previous projects can be found in the Project Booklet tab on our website.

If you would like to get in touch about the programme, please email us at cancer@medsci.ox.ac.uk