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How To Apply

In this section

The main application deadline for entry in October 2023 is at noon GMT on 9th December 2022. 

Our courses

DPhil in Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics

MSc by Research in Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics

Making an application

All applicants must submit the following materials in order to be considered for admission to a research programme:

  1. A fully completed application form
  2. Three academic references
  3. Transcript(s) of previous higher education
  4. CV/résumé
  5. Statement of research interests/research proposal and a personal statement
  6. The application fee

Standardised CV form

We will ask you to fill out an online form that requests certain information that you will likely have included on your CV. This form will request the same information from all applicants, and will provide this information to the assessors in an identical format. This allows us to ensure that we are comparing all applicants fairly, as we will ensure that we have the information that we require from everyone, rather than leaving it to chance that this is included on your CV.

Our assessors will see this information in the same format, meaning that they will be able to compare this information more easily, and not be influenced by differences in CV formatting. The aim of this process is to allow us to focus on the key objective pieces of information that will help us to assess your academic merit, potential, and suitability in the shortlisting procedure.

Instructions for submitting your CV

A CV/résumé is compulsory for all applications. You will need to upload a standardised CV to the graduate application form as part of your application. This standardised CV should be generated using the online form that requests certain information that you will likely have included on your CV. Once you have completed the form, you will have 15 minutes to download your CV as a PDF document. 

This PDF document will be in the same format for all applicants and you should not modify the document before you upload it to your application, or submit your CV in a different format. 

Full instructions and a link to the standard CV creation form are provided on the Medical Sciences Division website. The instructions page contains links to example clinical and non-clinical CVs, with details of what to include and suggested answer formats.

If you require help or advice while generating your CV using the online form, please contact the Medical Sciences Graduate School for assistance (graduate.school@medsci.ox.ac.uk).

Note on research proposal

This must be in English and no more than 2000 words. This will be assessed for: the coherence of the proposal; the originality of the project; evidence of motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study; the feasibility of successfully completing the project in the time available for the course (a maximum of four years); commitment to the subject, beyond the requirements of the degree course; preliminary knowledge of research techniques; reasoning ability. It will be normal for your ideas subsequently to change as you investigate the evidence and develop your project. You should nevertheless make the best effort you can to demonstrate the extent of your research question, sources and method at this moment.

The applicant is responsible for providing these materials in sufficient time to meet the published deadlines for applications. Applicants must include in their applications details of all periods of study at university level, and all qualifications attempted whilst at university.

Students must arrive in time for the induction programmes provided by the Department and Colleges. These are held in the week before the official start of the University academic year (i.e. week 0 of Michaelmas term). This is usually the 1st week in October. View the dates for University terms.

 

Interviews are held the second week of January and ad-hoc thereafter.

Resources

Application form

Application Notes for Guidance: includes details on language requirements, application deadlines, fees and funding scholarships search

MSD Graduate School research areas

Application Notes for Guidance for applicants with disabilities