Oncology DPhil

<strong>The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2025). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.</strong> <br/><br/>The Department of Oncology employs multidisciplinary approaches from physics, biology, chemistry and mathematical modelling to investigate DNA biology and epigenetics, cell and environmental biology of tumour tissue and both systemic and local immunological responses in cancer. These programmes focus on expanding scientific knowledge with a particular focus on therapies involving drug discovery or action and combination therapies with radiotherapy..<br/><br/><strong>MSc by Research</strong><br/>The MSc by Research in Oncology is a research-based course at Oxford focusing on DNA biology, tumour microenvironments, and immuno-oncology. It involves lab-based training and culminates in a thesis and viva. <br/><br/>The MSc by Research in Oncology course accepts students for one to three years of study, however, the majority of students in this department complete their project in a year. Applications are accepted from both basic scientists and clinicians.<br/><br/>This course does not include a timetable of lectures but there is a wide range of courses and workshops you will be able to attend to acquire skills that will be necessary for the pursuance and presentation of your research, as well as your professional development as a research scientist. The Department of Oncology provides an induction to the department in the first weeks of study and encourages attendance at divisional and University induction events. <br/><br/>You will be encouraged to make the most of the doctoral training and research methods provision available across the Medical Sciences Division and to attend departmental and divisional seminars. As an MSc by Research student you will be given the opportunity to present your work at a variety of seminars and sessions in the department. <br/><br/>You will be encouraged to attend training opportunities that include both subject-specific and generic research and transferable skills.<br/><br/><strong>DPhil</strong><br/>The DPhil in Oncology is a research-based course at Oxford offering in-depth training in cancer biology, immunology, DNA damage and repair, epigenetics, and therapy development through a 3-4 year lab-based research project.<br/><br/>This programme aims to train the next generation of leaders in translational oncology research by applying state-of-the-art techniques to address fundamental biology of cancer and how to optimise treatments for patients. <br/><br/>The DPhil in Oncology is a three-to-four year DPhil programme and is based on the conduct of a specific research project conducted in a single research group or laboratory. Applications are accepted from both basic scientists and clinicians.<br/><br/>Students will be admitted directly to a particular research area, within a research group/laboratory lead by a Principal Investigator who will be formally appointed as their DPhil supervisor.<br/><br/>As a graduate student you will have access to a wide range of resources offered by the department, the Medical Sciences Division and the wider University, to obtain the skills you need to become an outstanding researcher. The Department of Oncology provides an induction to the department in the first weeks of study and encourages attendance at divisional and University induction events. There is also a wide range of courses and workshops which you can attend to acquire skills that will be necessary for the pursuance and presentation of your research, as well as your professional development as a research scientist. Please note there are no taught elements for the DPhil in Oncology. <br/><br/>You will be encouraged to attend training opportunities that include both subject-specific and generic research and transferable skills.