Briefing: current BHF PhD programmes
Summary
There are nine current BHF 4Y PhD programmes. The majority offer an assessed MRes in the first
year, with at least 2 lab rotations, and time to write up a PhD proposal. All encompass very broad
research areas.
1. Cambridge
PhD students per year: 4
Website: http://www.cardiovascular.cam.ac.uk/students/prospective/phd-bhfcardio
Research areas of focus



Vascular Biology
Stem Cell and Developmental Biology
Population Health and Genomics
Programme structure
MRes + PhD. After the first year students are assessed for an MRes qualification.
Lab stream: 3x10wk rotations, then write up a PhD proposal. Assessed as part of MRes qualification.
Other features of note
Quantitative stream first year is an MPhil in Epidemiology or in Public Health.
All students are jointly supervised.
Annual symposium.
2. Edinburgh
PhD students per year: 4
Website: No accessible one for the programme as a whole. Advert currently out at
http://www.findaphd.com/search/PhDDetails.aspx?CAID=34&LID=300
Research areas of focus
Molecular basis of cardiovascular disease. Experimental approaches include molecular genetics, cell
biology, pharmacology, physiology, bioinformatics and imaging.
Programme structure
MSc by Research + PhD. Lab rotations are written up and assessed to gain an MSc by Research in
Cardiovascular Biology at the end of the first year. PhD project driven by student choice.
3. Glasgow
PhD students per year: 5
Website:
http://www.gla.ac.uk/researchinstitutes/icams/postgraduateresearchopportunities/bhf4yearphdpro
gramme/
Research areas of focus







Vascular and Myocardial Biology, Signalling and Disease Pathogenesis
Vascular biology and biomedicine
Cardiac Arrhythmias and Cardiac Function
Metabolic syndrome, obesity and diabetes
Immunity, inflammation and cardiovascular disease
Kidney disease and stroke as complications of cardiovascular disease
Mathematical modelling of the heart and vasculature
Programme structure
MRes + PhD. Three lab rotations and training in theory. A successful first year leads to the award of
an MRes In Translational Medicine.
Other features of note
Lists primary and secondary supervisor pools (“Second Supervisors are academic staff that have yet
to acquire a substantial record of PhD supervision. An experienced colleague will be appointed as cosupervisor for PhD projects in these laboratories; the senior supervisor will provide mentoring to
both the younger staff member and to the student thereby ensuring proper development of the
young group leader and a successful outcome to the research programme.”).
4. Imperial
PhD students per year: Unknown as yet – PhD advert in December will say.
Website: http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/bhfcre/mresphdstudentships/mresphdprogramme
Research areas of focus
We aim to foster cross-disciplinary research and teaching of the highest quality that exploits the
world-class reputation of Imperial College’s scientists and clinicians in biomedicine, engineering,
mathematics and physical sciences.
Programme structure
MRes + PhD. A successful first year leads to the award of an MRes in Biomedical Research:
Respiratory and Cardiovascular Science.
Two 20 week research projects. Transferable skills training from the Graduate School.
5. King’s College London
PhD students per year: 4
Website: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/lsm/research/divisions/cardio/research/phd/bhfstudentship.aspx
Research areas of focus
A broad understanding of the fundamental biology of the cardiovascular system, the molecular and
cellular mechanisms underlying disorders of this system, and the multidisciplinary approaches
towards the development of novel interventions for the amelioration of such disorders.
Programme structure
MRes + PhD. A successful first year leads to the award of an MRes in Cardiovascular Science.
MRes year: 3 research mini-projects, 1 library project and a set of 6 workshops.
PhD topic: students are given a list of 10 possible topics and they choose from within those.
Other features of note
As students advance through their PhD, they are also encouraged to work for 1-3 months in another
laboratory outside KCL, which has collaborative links with the supervisor’s laboratory, to gain
experience of the wider scientific world.
6. Manchester
PhD students per year: 5
Website: http://www.cardiovascular.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/bhfphd/
Research areas of focus
Supervisors are grouped under the following headings:






Genetics of cardiovascular disease
Vascular physiology
Cardiac physiology
Cell signalling, inflammation and stem cells
Cell matrix and bioengineering
Structural biology and functional genomics
Programme structure
MRes + PhD. A successful first year leads to the award of an MRes in Cardiovascular Sciences.
MRes: Seminars, masterclasses, tutorials and three 12-week laboratory rotations. Ends with 3
months of developing a PhD project proposal and conducting a literature review.
Other features of note
PhD projects are multidisciplinary and benefit from the experience of at least two academic
supervisors.
7. Oxford
PhD students per year: 4
Website: http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/dphil-cardiovascular-science
Research areas of focus
None given, but the taught first year components are:





myocardial, vascular and respiratory biology
infection and immunity
molecular medicine
neuroscience
signalling in health and disease
Programme structure
Really a 4-year PhD trying to appear like a 1+3. Specific projects are advertised from the start, and
although the students can undertake short courses in all sorts of areas, attend lecture series, and
write extended essays, they are expected to spend 9 months in a single lab in their first year.
8. QMUL
PhD students per year: 4 plus 2 locally funded
Website: http://www.whri-bhf4yrphd.org/
Research areas of focus




Cardiovascular Genomics into Healthcare and Vascular Pharmacology
CV injury, inflammation, angiogenesis and regenerative medicine
Electrophysiology and advanced imaging
Interdisciplinary projects
Programme structure
MRes + PhD. A successful first year leads to the award of an MRes in Inflammation: Cellular and
Vascular Aspects.
First year: taught component and three lab rotations.
Other features of note
Funds available for students to travel to labs of potential postdoc supervisors.
9. UCL
PhD students per year: 4
Website: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/research/degrees/bhfcardiovascular-biomedicine
Research areas of focus







stem cells and developmental biology,
vascular biology
gene therapy
electrophysiology
therapeutic devices
advanced imaging
cardioprotection



genetics
cell biology
epidemiology and public health sciences
Programme structure
1+3. First year involves post-graduate level tuition in relevant basic biology, research skills training,
two or three rotation projects, and choice of PhD topic.