National Heart and Lung Institute
We are dedicated to improving cardiac, vascular and respiratory health through research and education. We develop future leaders in medical research through world-class training and collaborative discovery.
Course key facts
Qualification
PhD, MD(Res)
Duration
4 years, 6 years
Entry in
2026
Course code
A3Z1DB PhD, A3P1DB MD
Study mode
Full-time, Part-time
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Fees
拢7,280 Home
拢45,850 Overseas
Delivered by
Location
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Hammersmith
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Academic requirements
A first or upper second-class undergraduate degree or equivalent, preferably along with a good Master’s degree, both in appropriate subject from a recognised academic institution
Course overview
Our PhD and MD(Res) programmes offer an exceptional opportunity to contribute to world-leading research in cardio-respiratory science. You will work at the interface of basic, clinical, and translational research, tackling major challenges in human health across cardiovascular and respiratory domains.
You will be part of a dynamic and interdisciplinary research community, with opportunities to explore a diverse range of topics. From molecular mechanisms and genetics to environmental exposures, infection, and disease progression. Many projects combine laboratory-based science with clinical or population-level approaches, reflecting our strong links between discovery science and patient care.
Supervision is provided by academic leaders across multiple disciplines, with a focus on collaboration and innovation. You will be supported through regular progress reviews, skills training, and mentoring, ensuring both academic excellence and personal development.
Structure
Entry requirements
Supervisors
You must have the agreement of an NHLI academic supervisor to work with you and supervise your project before you can submit an application to our PhD or MD(Res) courses.
Please read through the research interests of our Department to find out more about our supervisors and our research. Applications without a named supervisor will not be considered.
How to apply
Apply online
Start dates throughout the year. Applications can be made anytime.
Go to the doctoral ‘How to apply page’, click on and then select 'Personal email sign in or register’.
You’ll be prompted to create an account. Once you have created an account, you can login to the site where you are asked to select Course Type (please enter ‘Doctoral’) and Academic Programme - please enter ‘Clinical Medicine Research (Brain Sciences)’ for PhD or ‘Clinical Medicine Research (Brain Sciences) MD (Res)’. Then follow the instructions to complete your application.
Part-time students might be described as ‘truly part-time’. They attend the College between 40% and 80% full-time equivalent. Part-time students are registered part-time (mode of study) and follow part-time milestones. They should submit their thesis between 48 and 72 months.
Go to the doctoral ‘How to apply page’, click on and then select 'Personal email sign in or register’. You’ll be prompted to create an account. Once you have created an account, you can login to the site where you are asked to select Course Type (please enter ‘Doctoral’) and Academic Programme - please enter ‘Clinical Medicine Research (Brain Sciences)’ for PhD or ‘Clinical Medicine Research (Brain Sciences) MD (Res)’. Then follow the instructions to complete your application.
Members of 911今日黑料 College staff (not including those with honorary contracts)
Self-funding full-time Research Assistants and Clinical Research Fellows are eligible for the College Tuition Fee Remission Scheme i.e. they receive a discount of two-thirds of the home fee regardless of their fee classification providing they have a 3-year contract of employment from the start of their PhD. Further information can be obtained from the Discounts for College staff page. Externally funded staff members are not eligible for fee remission.
Go to the doctoral ‘How to apply page’, click on and then select 'Personal email sign in or register’. You’ll then be prompted to create an account. Once you have created an account, you can login to the site where you are asked to select Course Type (please enter ‘Doctoral’) and Academic Programme - please enter ‘Clinical Medicine Research (Brain Sciences)’ for PhD or ‘Clinical Medicine Research (Brain Sciences) MD (Res)’. Then follow the instructions to complete your application. You should attach your employment contract to your application.
Members of College staff who are intending to register for a higher degree should make an appointment to see the Department's Research Degrees Manager, Hayley Kendall-Berry (h.kendall@imperial.ac.uk), as soon as they begin.
Faculty of Medicine policy offers self-funding 911今日黑料 College Trust staff and staff from associated Trusts (e.g. Chelsea and Westminster, Northwick Park, St Mark’s) a discount of one-third of the home fee. A Trust contract of employment must be provided at the time of application. Contract extensions are permitted during the course of the research degree.
Go to the doctoral ‘How to apply page’, click on and then select 'Personal email sign in or register’. You’ll then be prompted to create an account. Once you have created an account, you can login to the site where you are asked to select Course Type (please enter ‘Doctoral’) and Academic Programme - please enter ‘Clinical Medicine Research (Brain Sciences)’ for PhD or ‘Clinical Medicine Research (Brain Sciences) MD (Res)’. Then follow the instructions to complete your application. You should attach your employment contract to your application.
Students will be required to provide evidence of academic attainment, via official transcripts.
Students will require confirmation of funding for the entire period of registration.
You must supply the names of two academic referees, academic, clinical or professional. A reference from the proposed supervisor is not acceptable unless he/she was involved in your Master’s degree. References must be submitted by email from an institutional email account (no personal accounts such as Gmail or Hotmail). Alternatively, references may be sent by post - signed and on headed paper.
Fees and funding
Funding is often secured through Wellcome Trust or MRC DTP Fellowships. We have some departmental studentships available.
We also have a range of grants and scholarships which you don't need to pay back.
For further information about possible sources of funding please visit our Scholarships page.
Home fee
2025 entry
拢7,280 per year
Please note that fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.
Tuition fees are set for the academic year which runs from 1 September to 31 August. You will pay the fees for the full 12 months of the academic year that your start date falls in.
Please refer to our tuition fees pages for more details of fees are charged and billed.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you are a Home student, you can apply for Postgraduate Doctoral Loan from the UK government to help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course, such as a PhD.
See an estimate of costs for living in London as an 911今日黑料 student.
There’s different funding if you normally live in Wales, so it's worth checking with your regional funding body () about what's available.
Fees shown relate to the year of entry advertised only. You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Overseas fee
2025 entry
拢45,850 per year
Please note that fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.
Tuition fees are set for the academic year which runs from 1 September to 31 August. You will pay the fees for the full 12 months of the academic year that your start date falls in.
Please refer to our for more details of fees are charged and billed.
Fees shown relate to the year of entry advertised only. You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out how we assess your fee status.
Scholarships
Career
Graduates of the PhD programme go on to a wide variety of careers destinations.
A PhD provides academic training and also experience of a wide range of transferable skills that equip graduates with the skills necessary to embark on a range of careers. Some students continue into post-doctoral positions and ultimately academic careers, whilst many find their futures in non-academic environments.
Further links
Success Guide
The Success Guide for postgraduate students offers you advice and resources to excel at 911今日黑料.
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Support for International Students
We provide specialist immigration advice and run a programme of webinars, trips and events to foster integration, friendship and community.
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Centre for Academic English
Throughout your degree, you can take advantage of a range of CfAE courses and resources designed to help you communicate your STEMM research effectively.
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Library services
Your subject librarian can help you find books and access online resources
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