Liverpool Cancer Research UK Centre Studentship Programme

The University of Liverpool offers one of the best PhD programmes in the UK, and has been ranked 4th in a study of completion rates for PhD students at universities by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).

If selected into the PhD programme offered by the Liverpool Cancer Research UK Centre you will be able to choose to work with any Research Group within the Centre which complements your research aspirations.

Acceptance of a particular project depends on mutual agreement between a potential supervisor and the student. The programme provides a stipend for living expenses and funding for bench fees. Although tuition fees are also funded by the programme, they are only paid at the UK/EU student rate. It is expected that overseas students accepted on this programme will pay the difference between the UK/EU and Overseas student rates of tuition (approx. £8,500). Training is provided by both the University of Liverpool, as well as by the individual lab and Division where the student is based. University-provided training can be accessed through http://www.liv.ac.uk/gradschool/research_degree/skillprogramme.htm. In summary, the postgraduate training programme requires students gain a minimum of 180 training credits (for PhD) before they can submit their thesis and follows a set course that includes: Year 1: Skills training to gain a minimum of 60 training credits. The student is required to attend a Research Skills Workshop (30 credits) and also complete subject specific training components. Students are also required to complete a record of personal development [Personal Development Record (PDR), 30 credits] where students and supervisors meet to monitor progress and set research goals, as well as fill out an annual progress report where student progress for the year is summarised and recommendations made.

Year 2: Skills training to gain a minimum total of 60 training credits. This training includes attending a Career Skills Workshop (30 credits), and making a presentation at the annual ‘Research in Progress Day' (aka 'Postgraduate Poster Day') in March (30 credits). Training and progress is monitored through the PDR and Annual Progress Report.

Year 3: Skills training to gain a minimum of 60 training credits. This training includes attending a Career Skills Workshop (30 credits). Training and progress is monitored through the PDR and Annual Progress Report.

Year 4:  The training and progress of the student is monitored up to thesis submission through the PDR and Annual Progress Report.

Project-specific research skills training is tailored to the individual requirements of the student and includes all the laboratory skills needed to complete the experimental part of the thesis. There is close collaboration between all scientists and laboratories involved in the Centre, and students are encouraged to interact with, and take advice from these other sources.

Furthermore, many of the laboratories within the Centre will require the student to attend weekly meetings, as well as Journal Clubs where topical issues relating to research issues within the student’s studies are discussed. Within these the student will be expected to present their own research, as well as critique the work of others within the group or from a particular manuscript.

The student’s research will be presented to the Liverpool Cancer Research UK Centre on an annual basis through its seminar series. The Centre arranges a regular series of invited speakers, and all students are expected to attend the presented seminars throughout the academic year in order to gain experience of how research is performed in other laboratories.

The Liverpool Cancer Research UK Centre requires students to write a substantive report of their research at the end of their first year of PhD studies. This report is then examined viva voce by two academic members representing the Centre. The purpose of this process is to provide students with a preliminary experience in writing and defending their thesis, as well as provide them with a foundation that will allow them to plan the following three years of their study.

In addition to the intellectual environment and strong training programmes, the Liverpool Cancer Research UK Centre also offers excellent resources. The Centre maintains an annotated bank of tissue samples which is compliant with Good Clinical Laboratory Practice and access to world-class equipment and core facilities across the campus.