Optical Biology MPhil/PhD
University College London
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( 4.1)

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

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Location

UCL (University College London)

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

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Duration

4 years

Course info

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

UCL (University College London)

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

4 years

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

UCL (University College London)

Study mode

Part Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

6 years

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Course info

OverviewThe Optical Biology PhD programme will train future research leaders to answer fundamental questions in biology by exploiting and developing state-of-the-art optical techniques. The programme brings together life scientists, physicists, chemists and computational scientists at UCL, with world-leading industrial and academic partners, to deliver an integrated training programme in the most advanced optical methods and analysis tools. The programme will be based at UCL, a world-leading ...Read more
Overview

The Optical Biology PhD programme will train future research leaders to answer fundamental questions in biology by exploiting and developing state-of-the-art optical techniques. The programme brings together life scientists, physicists, chemists and computational scientists at UCL, with world-leading industrial and academic partners, to deliver an integrated training programme in the most advanced optical methods and analysis tools. The programme will be based at UCL, a world-leading environment where many major advances in optical techniques for biology have been developed, including ultra-fast 3D 2-photon microscopy, targeted 2-photon optogenetics, low power super- resolution imaging and whole-brain optical mapping. It will also offer students outstanding opportunities to undertake internships and training with our industrial and academic partners, promoting their career development and providing them with attractive post-PhD prospects.

Careers

Our unique programme will enable PhD students to achieve their full potential, challenging them intellectually, while providing the technical and personal support required to ensure their success. Hand-picked PhD committees and our emphasis on building and maintaining a strong sense of cohort, in addition to integration with the wider student body, will all serve to create a highly supportive environment. At the end of their training, students’ career progression will be supported along multiple paths via 'career transition placements' ensuring the students’ success continues to their next destination in industry or academia.

Employability

The unique identity of this programme lies in its combination of world class biomedical researchers partnering with outstanding engineers, physicists, chemists and computer scientists from academia and industry to create the first, wide-ranging and cohesive optical biology training programme. It will equip students to tackle major biological problems across scales, by training them in the use and development of optical methods and applying them in a range of model systems. Career development is supported by 'career transition placements' provided to facilitate the transition from PhD to the next workplace destination.

Key stats

CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
9th

Entry requirements

MPhil/PhD: candidates normally require a minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor’s degree from a UK university (or its overseas equivalent) in a relevant subject.

Tuition fees

Students living in

Domestic

£6,035 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Domestic

This is the fee you pay if the University is in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

This is the fee you pay if the University is in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

£34,400 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.

£34,400 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.

IDP Connect

Uni info

University College London
University College London , London

UCL (University College London) is consistently ranked among the top ten universities in the world, conducting leading research across...

Student rating
( 4.1) View reviews
CUG ranking
9th
University College London
Gower Street London Camden WC1E 6BT United Kingdom
Nearest tube station: Euston  0.1 miles away Nearest train station: Euston   0.2 miles away
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