Respiratory Sciences
PhD, MPhil
The Department of Respiratory Sciences offers supervision for the degrees of:
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - full-time and part-time
- Master of Philosophy (MPhil) - full-time and part-time
We also offer supervision for the degree of Doctor of Medicine (MD).
Supervision and research areas
We offer PhD, MPhil and MD supervision in Respiratory Sciences in areas compatible with the research interests of our academic staff including:
- Chronic Inflammatory airway disease
- Exercise rehabilitation and muscle biology
- Microbial Sciences
- Paediatric respiratory health
- Population Health
Interested in a different research area?
It is important that the area you want to work in is broadly compatible with our research interests - otherwise we may not be able to accept your application.
However, please do not feel we will not be interested if there is not an exact match. It is sometimes possible to be flexible, so please contact us.
Funding
For a list of our available scholarships/studentships, please visit our funded opportunities pages.
Can you fund your own studies?
Self funded projects. Check eligibility on the project description as some are available to overseas applicants only.
- Dr John E. Pearl: Survey of clinical non-tuberculous mycobacteria isolates for mycobacteriophages: their presence, diversity and potential role in disease
- Dr Natalie Garton: Rhodococcus equi lipid bodies: Targeting the pathogen’s fat reserves for infection control
- Professor Andrea Cooper: Stratification of TB risk by immunophenotyping and expression of key diagnostic markers
- Professor Galina Mukamolova: Development of novel therapeutic strategies to target Mycobacterium tuberculosis virulence
- Professor David Cousins: Examining the role of IL18R1 and IL18RAP in asthma
- Prof Dominick Shaw: Assessing the impact of the new NICE asthma guidelines
- Dr Enya Daynes: Exercise and activity phenotypes in respiratory disease
- Dr Erol Gaillard: Indoor air pollution and respiratory health in children and young people
- Professor Galina Mukamolova: Investigation of signalling mechanisms that control Mycobacterium tuberculosis survival under host-imposed stresses
- Dr Helen O’Hare: Molecular level understanding of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Dr Harvinder Virk: Discovery of biomarkers and distinct pathways of fibrotic and inflammatory drivers of Interstitial Lung Diseases and their acute exacerbations
- Dr Hasan Yesilkaya: Understanding microbial metabolism to cure infections?
- Dr Hasan Yesilkaya: How does stress effect progression of infection?
- Dr Lorna Latimer: Extra-pulmonary characteristics of people with COPD and lung hyperinflation and the effects of lung volume reduction
- Professor Mike Barer: Studies into the nature of, and mechanisms underlying the exhaled microbiome of human beings using facemask sampling (FMS)
- Dr Natalie Garton: Understanding the roles of mycobacterial triacylglycerol in modulating mycobacterial growth and biophysical properties
Entry requirements
You must hold a UK undergraduate (Bachelors) degree with at least first class or upper second class honours or an equivalent qualification from a recognised overseas institution in a relevant subject.
See academic entry requirements and the English language entry requirements.
How to apply
- Make sure we offer PhD/MPhil supervision in the area in which you want to work. Applicants are encouraged to contact potential supervisors prior to submitting an application.
- Draft a brief (1,000 words maximum) personal statement that includes:
- A brief description of your intended research and why you want to work in this area
- Names of potential PhD supervisors that have expertise in your chosen research area
- A description of any relevant research experience - for example, as part of a previous degree
- A list of any academic work you have published or which is awaiting publication
- Prepare your supporting documents - with your application you need to include proof that you meet the academic entry requirements and the English language entry requirements:
- include all relevant certificates/diplomas and transcripts
- international applicants must provide official copies of their entire course transcripts including explanations of the mark schemes used
- supporting documents not in English must be provided with a certified English translation
- CV
- Enter contact details for two academic (not personal) referees who can comment on your suitability for the research degree programme in the space provided or upload letters of reference on signed headed paper if already available. Potential PhD supervisors cannot act as referees.
- In the funding section please state how you intend to fund your study
- In the proposal section please provide the name of the supervisors and project title
- Submit your online application using the Apply button at the bottom this page. (This will take you to the application for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation. This is the title of the PhD programme offered in Respiratory Sciences.)
When to apply
We have intakes in January, May, July and September each year.
You should try to submit your application as far in advance of your preferred start date as possible. If you are an international applicant and require a visa to study in the UK you should submit your application at least 5-6 months before the proposed start date.
After you have submitted your application, it will take a minimum of six weeks for you to receive a decision about your application.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees vary according to your fee status and the mode of study (full-time or part-time). For clarification please contact pgradmissions@le.ac.uk
UK campus based
*UK fees will rise each year of study in line with UKRI rates.
Full-time
- 2024/25 academic year: £4,786
- 2025/26 academic year: To be confirmed in early 2025
Part-time
- 2024/25 academic year: £2,393
- 2025/26 academic year: To be confirmed in early 2025
International campus based
Full-time
- 2024/25 academic year: £23,650 - £38,300 per year
- 2025/26 academic year: £23,650 - £38,300 per year
*International fees vary according to the nature of the research project to be undertaken. The applicable fee will be determined at the point an offer of admissions is made and will be stated in the offer letter.
Please note that owing to UK visa restrictions, part-time campus based registration is not normally available to international applicants.
Duration of study
The maximum registration permitted is four years full-time or seven years part-time.
The typical duration of a full time PhD is 3 - 3.5 years. PhD students may use the fourth year as a 'writing-up' year for which a reduced fee is payable if active research has been completed (currently £100).
Funding
For a list of our available scholarships/studentships, please visit our funded opportunities pages.
PhD description
PhD students complete an independent research project under the guidance of a supervisory team. The research is normally completed over a maximum period of 3.0-3.5 years (full-time) or 6.0-6.5 years (part-time).
A fourth year (full-time) or seventh year (part-time) or the remaining part of this can be used to prepare the thesis for examination. The thesis should not normally exceed 50,000 words and must make an original contribution to knowledge and contain work of publishable quality. The thesis must then be defended in a viva voce (oral) examination before a degree can be awarded.