DentistryPhD / MSc (Res)

Work amongst renowned researchers to produce original and world-leading research, striving to provide novel diagnostic and therapeutic solutions to the most common oral and general health problems.

Course structure

This PhD programme can be undertaken full-time (minimum 36 months) or part-time (minimum 72 months). Applications are accepted all year round and there is flexibility on the start date with the largest intakes normally in October and April. Following completion of your minimum period of study, you’ll normally transfer to a thesis awaited status (maximum 12 months). To successfully progress into each year you’ll need to pass an Annual Progress Review (APR).

By pursuing our PhD/MSc by Research you’ll gain high quality research training that will enable you to conduct independent investigative research with confidence and expertise. You can choose from a range of research areas within Dentistry in the following themes:

• Clinical and experimental oral sciences
• Oral regeneration rehabilitation sciences

By studying this programme you’ll become part of the Graduate School within the College of Medicine and Health giving you access to:

• Supervision from leading academics to support you through your research programme including research techniques and training.
• Training and development courses to enable you to gain research and transferable training skills.
• Opportunities to attend and take part in Research Poster festivals and other postgraduate activities to boost your academic and networking skills.
• An allocated academic mentor so you can access pastoral support.
• State-of-the art facilities to support a range of teaching, learning and research activity with access to dedicated write up rooms, libraries, and computer facilities.

You’ll become part of the wider University of Birmingham postgraduate research community located at Westmere House where you have access to training and skills development, careers and employability advice, wellbeing and counselling services as well as welcome activities and events.

• Supervision – you'll be supported by supervisors in your research area.
• Research support - access to dedicated write up rooms, libraries, and computer facilities.
• Publishing works – build your reputation and make your research public, by working with your supervisors to publish articles.

The School of Dentistry is housed in the Birmingham Dental Hospital. We host state-of-the-art laboratories for physical and biological sciences. We have access to many of the vital pieces of equipment need for dental research including on site histology, microscopy (fluorescent and scanning electron), microbiology, tissue culture, biomaterials and materials testing. Our proximity to the clinics of the hospital makes translational and primary studies very amenable, whilst even more possibilities are available via labs and collaborations at the main campus site a short walk away.

If you want to pursue your own research project, you can apply to our research programmes to propose this. This is self-funded although scholarships are available.

Find a supervisor

If you’d rather propose your own research, the first step is to find your supervisor. We encourage you to browse the biographies of faculty members to familiarise yourself with the research going on in your preferred areas. Each of these contains detailed information on research interests, current projects and recent publications.

When you apply, you can suggest one or two potential supervisors, who you think might be a good fit for you. However, this is not essential. If you know what you want to work on, but are unsure on supervisors, you can indicate this in your application and the PhD programme co-directors will study your proposal in detail, and judge who is best suited to be your supervisory team.

Find an Advertised PhD

Find a PhD project that suits your interests by using our FindAPhD tool.

Research proposal

If you are proposing your own research topic, you will need to submit a research proposal. It’s a key part of your application, so take your time. Your potential supervisors will use it to decide if your research is something they can support.

Your proposal should be a clear and concise summary of your research. It generally consists of an outline of your proposed research project, including your main research questions and the methods you intend to use.

You should also comment on the potential impact and importance of your intended research and on how your work would interact with current trends in your academic field. It should illustrate the relevance of your topic to the research interests and expertise of the staff within your chosen department.

Find a Supervisor

Before applying we encourage you to browse the biographies of faculty members, to familiarise yourself with the research going on in your preferred areas. Each of these contains detailed information on research interests, current projects and recent publications. 

Once you've identified the subject area you wish to research, you will need to find a supervisor for your project. All Doctoral Researchers are provided with a lead supervisor, who will act as the main source of academic supervisory support and research mentoring during your time as a Doctoral Researcher at the University.

Search for supervisors below to see who you think may be a great fit for your research area. Once you have identified a supervisor they're able to offer appropriate supervisory support, you can start to reach out to staff using the contact details provided on their profile.

Clinical and Experimental Oral Sciences

This research identifies and develops new and improved diagnostics and preventative dental treatments for patient benefit. The following research groups contribute to this aim:

• Periodontal Research Group – This group investigates fundamental mechanisms of how gum diseases develop and their links to general health and diseases, such as diabetes, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases of aging. Using knowledge from their discovery science, the PRG translate their work into new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
• Oral Diseases - The Oral Diseases group investigates the causes, diagnostic markers, pathogenesis and potential treatments of a variety of pathological conditions that affect the oral tissues.
• Ultrasound and Nanotechnology - The group is researching into the use of ultrasonics in dentistry. The two areas of research are the release of antimicrobials triggered by ultrasound and the development of a novel ultrasonic surgical scalpel controlled by robots.
• Clinical Epidemiology and Dental Public Health - The Clinical Epidemiology and Dental Public Health group investigates trends and patterns of oral disease and conditions and their determinants at population level and the efficacy of interventions, services and public health interventions.
• Phototherapy - Harnessing the power of light at specific wavelengths and dose has profound stimulatory or inhibitory effects on cellular behaviour and bacterial growth and viability. These characteristics can be harnessed to provide non-invasive therapeutic interventions important in modulating inflammation, infection, maintaining cell viability, analgesia and promotion of wound healing.

Oral Regeneration Rehabilitation Sciences

This research utilises cutting-edge, multidisciplinary approaches to develop new therapies for repairing and rebuilding the human body, which has become damaged due to disease or trauma. This research is conducted by the following research groups:

• Dental and Biomaterials Science – This multidisciplinary group consists of materials scientists, chemists, cell and molecular biologists and clinical academics that work collectively to develop novel restorative and regenerative biomaterials.
• Dental and Craniofacial Stem Cell Biology – This longstanding research programme in pulp biology and regenerative endodontics which seeks to exploit the innate repair ability of the dentine-pulp complex.
  
  

International students can satisfy our English language requirements in two ways:

• by holding an English language qualification to the right level
• by taking and successfully completing one of our English courses for international students

Please note IELTS requirements for Postgraduate Research programmes in the College of Medicine and Health are 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any band.

Funding options

Apply for a PhD that already has funding attached

These are most common in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine) subjects, but they can sometimes be available for pre-defined research projects in the arts, humanities or social sciences. These may be advertised as fully funded (with fees and a stipend) or competition funded, meaning the projects compete against other projects at each institution.

Self-fund, or search for funding or a studentship once you have an offer

You devise your own PhD topic, find a supervisor, write a research proposal and apply to the relevant programme. If you’re offered a place at Birmingham, you can then apply for studentships or funding from various sources. Our Postgraduate Scholarships and Funding database lists all available funding.

A limited number of scholarships and studentships may be available to outstanding applicants. For further information, please explore our scholarships and funding database.

If you are applying to an ‘advertised PhD’, please check the details of the specific research project for application deadlines.

If you are submitting your own research proposal, applications are accepted all year round. However, if you wish to start in September, we would encourage you to apply by 1 June. Whilst you are still welcome to apply after this date, it is important to allow time for us to review your application.

If you are seeking funding, please be aware that the majority of funding opportunities have deadlines in early spring so we would encourage you to apply as early as possible.

We have put together some helpful information on the research programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Completing a PhD at Birmingham will extend your knowledge base in your chosen subject, as well as enhancing your problem solving and analytical, communication and teaching, and leadership and management skills – all of which are valued across the academic and private sectors. It’ll also provide you with the opportunity to develop your network of peers, collaborators and colleagues to support your onward career.

Many of our postgraduate research students go onto roles such as Research fellow/postdoctoral researcher, medical writer, scientist/research scientist in the pharmaceutical industry, and clinical trial coordinator.

Employers include the NHS Trusts, Cancer Research UK, pharma and biotech companies (including AstraZeneca, Covance, Binding Site, Immunocore, Johnson and Johnson), Medical Communications agencies (e.g. Fishawack, Insight Medical Writing), the Armed Forces and the University of Birmingham.

Careers Network

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one to one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters.

As a postgraduate researcher, you’ll benefit from tailored support to prepare you for a career in academia or set you up for a wide range of other professions.

We also offer subject specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.