This Masters in Translational Medicine is the first year of a British Heart Foundation 4-Year PhD studentship: it is not offered as an individual programme of study.

Programme overview

• MRes: 12 months full-time of a 48-month full-time PhD

BHF 4 year PhD programme

The programme is part of a 4-year PhD with the first year being an MRes. The MRes is made up of three individual 12-week research placements after an intense two-week induction. Each project will be based on different themes with three different supervisors. Years 2-4 make up the PhD portion of the programme.

Induction

You will be required to attend an in-depth introductory programme, which will provide training in research ethics, statistics, project design, literature review and laboratory safety techniques.

Placements

The induction is followed by three individual research placements. These are at the core of this programme, providing three separate projects to allow you to define your areas of interest for your PhD studies. Each placement is a 12-week project and this will be with three different principal supervisors. You will be encouraged to choose placements beyond your undergraduate subject experience to maximise your exposure to new techniques and science. Supervisors are drawn from a wide range of academic disciplines, such as medicine, biomedical and life sciences, mathematics, electronics and electrical engineering, and veterinary medicine.

Career prospects

You will be taught the practical laboratory skills needed to pursue a career in basic translational medicine and applied science through research projects. After successfully completing year 1, you will be awarded an MRes, and progress to a PhD.  The programme produces fully trained scientists ready for progression to academic or industrial careers.

Academic entry requirements

You should have at least a second class Honours degree (2.1 Honours if applying for a studentship) in biological science, immunology, neuroscience, physiology, pharmacology or cognate courses with significant biomedical content. Students from other disciplines such as mathematics, computing and public health, are also encouraged to apply.

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of foundation courses.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):

• overall score 6.5
• no sub-test less than 6.0
• or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
   

Common equivalent English language qualifications:

• ibTOEFL: 92; no sub-test less than 20
• CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): B minimum
• CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): C minimum
• PTE Academic (Person Test of English, Academic test): 60; no sub-test less than 59

Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

• Language Centre, University of Glasgow
• BALEAP guide to accredited courses 

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

• UK Border Agency Tier 4 English Language requirements
• UKBA list of approved English language tests [pdf]

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk

To apply for the PhD studentship. See, BHF 4 year PhD studentship award: How to apply.