phd in clinical research europe

Clinical Trials and Methodology MPhil/PhD

London, Bloomsbury

The UCL Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology (ICTM) is a centre of excellence for clinical trials, methodology, meta-analysis and epidemiological research. This research degree programme aims to train and mentor the next generation of trialists and methodologists. Students are based within a UCL clinical trials unit, working alongside clinicians, researchers and trial teams.

UK tuition fees (2024/25)

Overseas tuition fees (2024/25), programme starts, applications accepted.

Prospective students should apply at least four months before their intended start date. If you require a visa we recommend allowing for more time.

• Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor’s degree and/or a Master’s degree (preferably with a merit or distinction) in a relevant discipline, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website .

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

ICTM has a particular focus on developing and delivering innovations in methodology that improve clinical trials, meta-analysis and epidemiological studies. The institute collaborates with national and international partners, which ensures student projects have immediate relevance and application. Recent graduates have secured employment in clinical trials units, academic research departments and the pharmaceutical industry.

Who this course is for

Many of our successful PhD applicants have a Master's degree in a health-related subject such as medical statistics, epidemiology, public health or clinical trials, and experience of working in a clinical trials environment.

What this course will give you

ICTM has global recognition for its expertise in the field of clinical trials, with a combined team of over 400 clinicians, statisticians, clinical trials specialists, and researchers working together to improve outcomes for patients.

As an MPhil/PhD student at ICTM, you will receive direct supervision by world-class scientists and clinicians and be based within a clinical trials unit, which allows daily interaction with researchers and trial teams. ICTM provides a unique opportunity to study in an environment where important trials are conducted alongside research into their methodology, and where each directly informs the other.

The foundation of your career

Most of our graduates continue working in clinical trials research - either in academia or in the private sector, both in the UK and overseas.

Employability

Graduates are likely to pursue careers as researchers or managers in a clinical trials unit, a pharmaceutical company, or another health research environment.

The programme provides an environment which enables you to interact and engage with other research fellows and students within UCL Faculty of Population Health Sciences and the wider UCL community. The clinical trials units within the institute collaborate with other researchers both nationally and internationally and run weekly seminars, often inviting high-profile speakers. Academics also have close links with industry and government organisations which provide excellent opportunities for networking.

Teaching and learning

A PhD at ICTM will provide you with excellent training across a number of disciplines related to clinical trials. You will have access to an outstanding research and transferable skills development programme, with training provided to support your personal, professional and career development. You will be in an environment which encourages sharing research ideas with fellow students and colleagues through seminars and symposia, as well as student events such as the 3-Minute Thesis and poster competitions. You will be expected to attend and present your research at national and international conferences providing you with opportunities to develop networks with peers and research leaders in academia, medicine and industry.

The UCL Doctoral School Skills Development Programme provides a broad range of free training for PhD students across UCL. For further information see the Doctoral Skills Development Programme page

Students initially register on the MPhil pathway and are expected to upgrade to PhD within 9-18 months of registration. For Part time students this is between 15-30 months. Further details of the upgrade process can be found here .

You should expect an absolute minimum of one in-person meeting with your supervisors per month and you are expected to attend regular group meetings and departmental seminars. Core working hours are 10 am to 4 pm. Contact hours and hours of self-study are agreed between you and your supervisors at the beginning of your research degree and should be reviewed on a regular basis. With the agreement of your supervisors, contact time can be on-site or remote working depending on the nature and stage of the project. Full-time Research students can take 27 days of annual leave, plus eight days of Bank holidays and six UCL closure days. For part-time students, annual leave is pro rata.

Research areas and structure

• Clinical Trials
• Epidemiology
• Meta-analysis
• Methodology

Research environment

The UCL Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology (ICTM) is a centre of excellence for clinical trials, methodology, meta-analysis and epidemiological research. Comprised of four clinical trials units ICTM has the largest group of trialists – approximately 400 - in Europe.

ICTM is at the forefront of resolving internationally important questions in the treatment of some of the major illnesses and conditions affecting our lives. Our trials teams conduct studies across a range of  disease areas , and have expertise in a range of trials types - from early to late phase trials, and from simple to complex interventions. In addition, we have a particular focus on developing and delivering innovations in  trial methodology , to speed up the process for testing new therapies.

This PhD programme aims to train and mentor the next generation of trialists and methodologists, by placing you within a UCL clinical trials unit to work alongside researchers and trial teams. Your research will make an original contribution, typically addressing an important question of how clinical trials should be designed, conducted or analysed, grounded in one or more of our internationally relevant clinical trials. Students present their work to each other, and we have weekly institute seminars covering our wide range of research, including aspects of methodology relevant to you. The institute runs an MSc programme in Clinical Trials and as a PhD student you can attend selected modules to enhance your training, and may also have the opportunity to assist with teaching.

The length of registration for the research degree programme is 3 years for full-time students. You are required to register initially for the MPhil degree with the expectation of transfer to PhD after successful completion of an upgrade viva 9-18 months after initial registration. Within three months of joining the programme, you are expected to agree with your supervisory team the basic structure of your research project, the appropriate methodology, and a realistic plan of work to include any training that you require.

In your second year you will be expected to upgrade from an MPhil to a PhD. You are required to submit a report, often based around one chapter from your thesis, and a plan for the remainder. You are also required to give a presentation advertised across ICTM, and then answer questions about your work to a panel consisting of your secondary supervisor and an expert in the field who acts as an independent assessor.

As your research progresses you will discuss with your supervisors whether to submit any of your work to an academic journal for publication, and whether to submit your work to be presented at a relevant academic conference.

The PhD programme is expected to be completed within three years for full-time students. If you are not ready to submit at the end of this time, you may be able to transfer to Completing Research Status.

The length of registration for the research degree programme is 5 years for part-time students. You are required to register initially for the MPhil degree with the expectation of transfer to PhD after successful completion of an upgrade viva 15-30 months after initial registration. Within three months of joining the programme, you are expected to agree with your supervisory team the basic structure of your research project, the appropriate methodology, and a realistic plan of work to include any training that you require.

The PhD programme is expected to be completed over five years for part-time students. If you are not ready to submit at the end of this time, you may be able to transfer to Completing Research Status.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk . Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team .

Fees and funding

Fees for this course.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees .

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this programme.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs .

Funding your studies

MRC-funded PhD Studentships are offered from time to time, as well as other funding schemes. Please check the ICTM website for further details or contact the Institute Administrator.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website .

Research degrees typically start in October but may start in February or May. Start dates are usually dictated by funding arrangements so consider these in your application preparation.

You should identify and contact potential supervisors directly before making your application if you are able to, but otherwise please contact us to let us know your research interests and we will assist you. Some applicants develop a brief research proposal before making enquiries but this is not necessary. Some research projects are developed by supervisors or by an applicant and supervisor jointly. For more information see our How to apply page.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

Year of entry: 2023-2024, got questions get in touch.

Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology

[email protected]

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Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research

Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research educates professional scientists in clinical research and act as a link from biomedicine to clinical medicine.  Doctoral training is mostly provided in the hospital environment of Kuopio University Hospital and as online courses. 

Doctoral researchers

Doctoral degrees in a year, research areas in the doctoral programme.

Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research is a multidisciplinary doctoral programme that covers all the specialties in clinical medicine including dentistry.

Research of the Institute of Clinical Medicine

Research of the Institute of Dentistry

How to apply?

A doctoral study right is granted as a result of an application in which the applicant suggests supervisors and writes a research plan and a funding plan. 

Following post graduate degrees can be completed in the Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research:

Doctor of Medical Science

Doctor of Odontology

• Licentiate of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy
• Licentiate of Philosophy (Pharmacy) and Doctor of Philosophy (Pharmacy)
• Licentiate of Health Sciences and Doctor of Health Sciences

Eligibility

In compliance with the Universities Act 558/2009, persons who have completed the following shall be eligible for studies leading to an academic postgraduate degree

• an applicable Master’s degree awarded by a university; or
• an applicable Master’s degree awarded by a university of applied sciences; or
• an applicable education completed abroad which in the awarding country qualifies for equivalent higher education studies.  

A person whom the faculty judges to otherwise have sufficient knowledge and skills for the studies can also be admitted to postgraduate studies. For a special reason, postgraduate studies can be started before the student has completed their previous degree.  

The faculty may require students admitted to study for a scientific postgraduate degree to complete the necessary supplementary studies in order to acquire the knowledge and skills required by the studies.

Applicable degrees for doctoral degrees: 

Licentiate of Medicine completed in Finland, Master of Science in Medicine completed in EU.

Licentiate of Odontology completed in Finland, Master of Science in Odontology completed in EU.

Licentiate of Philosophy

An applicable Master’s degree awarded by a Finnish university; or an applicable Master’s degree awarded by a Finnish university of applied sciences; or an applicable education completed abroad which in the awarding country qualifies for equivalent higher education studies.

Doctor of Philosophy

Licentiate of Philosophy (Pharmacy)

Master of Science (Pharmacy) (completed in Finland)

Doctor of Philosophy (Pharmacy)

Licentiate of Health Sciences

Doctor of Health Sciences

Admission criteria

Eligible applicants for the Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research have either completed or currently ongoing studies in applicable field of science. The applicant must have an ongoing or planned research project suitable for doctoral dissertation with a research plan approved by all eligible supervisors and the head of the academic subject.

The skills of eligible applicants of the Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research and their commitment to a successful completion of their doctoral studies are assessed according to the following criteria:

• the innovativeness, scientific and practical importance of the research subject and its suitability to the research profile of the research site and the doctoral programme
• quality, clarity and feasibility of the research plan
• the applicant's evidence of previous research work, e.g. working as a researcher, scientific publications
• research funding
• success in MSc studies or corresponding studies
• the language skills required for the studies

The adequacy of supervision, the expertise and commitment of supervisors are also taken into account in the selection process. All supervisors must have a doctoral degree and the main supervisor must hold, at the minimum, the qualification of a docent or have a corresponding scientific qualification. At least one of the supervisors must be employed by the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Eastern Finland. Applicant's ability, motivation and commitment to doctoral studies can also be assessed through interviews.

Following documents should be attached to the application:

• Research plan, approved by supervisors and the person in charge of the subject
• Copy of the basic university degree certificate and a transcript of earlier academic records. In case applicant’s MSc, or equivalent, degree is not completed the applicant should submit a transcript of academic records and a personal study plan for completing the remaining studies of that degree as well as state the estimated time of master’s graduation in the application form.
• CV, including the list of publications if any
• Copies of licenses and permits required to conduct the research. In addition to these attachments, it should be clearly stated in the research plan what licenses the study requires, what licenses have been applied and/or what licenses are planned to be applied. In case the applicant is added to a previously applied license, the date of amendments should be stated in the research plan.
• Statement by the Main Supervisor on the applicant's ability based on their degree to complete a doctoral degree and the need to undertake any supplementary studies. (Download a template .)
• Proof of sufficient English proficiency (applies to foreign applicants)

How to apply

Study right to doctoral studies in Finland does not include scholarship or funding.

• The applicant discusses the possibility to pursue doctoral studies in the department or school with the potential supervisor and with the person in charge of the academic subject. Further information may also be asked from the contact person of the doctoral programme.
• The applicant discusses the research topic, doctoral studies and their completion, funding, as well as other supervisors with the main supervisor. The applicant and the supervisors must negotiate and agree on responsibilities and commitment to supervising the student's research project. The PhD project should also be agreed with the person in charge of the academic subject.
• Each applicant must have a minimum of two supervisors. All supervisors must have a doctoral degree and the main supervisor must hold, at the minimum, the qualification of a docent or have a corresponding scientific qualification. At least one of the supervisors must be employed by the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Eastern Finland.  All supervisors and the person in charge of the subject must give their written consent on the research plan.
• In the Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research an applicant should have a steering group, which has a task to look after that a dissertation project proceeds as planned. A steering group consists of two persons having at least a doctoral degree. Members of a steering group do not need to be from the same field of science as the applicant, but they should know the practices of the applicant's field of science.  Persons in the steering group should not have any conflicts of interests, which means they should no have research projects with the applicant or her/his supervisors during past three years, or other relationship which could form a conflict of interest. Steering group should be nominated in the application form as well as in the research plan.
• The applivant draws up a research plan. Please, see further instructions in ‘Research plan’
• The right to pursue doctoral studies is applied at Studyinfo site.  Please note : Partially filled application form cannot be saved. You have to have all the obligatory attachments ready once you start filling the application form.  Following documents should be attached to the application: 
• Research plan, which consist of a  cover page + four pages  (including the list of references).  The supervisors must give their written consent on the research plan in the cover page . Please, see the instructions
• Copy of the basic university degree certificate and a transcript of earlier academic records. In case applicant’s MSc, or equivalent, degree is not completed the applicant should submit a transcript of academic records and a personal study plan for completing the remaining studies in the previous degree as well as state the estimated time of master’s graduation in the application form.
• CV, including the list of publications if any.
• Statement by the Main Supervisor on the applicant's ability based on their degree to complete a doctoral degree and the need to undertake any supplementary studies (Download a template .)
• Certificate or proof of English language skills (foreign applicants)

Processing of the application

The Faculty reguests amendments to the application if needed. All amendments (information/attachments) requested must be submitted within two weeks from the date of the amendment request on the StudyInfo. Incomplete applications will not be processed. The Dean decides whether the right to pursue doctoral studies should be granted on the basis of a proposal made by the doctoral programme within approximately three months from submitting the application. When the right to study is granted, the faculty decides on any supplementary studies required, confirms the research topic, appoints the supervisors and approves the research plan. The faculty communicates its decision to the applicant, the supervisors, the Student and Learning Services and the doctoral programme. The applicant must confirm the right to study in the Studyinfo site within seven days from the decision being sent. Similarly, negative decisions and their justifications are communicated to the applicant, the supervisors and the doctoral programme. In addition, the applicant is provided with instructions on how to appeal the decision.

Subjects and persons in charge

When applying to the Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research the applicant chooses an academic subject and negotiates with the person in charge of the subject about initiating a research project. The person in charge of the subject agrees the research project by signing the cover page of applicant’s research plan.

Academic subjects and persons in charge in Clinical medicine

Academic subjects and persons in charge in Dental sciences

Research plan

When applying for doctoral degree studies, a research plan must be attached to the application. The applicant prepares the plan with their supervisors, and it must be approved by the supervisors. The research plan must cover the entire licentiate thesis or doctoral dissertation. The research plan is drafted in English. The research plan consists of a coverpage with the signatures of supervisors and the head of the academic subject, and a research plan with a maximum length of four pages.

Coverpage Includes name of the applicant, title of the research plan, information of the supervisors and the head of the academic subject and their signatures. We recommend to use UEF Sign, the electronic signature system.

Research plan: The maximum length of the research plan is four pages including the list of references. The research plan can include the following information, for example:

• a short summary of the background to the research with necessary sources (including the theoretical and methodological basis)
• a description of earlier research related to the topic
• a description of what remains unknown about the research topic and an explanation of the research’s relevance on a national and/or international scale
• the research hypotheses
• the aims of the research clearly defined and presented
• a description of the research methods and materials used, and the grounds for choosing the particular methods
• a description of how the materials will be handled and used (also after the research has been completed)
• a working plan, a plan for different stages of the work
• a description and a schedule for the different stages of the work
• the funding plan and funding sources of the research
• the ethical aspects of the research incl. whether the research requires statements from ethics committees or statutory research permits. Possible permits and statements should be attached to the research plan. In addition to these attachments, it should be clearly stated in the research plan what licenses/statements the study requires, what licenses/statements have been applied and/or what licenses/statements are planned to be applied. In case the applicant is added to a previously applied license/statement, the date of amendments should be stated in the research plan.
• the means and mode of publishing and/or presenting the research results
• an estimation of the applications and the social significance of the research results
• a list of the research field’s principal literature used for the research
• The names of the persons and units participating in the research project

When applying to the Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research, the research plan (1+4 pages) consists of a cover page, which includes signatures of all supervisors and and the person in charge of subject, and a research plan which maximum length is four pages, including list of references. 

Funding plan

Funding plan is a compulsory part of the application. The funding plan is written to the research plan and to the application form. Funding should be planned with the supervisors. Funding for own salary and for research costs should be described in the funding plan. 

Research funding can be applied from various foundations as grants or from the University as paid doctoral research positions. Funding may also be available from established research projects.

More information on different funding options in  Kamu .

Application period

Application periods are from Jan 1 to May 31 and from Aug 1 to Nov 30 at Studyinfo portal. Applications are processed also within the application periods. Decisions of admissions are sent within three months from submitting of the application.

What is Studyinfo.fi?

Studyinfo.fi is the official national admissions portal with all the up-to-date information about study programmes leading to a degree in Finland.

Apply via Studyinfo.fi

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Kamu - Doctoral studies

Doctoral student handbook

Doctoral researcher association

Itävä arranges scientific events - but also leisure activities - to doctoral researchers

Kuopio University Hospital (KUH)

Take a look at KUH research activities

Further information on doctoral programme

The director of the Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research is adjunct professor Joonas Sirola. Further information is given by coordinator Saara Happo.

Joonas Sirola

Associate professor.

Deputy Head of Unit

Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences

joonas.​sirola​@uef.fi

Saara Happo

University teacher.

saara.​happo​@uef.fi