Cancer Research & Cell Biology - Research PhD, MD, MPhil and MCh.

The following postgraduate research study routes are available:
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
Master of Surgery (MCh)

A research degree offers you the opportunity to develop your research skills and prove yourself as a researcher. Queen's is committed to the enhancement of research training and teaching and offers postgraduate research opportunities across all fields of study.

For both full-time and part-time students, time spent in the achievement of a Masters degree will not be counted as part of the specified period of enrolment as a PhD student.

Special Features
• The Centre provides a comprehensive induction and training programme specifically tailored to develop the skills and meet the needs of postgraduate research students in the biomedical sciences. This programme includes a laboratory skills module in addition to a taught module in Cancer Biology.

• We also host a weekly international seminar programme, which strengthens collaborations with external sources, and brings together investigators, Postdoctoral fellows and research students from CCRCB and other research centres within the School.

Postgraduate Secretary
School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences
Tel: +44 (0)28 9097 2619/2042
Email: pgoffice.smdb@qub.ac.uk
WWW: http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs http://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/CentreforCancerResearchCellB

Research Strategies
In recognising the high-quality research undertaken in the School's Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology (CCRCB), the University is making significant investment in both academic staff and infrastructure. The Centre is based in a new purpose-built research facility with 36 Principal Investigators, 60 Postdoctoral fellows and 65 postgraduate students.

The Centre's research is focused in six key cancer areas:
• Breast and ovarian
• Gastrointestinal
• Haematological malignancies
• Prostate and bladder
• Radiation sciences

Common research themes across many of the areas are the study of chemotherapy resistance, the identification of novel therapeutic targets or pre-clinical assessment of new pharmacological agents.

Research Strengths
The CCRCB is a multidisciplinary research facility with a strong translational research dimension connecting novel laboratory-based discovery to defined clinical problems.

The hallmark of our research programme is this close, collaborative interaction between clinical and laboratory research experts that ultimately enhances the quality and scope of our integrated basic and clinical research programmes in cancer as well as other diseases. Research in the Centre is also supported by enabling technologies which include:
• Biobanking
• Bioinformatics and imaging
• Drug discovery
• Molecular pathology
• The Northern Ireland Cancer Trials Centre

Applications for admission to the vast majority of postgraduate programmes (see exceptions below) are submitted online. The online system also allows application for funding where appropriate. This streamlines the procedures and in particular helps those wishing to make multiple applications.

General information for prospective students is available on the following website:
http://www.qub.ac.uk/home/ProspectiveStudents

To make an online application for a postgraduate programme, please visit:

https://dap.qub.ac.uk/portal

For 2012 entry, the online application should not be used for the following degree programmes, but forms may be requested from the relevant area and / or downloaded from the website. Contact details can be found under the individual programme entries:
• Certificate in Professional Legal Studies in the Institute of Professional Legal Studies http://www.qub.ac.uk/ipls

• Taught Doctorates in the School of Psychology http://www.psych.qub.ac.uk

• Postgraduate Certificate in Education http://www.qub.ac.uk/edu

For further help and advice on the admissions procedures please contact:

Admissions and Access Service
Queen’s University Belfast
Belfast
BT7 1NN
T: + 44 (0)28 9097 5081
F: + 44 (0)28 9097 5151
E: postgrad.admissions@qub.ac.uk

When to apply
In general, there are no closing dates for postgraduate taught degrees (see exceptions below), however, we encourage you to apply as early as possible. This is important because a number of our programmes receive more applications than there are places available, and for some, arrangements may have to be made for interviews. In addition, international applicants need to allow time to obtain a student entry visa.

Closing dates apply for admission to the following degree programmes:
• Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE): 1 November 2011
• Certificate in Professional Legal Studies: 15 November 2011
• Taught Doctorates in the School of Psychology: Normally mid-February, but please refer to the School’s website:
http://www.psych.qub.ac.uk
• Psychology: Applied Psychology - Clinical Specialism: 20 July 2012

At present, there is no standard closing date for postgraduate research applications; however, this is currently under review for entry in September 2012, with the possible introduction of a deadline date of 31 January 2012. You are advised therefore to check both the University’s website and refer to the relevant School’s web pages for information on deadline dates for postgraduate funding applications, as these will also determine when your application for a place should be submitted.

Admission to a research degree (PhD/MPhil) normally requires at least a good second class Honours degree or an equivalent qualification. If you are not a graduate, you may still be admitted provided you hold a diploma or other qualification which the University deems to be the equivalent of a degree. After your initial registration, you will proceed to PhD study, pending successful completion of your School's differentiation process.

English Language requirements
The UK Border Agency (UKBA) requires universities to verify that non-EEA applicants have achieved a specified minimum level in English before we are permitted to issue the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) which you need to apply for a Tier 4 visa. As part of this process, the University must see evidence (normally the result of a UKBA-approved Secure English Language Test) of an applicant's English Language competence in the four components of language learning ie listening, reading, speaking and writing. Alternative qualifications may be acceptable to meet the UKBA's English language requirements, for example a degree or equivalent qualification from an institution in a country which is deemed by the UKBA to be majority English-speaking.

EEA nationals, and non-EEA applicants who are nationals of a country deemed by the UKBA to be majority English-speaking, will not be required to submit further evidence of English Language for visa purposes, but may be asked for evidence of English competency to satisfy University course entry requirements.