In partnership with Cancer Research UK - City of London Centre

Postgraduate Research Degrees (PhD and MD)

Launch your career in cancer research with a PhD or MD(Res) at Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London.

Build your research career at Barts Cancer Institute

Barts Cancer Institute is a leading cancer research institute within Queen Mary University of London, and part of the Cancer Research UK City of London Centre. From our Charterhouse Square campus in central London, more than 100 research students – both scientists and clinicians – are working on projects spanning fundamental biology, translational science and experimental medicine.

A PhD or MD(Res) at Barts Cancer Institute gives you the opportunity to explore cancer in depth under the mentorship of an expert supervisor, and contribute to meaningful progress in prevention, diagnosis and treatment. As a student, you will join a vibrant, close-knit postgraduate community embedded in one of the UK’s top cancer research institutes.

We welcome 15 to 20 postgraduate students to the institute each year. Funding is available through a variety of different sources, including UK Research Councils and various charities, which are advertised throughout the year.

Current studentship opportunities

  • We currently have no open PhD studentships.

For more information about opportunities, see funding and studentships

Questions? Contact the BCI Postgraduate Research Office

About our postgraduate research degrees

Learn more about undertaking a PhD or MD(res) at the Barts Cancer Institute.

Applying for a project

Guidance on how to apply for a project, what our entrance requirements are and how to enroll if your application is successful.

Funding and studentships

Funding for postgraduate research studies at the Barts Cancer Institute is available through a number of different sources.

Life at BCI

Find out more about what it’s like to work at the Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London.

Queen Mary University of London at a glance

We're part of Queen Mary University of London, a Russel Group university that that been providing world-class education to students for more than 250 years.

1st
in UK for oncology citation impact (US News 2026)
2nd
best university in the UK for Oncology overall (US News 2026)
92%
of our research deemed internationally excellent or world-leading (REF 2021)
1 of 4
partners in the Cancer Research UK City of London Centre

Why choose Barts Cancer Institute for your research degree?

Integration between lab and clinic

Barts Cancer Institute brings together non-clinical scientists and clinical academics to perform research side by side. We work closely with Barts Health NHS Trust to study and improve the lives of London’s diverse cancer patient population. This connection provides daily exposure to both discovery science and clinical practice, access to valuable patient biobanks, and a clear line of sight from mechanisms in the lab to studies in the clinic and back again.

Depth and breadth in cancer research

Our researchers work across the full spectrum of cancer science – from genomics, tumour biology and immunology through to clinical trials, patient data and diagnostics. That depth and breadth means you can collaborate with experts whose work complements your own project, developing your knowledge and skills and building your professional network.

Partnerships and networks

Barts Cancer Institute is one of the partner institutes in the Cancer Research UK City of London Centre, a major hub for cancer biotherapeutics. This partnership provides access to joint PhD studentships and a London-wide network of cancer researchers across UCL, King’s College London and the Francis Crick Institute. As part of Queen Mary University of London, you also benefit from belonging to a Russel Group university with a diverse student body drawn from around the world.

Collaborative, down-to-earth culture

Collegiality is an important part of the culture at Barts Cancer Institute and Queen Mary. Our community is open, collaborative and generous with expertise, and students regularly work across labs and centres. You can expect regular opportunities to present your work and receive input and support from research colleagues.

A vibrant PhD community

Within the Barts Cancer Institute, there is an active postgraduate student community, with regular social events and seminars. Students have the opportunity to join our PhD forum, who organise events and ensure the student voice is heard at Barts Cancer Institute leadership meetings. There is also a dedicated social committee which helps to organise pub quizzes, sporting events and excursions throughout the year, helping you to make the most of what London has to offer in the company of fellow scientists from across the Institute.