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The main purpose of this programme is to train the next generation of leaders in the medical sciences field. By combining the strength of our partners, it is aimed at students with a clinical background with an interest in pursuing research in a scientific field related to medicine. The participants will receive innovative and interdisciplinary education spanning scientific research as well as clinical training in Oxford, through a novel and personalised approach.

General Information about the D.Phil Course in Oxford

Students will be admitted directly onto a research project with one of Oxford Medical Science Division’s world-leading scientists, who will act as their primary supervisor. The student will be expected to play an active role in shaping their project over the course of the DPhil. Graduate students are a valuable part of the department and they are encouraged to be involved with the scientific and social life of the department at all levels.

The project and development during the DPhil studies will be guided by a specialised team led by the academic supervisor. Most students also have one or more formal co-supervisors, who can provide additional scientific advice on their specialist areas and who will offer another viewpoint on the student’s project. Together, they form the specialised team that will advise on academic progress.

As well as their supervisor, the student will have the support of a Graduate Advisor, the Director of Graduate Studies and the Graduate Studies Administrator. All activity relating to graduate students within the department is overseen by the Graduate Studies Committee.

Student training will be tailored to individual needs, drawing from the vast range of training available at Oxford and covering both specialist scientific methods and techniques, and transferable skills.

Much of the training will take place in the lab, where the student will be trained by their supervisor or members of the lab team in the variety of techniques and protocols used. A brief statement of the training offered in the lab is included in the training description of their chosen project.

As a member of the Medical Sciences Graduate School the student will be entitled to enrol on courses run by Medical Sciences Skills Training. The student will also be able to attend the wide variety of sessions covered through the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine (WIMM) Methods and Techniques course and, if the research is on a topic related to cardiovascular medicine, they will be able to benefit from the British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence hosted by the University.

Additional information about this program

1. 4-year D. Phil project within one of the top laboratories within Medical Sciences Division PIs with strong scientific track records in the Medical Sciences Division (Committees’ decision) will be invited to submit proposals around September each year.

2. Tailor-made clinical training programs/course including:

    • Clinical Specialist training program (personalised course at one-to-one basis)
    • Training in Microbiology Lab
    • Invited theme based Lectures by well-established clinical scientists and heads of departments in Medical Sciences Division.
    • Laboratory training course for the first-year students
    • Bio-informatics training courses
    • Weekly “grand round” seminar for clinical case studies/discussions with senior clinicians

 3.  Opportunity for clinical observation within in the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Funding

Up to 10 students per year associated with CAMS-Oxford Institute, up to 4 years fully funded D.Phil. scholarship, covering overseas fees and £21.5K stipend per year.

Student candidates/selection procedure

Eligible students

Chinese students who are enrolled on an eight-year MD course from of 14 of China’s top Medical Universities. Scholars must demonstrate exceptional academic merit and/or potential prior to commencing a full-time DPhil course of study in any subject within the Medical Sciences Division of the University, and who are intending to return to the People’s Republic of China on completion of their studies to complete their MD training. Scholars shall meet the normal selection criteria of the University. 

Shortlist and Interview

CSC and COI will be responsible for sending out the advertisement and checking students against their own eligibility criteria for shortlisting. The University will shortlist and interview candidates of the Programme using the University’s own entry requirements. Once a student has been selected they will go through the CSC funding application system. Successful candidates will have passed both the University and CSC application process. 

Project Supervisors

Primary supervisorOxford PIs with affiliation or collaboration with PIs in CAMS-Oxford Institute.

Secondary supervisorSecondary PI with clinical background if required - if primary PIs are not clinically qualified.

CAMS co-supervisor (optional): will develop the proposal jointly with Oxford PI if the project is collaborative, or communicate with Oxford PIs with the intention to develop further collaborative projects/long-term collaborations with Oxford supervisor.

Course coordinators

 

Oxford: Professor Tao Dong (Research); Professor Chris Conlon (Clinical)

CSC: Mr Xiaopeng Hu 

Application and Selection Process

Only candidates who are recommended by three Professors in China and subsequently offered admission to study at the University of Oxford, having applied through the normal admissions process, and meet the criteria for funding by CSC, can be considered for scholarships of the Programme. Applying students will select three projects from the advertised list. The selection of candidates for the scholarships will be the joint responsibility of the CSC and the University. Final selection will be based solely on academic merit and/or potential.

2024 applications now open

Prospective students must apply to CSC by 30th November 2023. CSC will then contact students who have been approved for them to continue with their application and apply directly to Oxford University by 15th December. 

Apply to the CSC scheme here

Apply to the University of Oxford NDM Clinical Medicine scheme here.

Key dates (tentative and subject to change)

 

30th September 2023          Deadline for project submission from supervisors. 

15th-30th October 2023      CSC/COI/NDM begin advertising for applications.  

30th November 2023           Deadline for candidates to submit their CV, cover letter and list of three projects to CSC.

2nd-15th December 2023     Candidates apply directly to the Oxford University for admission.

8th January 2024                 The University will shortlist candidates for the Programme.

Mid-late January 2024        Interviews by Oxford.

February 2024                     Interviews by CSC.

March-April 2024                Successful candidates will be notified.