The University of Nottingham is ranked 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.
Research overview
Your research degree is bespoke at the University of Nottingham, and allows you to choose your own area of interest to research, under the title of your choosing.
Our Pharmacology and Drug Discovery grouping is made up of the following available PhD and MRes courses:
• Pharmacology (not available at MRes)
• Clinical Chemistry (not available at MRes)
• Cell Signalling
• Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Discovery
Our supervisors in the school are at the forefront of research in their fields. Utilising industry standard facilities, along with cutting edge equipment, and the guidance of our supervisors, you will advance the area of life sciences that interests you.
Your degree and research area is bespoke to you, however, here are some examples of the research we already conduct within the Pharmacology and Drug Discovery fields :
• Understanding the genetic basis of Alzheimer's disease
• Molecular Pharmacology and Cell Biology of Cell Surface Receptors: molecular pharmacology, regulation and signalling of G-protein-coupled receptors and tyrosine kinase-linked receptors.
• 'Cross-Talk' Between Different Intracellular Pathways: synergistic interactions between G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs); interactions between GPCRs and tyrosine kinase receptors; cross-cascade signalling of proteins involved in gene transcription.
• Single molecule analysis of ligand-receptor interactions using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy: research on the development of fluorescent ligands for GPCRs.
• Use of bimolecular fluorescence complementation to investigate protein-protein interactions: investigation of receptor trafficking and receptor-effector interactions
Course content
PhD or MRes?
PhD programmes allow you to research a topic that interests them over the span of 3 to 4 years. You will be required to submit a thesis on your work at the end of your research period and take part in a viva voce examination. This is a fantastic opportunity to research an area that is unique to your interests, and help that field grow.
Masters by Research (MRes) programmes allow you to undertake a substantial amount of independent research while gaining 20 credits of transferable skills training over the span of 12 months. The programmes are flexible in nature and allow you to take some additional accredited taught credits, in consultation with your supervisor.
Defining my research area
If you have a particular research area you are interested in, you should start by emailing a relevant supervisor below and talking through your interests with them. You can see further details on our MRes and PhD titles below.
Pharmacology
Pharmacology is concerned with the studying the effects of drugs on the body, as well as the effects of the body on the drugs.
We hold significant grant funding in these strategic areas (Wellcome funding PhD programme in Drug Discovery and Team Science) and are about to launch new BSc degree in Pharmacology, supported by colleagues from across a wide range of research areas an expertise (academia and industry).
We are equipped and staffed to help support any pharmacology research you may wish to undertake with us.
Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Discovery
Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Discovery is concerned with the molecular basis of pharmacology and discovering new drugs and therapeutics to tackle today's pharmaceutical needs. We are equipped and staffed to help support any Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Discovery research you may wish to undertake with us.
We are part of a world leading centre of excellence (COMPARE) which has great reputation for collaboration in areas of drug discovery, as well as reputation for positive research culture/team science.
Home / UK Students
Qualification : Degree
PhD : British Honours degree at least 2:1 or equivalent.
Applicants currently studying Masters in the UK will be accepted with a minimum average of 60% (Merit) in taught elements, if they have a 2:1 or equivalent at undergraduate level.
EU / International Students
Degree : Undergraduate degree of at least 2:1 or equivalent.
Applicants currently studying Masters in the UK will be accepted with a minimum average of 60% (Merit) in taught elements, if they have a 2:1 or equivalent at undergraduate level.
International and EU equivalents : We accept a wide range of qualifications from all over the world.
For information on entry requirements from your country, see our country pages.
IELTS : 6.5 (no less than 6.0 in any element) as a minimum Except all Virology programs, which requires IELTS 7.0 (no less than 6.5 in any element) as a minimum
English language requirements : As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications.
This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English.
Alternative qualifications
We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.
We treat all applicants with alternative qualifications on an individual basis. We may also consider relevant work experience.
Research proposal
A research proposal is required. This should be worked on with your proposed supervisor.
References
You should have 2 references with at least one of them being an academic reference.
References from the proposed supervisor will be accepted if the applicant has only studied at Nottingham previously (for example as a UG student)
International
PhD : 24,300 euro for low-cost, 33,800 euro for lab-based, 39,600 euro for high-cost lab-based or 44,000 euro for exceptional technically intensive or specialised projects with high consumable costs.
MRes : 33,000 euro
Fees
The Home fee shown is a provisional figure that is subject to change. We expect the final fee to be confirmed in February 2027.
Additional information for international students
If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).
These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).
Additional costs
All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.
All students should factor in cost of living, as well as basic materials like log books, lab coat, PPE and stationary. Costs for consumables will vary depending on research.
University of Nottingham : Apply now for the 2025-26 year
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