University College London, University of London

Programme overview

This research degree delivers PhD-level training in fundamental and translational childhood health and disease within UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (UCL GOS ICH), working closely with Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust. The institute and its adjacent Zayed Centre for Research provide the main research environment. Study is available full-time or part-time; the typical full-time duration is three calendar years. UK tuition fees for 2026/27 are listed for home students. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and should be lodged at least three months before the intended start date; advertised start months include October, February and May.

What you'll study

Research topics span laboratory, translational and clinical areas hosted in one of the institutes academic departments. Theme examples include:

• Developmental Biology and Cancer: stem cells, regenerative medicine, developmental biology of birth defects, and paediatric tumour biology.
• Developmental Neurosciences: molecular neurosciences, neurogenetics, translational myology and clinical systems neuroscience.
• Genetics and Genomic Medicine: molecular bases of rare disease, genome biology, precision medicine, cilia disorders and inborn errors of metabolism.
• Infection, Immunity and Inflammation: infectious diseases, microbiome research, inflammation and rheumatology, molecular and cellular immunology.
• Population, Policy and Practice: lifecourse and clinical epidemiology, nutrition, biostatistics, and childhood and adolescent mental health.

Students join one of UCLs largest research-student cohorts and can access institute-level skills training plus the Doctoral Schools provision.

Entry requirements

Applicants normally hold at least an upper second-class UK bachelors degree and/or a masters degree (a merit or distinction is preferred) in a relevant discipline, or an overseas qualification judged equivalent to that standard. International applicants should consult UCL guidance on country-specific equivalencies and English language requirements. Prospective students can view current unfunded project listings or contact institute academics directly.

Career prospects

Graduates most commonly move into postdoctoral research positions in academic settings, with some remaining within the institute and others taking competitive roles in the UK and abroad. Around one quarter of alumni enter NHS or other clinical roles, reflecting the programmes translational focus.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Projects are available for self-funding applicants and for candidates who secure sponsorship for three to four years. The institute publishes an unfunded project portfolio for applicants to review; self-funded applicants are also encouraged to approach potential supervisors directly about opportunities and funding arrangements.