DPhil / MSc in Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics

We invite applications for DPhil (a PhD at other universities) and MSc courses in Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics at the University of Oxford.

The Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (DPAG) offers a wide range of research topics spanning a diverse spectrum of research areas from neuroscience, cardiac science, ion channels transporters and signalling, metabolism and endocrinology, development and reproduction to neurobiology of sleep and circadian rhythms.

DPAG is the top-ranked in Anatomy and Physiology in the world (QS World University Rankings 2024). Your research will be conducted at Oxford under the supervision of academic staff who are at the forefront of developments in your chosen research project area.

In the first instance, applicants are advised to identify potential supervisors in Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, based on their research area of interest.

Specific projects are offered here

Applicants are encouraged to communicate with potential supervisors prior to submitting an application to agree the research topic proposed by the applicant. For interdisciplinary projects, co-supervisors may be found within DPAG and at other Department of Oxford University.

The University expects to be able to offer around 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across the collegiate University in 2023-24. You will be automatically considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships, if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential.

For further details about searching for funding as a graduate student visit our dedicated Funding pages, which contain information about how to apply for Oxford scholarships requiring an additional application, details of external funding, loan schemes and other funding sources.

We welcome students with funding, but whether or not you have secured funding will not be taken into consideration when your application is assessed.

All graduate students at Oxford belong to a department or faculty and a college or hall (except those taking non-matriculated courses). If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. The Colleges section of this website provides information about the College system at Oxford, as well as factors you may wish to consider when deciding whether to express a College preference.

Find out more about Oxford's colleges

Our graduates develop practical skills to excel in academia, industry, consulting, and have made outstanding achievements in a variety of career fields; from making ground-breaking discoveries into fundamental biological processes to translational contributions with real-life impacts. An alumni survey showed nearly two-thirds were employed in academic research or medicine. Other careers included industrial research, high-tech start up companies, financial and business sectors, pharmaceutical consulting, teaching, scientific publishing, patent law and banking with some entering charitable fund raising and charitable scientific employment.

For further information please refer to:

Entry requirements and How to Apply for entry 2025-26

Contact DPAG Graduate Studies

PhD Projects: