Radiology PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships in the UK

A PhD in Radiology is a highly specialised degree, giving you the chance to lead your own research project that will further our current understanding of imaging to diagnose and treat diseases. Whether you are researching improved breast imaging to detect early cancer signs, pushing the boundaries of MRI and its application to biomedical research, or assessing novel imaging biomarkers in brain tumours, you will be aiming to improve the lives of millions of people around the globe.

What’s it like to study a PhD in Radiology?

Doing a PhD in Radiology, you will become proficient in the skills necessary to contribute to a research portfolio which spans all areas of imaging. You will work with your supervisor, university and NHS specialists in their research area and learn how to use MRI, CT and mammography machines and broaden your understanding of radiological physics.

Some typical research topics in Radiology include:

• imaging in oncology
• breast imaging and neuroradiology
• medical image reconstruction
• designing deep learning algorithms for inverse problems in imaging

Typical Radiology PhD research projects take between three and four years to complete. As well as undertaking research training within your department, you will also attend external meetings and conferences and may be submitting research posters as your research develops. You will be expected to attend lectures, help with patient trials, and even do foundational procedures such as sampling if you have the required training.

To be awarded your PhD, you must submit a thesis of about 60,000 words and defend it during your viva exam.

PhD in Radiology entry requirements

The entry requirements for a typical PhD in Radiology usually involves a Bachelors and a Masters degree in a related subject. You will also need to submit a compelling research proposal detailing your study plans. You may also need some professional experience in Radiology, depending on the programme. 

PhD in Radiology funding options

In the UK, PhDs in Radiology are funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) or Medical Research Council (MRC) who provide a tuition fee waiver and a living cost stipend. Depending on the programme, you may submit your own research proposal before being considered for funding or apply for a project that already has funding attached.  

It is also possible to apply for a PhD loan to help with the costs of a doctorate in Radiology (although this cannot be combined with Research Council funding). Other options for financial support include university scholarships, graduate teaching assistantships and charities.

If you are considering a part-time PhD in Radiology, it may also be worth asking your employer if they are happy to sponsor you.