Toxicology PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships for Self-funded Students in the UK

A PhD in Toxicology involves in-depth research to the effect of different chemicals on the health of organisms, especially humans. You could be investigating the impact of these toxins or focus on finding treatments for them.

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

If you’re planning on studying a PhD In Toxicology, you could be monitoring how different toxins affect the health and wellbeing of humans or carry out assessments for risks to public health. A PhD in Toxicology is a highly interdisciplinary subject and you’ll be required to interact with concepts from other STEM fields like Biology, Chemistry, Medicine or Pharmacy.

Some popular Toxicology research topics are

• Cellular signalling
• Cell damage
• Cell death
• Aquatic toxicology
• Medical toxicology
• Forensic toxicology

At the end of your PhD, you will have produced a unique piece of research which has significant impact in your field. You will be required to submit an 80,000-word thesis to be defended in an oral viva examination.

Like other STEM subjects, PhDs in Toxicology are advertised with a research aim attached. Some universities are open to applicants proposing their own research, however, we highly recommend that you talk to a potential supervisor about the scope of your research before you make a formal application.

In the UK, you might have to apply into an MPhil programme to begin with, however, you can upgrade to a PhD once your supervisor is convinced that your work meets certain expectations

Some elements of a Toxicology PhD call for laboratory rotations and teaching modules that are meant to equip you with certain transferable skills. You might be asked to take these classes in the first year of your study.

Entry requirements

To be able to do a PhD in Toxicology, an application must hold an Upper Second Class Bachelors degree in a relevant subject like Biology or Medicine. In some cases, a Lower Second-Class degree will also be accepted if you also hold a Masters with at least a Merit qualification.

Depending on where you study, you might also have to submit language test results to show that you’ll understand the course content.

PhD in Toxicology funding options

In the UK, a PhD in Toxicology is funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC). They offer fully funded studentships along with a monthly stipend. If you’re applying for a PhD with funding already attached, you’ll get guaranteed funding if you’re successful in your application. If you’re proposing your own project, you’ll have to be accepted into a university and then apply for funding separately.

PhD in Toxicology careers

Toxicology doctoral graduates usually go on to work in forensics, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and governments. If you wish to continue your research, you can think of working as a postdoctoral research fellow or in academia.