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Newcastle University: Faculty of Medical Sciences

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences

A Global Leader in Postgraduate Medical and Health Sciences Education

The Faculty of Medical Sciences at Newcastle University is one of the UK’s most respected centres for advanced medical, bioscience, and health sciences training. With roots dating back to 1834, when medical teaching first began in Newcastle, the Faculty has evolved into an internationally recognised powerhouse for postgraduate education and research. Today, we combine world-class clinical partnerships, cutting-edge research institutes, and an inclusive global community, creating an environment where postgraduate students can develop as future researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and innovators.

As part of a Russell Group university, we are known for our academic standards and strong research culture. Postgraduate students benefit from exceptional access to internationally recognised academics, NHS partners, state-of-the-art laboratories, and industry collaborators who are shaping modern medicine, health policy, and biomedical innovation.

A Vibrant and Diverse Postgraduate Community

Postgraduate students form a major part of the community in our faculty, representing a broad range of disciplines and professional backgrounds. Our community exists of:

  • Taught Master’s students across public health, global health, clinical psychology, medical education and much more.
  •  Postgraduate researchers enrolled on MRes, PhD or MPhil programmes across ageing, cancer, cardiovascular medicine, neuroscience, molecular biosciences, epidemiology, and translational medicine.
  • Clinical postgraduates, including those completing academic foundation years, intercalated degrees, and advanced clinical training pathways.
  • International students from more than 100 countries, many of whom choose Newcastle for its strong global health partnerships.

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Popular postgraduate programmes include:

Funding and scholarship opportunities for postgraduate students—particularly in research-intensive areas—available here.

As one recent MSc graduate explained: “I came to Newcastle for the research reputation, but I stayed because the academic community made me feel like a collaborator, not just a student.”
Postgraduate Research Excellence and Opportunities

FMS offers a rich environment for doctoral study and research training, supported by internationally recognised research institutes and well-funded laboratories. In the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), Newcastle University ranked in the top 10 in the UK for medical and biological sciences, with a large proportion of research assessed as world-leading.

The Faculty’s research is organised into specialist institutes, each offering structured PhD opportunities, interdisciplinary collaboration, and mentorship from leading scientists:

  • Biosciences Institute – gene regulation, microbiology, cell and molecular biology.
  • Population Health Sciences Institute – ageing, epidemiology, health inequalities, global health.
  •  Translational and Clinical Research Institute – drug development, immunology, clinical trials.

Many of our PG students are supported by major funders including the NIHR, MRC, BBSRC, Wellcome Trust, and UK government scholarships.

Research-led Master’s programmes—particularly the MRes Medical Sciences and MRes Cancer—provide a strong pathway into PhD study, allowing students to undertake substantial lab-based projects under the supervision of internationally recognised researchers.

A former PhD student shared: “The supervision and facilities at Newcastle gave me the confidence to pursue academic medicine. The Faculty really invests in early-career researchers.”

Academic and Research Impact: Leading the Future of Medicine and Health

Our Faculty is renowned for research that drives global impact. Notable strengths include:

  • Ageing and longevity: Newcastle is home to internationally influential ageing research, the National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA), and landmark longitudinal studies such as the Newcastle 85+ Study.
  • Mitochondrial medicine: Newcastle scientists led groundbreaking work on mitochondrial DNA disease and were the first in the UK to secure a licence for mitochondrial donation treatment.
  • Cancer research and drug development: Researchers in Newcastle have contributed to the discovery of novel anticancer agents and early-phase clinical trials.
  • Cardiovascular and translational medicine: Close partnerships with local NHS Trusts support translational research that rapidly informs clinical practice.
  • Public health and global health: The Faculty’s experts influence health policy across areas such as nutrition, tobacco control, health inequalities, and planetary health.

Many of our academics are fellows of the Royal Society, Academy of Medical Sciences, and equivalent international bodies. Early-career researchers benefit from a vibrant, collaborative research culture that promotes leadership, interdisciplinarity, and innovation.

Facilities, Professional Development, and Postgraduate Support

Postgraduate students have access to exceptional facilities designed to support advanced scientific and clinical training:

  • High-specification laboratories for molecular biology, pharmacology, microbiology, imaging, and cell culture.
  • Clinical skills and simulation suites for medical, dental, and health sciences students.
  • On-site NHS hospitals including the Royal Victoria Infirmary, supporting clinically integrated postgraduate education.
  • Dedicated research computing resources and bioinformatics support.

Newcastle also provides extensive professional development opportunities through the Researcher Education and Development (RED) Programme, which supports skills training in statistics, writing, grant applications, leadership, and career planning.

A Supportive, Welcoming City and Postgraduate Community

Newcastle is consistently ranked among the best and most affordable cities for postgraduate study in the UK. Its compact city centre, thriving arts and culture scene, excellent transport connections, and friendly atmosphere make it especially attractive for international students and researchers relocating from abroad.

The University’s Students' Union hosts a wide range of postgraduate, international and academic societies

Within FMS, groups such as the Medical Postgraduate Society, Biomedical Postgraduate Society, and international student networks provide opportunities for peer support, academic collaboration, and social engagement.

 

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