Biochemistry (Research)

The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2025). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.

The DPhil/MSc by Research in Biochemistry is a research-based course focused on lab projects in areas such as molecular and cellular biology, molecular biophysics, and structural biology, with no taught components and direct entry into research groups.

You will be admitted directly to a particular research area led by departmental members who will be appointed supervisors. If you are admitted to a particular research supervisor you will not normally do laboratory rotations. You will be based in a research lab and undertake research on a subject agreed with your supervisor.

There are no taught courses examined by written papers, however you will have access to a wide range of lecture courses at foundation or preliminary level, as appropriate. If you have changed fields, this will allow you to fill in gaps in your background knowledge. There is also a wide range of courses and workshops which you can attend to acquire skills that will be necessary for the pursuance and presentation of your research, as well as your professional development as a research scientist.

Departmental seminars and colloquia bring students together with academic and other research staff in the department to hear about on-going research, and provide an opportunity for networking and socialising.

The MSc by Research in Biochemistry is normally a two year course, though if you have an appropriate background in research, you may be able to complete it in one year.

The length of the DPhil in Biochemistry ranges from three to four years with the exact duration depending on the following factors as judged by your supervisor(s) and assessors:

• focus and rate of your research development and progress

• achievement of acceptable focus and scope of thesis

• publication quality research

• length of available funding.

A small proportion of DPhil students (about 5%) submit their theses within three years from starting, however on average most students submit within three to four years. By the end of the fourth year, 70-90% of students have submitted their theses.