Critical Care
MPhil / PhD / MD
Our focus on Critical Care encompasses conditions such as Sepsis and Trauma. These are the leading causes of death globally and remain unmet health challenges for the NHS, especially in the emergency room and intensive care settings.
Leading international reputation in infection research, tropical medicine and global health for more than 150 years.
The University of Liverpool’s Institute of Infection and Global Health was established to bring together leading medical, veterinary and basic science researchers from across the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. It also complements other strengths in Liverpool, including the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, the Wolfson Centre for Personalised Medicine, the Medicines for Children Research Network, and the Wellcome Trust Tropical Centre with its associated PhD programme.
My PhD studentship in Critical Care is challenging yet rewarding and invaluable learning experience. The research environment fosters creativity, critical thinking and problem solving skills, through team work with active researchers
Mohmad Alsabani, Critical Care PhD Student.
150
years of leading international reputation.
156
research students.
£9.5m
annual research income.
Research at Liverpool
Critical care research involves an understanding of the complex mechanisms that follow on from acute cell damage and injury. This may be caused by infection, trauma or ischaemia and infarction from thromboses. The dynamics involve an interplay between the inciting event and the host response, which is initially adaptive in order to protect the host. However, when this response becomes excessive and unregulated, it can lead to deleterious effects with potentially lethal consequences. These events link the processes of coagulation, inflammation and innate immunity to varying degrees and at varying time points.
At IGH, this work plays an emphasis on identifying the molecular events that mark the transitional phases during the course of critical illness, especially in identifying the signatures of early maladaptive events. This would then translate into the development of better diagnostic tools that help the clinician recognise appropriate time points for intervention. Coupled to this is the need to also drive therapeutic innovations for patients with critical illnesses. The focus is therefore also in developing novel biomarker-targeted therapeutics.
Research themes
Our Research themes includes:
- Haemostatic and Vascular endothelial dysfunction
- Toxicity of nuclear and cellular breakdown products, including histones and neutrophil extracellular traps
- Translational clinical studies, including development of new diagnostics and therapeutics
Research interests
We particularly welcome research proposals that match those of our researchers, including:
- Immuno-thrombosis in critical illness
- Sepsis
- Trauma
- Multiple-organ failure
- Damage-associated molecular pattern molecules
Facilities
The University of Liverpool has excellent research facilities within the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. These are available with excellent technical support to external users from industry and other academic institutions. Postgraduate researchers benefit from the facilities provided by the Technology Directorate.
As a postgraduate researcher at Liverpool you will become part of the Liverpool Doctoral College. The LDC supports all postgraduate researchers across the University to thrive in their doctoral programme with our dedicated team of esteemed supervisors, professional services staff and student peers ensuring our students succeed in their studies.
Research groups
Study options and fees
MPhil
The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) can be thought of as a shorter version of the PhD. It requires the same research skills, training, planning, and project management. It can be a way to assess whether you wish to undertake doctoral research - or it can be taken for its own sake.
| Duration | Fees: Home and EU Students | Fees: International Students | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full time | 2-4 years | £4,260 (2018) excluding potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’. You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter. | £22,000 (Lab based programmes) £16,700 (Non Lab based programmes) (2019) excluding potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’. You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter. Self funded full time international students studying a lab based programme will receive a £2,000 reduction in their fees for the first year only. |
| Part time | 4-6 years | £2,130 (2018) excluding potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’. You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter. | £11,000 (Lab based programmes) £8,350 (Non Lab based programmes) (2019) excluding potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’. You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter. |
PhD
A doctoral degree is awarded to students that have demonstrated the ability to conceptualise, design, and implement a substantial research project that results in new knowledge, applications, or understanding in their field of study. During your research, you can expect to draw on direct clinical and observational experience to produce an original thesis of 80,000-100,000 words. You'll be part of a research group which matches your research interests. Research groups offer opportunities for cross-disciplinary research collaboration, as well as support and expertise for your research.
| Duration | Fees: Home and EU Students | Fees: International Students | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full time | 2-4 years | £4,260 (2018) excluding potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’. You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter. | £22,000 (Lab based programmes) £16,700 (Non Lab based programmes) (2019) excluding potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’. You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter. Self funded full time international students studying a lab based programme will receive a £2,000 reduction in their fees for the first year only. |
| Part time | 4-6 years | £2,130 (2018) excluding potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’. You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter. | £11,000 (Lab based programmes) £8,350 (Non Lab based programmes) (2019) excluding potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’. You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter. |
MD
The Doctor of Medicine (MD) is a doctoral degree open to medical practitioners (technically, anyone holding a medical qualification registrable with the General Medical Council). It is equivalent in requirements and format to the PhD.
| Duration | Fees: Home and EU Students | Fees: International Students | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full time | 2-4 years | £4,260 (2018) excluding potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’. You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter. | £22,000 (Lab based programmes) £16,700 (Non Lab based programmes) (2019) excluding potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’. You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter. Self funded full time international students studying a lab based programme will receive a £2,000 reduction in their fees for the first year only. |
| Part time | 2-6 years | £2,130 (2018) excluding potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’. You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter. | £11,000 (Lab based programmes) £8,350 (Non Lab based programmes) (2019) excluding potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’. You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter. |
Entry requirements
Eligibility and entry qualifications
Students will normally have a minimum of a 2:1 class honours degree in a relevant biological science subject, or an equivalent medical, veterinary or dental qualification. Applicants are selected on the basis of their curriculum vitae, qualifications and referees’ reports, together with their perceived ability to complete the programme successfully and on the value of the training offered to their subsequent career plans.
English language requirements
To apply for this research degree, you must have reached a minimum standard of English. You need to be able to provide evidence of this. See our English language requirements for international students for guidance on the different English language qualifications and evidence that you can provide.
International qualifications
We welcome applications from within the EU and from around the world. You should ensure that your qualifications are equivalent to those which are required to study for this research degree. See our guidance on international qualifications.
Additional requirements
How to apply
Research degree applications can be made online. Before you apply, we recommend that you identify a supervisor and develop a research proposal. You'll also need to ensure that you have funding to cover all fees.
Applications are open all year round.
Find a supervisor
Your supervisor is your main source of academic support and mentoring. You'll need to find a supervisor before you start your research degree. It's helpful to identify a supervisor and discuss your research proposal before you apply.
View supervisors in this area
Need help finding a supervisor? Contact us
- Eleanor Toole
- Email: ighpgr@liverpool.ac.uk
- Phone: +44 (0)151 794 9573
Related studentships
Your training and development
Join us and you'll also join the Liverpool Doctoral College, our home for doctoral support, training and development. You'll join a vibrant and collaborative community of researchers, get tailored support for your development and have the opportunity to undertake a work placement.
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