Without an immune system, humans and animals would be vulnerable to overwhelming infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Immunology is the study of how the body defends itself against infection. Vaccinology is the science behind developing vaccines that initiate protective immune responses. By pursuing a research degree in Immunology and Vaccinology, you’ll contribute to vital research that enhances our understanding of immune defences and advances vaccine development.
The University of Liverpool’s Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Sciences (IVES) brings together leading medical, veterinary and basic science researchers from across the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.
We are one of the few UK institutions to have designed, developed and tested a human vaccine all the way through to clinical trials. Our significant human sample collection supports immunological research, enhancing our understanding of how vaccines work, paving the way for next-generation vaccines.
Research in Immunology and Vaccinology is based in new laboratories at four sites, the Biosciences Building, IC2, the Leahurst campus and the Ronald Ross Building. The Centre for Global Vaccine Research at the University of Liverpool currently works across Europe, Asia, Africa and more recently South America.
Our research spans the breadth of vaccine research from development to implementation and evaluation. The aims of the research are to investigate the nature of the cellular and humoral immune responses to pathogens of human or veterinary importance. It encompasses studies of the immune responses to and vaccination against a range of bacterial, viral and parasitic pathogens. These include:
Aspects of immunology and vaccinology you could explore on this research degree include:
It’s useful to contact potential supervisors before you begin your application. Explore our staff lists for the Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences for details of potential supervisors.
You may need the following documents to complete your online application:
Finally, register and apply online. You'll receive an email acknowledgment once you've submitted your application. We'll be in touch with further details about what happens next.
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Full-time place, per year - £5,006
Part-time place, per year - £2,503
Full-time place, per year - £31,250
Part-time place, per year - £15,650
Fees stated are for the 2025-26 academic year.
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this degree.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan worth up to £30,301 to help with course fees and living costs.
There’s also a variety of alternative sources of funding. These include funded research opportunities and financial support from UK research councils, charities and trusts. Your supervisor may be able to help you secure funding.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition fees and living expenses.
If you’re awarded this prestigious scholarship, you’ll receive significant funding to support your postgraduate research. This includes full payment of your PhD fees and a cash bursary of £17,000 per year while you study. One award is available in each academic year.
If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for financial support worth up to £12,000 per year for up to three years of full-time postgraduate research (or up to five years part-time pro-rata).
Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.
The Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences supports modern, well-equipped research laboratories on the University’s main Liverpool campus, including the Ronald Ross, Biosciences, Nuffield and IC2 Buildings. We also have facilities in Kenya, Malawi and Ethiopia.
Researchers benefit from access to world-class equipment and facilities via the Liverpool Shared Research Facilities, many of which are based within the Institute.
These are the trailblazers, the leaders, the true originals. Our postgraduate researchers are shaping their future, and the future of the world we live in, advancing knowledge with each discovery.
Want to find out more about studying a PhD with us? Chat with our postgraduate research student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
Discover the qualifications you'll need to apply for this course.
You’ll normally be expected to hold both:
You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.
We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5 |
| TOEFL iBT | 88 overall with minimum scores of listening 17, writing 17, reading 17 and speaking 19. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted. |
| Pearson PTE Academic | 61 overall, with no component below 59 |
Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-sessional English course you require.
Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.
| Your most recent IELTS score | Pre-sessional English course length | On campus or online |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 6 weeks | On campus |
| 5.5 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 10 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 5.5 overall, with no more than one component below 5.5, and no component below 5.0 | 12 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 5.5 overall, with no component below 4.5 | 20 weeks | On campus |
| 5.0 overall, with no component below 4.5 | 30 weeks | On campus |
| 4.5 overall, with no more than one component below 4.5, and no component below 4.0 | 40 weeks | On campus |
If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-sessional English course length you require.
Please see our guide to Pre-sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5, for further details.
Have a question about this research opportunity or studying a PhD with us? Please get in touch with us, using the contact details below, and we’ll be happy to assist you.