Overview
Our staff and postgraduate students work in the Faculty of Medical Sciences or the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences. The Newcastle University Centre for Cancer operates right across the cancer research pathway with strengths ranging from cell biology and clinical trials to healthcare research and cancer research training, including:
- understanding the biological differences between normal and malignant cells
- understanding the molecular differences between normal and malignant cells
- using this knowledge to develop new anti-cancer drugs
We’re a major training base for the next generation of cancer researchers. Our Institute covers many areas of cancer research, including:
- solid tumours and leukaemias
- childhood and adult cancers
- drug discovery and early phase clinical trials
Exploratory biology, target and biomarker discovery
Molecular genetic and mechanistic studies identify critical molecular changes in cancer. It identifies the relevance to disease development and progression. We use these biomarkers and targets for therapeutic intervention. We use a wide range of techniques, including:
- contemporary genomic
- bioinformatic
- molecular biology
- biochemical
- cell biology
Studies focus on:
- haematological malignancies (leukaemia and lymphoma)
- paediatric solid tumours (neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma),
- adult solid tumours (eg breast, ovarian, prostate, bladder and liver cancers).
Biomarker development
We exploit critical molecular defects as biomarkers to enhance:
- disease detection and diagnosis
- prediction of disease course
- sensitivity to specific drugs
- therapeutic monitoring.
We play leading roles in molecular diagnostics, biomarker assessment and therapeutic monitoring. This is for national and international clinical trials.
Drug development
The use of rational drug design helps achieve the exploitation of novel targets. It is through the use of structure-based design, in conjunction with medium-throughout screening. Target molecule synthesis and varied parallel synthesis approaches result in lead optimisation. Candidate drugs undergo evaluation in cell-free and whole-cell target-based assays.
Clinical trials
Clinical trials (Phase I/II/III) are undertaken in both adults and children. Trials have a strong hypothesis-testing translational research component. They are performed under:
- national or international research networks (eg CR–UK, Children’s Cancer
- Leukaemia Group, European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer)
- in collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry
We are one of the few academic centres in the UK able to undertake this specialist cancer research. We achieve this through:
- our expert staff
- state of the art facilities
- close working relationships with the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors
- clinical trials networks
We offer approximately 15 MD, PhD and integrated MRes/PhD studentships each year. This includes the Newcastle Cancer Centre training programme. Projects in all research areas are available to fully-funded international students.
Members of our postgraduate community come from a variety of subject backgrounds. This includes:
- biological and biomedical sciences
- chemistry
- genetics
- pharmacy
- medicine
- dentistry
- veterinary medicine
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Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Qualifications explained
Find out about the different qualification options for this course.
Cancer MPhil, PhD, MD
MPhil – Master of Philosophy
An MPhil is available in all subject areas. You receive research training and undertake original research leading to the completion of a 40,000 – 50,000 word thesis.
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications.
PhD – Doctor of Philosophy
A PhD is a doctorate or doctoral award. It involves original research that should make a significant contribution to the knowledge of a specific subject. To complete the PhD you will produce a substantial piece of work (80,000 – 100,000 words) in the form of a supervised thesis. A PhD usually takes three years full time.
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications
MD – Doctor of Medicine
An MD is a doctorate or doctoral award. It combines your research findings with clinical practice. To complete the MD you will produce a substantial piece of work (80,000 – 100,000 words) in the form of a supervised thesis. For professionally qualified doctors, an MD (Doctor of Medicine) is awarded. 
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications
How you’ll learn
Assessment methods
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Thesis
- Viva
Additional assessment information
We offer a wide range of projects for the thesis. These will be provided by our academics. You can also propose your own topic.
Postgraduate research student support
Our mission is to help you:
- stay healthy, positive and feeling well
- overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
- get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
- carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
- understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules
We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.
You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:
- research and professional skills
- careers support
- wellbeing
- health and safety
- public engagement
- academic development
Find out more about our postgraduate research student support
Your development
Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS)Â researcher development programmeÂ
Each faculty offers a researcher development programme for its postgraduate research students. We have designed your programme to help you:
- perform better as a researcher
- boost your career prospects
- broaden your impact
- Through workshops and activities, it will build your transferable skills and increase your confidence.
You’ll cover:
- techniques for effective research
- methods for better collaborative working
- essential professional standards and requirements
- Your programme is flexible. You can adapt it to meet your changing needs as you progress through your doctorate.
Find out more about the FMS researcher development programme
Doctoral training and partnerships
There are opportunities to undertake your PhD at Newcastle within a:
- Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT)
- Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP)
Being part of a CDT or DTP has many benefits:
- they combine research expertise and training of a number of leading universities, academic schools and academics.
- you’ll study alongside a cohort of other PhD students
- they’re often interdisciplinary
- your PhD may be funded
If there are currently opportunities available in your subject area you’ll find them when you search for funding in the fees and funding section on this course.
The following centres/partnerships below may have PhD opportunities available in your subject area in the future:
- Discovery Medicine North – MRC DiMeN Doctoral Training Partnership
- EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Molecular Sciences for Medicine (MoSMed)
- Newcastle Liverpool Durham BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership
Your future
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Visit our Careers Service website
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024Â
- Top 90 for Life Sciences and Medicine – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Check the government’s website for more information.
Facilities
Our staff and postgraduate students work in:
- the Northern Institute for Cancer Research (NICR)
- the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences (medicinal chemistry students).
Our laboratories contain a full range of contemporary equipment used in:
- genomic
- bioinformatic
- proteomic
- synthetic chemistry
- pharmacology
- clinical research facilities
You’ll work in the Faculty of Medical Sciences. This is part of our city-centre campus.
The Faculty is also home to:
- dentistry
- medicine
- psychology
- pharmacy
It is on the same site as Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary hospital. We are one of the largest integrated teaching/hospital complexes in the country.
Our facilities include:
- individual research laboratories where students carry out their projects
- a dedicated medical library with a wide range of specialist books and journals
- hi-tech computer clusters and study spaces
- dedicated facilities for a range of key bioscience applications. This includes flow cytometry, bioinformatics, imaging, genomics and proteomics
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
MPhil – a 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a science or medicine related subject.
PhD – a 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent. Further research experience or a master’s degree would be advantageous.
MD – an MBBS, or an equivalent medical degree.
