Infectious Disease
We train future leaders in global health by combining world-class research with hands-on experience in infectious disease science.
Course key facts
Qualification
PhD, MD(Res)
Duration
4 years , 6 years
Course code
A3Z1WD PhD, A3P1WD MD
Study mode
Full-time, Part-time
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Fees
£7,280 Home
£45,850 Overseas
Delivered by
Location
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South Kensington
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Academic requirements
Degree in a related subject
Master's preferable, but not essential
Course overview
As a PhD student in the Department of Infectious Disease, you will join a world-class research environment focused on tackling major global health challenges. You’ll work alongside leading scientists and have access to modern laboratories and specialist equipment to carry out research in areas such as pathogen biology, immunology, antimicrobial resistance, and global health.
Your PhD journey will be structured to support your development as an independent researcher. Throughout, you’ll benefit from expert supervision, professional skills training, and opportunities to present your work at events like Rising Scientist Day.
Structure
Milestones for the first year of study include:
Within 2 months of starting:
Submit a short research plan, summarising the problem they have been set, and their proposed plan to work on it.
Within 12 months of starting (24 months for part-time):
Submit a report (Early Stage Assessment) summarising the first year’s work, including courses taken. There is a short oral examination to assess this.
Within 24 months of starting (36 months for part-time):
Submit a report (Last Stage Assessment) describing progress so far, and a work plan for completing the thesis. Assessed with a short oral examination.
Entry requirements
Supervisors
You can view our list of potential supervisors and their research interests on our research pages. Identify a supervisor whose research interest aligns with your chosen area and contact them before making your application.
How to apply
Apply online
Start dates throughout the year. Applications can be made anytime.
Students funded through Research Council, Industry or Charity studentships, or those who are self-funding
Full-time students are registered full-time (mode of study) and follow full-time milestones. They should submit their thesis between 24 and 48 months.
Go to the doctoral ‘How to apply page’, click on ' and then select 'Personal email sign in or register’. You’ll be prompted to create an account. Once you have created an account, you can login to the site where you are asked to select Course Type (please enter ‘Doctoral’) and Academic Programme - please enter ‘Clinical Medicine Research (Infectious Disease)’ for PhD or ‘Clinical Medicine Research (Infectious Disease) MD (Res)’. Then follow the instructions to complete your application.
Part-time students might be described as ‘truly part-time’. They attend the College between 40% and 80% full-time equivalent. Part-time students are registered part-time (mode of study) and follow part-time milestones. They should submit their thesis between 48 and 72 months.
Go to the doctoral ‘How to apply page’, click on and then select 'Personal email sign in or register’. You’ll be prompted to create an account. Once you have created an account, you can login to the site where you are asked to select Course Type (please enter ‘Doctoral’) and Academic Programme - please enter ‘Clinical Medicine Research (Infectious Disease)’ for PhD or ‘Clinical Medicine Research (Infectious Disease) MD (Res)’. Then follow the instructions to complete your application.
Members of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø College staff (not including those with honorary contracts)
Self-funding full-time Research Assistants and Clinical Research Fellows are eligible for the College Tuition Fee Remission Scheme i.e. they receive a discount of two-thirds of the home fee regardless of their fee classification providing they have a 3-year contract of employment from the start of their PhD. Further information can be obtained from the Discounts for College staff page. Externally funded staff members are not eligible for fee remission.
Go to the doctoral ‘How to apply page’, click on and then select 'Personal email sign in or register’. You’ll be prompted to create an account. Once you have created an account, you can login to the site where you are asked to select Course Type (please enter ‘Doctoral’) and Academic Programme - please enter ‘Clinical Medicine Research (Infectious Disease)’ for PhD or ‘Clinical Medicine Research (Infectious Disease) MD (Res)’. Then follow the instructions to complete your application.
Members of College staff who are intending to register for a higher degree should make an appointment to see the Department's Research Degrees Manager, Hayley Kendall-Berry (h.kendall@imperial.ac.uk), as soon as they begin.
Faculty of Medicine policy offers self-funding 51³Ô¹ÏÍø College Trust staff and staff from associated Trusts (e.g. Chelsea and Westminster, Northwick Park, St Mark’s) a discount of one-third of the home fee. A Trust contract of employment must be provided at the time of application. Contract extensions are permitted during the course of the research degree.
Go to the doctoral ‘How to apply page’, click on and then select 'Personal email sign in or register’. You’ll be prompted to create an account. Once you have created an account, you can login to the site where you are asked to select Course Type (please enter ‘Doctoral’) and Academic Programme - please enter ‘Clinical Medicine Research (Infectious Disease)’ for PhD or ‘Clinical Medicine Research (Infectious Disease) MD (Res)’. Then follow the instructions to complete your application.
You must supply the names of two academic referees, academic, clinical or professional. A reference from the proposed supervisor is not acceptable unless he/she was involved in your Master's degree. References must be submitted by email from an institutional email account (no personal accounts such as Gmail or Hotmail). Alternatively, references may be sent by post - signed and on headed paper.
Students will be required to provide evidence of academic attainment, via official transcripts.
Students will require confirmation of funding for the entire period of registration.
Fees and funding
Funding is often secured through Wellcome Trust or MRC DTP Fellowships. We have some departmental studentships available.
We also have a range of grants and scholarships which you don't need to pay back.
For further information about possible sources of funding please visit our Scholarships page.
Home fee
2025 entry
£7,280 per year
Please note that fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.
Tuition fees are set for the academic year which runs from 1 September to 31 August. You will pay the fees for the full 12 months of the academic year that your start date falls in.
Please refer to our tuition fees pages for more details of fees are charged and billed.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you are a Home student, you can apply for Postgraduate Doctoral Loan from the UK government to help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course, such as a PhD.
See an estimate of costs for living in London as an 51³Ô¹ÏÍø student.
There’s different funding if you normally live in Wales.
Fees shown relate to the year of entry advertised only. You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Overseas fee
2025 entry
£45,850 per year
Please note that fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.
Tuition fees are set for the academic year which runs from 1 September to 31 August. You will pay the fees for the full 12 months of the academic year that your start date falls in.
Please refer to our for more details of fees are charged and billed.
Fees shown relate to the year of entry advertised only. You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out how we assess your fee status.
Scholarships
The Lee Family Scholarships
Value per award
- Full tuition fees and a stipend of £25,980 p.a. for 3.5 years
Who it's for
- Prospective students
Career
Graduates of the PhD programme go on to a wide variety of careers destinations.
A PhD provides academic training and also experience of a wide range of transferable skills that equip graduates with the skills necessary to embark on a range of careers. Some students continue into post-doctoral positions and ultimately academic careers, whilst many find their futures in non-academic environments.
Further links
Success Guide
The Success Guide for postgraduate students offers you advice and resources to excel at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø.
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Support for International Students
We provide specialist immigration advice and run a programme of webinars, trips and events to foster integration, friendship and community.
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Centre for Academic English
Throughout your degree, you can take advantage of a range of CfAE courses and resources designed to help you communicate your STEMM research effectively.
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Library services
Your subject librarian can help you find books and access online resources
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