Veterinary Medicine and Science PhD

Why choose this course
The School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Surrey is home to 40 academics with a huge diversity of expertise, ranging from fundamental science to applied clinical research.

Our active research community benefits from links with leading research institutions, veterinary practices and the wider veterinary industry. Some of our important strategic partners include The Pirbright Institute, the Animal and Plant Health Agency, Marwell Wildlife and the Surrey Wildlife Trust. We have also established partnerships with leading veterinary practices, including Fitzpatrick Referrals, Liphook Equine Hospital and the Westpoint Veterinary Group. These partnerships offer opportunities for collaborative PhDs, as well as access to unique facilities and resources.

We have a number of specific research strengths, including infectious disease and pathology research and research into inherited animal diseases. Our recently established vHIVE (Veterinary Health Innovation Engine) research centre offers unrivalled opportunities to develop innovative digital and data analytics tools to improve animal health and well-being, and connects with our cutting-edge biomechanics research.

What you will study
The programme is research-based, so you’ll spend most of your time developing a research question, conducting original research, analysing your results and writing up your research findings, all under the guidance of your project supervisors.

You’ll meet your supervisors on at least a monthly basis to discuss your progress. Your supervisor will guide you through your research, and provide you with training in the techniques and methods you will need for your research project. Your supervisor will also read and comment on drafts of your confirmation report and thesis.

As a doctoral researcher at the School of Veterinary Medicine, you’ll be able to attend training sessions run by our Researcher Development Programme. These cover topics such as writing skills, data analysis, career development, project management and preparing for your viva.

Depending on the nature of your research project, you might be mostly based at a desk, a laboratory, a clinic, in the field, or a combination of two or more of these. You can work on your project on-site at the School of Veterinary Medicine or at a collaborating institution. If you do work from a collaborating institution, you will need to come to the University of Surrey periodically to attend training sessions and meet your supervisors.

You’ll take a confirmation examination at 12-15 months after you start on a full-time programme, or 24-30 months on a part-time programme. For your confirmation you’ll need to submit a report of your work so far, and a viva examination with two examiners. Your final assessment for your PhD will be based on the presentation of your research in a written thesis, which you will again discuss in a viva examination with at least two examiners.

Research support
The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College, which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate Careers and Employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.