Evolutionary Biology

Entry requirements

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a relevant subject. You should have some research experience and be able to demonstrate that you have a good understanding of the field you propose to study.

Months of entry

Anytime

Course content

As a research student at the Institute of Evolutionary Biology you will join the UK’s largest and most dynamic community of researchers in the field.

With about 30 research groups, which includes about 50 PhD students, you’ll benefit from a busy programme of seminars, journal clubs and other research-led activities and will be encouraged to publish your findings. You’ll also take part in student-led courses and talks.

We have an enviable record in academic career success. Our institute reflects the School-wide figure of 84 per cent for students achieving academic posts after they complete their PhD.

We go beyond the study of animal behaviour to focus on the underpinnings of the science of evolution, down to the level of DNA, to look at just how organisms fundamentally develop as a result of natural selection.

Our current research falls under three broad themes:

• evolutionary and quantitative genetics
• evolutionary ecology and behaviour
• biodiversity and ecology

Researchers are working on everything from viral evolution and host-parasite co-evolution to natural selection in the wild and plant conservation genetics.