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Oxford University

Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics

The Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (DPAG) is a major basic-science department within the Division of Medical Sciences.

Genetic scientist screening protein crystals.

Genetic scientist screening protein crystals. Credit: Oxford University Images / John Cairns

Overview

Ranked number one in Anatomy and Physiology in the world according to the QS World University Rankings 2025, the department has excellent facilities for the large number of full-time research students who are fully integrated into the research of the department.

The department's research is split into seven broad areas of study, including: Bionanoscience, Cardiac Science; Cell Physiology; Development and Cell Biology; Functional Genomics; Metabolism and Endocrinology; and Neuroscience. The department's work is necessarily multidisciplinary and cross-cutting, which means researchers often work across more than one theme, as well as collaborating with colleagues in the physical sciences, life sciences and clinical departments across Oxford. 

DPAG is home to a large number of internationally-renowned teams of scientists addressing major questions in biomedicine, the answers to which will have a profound effect on modern biology. Crucially, DPAG thinks learning is just as important as research, and at the department's core lies a belief that a synthesis of the two is key to advancing our understanding. As such, DPAG works to provide outstanding opportunities for graduate students to enjoy cutting-edge training across a diverse range of state-of-the-art methodologies in leading laboratories in the field, to develop practical skills to excel in academia, industry, consulting, high-tech start-ups and have made outstanding achievements in a variety of career fields; from making ground-breaking discoveries into fundamental biological processes to translational contributions with real-life impacts.

As the department's work is multidisciplinary and cross-cutting, with researchers working across more than one theme, as well as collaborating with colleagues in the physical sciences, life sciences and clinical departments across Oxford and elsewhere, it is hoped, the postgraduate students’ experiences in DPAG will help them to become the leaders in science of tomorrow, whilst communicating and employing their research in the wider world.

In parallel to research, DPAG staff undertake the majority of the pre-clinical teaching for the University's top-ranked medical degrees while the department's graduate courses also attract a wealth of international talent. Ultimately, the department is built on a desire to understand its scientific research areas with the belief its students are the future of research.

Courses offered

Medical Sciences Division

The Medical Sciences Division houses some of the strongest biomedical research in the world; Oxford is repeatedly placed first in clinical, pre-clinical and health in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

The Medical Sciences Division at Oxford is an internationally recognised centre of excellence for biomedical and clinical research and teaching, made up of 16 departments.

The Medical Sciences Division's departments and institutes in Oxford and overseas are home to some of the strongest biomedical research in the world, regularly appearing at the highest levels in world rankings and rated world-leading and internationally excellent.

The division’s 2,000 researchers cover a wide range of research, from atomic-resolution molecular structural biology to epidemiology as applied to very large populations. This enables students to work on virtually any biomedical problem.

The division provides a stimulating and challenging environment for more than 2,000 talented graduate students with excellent new facilities and close personal supervision by world-class researchers. To complement research supervision and course teaching there is a wide range of facilities aimed at the personal and professional development of students, strengthening their existing skills and developing new skills.

All candidates who apply by the December or January deadline shown on the course page are automatically considered for full funding awards, irrespective of their nationality. The majority of students accepted by the Medical Sciences Division secure full funding, covering both fees and living expenses.

Further information