Before applying
Applicants are encouraged to explore the research areas represented within the programme before submitting an application.
The supervisors and example projects pages provide examples of the kinds of computational and data-driven approaches used to enable modern pharmaceutical science.
Because the programme is funded by the BBSRC, projects must fall within the BBSRC remit and cannot focus directly on specific named human diseases.
TTPS welcomes applicants from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds including mathematics, statistics, computer science, physics, engineering, and the life sciences.
How applications are considered
For the 2026 intake there is a single application route for the programme, regardless of which university will ultimately host the doctoral research. Applications are submitted through the University of Oxford graduate admissions system and are reviewed jointly across the partner institutions.
Applications to Oxford and Cambridge will be reviewed as a single group, and will be administered via the University of Oxford's admissions portal.
Successful applicants join a single TTPS cohort and complete their initial training together at the Oxford Doctoral Training Centre before beginning doctoral research projects supervised by academic researchers and scientists at GSK.
Up to eight fully funded studentships are available each year across the partner institutions.
Preparing your application
Your application should demonstrate both academic preparation and motivation to work at the interface of data science and pharmaceutical research.
As part of the application you will be asked to submit a Statement of Purpose (maximum 1000 words) explaining:
- your motivation for doctoral study
- your previous academic or research experience
- your research interests
- why you are interested in the TTPS programme.
Further guidance on writing this statement is provided on the Statement of Purpose guidance page.
Oxford Colleges
All students registered at the Universities of Cambridge or Southampton will be offered an affiliation membership of Linacre College, which will provide the opportunity to participate in college social activities and to access college dining and sports facilities.
If applying to the University of Oxford for long-term DPhil study, you will be formally admitted to one of five colleges partnered with TTPS:
Linacre
Welcoming students from diverse backgrounds and academic disciplines and popular with ILESLA students, Linacre is known for its interdisciplinary focus.
Wolfson
A natural home for graduates in Oxford. Research, inclusivity and sustainability underpin the college and community and commitment in tackling climate emergency through its actions.
Reuben
A diverse and intellectually stimulating community that addresses the big questions of the 21st century, Reuben's fellows and advisors are world-leading researchers.
St Anne's
Recruiting bright, ambitious students from all backgrounds, St Anne’s is modern in outlook and architecture, open to the world, informal, yet academically demanding.
St Cross
A graduate college with an international ethos, St Cross has many Professors for its Fellowship size, and a good mix of students across taught and research degrees.
How to apply
We are now open for Admissions. Please follow the instructions on the Applications portal page. We offer some additional guidance on how to prepare your statement of purpose.
Further information
- BBSRC page on transformative technologies as an area of investment and support.
- University guidelines on the admissions process.
- Further information can be found on the University's Graduate Admissions and Funding webpages.
- Information on required documents for your application can be found on the Supporting documents webpages.
- Guidance on what is required to demonstrate your English Proficiency