How does our immune system recognise a threat? Why do treatments work differently for different people? And how does a discovery in a laboratory become something doctors can use?
University medical research explores questions like these. You don’t need to be training as a doctor to find them interesting.
How medicine works at university
A medical degree combines scientific study with clinical training, preparing students to become doctors. Universities also teach subjects such as biomedical science, pharmacology and public health.
A master’s usually offers more specialised study or research. A PhD investigates an original question — perhaps about a disease, a treatment or how healthcare is delivered. It is a research qualification rather than a qualification to practise medicine.
Researchers often work through centres and institutes, bringing together scientists, clinicians and other specialists around a shared problem. Many also work closely with hospitals and patients.
Explore an area of medical research
Here are six starting points across the UK and Ireland. External links open in a new tab.
The brain, memory and dementia
How do we remember? What changes when disease affects the brain? UCL’s patient-centred research explores dementia, from understanding its causes to diagnosis and treatment.
Explore UCL’s Dementia Research Centre ↗Cancer and its treatment
How does knowledge of cancer cells become a new treatment? Trinity’s researchers bring laboratory science and clinical research together to improve how cancer is detected and treated.
Explore cancer research at Trinity’s Translational Medicine Institute ↗Infection and the immune system
Our immune system protects us, but inflammation can also cause harm. Edinburgh’s researchers investigate infection, immunity and how damaged tissues recover.
Explore Edinburgh’s Centre for Inflammation Research ↗The heart and circulation
What causes heart and circulatory disease? Edinburgh brings discovery science and clinical research together to explore better diagnosis, treatment and care.
Explore Edinburgh’s Centre for Cardiovascular Science ↗Genes and disease
Why can a change in our DNA affect our health? Oxford’s researchers study the genetic and molecular foundations of disease, looking for pathways that could lead to treatments.
Explore Oxford’s Centre for Human Genetics ↗Health across communities
Health is shaped by the places and conditions in which we live. Cardiff’s DECIPHer centre brings researchers and public partners together to study ways to improve population health and reduce inequalities.
Explore DECIPHer at Cardiff University ↗These are examples of research interests. Check each centre’s event information for public access and booking arrangements.
Find your next health talk
Hear about medical discoveries, explore a question or learn how researchers investigate the evidence. Our Health & Psychology category includes medicine alongside mental health and related subjects.
Take your interest further
Try a university online course, often called a MOOC. Start with an introduction or choose a more specialised subject — these are different ways in, rather than a sequence you need to follow.
Start here · No previous knowledge needed
University of Leeds and NIHR · FutureLearn
Improving Healthcare Through Clinical Research
How do we know whether a treatment works? Meet the people involved in research, explore how studies are designed and consider the ethical questions they raise.
Four weeks, around four hours a week. Free limited access for four weeks; a certificate or extended access costs extra.
Explore the course ↗Explore the science · Basic biology helps
University of Reading · FutureLearn
Heart Health: A Beginner’s Guide to Cardiovascular Disease
Explore how the heart and circulation work, what happens when they develop problems and how researchers investigate them. Unfamiliar concepts are explained along the way.
Four weeks, around five hours a week. Free limited access for four weeks; a certificate or extended access costs extra.
Explore the course ↗Go further · A specialised research option
University of Birmingham · FutureLearn
Statistics in Clinical Trials for the Non-Statistician
Look more closely at how researchers interpret trial results, compare treatments and handle uncertainty. No statistics knowledge is required, but the course is aimed primarily at people involved in clinical research.
Three weeks, around six hours a week. Free limited access for three weeks; a certificate or extended access costs extra.
Explore the course ↗Choose “Join with limited access” for the free option. Check the provider’s current availability and access terms before joining.
You don’t have to enrol on a course to follow an interest. One talk is a good place to begin.