What are the requirements for admission?

The prerequisite for admission to the PhD Clinical Research programme is a completed master's degree in one of the following disciplines:

  • Human Medicine
  • Sports Science
  • Biochemistry
  • Biology
  • Biostatistics
  • Biotechnology
  • Epidemiology
  • Nursing Sciences
  • Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Psychology
  • Public Health
  • Insurance Medicine
  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Dentistry


Candidates with a master's degree in medicine can also apply for the programme MD-PhD Clinical Research. The two programmes are identical in content. Ideally, MD-PhD candidates should have already experience in clinical research, e.g. a master's thesis in clinical research, participation in relevant summer schools or in research programmes during the elective year. Medical students can be provisionally admitted to the MD-PhD programme after completion of the content of their master's thesis.

Interested MD-PhD candidates who would also like to apply for the national funding programme by SAMS ans SNSF should note the following application procedure.

Medical Faculty
Dean of Studies Office

Dean of Studies
Prof. Dr. med. Frank Zimmermann

Head of Dean of Studies Office
Dr. med. Silke Biller, MME
Phone +41 61 207 19 21

PhD Student Office
Moira Lux-Privitera
Phone +41 61 207 57 04


How to find a PhD position?

Before you can be accepted for the PhD programme, you have to find a PhD position and a supervisor at the University of Basel.

Listed on the right are links to job portals that advertise PhD positions. Alternatively, you can directly contact a DKF research group leader of your choice and submit your letter of motivation, a short description of your research idea and your CV.


How to register for the PhD study?

Once you have found a supervisor, you must apply for admission at the University of Basel.

This process takes place in 2 steps:

  1. Application for admission
  2. Submission of a doctoral agreement with a detailed research plan

Here you will find detailed information on the admission procedure at the Medical Faculty.

Your application will be checked and approved by the PhD board of the Medical Faculty. Current meeting dates are published here.

University of Basel

Student Administration Office
Petersplatz 1, Postfach
4001 Basel

Phone +41 61 207 30 23
Fax +41 61 207 30 35


How to find advise on general questions?

The Graduate Center GRACE offers an overview of various advisory services ranging from personal integrity, diversity and inclusion to health, legal advice and employment and working conditions.