The DPhil in Musculoskeletal Sciences is intended to provide clinical and non-clinical graduates with a wide variety of research skills, in-depth knowledge, understanding and expertise in specific musculoskeletal-related fields of research. Furthermore, as part of your training you will be exposed to a range of topics such as critical appraisal, epidemiology and medical statistics. You will develop your research skills through a range of research training in your first year, including compulsory attendance at basic musculoskeletal core subjects and selection of three topic-related modules. Attendance on a two-day statistical course is compulsory to assist you with appropriate research design. You are also encouraged to work with your supervisor(s) on your research-specific literature review and to develop a study design for your thesis within the first few of training. You will be required to attend and present at termly post-graduate seminars, not only to develop your presentation skills but also to benefit from the feedback, support and interaction from your University peers and senior academics. In addition the department runs weekly seminars by internal and external speakers on various clinical and non-clinical musculoskeletal topics, which will provide further opportunity for you to broaden your knowledge in the field. According to the department's records, 100% of DPhil in Musculoskeletal Sciences alumni are employed, across a wide range of clinical professions (eg rheumatology, orthopaedics or physiotherapy) and non-clinical related professions (eg postdoctoral academic and industrial research, teaching, pharmaceuticals, marketing and scientific writing). A number of alumni have set up their own businesses or changed paths completely into banking and medical writing, a group which constitutes around 1% of the total number.