PhD BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership

Year of entry: 2024

Overview

Degree awarded
Doctor of Philosophy
Duration
4 year PhD option only
Entry requirements
We require applicants to hold, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second class Honours degree, or the equivalent qualification gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science, engineering or technology for entry to this funded PhD programme.  As competition is fierce, many of our applicants also hold a Masters-level qualification.

Full entry requirements

How to apply

The BBSRC DTP accepts applications each year from around October-November for entry the following September.  Details on how to apply can be found on the BBSRC DTP website . You should follow the guidance carefully on how to make an online application.

Programme options

Full-time Part-time Full-time distance learning Part-time distance learning
PhD Y N N N

Programme overview

  • Learn from some of Europe's leading researchers while undertaking your own project.
  • Access some of the best research facilities in the world at both the University and in hospitals around Greater Manchester.
  • Undergo training in transferable skills critical to developing early-stage researchers and professionals through the Doctoral Academy's training programme.
  • Conduct research at a university ranked 6th in the UK (QS World University Rankings 2022).

Open days

Attending an open day is a great way to find out what undertaking postgraduate research at Manchester is like. Find out about our upcoming open days .

Fees

Fees for entry in 2024 have not yet been set. For reference, the fees for the academic year beginning September 2023 were as follows:

  • PhD (full-time)
    UK students (per annum): £4,712
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £26,500

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

Scholarships/sponsorships

This is a fully-funded programme through a UK Research Council.

Contact details

School/Faculty
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Contact name
Doctoral Academy Admissions Team
Telephone
+44 (0)161 275 5608
Email
Website
https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/bbsrc-dtp/
School/Faculty
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

Programmes in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview

We require applicants to hold, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second class Honours degree, or the equivalent qualification gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science, engineering or technology for entry to this funded PhD programme.  As competition is fierce, many of our applicants also hold a Masters-level qualification.

English language

For applicants whose first language is not English, or if you have not studied recently in the UK, you must provide evidence of how you meet the English Language requirement.

We mainly accept IELTS or TOEFL tests. Please note IELTS and TOEFL are only valid for two years.

We require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 overall or TOEFL (iBT) 90. Each component of the English test should meet the minimum requirement of IELTS 5.5 in all components, TOEFL (iBT 22). For the  writing component , we expect you to have achieved a minimum of 6.0 (IELTS).

If your IELTS or TOEFL expires before the start of your programme, you will need to take another official English test before we can issue you with a CAS for your visa application. This is a requirement of UKVI.

For more information about English language tests see  English language requirements .

Please contact us at  admissions.doctoralacademy@manchester.ac.uk  for further information.

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Other international entry requirements

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. For these and general requirements, including English language, see entry requirements from your country .

Application and selection

How to apply

The BBSRC DTP accepts applications each year from around October-November for entry the following September.  Details on how to apply can be found on the BBSRC DTP website . You should follow the guidance carefully on how to make an online application.

Advice to applicants

In addition to the formal online application, candidates should send all supporting documents (CV, transcripts, certificates, confirmation of funding, English language ability (if applicable) a personal statement).

About the personal statement  

This should be a maximum of 500 words. We recommend that your personal statement summarises:

  • any research experience and your interests;
  • your motivation for postgraduate research study;
  • why you want to do a postgraduate research degree in Manchester;
  • your career development to date;
  • your future career plans;
  • other supporting information: recent publications if any or other research training and experience.

If you have completed a research project during your undergraduate/master's study, please give a short description of the work you undertook, including the following details:

  • the research problem
  • your key findings
  • techniques acquired and skills learned.
See further guidance on how to choose a project and submit an application on our website .

Interview requirements

We will contact you directly if we wish to invite you to one of our interview days following supervisor nominations.

If you are invited to one of our interview days, you will be notified directly by email.

The BBSRC DTP Recruitment Committee will assess applicants based on CV, academic record and references. Interview panels will consist of up to three academic staff from across the University. You will be required to give a short presentation (not exceeding 10 minutes) outlining any research experience you may have (e.g. an undergraduate project) or on the BBSRC DTP project you are interested in. Presentations can be made in PowerPoint format or verbally.

Disclosure and Barring Service check

Depending on the project you undertake, you may be required to undertake DBS screening.  We will notify of you this requirement if appropriate.

Programme details

Programme description

The BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership offers interdisciplinary PhD training within the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health and the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Projects on offer are advertised via the main  BBSRC DTP website , where you can find further information on the programme structure and details on how to apply.

Special features

Training and development

All of our postgraduate researchers attend the Doctoral Academy Training Programme delivered by the Researcher Development team . The programme provides key transferable skills and equips our postgraduate researchers with the tools to progress beyond their research degree into influential positions within academia, industry and consultancy. The emphasis is on enhancing skills critical to developing early-stage researchers and professionals, whether they relate to effective communication, disseminating research findings and project management skills.

Teaching and learning

The BBSRC DTP PhD programme is based around individual research projects working with a specific Primary Supervisor and Co-Supervisor(s).

What our students say

Find out more about what it's like to undertake a postgraduate research degree at Manchester on the Doctoral Academy Blog and the support available through our Faculty Doctoral Academy.

Facilities

You will have access to a range of research and learning facilities across the University and at some of our partner organisations.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk

Careers

Career opportunities

Your postgraduate research degree will open up a range of career opportunities after you graduate. Find out more on the Careers page.