PhD Wellcome Trust - Immunomatrix in Complex Disease

Year of entry: 2024

Overview

Degree awarded
Doctor of Philosophy
Duration
4 Years Full Time
Entry requirements

Relevant undergraduate science degree or equivalent alternative qualifications or experience in immunology, matrix biology, complex diseases or analysis of these.

Full entry requirements

How to apply
You should apply online as soon as possible once applications open.

If you wish to be considered for Wellcome Trust 4-year PhD and meet our eligibility criteria, you must complete an  online admissions application form to apply for this programme.   Ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission, or this may delay the processing of your application.

Programme options

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

Attend an open day

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 2023).

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

Funded programmes and projects are promoted throughout the year. Funding is available through UK Research Councils, charities and industry. We also have other internal awards and scholarships for the most outstanding applicants from within the UK and overseas.

For more information on available the types of funding we have available, please visit the funded programmes and funding opportunities pages.

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/wt-icd/
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

Relevant undergraduate science degree or equivalent alternative qualifications or experience in immunology, matrix biology, complex diseases or analysis of these.

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 fbmh.doctoralacademy.admissions@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

You should apply online as soon as possible once applications open.

If you wish to be considered for Wellcome Trust 4-year PhD and meet our eligibility criteria, you must complete an  online admissions application form to apply for this programme.   Ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission, or this may delay the processing of your application.

Advice to applicants

In addition to the formal online application form, candidates should upload all required supporting documents (anonymised CV, original CV, transcripts, certificates, English language ability (if applicable)).  A personal statement is not needed as this information is captured in the anonymised CV template that applicants are asked to complete.

Interview requirements

Candidates will be required to attend an interview. We will contact you directly if we wish to invite you to one of our interview days.

Interviews will be carried out by members of the Wellcome Trust ICD Management Board.

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.

Re-applications

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard programme entry criteria for that year of entry. In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved. We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen programme.

Programme details

Programme description

This basic science PhD programme, which is at the interface of immunology and matrix biology research, allows experience of other careers including policy, charities, government and research in developing countries

Key features of the programme

  • A bespoke course in immunomatrix, bioinformatics and artificial intelligence
  • The opportunity to meet with potential supervisors and experience their labs (lab bootcamp) before choosing your PhD project.
  • PhD projects at the interface of matrix biology, immunology and complex disease
  • An opportunity to experience alternative careers related to your chosen project (silo switch)
  • A supportive inclusive research environment focussed on team-based research
  • A unique opportunity to mentor work experience of care leavers
 

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 focus of this PhD training programme is on understanding common mechanisms that underlie complex diseases by studying the interplay between immune cells and the extracellular matrix.

Week 1 to 7 - bespoke course in immunomatrix, bioinformatics and artificial intelligence with laboratory sessions with all potential supervisors (lab bootcamp)

Week 8 - Supervisor selection

Week 9-12 Short project in co-supervisor lab

Week 9-12  Project development with both supervisors and identification of Silo Switch (link to Silo Switch below)

Full PhD project commences in 4 th month

At the end of Year 1 - Continuation Report

At the start of Year 2 - Typical timeframe for Silo switch

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

Our doctoral students progress beyond their PhDs into a variety of positions and areas. They benefit from our commitment to developing wider skills and experience, and the breadth and quality of research they are engaged with. This, along with the strength of the final PhD projects, ensures they are in high demand.

73% of our Wellcome Trust 4-year PhD funded students who have completed their studies have gone on to postdoctoral research work.

The remainder undertake science-related employment, such as medical writing, science education, science funding, and clinical science. Our programme uniquely offers the opportunity to experience careers in policy, public engagement, the NHS and industry.

Career paths may include:

  • clinical training;
  • industrial research;
  • health services consultancy and policy;
  • teaching;
  • science writing.