Overview
- Degree awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Duration
- 48 Months Full Time
- Entry requirements
-
The standard academic entry requirement for this PhD is an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD (or international equivalent) OR any upper-second class (2:1) honours degree and a Master’s degree at merit in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD (or international equivalent).
Other combinations of qualifications and research or work experience may also be considered. Please contact the admissions team to check.
- How to apply
-
In your application you'll need to include:
- The name of this programme
- Your research project title (i.e. the advertised project name or proposed project name)
- Your supervisor's name
- If you already have funding or you wish to be considered for any of the available funding
- Details of your previous study
- Names and contact details of your two referees
Before applying we also recommend that you read the Advice to Applicants section.
- Sustainable Development Goals
Find out how this programme aligns to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including learning which relates to:
- Goal 3: Good health and well-being
- Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
- Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
- Goal 15: Life on land
Programme options
Full-time | Part-time | Full-time distance learning | Part-time distance learning | |
---|---|---|---|---|
PhD | Y | N | N | N |
Programme overview
- Embrace the challenge of living abroad in one of the world's most famous cities.
- Form part of a talented cohort seeking to address sustainable development challenges through research in bio-economy solutions, and choose from a range of projects spanning synthetic and systems biology.
- Develop a global perspective and international fluency to benefit your future development, opening the door to exciting new job opportunities.
Open days
Fees
The programme fee will vary depending on the cost of running the project. Fees quoted are fully inclusive and, therefore, you will not be required to pay any additional bench fees or administration costs.
All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of the course for Home students (fees are typically fixed for International students, for the course duration at the year of entry). For general fees information please visit the postgraduate fees page .
Always contact the Admissions team if you are unsure which fees apply to your project.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the world's call to action on the most pressing challenges facing humanity. At The University of Manchester, we address the SDGs through our research and particularly in partnership with our students.
Led by our innovative research, our teaching ensures that all our graduates are empowered, inspired and equipped to address the key socio-political and environmental challenges facing the world.
To illustrate how our teaching will empower you as a change maker, we've highlighted the key SDGs that our programmes address.
Goal 3: Good health and well-being
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Goal 15: Life on land
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
Contact details
- Department
- Department of Chemistry
- Contact name
- Postgraduate Research Admissions Team
- Telephone
- +44 (0) 161 529 3049
- fse.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- https://www.synthetic-biology-dual-phd.manchester.ac.uk
- School/Faculty
-
Our internationally-renowned expertise across the School of Natural Sciences informs research led teaching with strong collaboration across disciplines, unlocking new and exciting fields and translating science into reality. Our multidisciplinary learning and research activities advance the boundaries of science for the wider benefit of society, inspiring students to promote positive change through educating future leaders in the true fundamentals of science. Find out more about Science and Engineering at Manchester .
Programmes in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.
Entry requirements
Academic entry qualification overview
The standard academic entry requirement for this PhD is an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD (or international equivalent) OR any upper-second class (2:1) honours degree and a Master’s degree at merit in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD (or international equivalent).
Other combinations of qualifications and research or work experience may also be considered. Please contact the admissions team to check.
English language
All applicants will need to demonstrate competency in English language.
Applicants who do not already possess an acceptable English Language qualification will need to take a recognised test and attain a minimum IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6 in writing and listening, and 5.5. in all other sub-tests.
TOEFL iBT: At least 90 overall with no subtest below 20. We do not accept 'MyBestScore'.
Pearson Test of English (PTE): At least 70 overall with no subtest below 59. Further information on language requirements can be found on our website .
Pre-sessional English: We also accept successful completion of a pre-sessional English course run by the University Language Centre to meet our English language requirements.
English language test validity
Other international entry requirements
Application and selection
How to apply
In your application you'll need to include:
- The name of this programme
- Your research project title (i.e. the advertised project name or proposed project name)
- Your supervisor's name
- If you already have funding or you wish to be considered for any of the available funding
- Details of your previous study
- Names and contact details of your two referees
Before applying we also recommend that you read the Advice to Applicants section.
Advice to applicants
We require the following documents before we can consider your application.
- Transcript of your studies to date, translated into English.
- Degree certificate (if you have already graduated).
- Personal statement or research proposal.
- Curriculum vitae (CV).
- If you are not applying for a scholarship, you must also provide details of how your studies will be funded. If you have a sponsor letter, please include it with your application.
If English is not your first language, we also require proof of your English language ability. If you have already taken an English language qualification, please include your certificate with your application. We may be willing to consider your application without this document but if successful, any offer of study will be conditional on providing a recognised qualification (like IELTS) that meets the English language entry requirement for this programme
How your application is considered
If you graduated more than three years ago, we will also consider the information contained on your CV and any relevant work experience you have to assess if you are still able to fulfil the entry criteria.
Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities.
We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.
We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.
We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles. We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder), carer support funds for conferences, and peer support networks for parents and carers.
All appointments are made on merit.
The University of Manchester and our external partners are fully committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Interview requirements
Overseas (non-UK) applicants
Please upload a copy of your current valid passport with your application showing the photograph page with your application. For CAS purposes, this must show your full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number and the date the passport is valid until, which must be later than the date of your planned arrival in the UK, and the start date of your course.
If you have previously studied in the UK on a Tier 4 visa as an undergraduate or postgraduate student, please send a copy of your previous CAS statement to us as it will assist with the issue of your new CAS statement. This includes study in the UK on study abroad programmes and any study that you did not complete.
You cannot use your CAS to apply for a visa more than three months before the start date of your course. The Admissions Team will contact you at the appropriate time.
Your CAS number is only valid for one Tier 4 application.
Deferrals
It is normally possible to defer entry to another entry point within the academic year, with the approval of your supervisory team and funder (if applicable).
You can request a deferral by contacting the Doctoral Academy Admissions Team by emailing fse.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk . If you request deferral for entry in a subsequent academic year you may be required to re-apply.
Re-applications
Programme details
Programme description
Each share a vision for world-class research in synthetic and systems biology. The MIB's research areas both inform and are informed by its Grand Challenges , which centre on emerging areas of excellence in the wider biotechnology field. Industrial Biotechnology is also one of the University's specialist research beacons and was recently awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education .
It is the mission of the CSSB to pursue excellence in scientific research and education in order to answer some of the fundamental questions of life science. Tsinghua is one of the most prestigious universities in China and is committed, through teaching, research and innovation, to the advancement of both the country and the wider world.
This dual PhD programme will develop biotechnologies to support clean growth in order to deliver drop-in solutions and new sustainable processes to industry, while at the same time providing PhD training and skills to support a transition from a fossil resource to a bio-based system.
Pathways
You'll spend two years at The University of Manchester and two years at Tsinghua University, with supervisors in both locations.Students will all start together at Tsinghua; you'll then follow one of three possible pathways, flexible to suit your research needs.You'll be required to submit a single thesis in English within four years of the registration date, and your final viva examination will take place in either Manchester or Tsinghua. At the end of the four-year full-time programme, you'll receive a dual PhD, one award and two certificates.
Aims
'It promises to be a fantastic programme and will provide a unique educational experience for the next generation of scientists. The strengths of Manchester and Tsinghua together will provide an excellent environment for PhD students to grow and blossom.' - Dr Neil Dixon, Programme Director.
'This Tsinghua-Manchester dual degree PhD programme will provide unique opportunities for students to experience various research environments of both universities, to learn great sciences across national borders and to become more culturally open. More importantly, the students will exploit complementary strengths of both sites.' - Professor George Guoqiang Chen, Programme Director of Tsinghua University.
Special features
As part of this programme you'll spend two years at Tsinghua University - one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Its campus is also considered one of the world's most beautiful, and is the site of the former imperial gardens of the Qing Dynasty.
Spending so much time abroad can seem daunting; but everything is in place to ensure a wonderful, life-changing experience in Beijing.Many international students attend Tsinghua, and you can find out more about activities and events on the university's website . You can also discover more about opportunities for UK students in China through the British Council campaign Generation UK .
Additional programme information
Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities.
We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.
We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.
We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles.
We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder), carer support funds for conferences, and peer support networks for parents and carers.
All appointments are made on merit. The University of Manchester and our external partners are fully committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Programme unit details
Students will all start together at Tsinghua; you'll then follow one of three possible pathways, flexible to suit your research needs.