PhD Synthetic and Systems Biology

Year of entry: 2024

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.

Full entry requirements

How to apply

Apply online

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

Play a key role in developing sustainable, bio-economy solutions to address current and future global challenges - all while broadening your horizons with an incredible opportunity to study abroad.
  • 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

Visit our Faculty of Science and Engineering Postgraduate Research page to find out about upcoming open days and webinars.

Fees

Fees at both institutions are covered as part of the studentship package, and other fantastic funding opportunities include an annual stipend at the minimum Research Councils UK rate (£15,609 for 2021/22) that will be paid to students while in Manchester, and a commensurate stipend while at Tsinghua.

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
Email
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

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 general requirements for each country - including English language - see entry requirements for your country .

Application and selection

How to apply

Apply online

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

We consider your full academic history including which course units you have taken and the marks obtained. Even if you have met our minimum entry requirements, we will take into account your marks in relevant undergraduate and postgraduate taught course units in our final decision making.

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

An interview is required for entry to this programme of study.

Overseas (non-UK) applicants

CAS Information

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

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 course 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 course.

Programme details

Programme description

The first-of-its-kind dual award PhD programme in Synthetic and Systems Biology brings together two globally-renowned institutions at the forefront of research in this area: the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) at The University of Manchester, and the Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology (CSSB) at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.

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

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.

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

This dual PhD programme will provide PhD training and skills to support a transition from a fossil resource to a bio-based system. Excellent career opportunities will stem from the students ability to develop a global perspective and international fluency, opening the door to exciting new job opportunities.