How to Apply

Funding

The MMB DTP programme expects to offer up to seven studentships to successful candidates who meet the eligibility criteria (including English language requirements) for entry in October 2025. Studentships include support for:

• A generous maintenance stipend, provided over four years, and funded according to the MRC stipend scale

• Full tuition fees which will be paid directly to the University

• Research and training costs for each year of the studentship

Studentships for iCASE projects also include additional contributions to candidates’ stipends and research and training costs.

All MMB DTP projects are advertised on a full-time basis. Applicants who are unable to study full-time may still apply, but any offer to study part-time will be conditional pending receipt of permission from the MRC. International applicants (as defined by UKRI) are eligible to apply for MMB projects for 2025 entry. UKRI will normally limit the proportion of international students appointed each year through individual doctoral training programmes to 30% of the total intake.

Studentship funding will not cover costs associated with visa or health surcharges, or additional costs associated with entry to, and living in the UK. International candidates should therefore ensure that they have sufficient funds to cover all costs associated with travelling to and studying in the UK before making an application.

How to Apply

This PhD programme is open to candidates with an undergraduate degree relevant to the scope of the programme, whether in biological sciences or bioinformatics/computing.

We are committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion in all areas of this programme. We encourage enquiries and applications from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, sexual orientation and transgender status. We value an aptitude for computer-based analysis, curiosity and independence of thought, plus a commitment to work across the boundaries between the laboratory and bioinformatics to deliver high-impact research. We welcome applicants from low- and middle-income countries.

Applicants should fulfil the University’s entry requirements for PhD registration and should have, or expect to obtain, a minimum of a UK Upper Second Class Honours Degree or equivalent. Applicants with a Lower Second-Class Honours degree will be considered if they also have a master’s degree or have significant research or non-academic experience relevant to the proposed field of research. Studentships awarded based on predicted grades will be conditional upon final results. Before admission, candidates must also meet the University’s minimum English language requirements for Science and Medicine and Health Sciences research degree programmes.

Applications for entry in October 2025 are no longer being accepted.

For October 2026 entry, we expect to be advertising available projects over the Autumn to Spring period and encourage you to check this site regularly for updates.

Selection Process

The MMB DTP operates a two-stage selection process:

1. Academic Review and Shortlisting: applications are independently reviewed by at least two academic reviewers with relevant expertise related to the project (usually the Primary and Secondary Supervisors connected to the project). This may involve an informal interview of potential candidates by the reviewers. The reviewers will select up to two preferred candidates from the pool of applicants to their project to go forward for formal interview for the programme.

2. MMB DTP Programme Formal Interview: shortlisted candidates are interviewed by a formal panel of faculty members from the MMB DTP partnership.

Candidates will be assessed on academic ability but also achievement and potential, relevant research experience, initiative and innovation, motivation and commitment to the research project, and recognition of development opportunities of the MMB DTP.

Shortlisted candidates will normally be asked to complete a short pre-interview exercise to be discussed with the panel at interview. Details of the exercise will be provided with the invitation to interview.

Candidates can expect to be notified of the outcome of their interview within 10 working days of the interview.