phd scholarships university of manchester

President's Doctoral Scholar Award

• PDS activities

This flagship funding scheme, which is strongly supported by the University's President and Vice Chancellor Professor Duncan Ivison, offers postgraduate research studentships.

It is a priority for the university to support and develop tomorrow's global research leaders. As such we strive to create an environment that allows you to excel and reach your full potential. The President's Doctoral Scholar Award is the highest accolade we bestow upon members of our postgraduate researcher community. Professor Duncan Ivison

The PDS Award gives outstanding students from around the world a foundation to support research training with prominent academics across a full range of subjects.

Find out more

• How to apply
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• +44 (0) 161 306 6000

The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK

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Dean's Doctoral Scholarship

Pursue your passion.

Have you got the passion to work on challenging projects in a world-leading research environment?

Every year we support researchers of the highest calibre with a Dean’s Doctoral Scholarship.

Open to all nationalities, this scholarship provides students with the chance to make a difference and become part of an innovative research community whose work changes lives.

Benefits of the scholarship

• Working with the world’s brightest minds to find solutions that make a difference.
• 3.5 years fully-funded (includes tuition fees at home or international rate).
• + Annual maintenance stipend (equivalent to the UKRI minimum).
• + £1000 a year RTSG Transferable skills training programme.

What you need to do

Eligibility criteria.

In order to be considered for this scholarship, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Have submitted an application by the deadline for a PhD programme to start in September 2024.
• Hold (or expect to achieve) a First Class or 2:1 UK honours degree (or international equivalent).
• Ideally hold a master’s-level qualification at merit or distinction (or international equivalent).
• Meet English language entry requirements as specified by the department that you are applying to.
• Be able to demonstrate potential for academic research. This may include contributions to publications/articles, promoting their research to a wider audience, and prizes for research or project work.

We will only consider candidates who hold a formal offer for a place on one of our PhD programmes.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and are 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).

All appointments are made on merit.

Application process

• Choose your research project .
• Find your supervisor .
• This scholarship works on a nomination basis so it’s important you make sure you have had significant contact with your supervisory team during the application process and that they are aware that you wish to be considered for funding.
• Complete your application prior to the advertised funding deadline (see key dates below). Specify in the funding section of your PhD application form that you wish to be considered for the Dean’s Doctoral Scholarship.
• Each Department will be invited to nominate candidates to Faculty – if nominated you will then be invited to an interview.

Full details of how to apply for postgraduate research, where to find research projects and supervisors, and much more can be found on our getting started page .

Please direct any enquiries to the relevant postgraduate research contact in each Department.

Application deadlines

All applicants for September 2024 entry have been informed on whether they have received a scholarship. If you have not heard anything, please contact our admissions team .

The Dean’s Doctoral Scholarship is not currently accepting applications. Please check back later in the year for further updates.

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• Listen to advice and tips from current postgraduate researchers and our support teams.
• And much more...

Studentships and funding

Below you will find the awards and scholarships we have available to support your Postgraduate Research in the Humanities Doctoral Academy.

Award deadlines change throughout the year, and some have specific application criteria so check the award page to see if you're eligible to apply:

• Browse our full list of awards

The University of Manchester funding

There are a range of scholarships, studentships and awards available to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers.

Section 9 of the application requests your intended funding sources. In this section, you should detail fully all the competitions in which you would like to be considered.

The section first asks 'Have you secured or do you intend to apply for funding to cover the cost of your studies?'. If you are self-funding, you may select 'no'.

If you would like to apply for funding, you must select 'yes' and provide the details of your funding intentions. If you intend to apply for multiple competitions, all must be detailed in section 9 to ensure you are included. There is no limit to the number of competitions you may enter. To enter an internal competition, please add a funding source, and populate the fields as below:

• Type of Funding - Uni of Manchester Scheme.
• Awarding Body - In the free text box, enter the name of the funding competition (e.g. 'Humanitarian Scholarship').
• Status of Funding - Intend to Apply.

The remainder of the boxes may be left blank. Please give any further relevant details in the 'any other comments' box. Select Add+ to detail further competitions.

Each of our schools have an application deadline for internal funding consideration:

• Alliance Manchester Business School: Deadline for 2024 has passed
• School of Arts, Languages and Cultures: Deadline for 2024 has passed
• School of Education, Environment and Development: Deadline for 2024 has passed
• School of Social Sciences: Deadline for 2024 has passed

Deadlines for 2025 entry will be published here by September 2024. The deadline for internal funding within schools is typically in December - January.

External funding

All external funding competitions (for example, AHRC NWCDTP and ESRC NWSSDTP) have a specified deadline for submitting your funding application and a separate (earlier) deadline for submitting the online programme application form, both of which will be stated in the funding competition pages, linked at the bottom of this page.

Research council workshops

ESRC NWSSDTP

A series of NWSSDTP workshops took place in November 2023 to support applicants from groups frequently underrepresented in higher education and Postgraduate Research.

These workshops covered:

• What it’s like to do a PhD
• Who the ESRC are and details about the funding/scholarships and exciting training opportunities available to support PhDs/postgraduate researchers
• The process of applying for an ESRC funded PhD including tips about how to navigate each stage of the process

A composite recording of these sessions can be found on the NWSSDTP YouTube channel.

Supervisor-led projects

You may choose to apply for a supervisor-led project. Undertaking a defined project allows you to contribute to ongoing research and make a difference to an identified challenge in the field of Humanities.

Unless specified in the advert, you won’t need to submit a research proposal, you'll just need the relevant project title and supervisor(s). Details on how to apply are given on the project page.

Browse our available supervisor-led projects.

Other funding sources

We also encourage you to approach other sources (such as your home government, Ministry of Education or employer) to enquire if they have any funding schemes available to which you can apply. 

Doctoral loans may be available through the UK government for those studying PhDs and equivalent doctoral programmes including professional doctorates. 

UK nationals who are ordinarily resident in England, aged 59 or under, who are not already receiving funding via a UK Research Council, are eligible. 

Featured studentships  

Ahrc north west consortium doctoral training partnership.

This is an open competition for postgraduate researchers in the arts and humanities.

ESRC North West Social Sciences Doctoral Training Partnership

This is an open competition for postgraduate researchers in the social sciences.

China Scholarship Council - The University of Manchester Joint Scholarship for PhD Study

This award supports postgraduate researchers from China to study in the University of Manchester.

University of Manchester Humanitarian Scholarship

This award will support 1 PGR fleeing armed conflict, at risk or victim of persecution.

Manchester-Melbourne Dual Award

This dual-award programme offers candidates the opportunity to apply for a project with a strong supervisory team both in Manchester and Melbourne.

Collaborative Doctoral Programmes

Some of our supervisor-led projects are funded by the AHRC CDA scheme and the ESRC CASE scheme.

Targeted Studentships aimed at increasing equality, diversity and inclusion

Find out about the SERE (SEED) and Stuart Hall (SoSS) awards.

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships support postgraduate researchers from Commonwealth nations to study in the University of Manchester.

There are separate competitions for candidates from High Income countries, and Least Developed Countries and Fragile States.

High Income Countries.

Least Developed Countries and Fragile States.

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Funding for postgraduate research

Our Department is committed to providing a range of funding opportunities to our postgraduate research students.

There are several funding streams that you can take advantage of when you come to study a PhD with us, including bursaries, scholarships and the University's flagship funding scheme for outstanding doctoral candidates.

Explore your options below.

Doctoral Loans

The UK government has confirmed that doctoral loans will be available for those studying PhDs (and equivalent doctoral programmes) from 2024/25.

The loan will be for a maximum of £29,930 over the duration of the course.

UK nationals, who are ordinarily resident in England, aged 59 or under, who are not already receiving funding via a UK Research Council, will be eligible. The government is currently considering making EU students eligible.

The loans will be available for all types of doctoral study (eg PhD, as well as all professional doctorates such as DBA, EdD), at all UK universities.

A summary of the main features of the loan is available on FindaPhD.com .

Faculty PhD Studentships

The Faculty of Science and Engineering has historically made up to a further ten PhD studentships (also known as Dean's Awards ) in previous years, although this is not normally announced until around February time.

These awards are open to all nationalities and research areas within the Faculty. The awards have been allocated to outstanding applicants seeking PhD training opportunities, based on the academic track record of applicants and evidence of research potential.

Global Doctoral Research Network (GOLDEN) Partnerships

The University of Manchester has collaborations with a number of international partners.  As an extension of this joint research, we are developing dual-award PhD programmes to allow postgraduate research students access to world-class facilities, expertise and field environments. Visit the University website for more information about the Dual-awards via the Global Doctoral Research Network.

Postgraduate loans (PGL) for taught and research master’s students

Introduced by the Department of Education, these postgraduate loans support up to £10,000 per student for the purpose of master's study. A PGL for master's study will be a contribution towards the cost of studies ie it will be at the student's discretion to use the loan towards tuition fees, maintenance cost or other costs. It is non-means tested and is paid directly to the student.

Further information can be found on the Student Finance England website .

President's Doctoral Scholar Award

The President’s Doctoral Scholar (PDS) award is the University’s flagship funding initiative, and is strongly supported by the University's President and Vice Chancellor, Professor Duncan Ivison.

The scheme offers elite postgraduate research studentships each year and is open to students of all nationalities and across all research areas.

Successful PDS award candidates can receive funding for their doctoral studies, as well as an additional £1,000 enhancement to their stipend. PDS award-holders are students of the highest calibre, who have the commitment and desire to work on challenging research projects in world-leading research environments.

Research projects

Find information about the studentships and funded projects available in the department.

More about fees

All the information you need regarding fees for postgraduate research at the University.

More about funding

Visit the faculty website to find out more about funding your postgraduate research.

Search for funding

School of Environment, Education and Development

Funding opportunities

Funding your programme will be a crucial factor in your decision to apply for a postgraduate research degree, so the earlier you consider your funding options, the better.

Once you have determined your funding intentions, you should be ready to submit your programme application. Section 9 of the application requests your intended funding sources. In this section, you should detail fully all the competitions in which you would like to be considered.

The section first asks 'Have you secured or do you intend to apply for funding to cover the cost of your studies?'. If you are self-funding, you may select 'no'.

If you would like to apply for funding, you must select 'yes' and provide the details of your funding intentions. If you intend to apply for multiple competitions, all must be detailed in section 9 to ensure you are included. There is no limit to the number of competitions you may enter. To enter an internal competition, please add a funding source, and populate the fields as below:

• Type of Funding  - Uni of Manchester Scheme.
• Awarding Body  - In the free text box, enter the name of the funding competition (e.g. 'Humanitarian Scholarship').
• Status of Funding  - Intend to Apply.

The remainder of the boxes may be left blank. Please give any further relevant details in the 'any other comments' box. Select Add+ to detail further competitions.

To determine your intentions, please browse all funding opportunities within the Humanities Doctoral Academy.

Read more information about funding.

Find out more

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• Postgraduate study overseas

Funding your postgraduate study or research

Funding and loans.

Funding options for postgraduate study can be complex, with a number of options available for different areas of study. We have outlined below the most popular funding options for students, and further information from The University of Manchester can be found here.

• Funding for master’s courses

University places are offered on the understanding that candidates will have enough funds to cover all of their costs before the course commences. Most universities will let you pay your tuition fees in two or three instalments throughout the year. Some universities offer a discount to students who pay their personal contribution of the full fees in advance or at the time of registration. Others require candidates to pay a non-refundable deposit when accepting an offer of a place.

In England, fees can vary widely between courses and institutions so always check the exact sum with your prospective institution. (Some universities offer a discount in fees to their alumni). Check fee arrangements and eligibility in the rest of the UK. You may also need to consider further costs such as living expenses, laboratory fees, accommodation fees, travel (including trips home), books and equipment.

If you have funded an undergraduate degree through a student loan you will be familiar with the student finance system. A guide to Postgraduate Loans (PGL) at The University of Manchester information covers both UK and International Students.

Further information on Postgraduate Loans:

• www.gov.uk/funding-for-postgraduate-study
• www.findamasters.com/funding/guides/postgraduate-loans-guide.aspx
• www.prospects.ac.uk/postgraduate-study/funding-postgraduate-study

UK PhD loans are also available for research postgraduate degrees:

• www.findaphd.com/funding/guides/uk-phd-loans-scheme.aspx

Funding information UK

Most institutions will offer a small number of scholarships. The eligibility criteria will usually reflect the values and purposes of the founder of the award and is usually discipline-specific. The amount of money awarded depends on the scholarship, in many cases the award covers a substantial part of the tuition fees.

Bursaries differ from scholarships as they take into account the financial need of the student. Bursaries usually range from £100 to £4,000. The sum of money may be deposited into the student’s bank account, so they can use it to pay for any university related expense they choose or the university may automatically deduct it from the tuition fees.

Funding opportunities at The University of Manchester can also be found through Student Support .

PGT courses

There are very limited opportunities for UK Government funded Master’s courses. Funding is allocated, via the UK Research Councils, directly to universities. Universities will advertise and select students who will receive funding. Funding for stand-alone Masters is limited to research preparation Master’s (Arts and Humanities) and a few professional vocational Master’s (Arts and Humanities, and Bio/Medical sciences). Other Master’s level funding is generally allocated as part of an integrated 4 year PhD.

• Find out more: www.findamasters.com/funding/guides/research-councils.aspx

PhD programmes

There is more funding available for PhD courses due to funding streams for research. Speak to prospective departments and PhD supervisors to find out what funding is available for your subject.

Government funding for PhDs is allocated, via the UK Research Councils, directly to universities and research institutes. Universities advertise and select the students who will receive funding – you do not apply directly to the Research Councils. This funding generally comes with training and is often part of a package of support from a number of universities. These are variously known as Doctoral Training Partnerships or Centres (DTPs and DTCs), or Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs). Check adverts from these partnerships/centres or individual universities to find Government funded PhDs.

NB UK Research Council funding is not available to international students.

Charitable funding

Whilst most charities are small, there are some major players in research funding, such as the Wellcome Trust and the Leverhulme Trust. As with the UK Research councils, these generally allocate funding to universities and research institutes. You do not directly apply to these large trusts.

Funding search websites

University of Manchester students can get free access to the Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding. This includes a search for charitable funding, use your University of Manchester email address to get access.

• The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding Gateway

Some other areas to look at when researching funding:

• Learned Societies and professional bodies may offer funding for PhD or postdoctoral research. E.g. Royal Academy of Engineering.
• Do your research to discover the smaller learned societies and charities related to your field of study. These funds can often be undersubscribed. There is a list on the Government website – but you will need to search online for the websites.
• Prospects website – UK study search
• Scholarship Search
• Postgraduate studentships
• Research Professional . Grants for postgraduate study worldwide, fieldwork, travel costs, studentships, fellowships etc. Access via on campus computers only.
• Turn2us – funding search website

Other ways to fund your course

• Part-time work: Many postgraduates undertake part-time employment to help fund their studies. Be realistic about how many hours you can work while studying. The University of Manchester recommends that you work no more than 15 hours / week. Part-time jobs are advertised on CareerConnect.
• Residential Pastoral Adviser Employment: The University of Manchester employs many postgraduate students to work in its Halls of Residence as Residential Pastoral Advisers. (Other universities may offer similar opportunities.) Using your own experience of university life, you will be required to work in a team providing pastoral support and guidance to residents (which also sometimes includes matters of a disciplinary nature). In return you will be provided with accommodation paid for by the university in the Hall itself. You also do not have to pay for any bills (i.e. electricity, water, internet access) however if you obtain a position in a catered Hall of Residence, you will have to pay for your food. Recruitment usually takes place at Christmas, Easter and over the Summer (all PG students will receive an email when vacancies are available).

For PhD Students

• Graduate teaching and research assistantships: It may be possible to earn money teaching or as a research assistant where you are studying. Under the scheme, research postgraduates receive direct payment or a waiver of fees in return for undertaking teaching or research duties. Ask your department about this option. Posts may be advertised throughout the year on www.jobs.ac.uk , in the educational press and in relevant publications, such as The Guardian, The Times, The Times Higher Education Supplement, and New Scientist. However many opportunities may be only advertised locally ask in your department.
• Employer-funded study: In most cases, this sponsorship is allocated to a university or research institute who advertise and select the students. You do not apply to the industrial sponsor directly. In a very small number of cases, a company (such as GSK) will advertise its own co-sponsored PhDs. These opportunities are rare!
• Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP): This scheme enables graduates to work within a commercial environment (being paid a salary at industrial rate) whilst studying for a higher degree and with support from academic experts. For information on the national scheme, organised through KTP visit: www.gov.uk/guidance/knowledge-transfer-partnerships-what-they-are-and-how-to-apply

Funding for International study

You may be able to work while you study, check the student visa regulations - you are not entitled to work as a student in all countries. There may also be limits on the amount of hours or type of work you can do. E.g. you may be able to work on campus but not in the town. Some universities also fund graduates through teaching assistantships, particularly in the USA.

Many governments wish to attract bright scholars from around the world; consequently there are opportunities for funding, usually for the most academically able. Look on the relevant government or the country’s embassy website for details.

Associations, professional bodies, charities, foundations and trusts

There are hundreds of organisations that offer partial funding for postgraduate study. Some may offer several hundred awards per year and others only one. The types of funding include scholarships, bursaries, maintenance allowance funds, grants, studentships and competitions. Most awards will not cover the entire cost of living and tuition fees.

The majority of awards have very specific criteria for eligibility such as the type of subject being studied or the nationality of the applicant. The following book list sources of funding:

• The Grants Register: the complete guide to funding worldwide, Palgrave Macmillan. Available online via University Library

Overseas study funding websites

• Jobs.ac.uk overview of funding options
• Erasmus+ programme The Erasmus loans are only available to nationals of an Erasmus programme country to study a complete Masters abroad in another Erasmus programme country. Detailed information on funding for international students is provided in each country profile.
• Find a Masters

Learn about options and applying for postgraduate study

• Get Ready for Postgraduate Study Pathway

Learn at your own speed, whenever and wherever you want. Complete short online modules including a mix of activities to help you gain confidence and build your skills.

• Getting in touch

Careers Service, The University of Manchester

Connect with us

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• Royal charter number: RC000797

• Student intranet /
• Staff intranet

Department of Materials

Funding for postgraduate research

We invest millions of pounds every year in offering a range of research studentships and scholarships available to international, UK and EU students.

Funding for postgraduate programmes in our Department comes in many forms, including scholarships, University-funded awards, and programmes funded by industry partners.

Follow the links below to find out how you could fund your postgraduate research programme.

President's Doctoral Scholar Award

Learn about the University's flagship postgraduate funding scheme, supported by the President, Professor Duncan Ivison

Research projects

Search our projects database for studentships and postgraduate research opportunities

Explore our projects

Faculty funding

Funding options from the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

More about fees

Further information about fees on the faculty website.

More about funding

More details about funding on the faculty website.

Alternatively, use our A–Z index

GREAT scholarships

If you're considering a postgraduate degree in the UK, then a GREAT scholarship can help.

In partnership with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, The University of Manchester is offering five scholarships to students in Bangladesh, Ghana, Greece, Kenya, Mexico and Nigeria, applying for one-year master’s programmes, who will enrol in the 2024/25 academic year. 

The GREAT Scholarships 2024 programme, launched by the British Council together with 72 UK universities, supports postgraduate students to access world class UK higher education opportunities. 

The scholarship programme offers financial support of a minimum of £10,000 to students pursuing one-year postgraduate study in the UK. Students can apply for courses in a range of subjects at the 72 institutions across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.   

Applications will open to relevant offer-holders from December 2023. A scholarship application form will be emailed to all relevant offer-holders by the International office . 

Applications will close on 26 April 2024. For more information on the GREAT Scholarships 2024, please visit Study UK .

What country must I come from to be eligible for the scholarship?

The University is offering scholarships for eligible students from the following countries:

• Kenya  

What are the scholarships on offer?

Explore the table below to find out further scholarship details.

*Scholarships will be offered for the study of full time, on-campus postgraduate taught (MA, MSc) programmes only. Applications for MBA, MPhil, MEnt, Master of Architecture (MArch), Architecture & Urbanism (MA) and Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA), Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), Clinical Medicine and Dentistry degrees are not eligible for the award.   

Applicants for the following Master’s by Research courses will not be eligible: 

• MSc by Research Physics
• MSc by Research Astronomy and Astrophysics
• MSc by Research Chemistry
• MSc by Research Earth Science
• MSc by Research Atmospheric Sciences
• MSc by Research Environmental Geochemistry and Geomicrobiology
• MSc by Research Palaeontology
• MSc by Research Composite Materials 
• MSc by Research Corrosion and Protection
• MSc by Research Metallic Materials
• MSc by Research Textile Design, Fashion & Management 
• MSc by Research Condensed Matter Physics
• MSc Research Soft Matter and Liquid Crystals Physics 
• MSc by Research Nuclear Physics 
• MSc by Research Particle Physics  
• MSc by Research Chemical Engineering
• MSc by Research Catalysis and Porous Materials
• MSc by Research Materials
• MSc by Research Fashion Management and Marketing 
• MSc by Research Nano and Functional Materials
• MSc by Research Environmental Science
• MSc by Research Textiles and Apparel
• MSc by Research Ecology and Evolution

How will I receive my scholarship?

The University of Manchester GREAT scholarships will be awarded in the form of a partial fee waiver. 

What's the eligibility criteria?

You must be holding either a conditional or unconditional offer to study at the University to apply to The University of Manchester GREAT Scholarship.   

Please read our full eligibility and selection criteria  information.

Please note that applicants to The University of Manchester awards should be passport holders of Bangladesh, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Ghana or Greece.

What are the key dates I need to be aware of?

Scholarships can only be awarded to applicants who have: 

• received a conditional or unconditional offer to study at The University of Manchester by 26 April 2024;
• submitted a scholarship application form by 26 April 2024.

The scholarship application form will be emailed to all relevant offer-holders by the International Office . 

Successful applicants will be notified by 31 May 2024 and will be required to firmly accept their offer of a place by 15 June 2024 in order to confirm their scholarship. 

How do I apply?

You must complete a GREAT scholarship application form by 26 April 2024. This will be emailed to all relevant offer holders by the International Office .

Successful applicants will be notified by 31 May 2024. 

My country isn't included – where can I find scholarship information for my country?

Explore country profiles  and our scholarship pages  for further guidance with regards to scholarship opportunities for your country. For information on GREAT Scholarships 2024 offered to passport holders of other countries, please visit  Study UK .

Find out more about the GREAT scholarships on the Study UK website.

Go to Study UK

British Council

You can find out more information on the British Council website in your country.

Go to British Council website

Global Development Institute

PhD opportunities

Candidates pursuing research degrees at GDI are part of the Rory and Elizabeth Brooks Doctoral College, a multidisciplinary research community.

The Rory and Elizabeth Brooks Doctoral College is also the first philanthropically funded doctoral college in the UK with support from the  Rory and Elizabeth Brooks Foundation . It provides opportunities for up to 100 early career researchers and bolsters the University’s commitment to addressing global inequalities and making a difference to the lives of people living in poverty.

The Brooks Doctoral College aspires to be a world-class community of doctoral researchers contributing to socially just global development through the research of its members and their progression into leadership roles in public, private and civic institutions. Within the vibrant research environment which GDI offers, candidates will have access to:

• a wide range of specialists conducting cutting-edge research in international development;
• superb library and computer facilities;
• and an ever-growing diversity of lectures, seminars and masterclasses presented by staff, visiting speakers and postgraduate researchers.

We currently supervise a number of doctoral researchers engaged in a variety of research areas:

• Development Policy and Management PhD

The Doctoral College enhances engagement between postgraduate researchers and GDI academic staff to encourage innovation and collaboration in research and teaching.  It provides opportunities for PhD researchers to obtain bespoke support, enabling them to become the next generation of academics, leaders and policy makers.

PhD researchers benefit from structured opportunities for skills development, including:

• public communication;
• maximising research impact;
• presentational skills;
• organising events;
• bidding for funding.

Opportunities to attend training courses and gain access to paid teaching assistant work are also available.

PhD researchers make an essential contribution to the vibrant research environment that is the Global Development Institute. Our research is centred around 7 key groups:

• Digital development
• Migration, refugees and asylum
• Global urban futures
• Growth and distribution
• Politics, governance and management
• Global production networks, trade and labour
• Resources, environment and development

Student Enquiries:

If you are either a current or former postgraduate research student and have any queries please:

• visit the School Student Intranet pages
• or email  [email protected]

We currently supervise a number of doctoral researchers engaged in a variety of research programmes.

Brooks Doctoral College

The Rory and Elizabeth Brooks Doctoral College is the first of its kind to focus on postgraduate research of international development.

How to apply

Find out more about applying to be a PhD student at The University of Manchester

Fees and funding

We provide a number of funding opportunities for our GDI PhD students, find out more and apply.

Train in Manchester and Singapore

A*STAR PhD programme

An exciting pathway into research, why undertake the a*star phd programme.

The four-year funded A*STAR PhD programme at Manchester enables postgraduate researchers in science and engineering to spend two years of their PhD at The University of Manchester and the other two years in Singapore at an A*STAR Research Institute.

• Receive training and support for your PhD in both Manchester and Singapore, with supervisors in both locations.
• Study at a prestigious institute in Singapore and experience life in another country.
• Choose from a range of projects spanning the biological sciences and engineering.
• Be part of a network of PhD researchers and establish international collaborations.

On this page:

Making an application

Experience two unique cities.

Each year, we recruit outstanding applicants who are keen to undertake a research project in Manchester and Singapore as part of the A*STAR Research Attachment Programme (ARAP).

The programme is a partnership between the University and the  Agency for Science, Technology and Research  (A*STAR) in Singapore.

Programme structure

Year 1 - manchester.

• Literature report
• Project planning and design
• Continuation report

Years 2 and 3 - Singapore

• Continuation of research project

Year 4 - Manchester

• Final project work
• Preparation of thesis
• Final submission and viva

What our students say

Read blog posts from our students to find out what they think about the programme.

Read the blog

Multidisciplinary research

Projects vary each year and span biological sciences, life sciences, medicine/translational research and engineering.

All A*STAR projects are designed to provide multidisciplinary challenges for applicants with backgrounds including science and engineering.

Find a project

Apply for the A*STAR programme

Applicants to the programme must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science, engineering or technology.

If you wish to be considered for the A*STAR PhD programme and meet our eligibility criteria, you must complete a single  online application .

Application process

Please follow the information and step-by-step guide on our main  How to apply  page. 

Specific details for this programme are noted below.

You must make one separate application for this programme (select 'A*STAR PhD Programme' on the online application form). If you select the incorrect programme, your application will not be considered.

You should select this programme for any project on the programme with supervisors in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health.

There are some projects available for the Faculty of Science and Engineering this year, but you should apply directly to those and not to the A*STAR PhD programme, as this is only for projects with Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health supervisors.

For the 'Research Details' section, you must state the name of the primary project supervisor and project title in the format below. You can indicate up to two projects/supervisors here, listing the primary supervisor and project title in order of preference. You do not need to submit a separate application for each project.

• Name of Primary Supervisor – Project Title

For the 'Funding Sources' section, you must select the details as follows:

• Select 'Yes' from the drop-down.
• Type of Funding: 'University of Manchester Scholarship'.
• Awarding Body: University and A*STAR.
• Status of Funding – Awarded.
• Funding Covers – Fully Funded.
• Leave the remaining boxes blank.

Application deadline: To be confirmed

Other application information

Applications must be submitted by the deadline, as late applications will not be considered.

Incomplete applications will  not  be considered.

• Application deadline: 24 March 2023
• Interviews: April 2023

Eligibility

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and seek to create equality of opportunity for all our applicants and postgraduate researchers. See our  Equality, Diversity and Inclusion statement .

Academic excellence of the applicant is paramount, as the level of achievement is scrutinised by A*STAR.

They ask that candidates hold (or be about to obtain) a minimum Upper Second (2:1) undergraduate degree (or overseas equivalent) in a relevant subject, preferably from a well-ranked university with prior research experience.

Unfortunately, we cannot accept applications from students who have achieved a Lower Second (2:2) undergraduate degree, even if you have a good master's degree, for this particular programme.

Many of our applicants have also undertaken a master's degree, although this is not compulsory if you have achieved an Upper Second undergraduate degree.

International applicant eligibility requirements

We aim to support the most outstanding applicants from outside the UK. Funding will cover tuition fees and stipend only.

This scheme is open to both UK and international applicants. However, we are only able to offer a limited number of studentships to applicants outside the UK. Therefore, full studentships will only be awarded to exceptional quality candidates due to the competitive nature of this scheme.

The programme is open to all non-Singaporean applicants (home and overseas). To ensure the diversity of students studying at A*STAR institutions, A*STAR may apply stricter criteria to certain nationalities that may be over-represented in Singapore. As part of the offer/nomination process, The University of Manchester will select the most outstanding candidates for this programme.

International applicants must ensure they meet the academic eligibility criteria (including English language) as outlined before contacting potential supervisors to express an interest in their project. English language requirements can be found on the  How to apply page.

Information on living costs in Singapore can be found on the  Living in Singapore website .

You will be kept informed of the progress of your application throughout the application procedure.

We will contact you directly if we wish to invite you to interview.

What the funding covers

The programme is funded by The University of Manchester and A*STAR and includes:

• university tuition fees
• monthly stipend (equivalent to UKRI rate )
• airfare grants
• settling in allowance (Singapore)
• medical insurance

Have any questions? Get in touch.

For general queries about the A*STAR programme, email [email protected] .

If you have a query about a specific research project, you should contact the Manchester supervisor regarding your interest and application. You can find their details in the University’s online directory .

• Student intranet /
• Staff intranet

Department of Chemical Engineering

Funding for postgraduate research

We believe that hard work and high achievement should be rewarded, and aim to provide a range of funding options for our researchers.

Explore the funding opportunities available for science and engineering researchers and search our research projects list, some of which are funded by industry.

The University also offers a flagship funding scheme for outstanding doctoral candidates.

President's Doctoral Scholar Awards

Our Department's most outstanding applicants seeking PhD training opportunities could qualify for a President's Doctoral Scholar Award.

Faculty funding

Search the funding awards available for doctoral candidates in science and engineering.

Research projects

Search our projects database for studentships and postgraduate research opportunities.

PhD in Nursing Science

Vanderbilt’s PhD in Nursing Science prepares nurse scientists to engage in innovative, multidisciplinary and biobehavioral research and to transform the discipline of nursing through advancing health equity. Students’ academic experience is closely aligned with our faculty’s scholarship and area of research focus. Graduates conduct and disseminate research that responds to regional, national and international priorities.

• PhD in Nursing Science Program
• Current Students

This program prepares diverse scholars for research and academic careers in public or private sectors of health care.

Fully Funded

Student tuition is fully funded, covering up to four years of required didactic and research coursework.

Personalized

All students have personalized plans of study tailored to their research interests. Class sizes are small. Faculty are accessible and known for their strong mentorship. 

Courses are primarily online, with limited on-campus visits. 

This program’s rigorous training and collaborative environment lead to high achievement and leadership positions for our graduates. They advance the discipline and practice of nursing through research, education and health policy, locally, nationally and globally. Angela McNelis, PhD, RN, FAAN, ANEF, CNE Assistant Dean and Director of the PhD in Nursing Science Program

About the Program

The PhD in Nursing Science program prepares scholars for research and academic careers in major universities and for research positions in public or private sectors of health care. 

Students work full time with faculty mentors who guide and oversee their educational program from admission through completion of degree requirements. They engage weekly in synchronous classes and intensive research experiences connected with faculty research projects, Vanderbilt’s research-focus program exposes students to a variety of research designs and analytic techniques. All students take core courses related to both health services and clinical research. 

Research is organized into main signature areas:

• Acute and Chronic Illness (pain management, cardiovascular, diabetes, cancer; sleep and substance use disorders)
• Maternal and Child Health (pregnancy outcomes; mother, infant, child and family health) 

Requirements for the degree include successful completion of advanced course work, qualifying examination and dissertation. Students are only accepted for full-time study and only if the school has faculty that work in the student’s desired area of research.

Meet our Expert Faculty

100+ Years of Excellence

Admissions information, financial aid & scholarships, degree requirements.

The PhD in Nursing Science is conferred by the Vanderbilt University Graduate School. It requires at least three years of graduate study and 72 credit hours. Students may be able to transfer up to 15 credit hours from their master's degree. Requirements include:

• Completion of 47 credit hours of required coursework, including 6 elective and 10 hours supporting research focus (4 research practica and 6 dissertation research credits)
• Passing written and oral qualifying exams
• Completing and publicly defending a dissertation

Program Philosophy

The ultimate goal of nursing science is to improve health and health care for all. Vanderbilt is committed to the education of a diverse group of nurse scholars who can lead the nation in nursing research.

Community of Scholars

Diversity is a VUSN core value and priority. The PhD program welcomes students from diverse and underrepresented groups. We are committed to foster advancement and equity, diversity and inclusion for all students, faculty and staff.

Accreditation Information

Vanderbilt University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelor’s, master’s, professional and doctorate degrees. Vanderbilt University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Vanderbilt University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA  30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website ( www.sacscoc.org ).

See all VUSN accreditation information.

Take the Next Step

Interested in the Vanderbilt PhD in Nursing Science program? Explore our curriculum and admissions requirements . Then take the next step and request information about the program .

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Reservations open for Graduate College’s Oct. 16 Spark! Symposium

Article by Lisa Walenceus Illustration by Cindy Dolan September 16, 2024

Explore how UD research connects our scholarship to our community

The University of Delaware Graduate College invites the community to engage with some of the University’s most innovative research at the next the Spark! Symposium from 4-7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 16, in the Audion of the Tower at STAR on UD’s Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus.

Addressing topics from factors influencing Afro-Caribbean adolescents’ mental health outcomes to empowering women’s health via “organ-on-a-chip” and investigating seafloor sediments for offshore wind turbines in Delaware Bay, five UD graduate students and one postdoc will give talks that show how their research connects our scholarship to our community:

• Alexis Ambroise , College of Education and Human Development, Human Development and Family Sciences
• Ophelia Christoph , College of Earth, Ocean and Environment, Geological Sciences
• Rebecca Daniels , College of Health Sciences, Biomechanics and Movement Science
• Jessica Rubira Gamba , College of Engineering, Chemical Engineering
• Filipa Ribeiro , College of Engineering, Biomedical Engineering
• Alexandra Wynn , College of Health Sciences, Epidemiology

Spark! symposiums ignite new conversations, ideas and collaborations among diverse researchers and professionals through short and engaging presentations. The opportunity for audience questions and feedback follows each talk, leading to lively discussions that are informative, inspirational and insightful. This event is for anyone who loves to learn something new.

Refreshments and networking opportunities will follow the presentations.

For further information or to reserve seats for this free event, please visit the Graduate College website .

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