Supported by the Medical Research Council (MRC), the GW4 BioMed2 MRC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) brings together the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter to develop the next generation of medical researchers, helping them to be collaborative, curious, critical and confident.

Students will have access to the combined research strengths, training expertise and resources of the four research-intensive universities, with opportunities to participate in interdisciplinarity and 'team science'. Many of the PhD projects available will be co-supervised across at least two of the partner universities, allowing students to join existing and emerging research partnerships.

The GW4 BioMed2 MRC DTP has three strands:

• research skills
• professional and career development skills
• opportunities to broaden horizons, which might include placements, research visits, public engagement internships and a mini-MD programme of bespoke clinical exposure

Events throughout the programme will develop researcher communities across the partnership.

Project portfolio

The portfolio of PhD projects available reflects the collective strengths of the DTP:

• quantitative skills (including mathematical modelling)
• using data for discovery
• in vivo skills
• interdisciplinary training and approaches, including imaging (physics, engineering), chemistry and health economics

The DTP places a strong emphasis on developing these cross-cutting skills.

PhD projects

PhD projects are aligned with one of the three strategic research themes that characterise the DTP:

• Infection, Immunity, Antimicrobial Resistance and Repair
• Neuroscience and Mental Health
• Population Health Sciences

You can receive funding for up to four years. This includes:

• tuition fees
• a research and training support grant of between £2,000 and £5,000 per year
• a maintenance stipend at the UKRI minimum rate

Funding eligibility

Home and International students can apply for this award; however, in line with guidance from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the number of awards available to International students will be limited to 30% of the total.

International students should also note that studentships do not cover UK Student visa costs, or the cost of the mandatory UK Immigration Health Surcharge. These costs can be considerable, so we ask all International applicants to check these costs before applying and to ensure they would be willing and able to cover these from their personal funds.

International applicants must satisfy all visa and immigration requirements, including successfully obtaining ATAS clearance if their offer of study confirms this is required.

Find out more about your tuition fee status.

Academic eligibility

You must have obtained, or be expected to obtain, at least an Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualification gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of medical sciences.

However, the DTP also welcomes students from non-medical backgrounds, especially in areas of computing, mathematics, and the physical sciences. Please check the specific requirements of each project of interest before completing your application. Academic qualifications are considered alongside any significant relevant non-academic experience.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must meet our English language entry requirement.

Programme expectations

This is an in-person PhD programme, and you are expected to attend in person and be based at the University of Bath from the start of the programme (except during any placements).

Scheme opens

Applications usually open in September for entry the following September/October. Check the DTP’s website for up-to-date information.

Scheme closes

When the scheme is open, the deadline for the receipt of applications will be published on the DTP’s website.

Find a project

You will first need to find an available project that you are interested in. We recommend that you to contact project supervisor(s) in advance of applying to discuss the project and to ensure you make an informed choice. You may select up to two projects in your application.

Prepare and submit your application

Applications should be made directly to the DTP. You should not apply via the University of Bath’s website unless you are successful in obtaining an offer of funding from the DTP.

We strongly advise you to read the application guidance on the DTP’s website and attend one of the DTP’s candidate support webinars prior to submitting your application. Only one application may be submitted and any duplicates will be removed.

For more information and for a link to the application form (available when the scheme is open), see the How to Apply page on the DTP’s website.