Before you apply

1. Check your eligibility

You need to meet two key criteria in order to be eligible to apply.

Residency

The first round of recruitment will be open to both Home and International students. 

Qualifications

You need a 2:1 undergraduate degree in a relevant area of science or technology, or equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, to be eligible to apply.

If you have a 2:2 or lower, you may still be eligible to apply if:

• you have a masters degree in a relevant subject
• you have three or more years of full-time work experience that is relevant to your undergraduate degree, or to the PhD projects you are applying for

You may still be eligible to apply if you were not able to complete your degree or achieved unexpectedly low degree results due to extenuating circumstances. 

English not your first language?

If English isn't your first language, you will also need to meet the relevant English language requirements. An IELTS score of 6.5 (no less than 6.0 in any element) is required, though we also accept alternative qualifications.

If you require additional support to develop your language skills, you may be able to attend a presessional course at the Centre for English Language Education.

Applying

2. Complete the online application form

Share your motivation and how your skills and experience are relevant to the programme. You should also demonstrate how you would benefit from participating in the doctoral training programme and how you will contribute to your academic community as a result.

Once you have completed your application form, you can submit it online along with your academic transcripts. The DTP does not accept CVs with applications. Your name, age, gender and previous institutions of study will be removed from your application prior to sifting and you must not make reference to this information on your application form.

Submit your application

We recommend that you submit your application well ahead of the deadline as late applications will not be accepted.

3.References

You need to supply the details of two referees. The DTP will request references if you are shortlisted for interview. 

After you apply

• Once the deadline has passed, all applications will be considered by a panel of academics who will select candidates to attend a two part DTP interview.
• You will find out if you have been successful at this stage around six-eight weeks after the deadline. Interviews will be held between 6 and 14 March 2024.
• Candidates shortlisted for interview will receive a list of questions that will be asked during the interview. They will also be provided with a list of potential projects which will be on offer within the programme, and asked to consider a shortlist prior to interview.
• During the interview, you will be asked to prepare a presentation on your previous research experience as part of your interview with an academic panel and there will also be a transferable skills interview.  You will be told when you can expect to hear the final outcome at your interview.

Candidates interested in the CASE programme will also have a CASE interview with the project supervisory team as well as following the standard DTP interview process above. 

Please note: All communications, such as invitations to interview and final offers, are sent via email.