Frequently Asked Questions for Applicants
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General Information about the DTP
Q: What does MRC DTP mean?
A: It's a very lengthy title which in full is Medical Research Council-funded Doctoral Training Partnership, which is why we tend to shorten it to MRC DTP! It can be broken down as follows:
- (MRC): there are nine research councils in the UK which exist to support research excellence in a number of ways, including providing grants to universities that enable them to recruit and support talented students through doctoral training partnerships. The Medical Research Council works to improve the health of people in the UK - and around the world - by supporting excellent science, and training the very best scientists.
- Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs): exist so that PhD students are part of academic communities of students and staff with shared research interests. For example, our 果冻传媒 DTP has two research themes: Molecular Basis of Human Disease, Combating Infection, with computational approaches spanning across both themes. See the Research Themes section of this website for further information.
Q: What does the MRC DTP Programme consist of?
A: Essentially, the MRC DTP Programme is a PhD programme, consisting of:
- 1 year Master鈥檚 training in a broad range of skills related to biomedical research.
- 3 year PhD training.
- 0.5 year Career Transition Fellowship after thesis submission, offering students time to explore career options and gain experience.
Q: What are the main aims of the MRC DTP Programme?
A: The MRC DTP Programme places a key emphasis on promoting interdisciplinary, immersing students in 果冻传媒's innovation ecosystem, and preparing students for future careers, including in industry, (otherwise known as the '3i's). The MRC DTP Programme will aim to:
- Embed research excellence through interdisciplinary integration, bringing together 果冻传媒鈥檚 strengths in mathematical and computational sciences with outstanding biomedical research, focused on understanding the molecular basis of human disease and combating infectious disease.
- Immerse students in 果冻传媒鈥檚 Health innovation ecosystem, to equip students with the insight and skills to innovate and translate discovery science into real-world impact.
- Deliver student-focused training that develops globally competitive researchers, tailored to individual strengths and career aspirations, while fostering a cohesive, inclusive interdisciplinary community. These skills open many potential career pathways, including transition to industry.
Q: What are the advantages of all students taking the MSc in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Reseach before starting their PhD projects?
A: The MSc in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Reseach is an important part of the four-year programme, and provides an opportunity for students to develop new skills complementary to their existing academic knowledge, e.g. students from physical/computational science backgrounds develop knowledge in experimental biology, whilst life scientists develop their coding and mathematical skills. Students work together on modules, sharing knowledge and expertise, and form a very strong network during the year.
Q: What are the benefits of being part of the MRC DTP community, instead of doing a standalone PhD project?
A: MRC DTP students join a well-established programme with a very strong sense of community and a collegial atmosphere. Our students benefit greatly from the support of their peers and also from the DTP staff team who are on hand to provide guidance. The 果冻传媒 DTP is quite a small one, which means it's informal and extremely friendly.
We have developed very effective ways of gathering and listening to student feedback and we strive to continually develop and enhance the programme in response. Students and staff work together closely to do this. Our students are members of many committees, including the Student-Staff Forum, DTP Management Committee and MSc IBR Teaching Committee, to ensure that the collective view of students is an integral part of decision-making processes.
A key element of our DTP is the additional learning opportunities that we offer to our students, from skills development workshops to student chalk talks and visiting speaker seminars. A highlight for us every year is our annual student conference when we all go away together for a few days to share science and spend time together as a community.
Q: Where can I find information about student life at 果冻传媒?
A: You can find plenty of information here and here.
The Studentship
Q: How long is the programme?
A: It is at least 4.5 years, a 1-year MSc + a 3-year PhD, with a 3-6 month Career Transition Fellowship to support onwards employment into academia, industry, the NHS or allied careers in science and medicine.
Q: Can the programme be taken part-time?
A: No, it is full-time only.
Q: What are the key differences between Core and Collaborative, and Translational Medicine Studentships?
A: Key differences between Core, Collaborative and Translational Medicine Studentships are:
- Core Studentship students are not recruited to a specific project and instead have the opportunity to develop their research interests in the MSc year and co-write their two MSc lab projects and PhD project with academic supervisors. More information can be found here.
- Collaborative Studentship students are recruited onto the programme to a pre-defined project with specific academic and industry supervisors. More information about Collaborative studentships available for 2027 entry can be found here.
- Translational Medicine students are recruited onto the programme to a pre-defined project with one specific academic and one clinical supervisor from the Institute of Precision Diagnostics and Translational Medicine, University Hospital Coventry and 果冻传媒shire NHS Trust, or Birmingham Women鈥檚 and Children鈥檚 NHS Trust supervisors. More information can be found here.
Q: What is included in the studentship?
A: Your studentship will cover:
- Your fees for all years of the programme (MSc + PhD years).
- Student stipend for all years of the programme (拢21,805 in 2026/27). A stipend is essentially a tax-free salary to cover living costs.
- A 0.5 year Career Transition Fellowship (CTF) - including a stipend for a duration of the CTF.
- Consumables for studentships.
- An allowance to attend scientific conferences.
- Additional competitively awarded funds from the DTP for advanced training workshops, internships and career transition fellowships.
- The cost of a computer (which will remain 果冻传媒 property).
Q: Can I apply to Collaborative, Translational Medicine and Core studentships?
A: Yes.
Q: Does the programme cover accommodation?
A: No, you have to find your own accommodation. You can find help here.
Q: Does the programme cover the cost of accommodation or commuting?
A: The costs of your accommodation and commuting are paid by you from your monthly stipend. You can find more about student accommodation here.
Q: Can I do some additional paid work when I am in the programme?
A: Students can work for to 75 hours in a year as teaching assistants or demonstrators. Many PhD students assist in the running of the MSc course.
Q: Where can I find information about the MSc in IBR modules?
A: You can find information here.
Q: Is the MSc in IBR mandatory or can I directly join the PhD programme?
A: The MSc in IBR year is mandatory. You cannot begin the PhD programme without having first completed the MSc in IBR.
Q: Do I have to pass the MSc or do I automatically progress to the PhD
A: You must pass the MSc in IBR with at least a Merit (60%) and fulfil further criteria, which can be found here. If you are not successful, you cannot progress to the PhD and will have to leave the programme.
Q: Can I take only the MSc in IBR course?
A: The MSc in IBR can be taken as a stand-alone course, but only if it is self-funded.
Q: Is there an age restriction?
A: There is no age restriction to be accepted onto the course.
Q: What support is available for students with disabilities?
A: The University Disability Services Team provides advice and guidance for students with disabilities, including one-to-one support and making reasonable adjustments. The DTP team also work personally with students who have declared disabilities to discuss the support needed and to make sure that all required adjustments are made. We have extensive experience of supporting students with a wide range of disabilities on the MRC DTP Programme.
Entry requirements
Q: I already have a Master's degree, can I still apply?
A: Yes, you can apply. In fact, about a third of the current students held a Master's degree before coming on the course, but you will still have to complete the MSc in IBR before joining the PhD programme.
Q: Can I apply with a non-biology undergraduate or Master's degree (Maths, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science...)
A: Yes - in fact, one of the key aims of the MRC DTP programme is to promote interdisciplinarity between STEM disciplines - many of our existing students are from a non-biology background. One of our stated aims is to recruit 50% of our cohorts from non-biology backgrounds.
Q: I have not yet completed my current degree. How can I provide final transcripts?
A: We understand that, at the time of your application, you might not have completed your current degree. Please provide the grades you have obtained so far in your degree so that the course selectors have as much information as possible when considering your application.
Q: What are the Maths requirements?
A: At least grade B at A-level or (equivalent).
However, we understand that some disciplines place more of an emphasis on maths than others, and that all applicants may not have Maths at A-level. In the case that you do not have Maths at A-level (or equivalent), we would still encourage you to submit an application - but you should provide evidence of how you have enhanced your mathematical/quantitative skillset during your degree, for example through taking modules involving mathematics, computing, statistics or other theoretical skills.
In addition, in the absence of A-level Maths, we would expect applicants to have A-levels at grade B or above in other science subjects such as Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Science, Engineering or Physics and have gained good grades in university modules involving mathematics, computing, statistics or other theoretical skills.
Q: I don鈥檛 have any work or research experience. Can I still apply?
A: Yes. We understand that not everybody has had the same opportunities. If you have written a dissertation or done a literature review on a particular topic, do include a few sentences to explain what this was about and what you learnt from it.
Q: I have research experience, but not in biomedical sciences. Is that okay?
A: Yes. Please summarise your research experience in a few sentences and any outputs or learning that you gained from this.
The Application and Selection Process
Q: Can you explain how the applicants are selected?
A: Upon submission, all all applications are anonymised (with the removal of all personal information, including information related to age, gender, sexuality, race, religious background etc.) by the MRC DTP Admin Team. All applications are then screened for entry requirements. Applications that fulfil entry requirements are judged by a panel of academics and shortlisted candidates are invited for interview. Applicants who are successful at the interview will be recommended to the University for a place on the course. Applicants then have to apply formally to the programme via the University's online admissions system and meet all University entrance requirements.
Q: If I receive an invitation to the interview, will I have to come to 果冻传媒?
A: We prefer to hold in-person interviews so the candidate can meet students already on the program, see the available facilities and meet the DTP leadership team. The MRC DTP will fund the travel and accommodation of interviewees. When candidates are not able to visit 果冻传媒, we will offer online interviews. However we will seek permission to record these to discourage the use of AI chat bots and preserve the integrity of the interview process.
Q: Do I have to submit references with my application form?
A: We ask for references for shortlisted candidates only. Candidates are asked to contact their referees prior to being interviewed, and request that their references are sent directly to us.
Q: What do you look for in an applicant?
A: We are interested in applicants with exceptional potential who are interested in solving biomedical research problems. We are also looking for those candidates that understand and are enthusiastic about the ethos of the DTP; for example, the strong sense of community and teamwork, developing confidence in working across scientific disciplines, exploring their research interests, and co-designing their own PhD projects.
International Students
Please also look at FAQs relevant to international students that are answered in the studentship, entry requirements and selection process sections.
Q: I am an international/overseas student. Can I apply?
A: Yes - but there may be restrictions to the amount of international students we are able to recruit during each recruitment round based on the number of students we have already recruited for entry into the given academic year. We'll endeavour to make it clear on the application form whether we are accepting applications from international students during each recruitment round. At present, international students are only eligible to apply for Collaborative and Translational Medicine studentships.
Q: Where can I find information about overseas qualification equivalence?
A: You can find information here.
Q: Does the programme fund visa applications during and/or after the studentship?
A: No, the programme does not fund visa applications. You can find more details on visa status here.
Q: What are the English Language requirements?
A: The minimum requirements are Band A with specific components scores of at least 6.5 in reading and writing (IETLS). You can find more information here.
Q: Do I need a UK bank account?
A: Yes, you will need to open an account in a bank in the UK in order for your stipend to be paid to you.
Q: Where can I find information about the international student community at 果冻传媒?
A: You can find some information about the life of international students at 果冻传媒 (including immigration advice) here. You can also ask a question .
Q: Are Visa and Immigration Health Surcharge costs covered by the MRC DTP Programme?
A: No - international students will need to fund both the cost of any Visa that is needed to study in the UK, and the .
We have ordered the FAQs in broad categories:
General Information about the DTP