Combine medical training with research
Drive new innovations in clinical care and research.
***This programme is now closed for recruitment and future applications - visit our funded programmes page to view available opportunities***
The Kennedy Trust IMPACT Inflammation MB-PhD is a fully funded three-year programme aimed at MBChB students who wish to intercalate to train as clinician-scientists.
The programme will see you work towards both your MBChB and PhD awards over the course of the programme, combining your medical training with research training in the area of inflammation sciences.
Each year, we aim to recruit the best candidates who are seeking to drive new innovations in clinical care and research. Our first cohort of students started their studies in September 2021.
About the MB-PhD
A PhD is one of the highest level academic degrees that can be awarded. Unlike most undergraduate and master's courses, a PhD is a pure research degree.
However, this doesn't mean you will spend three years in a library or lab. There are many opportunities for professional development including networking and communication, teaching, presenting at conferences, and opportunities to publish work.
You will get a head start on your academic career before you get too embedded in clinical work. The skills you will acquire can be applied in many areas of medicine, and you will learn valuable critical appraisal skills early.
There is a much higher chance of being awarded an MB-PhD during medical school than if you wait to apply for PhD later in your career.
On completion of your MB-PhD, you will graduate as a doctor at the forefront of your field.
Inflammation is such a broad area that it can be applied in all aspects of medicine/surgery/GP. You will develop invaluable transferable skills and be fully equipped to start a career in clinical research.
Inflammation is linked to areas of medicine such as:
- immunology
- dermatology
- gastroenterology
- infection
- cardiovascular disease
- arthritis and rheumatic diseases
- orthopaedics
- respiratory disease
Programme
A combined approach.
You will benefit from a bespoke training and mentorship programme alongside your research project.
As a postgraduate researcher in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, you will also have access to the Doctoral Academy Training programme to develop your transferable skills.
Programme structure
Year 1
- Programme induction
- Upskilling in inflammation course
- Computational biology course
- Project specific training/development
Year 2
- Training activities to support career development
- Mentorship programme
Year 3
- Training activities to support career development
- Mentorship programme
- Preparation for thesis submission/viva
- Support for returning to the MBChB core programme
Funding
Fully funded studentship
Successful applicants will receive a PhD studentship for the three-year duration of the programme, which includes:
- full funding for PhD tuition fees (up to the UK rate)
- lab costs/running expenses
- annual stipend of £23,000 in Year 1, £24,759 in Year 2 and £26,000 in Year 3.
International candidates
International candidates should contact us to discuss a fee scholarship that is available to the highest-performing international applicant.
Student loan eligibility
Completing the MB-PhD will not have an impact on student loan eligibility for the final year of the MB-ChB as both qualifications are awarded at the same time.
Eligibility
Entry requirements.
Applicants must be MBChB students and either:
- currently studying in Year 3; or
- currently studying in Year 2 and already hold a BA/BSc degree with a minimum Upper Second class degree classification in a relevant subject area
Applications from those wishing to intercalate will be subject to permission being received from your current university.
Applicants on the MBChB at The University of Manchester and the BSc (Hons) Medicine - Manchester pathway at the University of St Andrews will receive priority for places.
Student profiles
What our students say about the programme:
Elan Shellard – MB-PhD Year 2 student - Newcastle University medical student
Supervisor: Professor Richard Warren
I applied to this course in my third year because it was one of only two courses I’d seen that focused on inflammation, an area highly applicable to many areas of medicine.
The course offers the opportunity to tailor your project to what you are most interested in, for me that was inflammatory skin conditions.
This led to a project centred around the genetics of psoriasis, the pathways and possible drug interventions.
Completing a PhD before finishing medical school is a huge advantage, lending itself to further involvement in research when re-joining the medicine course and being a more competitive applicant to the specialised foundation programme.
Through this course I will gain experience in many lab-based skills, including bioinformatics, genomics, and cell phenotyping, which I would have no exposure to otherwise. I will also gain experience in academic writing, hopefully leading to publishing and presenting my research at points throughout the course.
Compared to the generality of medicine, I am excited to do original research into the specific area that I find most interesting.
Jafar Cain – MB-PhD year 3 student
Supervisor: Dr Hannah Durrington
I was excited to apply to the Kennedy Trust MB-PhD program as a way to gain a lot of new experience in research, particularly in an area which I found interesting.
The vast range of available projects that fall under the programme’s wide umbrella of ‘inflammation sciences’ means that there really is something for everyone.
My project combined my interests in rheumatology and respiratory medicine in a PhD focused on the circadian mechanism and how it relates to the immunopathology of asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.
During my first year I was immersed in the lab very quickly and was able to run my first complex in-vivo experiment and build my confidence in planning and undertaking my own research projects.
The PhD is a fantastic opportunity to grow as an independent researcher and take ownership of your own work from day one, something which feels incredibly rewarding and that I hope will allow me greater freedom in my career going forward.
Keep up-to-date
Sign up for updates
Be the first to hear about funded programmes and funding opportunities when they launch.
You’ll receive our monthly newsletter for prospective applicants which includes updates on featured projects, our latest events and application tips.
Contact us
Have any questions? Get in touch.
If you have any questions about this programme, please email our Doctoral Academy Admissions team:
Email: fbmh.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk
See more contact information.
Intercalation queries
If you have questions about intercalation, please contact:
General queries
Email: intercalation@manchester.ac.uk
Sue Astley
Email: sue.astley@manchester.ac.uk
