Our fully funded flagship PhD programmes.
These programmes and studentships offer specialist interdisciplinary projects and cover tuition fees, research costs and an annual stipend.
Many of them are linked to research councils and industry partners, and offer bespoke training and development, placements and international collaborations that enhance and enrich your research experience.
Explore each of our funded programmes to find out more.
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Excellence in Diversity PhD Scholarships
Fully funded scholarships for UK candidates from groups under-represented in postgraduate research.
Applications open for 27/28 entry from 5 October 2026.
More about the Excellence in Diversity scholarships
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British Heart Foundation Multidisciplinary PhD Programme
Drive innovation for the prevention and treatment of heart and brain disease with our fully funded British Heart Foundation PhD programme.
Applications open for 27/28 entry from 5 October 2026.
More about the BHF Multidisciplinary PhD Programme
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Cancer Research UK Manchester Centre PhD Training Scheme
Develop a career in world-leading cancer research through our fully funded clinical and non-clinical Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Manchester Centre PhD Training Scheme.
Applications open for 27/28 entry from 12 October 2026.
More about the Cancer Research UK Manchester Centre PhD Training Scheme
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Cancer Research UK Manchester Centre MB-PhD
Combine the vocational training of a medical degree with the research expertise of a PhD through our fully funded Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Manchester Centre MB-PhD.
Applications open for 27/28 entry from 12 October 2026.
More about the Cancer Research UK Manchester Centre MB-PhD
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EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership
Tackle scientific and technological healthcare challenges with our fully funded Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP).
Applications open for 27/28 entry from 19 October 2026.
More about the EPSRC DTP programme
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President's Doctoral Scholar Award
The University's flagship funding initiative giving outstanding home and international students the opportunity to undertake innovative interdisciplinary research across the University's faculties.
Applications open for 27/28 entry from 30 October 2026.
More about the President's Doctoral Scholar awards
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BBSRC North West Doctoral Programme in Bioscience
Become an interdisciplinary bioscientist of tomorrow with our fully funded Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Northwest Doctoral (NWD) Programme in Bioscience.
Applications open for 27/28 entry from 2 November 2026.
More about our BBSRC NWDP in Bioscience studentships
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International Partnership PhD Studentships
Expand your horizons with a global research opportunity through our fully funded International Partnership PhD Studentships and spend time researching at one of our international partner institutions.
Applications open for 27/28 entry from 9 November 2026.
More about our International Partnership PhD studentships
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Alzheimer's Society Doctoral Training Centre
Join the next generation of dementia researchers with our fully funded Alzheimer's Society Doctoral Training Centre (DTC).
Applications open for 27/28 entry from 23 November 2026.
More about the Alzheimer's Society Doctoral Training Centre
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CODE-M PhD Programme
Train to become a microbial bioengineer of the future with our fully funded CODE-M PhD Programme for home-fee eligible applicants.
Applications open for 27/28 entry from 21 December 2026.
More about the CODE-M PhD programme
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Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute PhD Studentships
Launch your career in basic, translational and clinical cancer research with our Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute PhD Studentships.
More about the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute 4-year PhD studentships
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Joint scholarships with the China Scholarship Council (CSC)
Scholarships for Chinese PhD students through a joint scheme between the University and the CSC.
More about joint scholarships with the CSC
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ESRC North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) North West Social Science (NWSS) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) provides fully funded studentships across psychology, health and wellbeing, and social studies of science, technology and medicine.
More about the ESRC North West Social Science DTP
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PhD by Enterprise
Address global challenges such as climate change, health and inequality with our four‑year doctoral programme that combines world‑class research with structured entrepreneurship training.
More about the PhD by enterprise
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MRC CoRE in Exposome Immunology PhD Studentships
Explore how environmental exposures influence immune responses with our fully funded Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE) in Exposome Immunology PhD studentships.
More about the MRC CoRE in Exposome Immunology PhD Studentships
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4Ward North PhD Programme for Health Professionals
Advance your clinical academic career with the fully funded 4WardNorth Clinical PhD Academy. This prestigious programme supports outstanding nurses, midwives, pharmacists, allied healthcare professionals and healthcare scientists to develop as future leaders in clinical research.
More about the 4Ward North PhD Programme for Health Professionals
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AI CDT in Decision Making for Complex Systems
Led by our Faculty of Science and Engineering, the AI Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Decision Making for Complex Systems is training the next generation of AI researchers. Specialise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and complex systems, and develop AI methods designed to accelerate new scientific discoveries.
More about the AI CDT in Decision Making for Complex Systems
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Kennedy Trust IMPACT Inflammation MB-PhD
Combine the vocational training of a medical degree with the research expertise of a PhD with our fully funded Kennedy Trust IMPACT Inflammation MB-PhD. Specialise in inflammation sciences and immunology research, and prepare for a future career in clinical research.
Programme closed for recruitment and future applications.
More about the Kennedy Trust IMPACT Inflammation MB-PhD
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Bicentenary PhD Studentships and Fellowships
Pioneer the future of innovation and discovery at Manchester with our prestigious, fully funded Bicentenary PhD Studentships and Fellowships.
Programme closed for recruitment and future applications.
More about Bicentenary PhD Studentships and Fellowships
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MRC Doctoral Training Partnership
Shape the future of medical and healthcare sciences with our fully funded Medical Research Council (MRC) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP).
Programme closed for recruitment and future applications.
More about MRC DTP studentships
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Dual-award with the University of Melbourne
Broaden your horizons and gain a global perspective on your field with our fully funded Dual-award with the University of Melbourne.
Programme closed for recruitment and future applications.
More about the Dual award with the University of Melbourne
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British Heart Foundation 4-year PhD programme
Contribute to pioneering research in heart disease and cardiology with our fully funded British Heart Foundation (BHF) PhD programme.
Programme closed for recruitment and future applications.
More about the BHF 4-year PhD programme
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British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence Studentships
Train to be a competitive scientist in highly challenging and uniquely exciting interdisciplinary cardiovascular research environments through our fully funded British Heart Foundation (BHF) Centre of Research Excellence Studentships.
Programme closed for recruitment and future applications.
More about the BHF CRE programme
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