Become an interdisciplinary cardiovascular researcher
Fully funded British Heart Foundation studentships
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) Centre of Research Excellence (CRE) is tackling cardiovascular disease by advancing research and driving interdisciplinary collaboration across cardiovascular science, data science and AI.
The CRE integrates world-class researchers in areas such as cardiovascular genomics, heart failure, and inflammatory drivers of disease, data science and computational modelling. The programme aims to inspire the next generation of researchers in cardiovascular disease.
About the BHF CRE Studentships
The BHF CRE Studentships will train postgraduate researchers to be competitive scientists in highly challenging and uniquely exciting interdisciplinary cardiovascular research environments.
Up to five studentships will be available starting in October 2025 with each studentship covering tuition fees, a stipend at the BHF rate and project consumables for the duration of the four years.
Projects
Discover a BHF CRE Studentship project you're passionate about
Projects for 2026/27 entry will be announced later in the year and will be listed here.
Eligibility
Entry requirements
Applicants must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area.
Applications are welcome from all backgrounds. We actively encourage applications from a diverse range of backgrounds. We seek to create equality of opportunity for all our applicants and postgraduate researchers. Find out more about equality, diversity and inclusion at Manchester.
International applicants
Studentships are available to applicants outside the UK. Due to the competitive nature of this scheme studentships will only be awarded to exceptional quality international candidates.
International applicants must ensure they meet the academic eligibility criteria (including English language) before applying. Visit our eligibility and entry requirements page to find out more about English language requirements at Manchester.
How to apply
Step-by-step guide to applying
“***Applications for this programme are closed for 2025/26***
Want to be considered for a BHF CRE Studentship?
Find out what you need to do before you apply and how to apply with our step-by-step guide.
Ensure you meet the entry requirements for this programme and check you have the skills and characteristics we’re looking for in our postgraduate researchers on our ‘Eligibility and entry requirements’ page.
Browse all of our BHF CRE Studentship projects once they're live, and discover one you're passionate about that matches your interests, ambitions and goals.
Found a BHF CRE Studentship project you're interested in? Reaching out to your potential supervisor and speaking to them about their project is your next step, and is one of the most important things you need to do before you apply.
When applying, you'll need to provide supporting documents including:
- Supporting statement
- Reference details
- Certificates and transcripts
- Official English Language certificate
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Applications missing the above required documentation may be rejected.
It is not necessary to upload a research statement when applying for this programme.
Once you have found your project and contacted your supervisor, you can apply online for up to two projects by completing a single application using the following information:
- Level of study: select 'Postgraduate Research'
- Entry year: '2025/26'
- Intake: Select 'September'
- Programme: Cardiovascular Sciences PhD
For the funding section you should select:
- Funding: 'Yes' from the drop-down
- Type of funding: 'Uni of Manchester scheme'
- Awarding body: BHF CRE Studentship
- Status of funding: Awarded
- Funding covers: Fully Funded
- Leave the remaining boxes blank
Further information on applying and what you need to include can be found on our 'How to apply' page.
Key dates
Dates for 2025 entry
- Projects advertised: Week commencing 5 May 2025
- Applications open: Week commencing 5 May 2025
- Application deadline: Friday, 6 June 2025
- Interviews take place: Week commencing 14 July 2025
Contact us
Got a question?
If you have any questions about our PhD studentships, please contact our Doctoral Academy admissions team.