Research in Manchester and Melbourne
Fully funded PhD studentships.
The dual award between The University of Manchester and the University of Melbourne offers fully funded PhD studentships to UK and international candidates across a number of biology, medicine and health projects.
The programme gives you the unique opportunity to broaden your horizons and gain a global perspective on your field in both Manchester and Melbourne.
Successful candidates will benefit from leading academics, research expertise and world-class facilities at both institutions.
The fully funded programme will cover tuition fees, a tax-free stipend, return travel to Melbourne, health insurance, and funding for research and training —providing you with support you need to thrive at both institutions.
About the dual award
As part of the Dual-award with the University of Melbourne, who are part of our Global Doctoral Research Network (GOLDEN), you’ll begin your PhD in Manchester before spending at least 12 months in Melbourne.
The amount of time you spend in Manchester and Melbourne will be dependent upon the project and discussions with your supervisory team in the first year of the project.
You’ll be registered at both Manchester and Melbourne, and must complete all of the requirements of the PhD programme at both institutions.
Projects
Discover a Melbourne dual-award project you're passionate about.
Projects for 2026/27 entry will be announced and applications will open later in 2025.
In the meantime, visit our projects page to browse all currently live projects from across the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health.
Eligibility
These studentships are available to UK and international applicants.
These studentships are available to UK and international applicants, and competition for them is expected to be very high.
To be accepted, you’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements of both universities as you’ll be registered at both institutions for the duration of the programme.
Manchester criteria
You 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.
Melbourne criteria
You'll also need to meet the postgraduate research entry requirements at Melbourne. Their eligibility criteria can be found on their website.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We actively encourage eligible applicants from diverse career paths, backgrounds and all sections of the community.
The University of Manchester and our external partners are fully committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
International applicants
We are able to offer a limited number of full studentships to applicants outside the UK. Therefore, full studentships will only be awarded to exceptional quality international candidates due to the competitive nature of this scheme.
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.
Want to be considered for a dual-award with the University of Melbourne 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 at both institutions and check you have the skills and characteristics we’re looking for in postgraduate researchers at Manchester.
Browse all of our Dual-award with Melbourne projects and discover one you're passionate about which matches your interests, ambitions and goals.
Found a project you're interested in? Reaching out to the listed supervisor and speaking to them about the 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
- Degree certificates and final/interim transcripts (If you are currently enrolled in a Master's programme and do not yet have an interim transcript, please provide alternative proof of enrolment, such as an offer letter.)
- Official English language certificates (if applicable)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Please note: A research statement is not required for this programme.
All supporting documents must be uploaded as part of the formal online application. Applications submitted without the required documentation will be considered incomplete and will not be processed.
Once you have found your project and contacted your supervisor you can apply online using the following information:
- Level of study: 'Postgraduate Research'.
- Entry year: '2026/27'
- Supervisor name: Specify the name of the main supervisor only, if the supervisor isn't listed you can enter it manually.
- Intake: 'September'
For the funding section, you should select:
- Funding: 'Yes' from the drop-down.
- Type of funding: 'Uni of Manchester scheme'.
- Awarding body: Dual-award with the University of Melbourne.
- 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.
We will contact you directly by email if we wish to invite you to one of our interview days following supervisor nominations.
If you are not nominated by a supervisor for a panel interview, we will notify you that your application has been unsuccessful.
Interviews take place via Teams and will consist of a panel of up to three academic staff from across the University.
You will be required to give a short presentation (not exceeding 10 minutes) on the project you are interested in. Presentations can be made in PowerPoint format or verbally.
Post-interview, the recruitment committee will assess candidates based on the interview, their CV, academic record and references.
Key dates
Dates for 2026 entry
- Projects advertised: Monday, 1 December 2025
- Applications open: Monday, 1 December 2025
- Application deadline: TBC
- Interviews: TBC
Keep up-to-date
Sign up for updates
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Contact us
Have any questions? Get in touch.
If you have any questions about this programme contact our Doctoral Academy admissions team.
