Scholarships to support the most outstanding international applications
The President's Doctoral Scholar (PDS) Award is the University's flagship funding initiative and gives outstanding students from around the world a foundation to support research training.
The awards are allocated to our most outstanding international (non-UK) candidates seeking PhD opportunities at Manchester and are open to all nationalities and research areas.
For 2025 entry, we will award nine fully-funded scholarships within the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health. This will include applicants and projects which align with our Global South Initiative.
Opportunities
Successful PDS Award holders will benefit from:
Research leadership
You'll benefit from international research leadership under distinguished scholars.
Exclusive events
You'll be invited to exclusive events with our President and Vice Chancellor, academic community and other PDS Awards students.
Transferable skills
Benefit from our extensive transferable skills training for PhD researchers.
Funding
Fully-funded scholarship
The 3.5-year fully-funded scholarships will cover:
- all university tuition fees at the international rate;
- a tax-free annual stipend (at UKRI rate) plus a £1,000 stipend enhancement.
Eligibility
Eligibility criteria
To be considered for this award, candidates must meet all of the following criteria:
- hold a conditional/unconditional offer for a PhD programme to commence in September 2026;
- hold (or are about to obtain) a first-class honours undergraduate degree (or international equivalent) from a reputable institution;
- ideally, hold a master's-level qualification at merit or distinction (or international equivalent);
- have a track record of engaging with research. This may include contributions to publications/articles, promoting their research to a wider audience, prizes for research or project work;
- be interested in attending a series of exclusive events to facilitate interactions with our academic community and network with other PDS Award holders.
We will only consider applications for these full scholarships once you receive a formal offer.
Application forms will be provided to the Primary Supervisor following the issue of an offer letter to the candidate for a PhD programme.
How to apply
Step-by-step guide to applying
Applications for 2026/27 entry open on 7 November 2025.
Find out what you need to do before you apply and how to apply with our step-by-step guide below.
Further information on applying can be found on our How to apply page.
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 projects and discover one you're passionate about which matches your interests, ambitions and goals.
Found a project you're interested in? Contacting 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 speaking to your potential supervisor, you should mention you’re interested in the President’s Doctoral Scholar Award.
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)
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.
Found a project and contacted the listed supervisor?
When applications re-open for 2026/27 entry you'll be able to apply via our application portal using the below details:
- 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: President’s Doctoral Scholar Award
- Status of funding: Awarded
- Funding covers: Fully Funded
- Leave the remaining boxes blank
Further information on completing an application can be found on our How to apply page.
Once you have been interviewed and received an offer for your chosen project you will need to be nominated by your supervisor for the President’s Doctoral Scholar Award.
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.
President's Doctoral Scholar Award at Manchester
Learn more about the University's flagship funding scheme for postgraduate research studentships.
Key dates
Dates for 2026 entry
- Projects announced: To be confirmed
- Applications open: To be confirmed
- Applications close: To be confirmed
- Interviews take place: To be confirmed
- Studentships awarded: To be confirmed
- Studentship begins: October 2026
Applications must be submitted by the deadline. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.
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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.
Email: fbmh.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk
See more contact information.
