How to apply

 

Applications for the 2027 intake will open in September and close in early December. Dates will be announced in due course.

This is a fully funded programme supported by the BBSRC Doctoral Landscape Awards. An offer of a place will include full funding of your stipend (currently £20,780 for the academic year 2025-2026) as well as university fees.

You can apply for a Targeted and/or iCASE studentship in the same application. You will be able to indicate your choice in the application form. The programme is also open to international students (EU and non-EU).

Apply for a Targeted studentship

In Targeted studentships, applicants select project(s) from a list of available projects. Students complete two rotations: one in the lab associated with the project applied for and another one will be carried out in a different lab, which is still chosen based on its relevance to the targeted project. This broader experience helps students gain a more comprehensive understanding of their research area. Students will also undertake a 3-month professional internship in an organisation of their choice as part of their PhD journey. 

Read more about the Targeted studentship, including programme structure, Professional Internships, training and networking.

Before you apply

Check your eligibility

  • Applicants for this course should have achieved a UK Good II.i Honours Degree.
  • If your degree is not from the UK, please check International Qualifications to find the equivalent in your country.

Read more information about the eligibility criteria.

Applying

You will need to apply through the University’s Applicant Portal. The course is listed as PhD in Biological Sciences.

Completing the application form

  • In the 'Statement of interest' please include the project reference(s) and a statement of your interest in each project you have selected.

References

  • You need to provide 2 academic and/or professional references.
  • You can submit your application before references have been submitted, however, applications must be complete and referees must submit their references by the deadline. If your application (including supporting documents) is not submitted by the relevant deadline, it will be withdrawn.

Read more information about References on the Postgraduate Study website.

After you apply

  • Applications are considered together as a gathered field after the closing date in December. Successful applicants will be notified in January and invited to attend an online interview in early February.
  • Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an online interview workshop. A link will be sent in due course. 
  • This course is taking part in the University’s Contextual Admissions Pilot, a new selection procedure designed to promote contextualised understanding and to minimise bias. Find out more about Contextual Admissions.

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Apply for an iCASE studentship

iCASE studentships offer a PhD in a University department with an internship with an industrial partner connected with the PhD project. Students select their preferred option from a list of available projects, which will include a minimum of 3 months internship with the industrial partner. 

Read more about the iCASE studentship, including programme structure, industrial partners, training and networking.

Before you apply

Check your eligibility

  • Applicants for this course should have achieved a UK Good II.i Honours Degree.
  • If your degree is not from the UK, please check International Qualifications to find the equivalent in your country.

Read more information about the eligibility criteria.

Check the list of available iCase projects 

Applying

You will need to apply through the University’s Applicant Portal. The course is listed as PhD in Biological Sciences.

Completing the application form

  • In the 'Statement of interest' please include the project reference(s) and a statement of your interest in each project you have selected.

References

  • You need to provide 2 academic and/or professional references. Read more information about References on the Postgraduate Study website.
  • You can submit your application before references have been submitted, however, applications must be complete and referees must submit their references by the deadline. If your application (including supporting documents) is not submitted by the relevant deadline, it will be withdrawn.

After you apply

  • Applications are considered together as a gathered field after the closing date in December. Successful applicants will be notified in January and invited to attend an online interview in early February.
  • Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an online interview workshop. A link will be sent in due course. 
  • This course is taking part in the University’s Contextual Admissions Pilot, a new selection procedure designed to promote contextualised understanding and to minimise bias. Find out more about Contextual Admissions.

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International students

International students (EU and non-EU) are eligible for all Research Council-funded postgraduate studentships, and the Cambridge Biosciences DTP will be able to offer a limited number of studentships to international students.

The Cambridge Biosciences DTP will cover the costs of student visas and health surcharge for any international BBSRC DTP students recruited and will also provide funding to cover both fees and a stipend to support living costs.