How to apply
You should have, or expect to obtain, a UK undergraduate honours degree or international equivalent, or a first degree with an additional master's degree or international equivalent. You will also need to have securing funding at the time you apply.
Applications open in October for the following September. We do not specify a formal deadline for submitting an application to the CDT, however we encourage you to apply as early as possible. Typically all available places are filled by the end of March.
If your application is successful you will be invited to attend an interview where you will have the opportunity to meet the team, learn more about the training programme and undergo a formal interview with academic supervisors.
Please ensure that you read and follow the application instructions information below before applying.
Eligibility
We welcome applications from graduates with an excellent degree (first class or upper second) or equivalent international qualification in science, engineering or biomedical disciplines.
You must be enthusiastic and looking for a challenging, interdisciplinary research training environment.
What you need to submit
Alongside a fully completed online application form you are required to submit the following supporting documentation:
- Your CV
- A personal statement of approximately 500 words describing why you wish to be admitted to the Graphene NOWNANO CDT programme.
- Current or latest degree transcript and certificate – if you have not completed your degree please provide an interim transcript and forward your final transcript and certificate when it’s available.
- The contact details of two referees who can be contacted by the University directly to submit a reference for you, these should typically be academics related to your previous degree, however if you have industry experience one referee can be from this source.
- An English language test certificate e.g. IELTS, only If English is not your first language.
- Evidence of funding for international applicants who are self-funded or sponsored through their government or industry.
Application instructions
To apply to the Graphene NOWNANO CDT, please follow the instructions below.
The online form is generic and is used for all postgraduate degrees, most of the pages are intuitive however please note the section specific instructions below which are designed to make the application process as simple as possible.
In particular please note that you do NOT need to find a potential supervisor or provide a full research proposal when applying to the Graphene NOWNANO CDT - you will select your project during the six months training period.
All applications must be made online via the University's website.
Once on the University website's application page, select the apply online button and follow the instructions to create an account.
When prompted during the application process, select the following information:
- Level of Study: Postgraduate by Research
- Entry Year: Select the appropriate academic year
- Academic Programme: Search for the keyword NOWNANO and then select the PhD programme
- Research details: Specific project - select ‘No’
- Proposed area of research – type in ‘Nanoscience’
- Identified Supervisor – select ‘No’
- Funding sources: UK applicants – select ‘No’
- International/EU applicants – select ‘Yes’ and complete details of your funding source
You will be prompted to upload documentation required to support your application, which will include:
- your CV;
- your current/most recent degree certificates and transcripts
- English Language certificate (only required if English is not your first language)
- research statement/proposal – please submit a maximum 500 word personal statement stating your educational background, experience, skills, interests and suitability to join the programme
- international/EU applicants must also include proof of funding if you are self-funded or government sponsored.
Please also email your documentation directly to graphene-nownano@manchester.ac.uk.