How to apply

For fully-funded PhD studentships* starting in Sept 2025, projects will be advertised in October 2024. 

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Submitting your application

Please apply to the institution listed as the host institution for the PhD project you are interested in, unless otherwise indicated.

Note: links to ‘further guidance and support related to your application’ encompasses all PhD studentships, and DTP programme requirements take precedence. Also only applications submitted by the application deadline will be accepted.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We want to support diverse and inclusive work environments. We therefore welcome applications from individuals regardless of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender, or disability status. We welcome applications from individuals who have previously studied at any recognised Higher Education Institute and from a range of career paths (please refer to the SWBio DTP academic criteria for eligibility), including individuals who have previously trained in the sciences and are wanting to return to scientific research.

To enable greater access to a PhD, we will work with you to take into consideration reasonable project adaptations (for example to support caring responsibilities, disabilities, other significant personal circumstances) as well as flexible working and part‐time study requests. All our supervisors support us with this, so please feel comfortable in discussing further with the listed PhD project supervisor to see what is feasible. Further information >>

Apply to Bath >>

Application guidance:

  • When completing the online application form, select SWBio DTP (from drop-down list) in the Funding your studies section to identify the studentship for which you are applying.
  • In the Your PhD project section, you should quote the project title of your chosen project and the name of the main supervisor in the appropriate boxes.
  • Should you wish to apply for more than one project at Bath, you may do so within the same application but you should ensure you quote each project title (and main supervisor) in the appropriate boxes within the Your PhD project section.  IMPORTANTLY: upload to your application a separate (clearly labelled) personal statement for each one, outlining your motivation, achievements and suitability for that particular project.
  • Although all candidates are required to apply on the application form for the PhD programme in Biosciences (Biology & Biochemistry), candidates who are successful in obtaining an offer for a project in Chemistry, Health or Pharmacy & Pharmacology will be transferred to the appropriate programme at the point of offer.
  •  Part-time study is available through the University of Bath, even though the application form available is for a full-time programme.  You will just need to discuss with the relevant lead supervisor(s) prior to applying that part-time study is possible for your chosen project(s) and then indicate clearly at the beginning of your personal statement(s) that you would prefer part-time study.
  • Further guidance and support related to your application >>

About the University of Bath >>

Apply to Bristol >>

Application guidance:

  • From the 'Start your application' page, search for South West Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (PhD) under 'find a programme' and select it from the dropdown list. Select apply to begin your application.
  • If you do not already have an account, create a 'new applicant' profile and follow the instructions in eVision.
  • If you wish to apply to multiple projects at the University of Bristol you will need to submit a new application for each project. Unfortunately, the application system cannot accept multiple applications to the same programme unless the selected start date is different. You should select a new entry date for each application (eg, Sept 2024, Jan 2025), and, should you be successful, the start date will be amended to September 2024. If you have any problems submitting applications to Bristol please contact the Faculty of Life Sciences Graduate School via fls-GAM@bristol.ac.uk.
  • When the application asks for a research statement, please just upload a blank document. A research statement is not needed for this programme as you are applying directly to a project.
  • Further guidance and support related to your application >>

About the University of Bristol >>

Contact details: fls-pg-admissions@bristol.ac.uk

Cardiff SWBio DTP programme information >>

Apply to Cardiff >>

Application guidance:

  • Please read the Cardiff SWBio DTP programme information before completing your application.
  • When completing your application, please list Doctor of Philosophy as the 'qualification' and 1 October 2024 as the 'start date'.
  • You will need to include the project you are applying to and the main supervisor as part of the application.
  • For funded studentships: When asked if you are intending to self-fund, please select No and within the text box list BBSRC South Bioscience DTP
  • You will need to submit a separate application for each project you wish to be considered for.
  • Further guidance and support related to your application >>

About Cardiff University >>

Exeter SWBio DTP programme information >>

Apply to Exeter >>

Application guidance:

  • Please read the Exeter SWBio DTP programme information before completing your application.
  • Please apply via the project link found at the bottom of the 'Exeter SWBio DTP programme information page' (refer to link above).
  • You will need to submit a separate application for each project you wish to be considered for.
  • Further guidance and support related to your application >>

About the University of Exeter >>

Please apply through the registered university of where the listed academic supervisor is based.

About Rothamsted Research >>

Apply to Swansea >>  

  • Apply via the individual project advert (follow 'Apply to Swansea' link above)
  • Course choice – follow the bespoke link provided in the individual project advert (for Biosciences, 4 year integrated study)
  • Start year – select 2024
  • ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – select No
  • ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – enter ‘RS447 – SWBIO 1 'or 'RS448 – SWBIO 2' – this depends on the project applying to (listed within individual project advert)
  • Further guidance and support related to your application >>

About Swansea University >>

Apply to UWE >>

Application guidance:

About UWE >>


Documentation requirements

As part of your application you will normally be required to submit:

    • Two references
    • Academic transcripts / degree certificate(s)
    • Personal statement. Please include supporting evidence for your Maths background.
    • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
    • English language certificates (where applicable)

Further guidance about these documents and who to contact if you have any queries can be found as part of the application process when you apply through the relevant institution listed above.


Further application information

Programme expectations

  • This is an in-person PhD programme, and you are expected to attend in person from the start of the programme and based at the listed host institution (exception is for standard studentships with associate partner where you will spend time at each of the listed supervisor’s institutions).
  • As a cohort based programme with an integrated taught first year, there is one formal programme start date at your institution (this will either be September or October depending on your institution).
  • To support access to bioscience PhDs, we do not accept applications from applicants who have previously been awarded a PhD (or equivalent).
  • This is a 4 year PhD programme, and you are expected to submit your thesis within 4 years (4 years based on a full-time equivalent).
  • A range of part-time options are available (minimum of 50%) for the majority of our projects. Only home students are eligible for part-time study due to visa complexities for international students. Please discuss further with the listed project supervisor ahead of submitting your application. Further information >>