Join the group
Doctoral study
I welcome expressions of interest from prospective PhD students across all areas of the group — through UK funding, your own scholarship, or a scheme you plan to apply for.
I'm interested in hearing from prospective PhD students looking for UK-funded positions through the University of Manchester or the UK research council (STFC), as well as those arriving with their own scholarship or planning to apply for funding from their home country or government. The routes differ, but in every case I look for the same thing: strong motivation, solid preparation, and a genuine interest in the questions the group works on.
Requirements
Home students
EDIT ME — outline the typical academic requirements and any specific expectations for Home-fee students (degree class, background, etc.).
International students
EDIT ME — outline requirements for International students, including any English-language requirements and funding considerations.
New to applying for a PhD? I've written up some thoughts and advice on the process →
Funding routes & scholarships
The schemes below are the main routes I can support. Deadlines and eligibility vary — and many close well before the start of study — so please check each scheme's official page and contact me in good time.
STFC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP)
Home (limited International places)
- Apply by
- EDIT ME
- Contact me by
- EDIT ME
- Formal requirements
- EDIT ME — formal eligibility criteria for this scheme.
- Practical
- EDIT ME — what a competitive application looks like.
University of Manchester President's Doctoral Scholar (PDS) Award
Home & International
- Apply by
- EDIT ME
- Contact me by
- EDIT ME
- Formal requirements
- EDIT ME — formal eligibility criteria for this scheme.
- Practical
- EDIT ME — what a competitive application looks like.
Dean's Doctoral Scholarship
Home & International
- Apply by
- EDIT ME
- Contact me by
- EDIT ME
- Formal requirements
- EDIT ME — formal eligibility criteria for this scheme.
- Practical
- EDIT ME — what a competitive application looks like.
Departmental Scholarships
Home & International
- Apply by
- EDIT ME
- Contact me by
- EDIT ME
- Formal requirements
- EDIT ME — formal eligibility criteria for this scheme.
- Practical
- EDIT ME — what a competitive application looks like.
China Scholarship Council (CSC) Scholarships
International (Chinese nationals)
- Apply by
- EDIT ME
- Contact me by
- EDIT ME — note CSC applications need an early start.
- Formal requirements
- EDIT ME — formal eligibility criteria for this scheme.
- Practical
- EDIT ME — what a competitive application looks like.
IOP Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund
Home & International
- Apply by
- EDIT ME
- Contact me by
- EDIT ME
- Formal requirements
- EDIT ME — supports students from groups under-represented in physics.
- Practical
- EDIT ME — what a competitive application looks like.
Commonwealth Scholarships (high-income countries)
International (eligible Commonwealth countries)
- Apply by
- EDIT ME
- Contact me by
- EDIT ME
- Formal requirements
- EDIT ME — formal eligibility criteria for this scheme.
- Practical
- EDIT ME — what a competitive application looks like.
Commonwealth Scholarships (low- and middle-income countries)
International (eligible Commonwealth countries)
- Apply by
- EDIT ME
- Contact me by
- EDIT ME
- Formal requirements
- EDIT ME — formal eligibility criteria for this scheme.
- Practical
- EDIT ME — what a competitive application looks like.
Your own funding
If you intend to apply for your own funding, or know of a scholarship not listed here, I'd still be glad to hear from you. The entry process and academic standards are the same regardless of the funding source — what matters is the strength of the application and the fit with the group.
New to applying for a PhD? I've written up some thoughts and advice on the process →