GW4 BioMed Scholarship supports PhD studentships combining funding for fees and a UK Research Council-rate stipend along with research training support. The GW4 BioMed Scholarship opens applications for a cohort with a start date in October 2027, with projects aligned to themes such as Infection, Immunity and Antimicrobial Resistance.
The scholarship is offered through the GW4 BioMed3 Doctoral Landscape Programme, a partnership between the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff (lead) and Exeter. The programme provides collaborative training, access to combined research strengths, and supervisory support across the partner institutions.
GW4 BioMed Scholarship Benefits
- These studentships provide funding for fees and stipend at the rate set by the UKRI, as well as other research training and support costs, and are available to UK and International students.
- These studentships are funded through GW4 BioMed3 MRC Doctoral Landscape Programme and consist of UK tuition fees, as well as a Doctoral Stipend matching UK Research Council National Minimum (£21, 805 p.a. for 2026/27, updated each year).
- Additional research training and support funding of up to £5,000 per annum is also available.
GW4 BioMed Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
- Residency: GW4 BioMed3 studentships are available to UK and International applicants. Following Brexit, the UKRI now classifies EU students as international unless they have rights under the EU Settlement Scheme. The GW4 partners have agreed to cover the difference in costs between home and international tuition fees. International candidates will be required to personally cover the cost of their student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK.
- Academic criteria: Applicants for a studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a first or upper second-class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualification gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of medical sciences, computing, mathematics or the physical sciences. Applicants with a lower second-class degree will only be considered if they also have a master’s degree.
- English requirements: If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements of the university that will host your PhD by the start of the programme. For projects based at the University of Exeter, this will be at least 6.5 in IELTS or an acceptable equivalent.
How to Apply for GW4 BioMed Scholarship
- A list of all the projects and how to apply is available on the GW4 BioMed website at gw4biomed.ac.uk. You may select up to 2 projects and submit one application per candidate only.
- Please complete an application to the GW4 BioMed3 for an ‘offer of funding’. If successful, you will also need to make an application for an ‘offer to study’ to your chosen institution later.
- Please complete the online application form linked from our website by 5.00pm on Wednesday, 21st October 2026.
- If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be notified from Tuesday, 22nd December 2026. Interviews will be held virtually on 26th and 27th January 2027. Studentship funding will start on 1st October 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the GW4 BioMed Scholarship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply for the GW4 BioMed3 Doctoral Landscape studentships.
What does the GW4 BioMed Scholarship fund?
The studentships provide funding for UK tuition fees and a doctoral stipend matching the UK Research Council National Minimum (£21,805 p.a. for 2026/27, updated each year). Additional research training and support funding of up to £5,000 per annum is also available, and the funding covers both UK and international applicants as described on the programme page.
Who is eligible to apply for these studentships?
GW4 BioMed3 studentships are open to UK and international applicants. Academic eligibility requires a first or upper second-class UK honours degree or equivalent in relevant subjects; applicants with a lower second-class degree may be considered if they also hold a master’s degree. Residency classifications follow UKRI rules post-Brexit, and international candidates must meet visa and moving costs.
What are the English language requirements?
If English is not your first language you must meet the English language requirements of the university hosting your PhD by the programme start. For projects based at the University of Exeter this is at least IELTS 6.5 or an acceptable equivalent; applicants should refer to the relevant university webpage for full details.
How many studentships are available and what is the duration?
The GW4 BioMed3 Doctoral Landscape Programme is offering up to 18 MRC-funded studentships across the partnership, and studentships will be four years full time. Part-time study may also be available. There are 134 projects available for application aligned to specified thematic areas.
When is the application deadline and key dates?
Applications open on Wednesday 9th September and close at 5.00pm on Wednesday 21st October 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be notified from Tuesday 22nd December 2026, with virtual interviews on 26th and 27th January 2027. Studentship funding will start on 1st October 2027.
How do I apply and how many projects can I select?
A list of all projects and application instructions are available on the GW4 BioMed website at gw4biomed.ac.uk. Applicants may select up to two projects and submit one application per candidate. You must complete the online GW4 BioMed3 application form by the stated deadline for an offer of funding and later apply to your chosen institution for an offer to study.
Are international tuition fees covered?
The GW4 partners have agreed to cover the difference in costs between home and international tuition fees, meaning international candidates will not be expected to cover this cost and will be fully funded. However, international applicants are required to personally cover the cost of their student visa, healthcare surcharge and other relocation costs.
What training and support does the programme provide?
Students will have access to combined research strengths, training expertise and resources of the four partner universities with opportunities for interdisciplinary science. The programme offers research training and support costs, and up to £5,000 per annum in additional research training and support funding.
Who should I contact for further information or project queries?
For informal enquiries contact the GW4 BioMed mailbox at [email protected]. For project-related queries, contact the respective supervisors listed on the GW4 BioMed website. Data protection and application process information is available via the GW4 BioMed doctoral students webpage.
What are the project themes available in GW4 BioMed3?
The 134 projects available for application are aligned to themes including Cardiometabolic Disease; Infection, Immunity, and Antimicrobial Resistance; Neuroscience and Mental Health; and Population Health Sciences. Projects are offered across the GW4 partner institutions and applicants should check individual project details on the GW4 BioMed website.
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