The University of Manchester and the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) have launched a dual-award PhD programme. This is a groundbreaking collaboration of these organizations. This collaboration will offer a unique opportunity for promising candidates to contribute to innovative research projects.
This partnership provides a dynamic platform for nominees to engage with leading experts. The students can leverage the advanced infrastructure of both institutions and gain international exposure while pursuing high-impact research across the fields of science and engineering. Let’s check the full details on this below.
Programme Overview
The dual-award PhD programme is the contribution of a partnership between The University of Manchester and IIT Kharagpur. This initiative will utilize the strengths and facilities of both universities, fostering impactful research in several key areas:
- Biomaterials
- Geochemistry
- Industry 4.0
Nominees in this programme will spend two years at each institution. The students will benefit from world-class academic supervision at both IIT Kharagpur and The University of Manchester. The programme offers a unique academic experience, allowing students to gain diverse perspectives, conduct cutting-edge research, and develop global professional networks.
Why Choose a Dual-Award PhD?
There are many advantages of a dual-award PhD, let’s check them out here.
- Global Experience: Immersing oneself in two culturally rich environments. The students will live and study in India and the UK. It will provide an enriching experience and fosters personal growth.
- Research Excellence: By engaging in projects that address critical challenges in science and engineering, nominees can contribute to solutions that have global significance.
- Career Development: Graduates of this programme will have enhanced employability due to the prestige of the participating institutions. The students will get global skills that will open doors to exciting career opportunities in academia and industry.
- Cultural Fluency: The experience of studying in two countries enriches one’s intercultural skills, preparing nominees for roles that require international collaboration.
Financial Support and Scholarships
To support their research journey, up to three fully-funded scholarships are available for deserving nominees. These scholarships cover:
- Full tuition fees at both institutions.
- Standard living allowances during the period of study at The University of Manchester.
- An institute scholarship while at IIT Kharagpur for the full four years.
- UKRI equivalent stipends for two years at The University of Manchester.
This funding makes the programme accessible to talented individuals and supports them in focusing on their research without financial worries.
Eligibility Criteria
Nominees must meet specific academic and professional criteria to apply for the programme:
Academic Requirements:
- Indian applicants must have a BTech, MSc, or MTech degree with a minimum CGPA of 7.5 (on a 10-point scale) from any Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).
- International applicants must hold a degree from an institute or university ranked within the top 500 in the QS World University Rankings 2024.
Additional Requirements:
- Nominees must be able to commence studies at IIT Kharagpur in July 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter, with no further visa requirements for India.
- Willingness to spend two years studying at The University of Manchester. He will have travel permissions from both the UK and Indian governments.
- A 2:1 undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification is required.
- Ideally, a master’s-level qualification would be an advantage.
English Language Requirements:
- Proficiency in English, demonstrated by an IELTS score of 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 6.0 in each component) or a TOEFL iBT score of 90 (with no less than 20 in each component).
Skills Requirements:
- Potential to lead research projects
- Work collaboratively
- Engage effectively in a multicultural academic environment
- Strong communication skill
- Capability to express complicated ideas undoubtedly, both verbally and in writing
- A deep understanding of research techniques
- A commitment to personal and professional development
Programme Timeline and Application Process
The application process for the 05th cohort of the dual-award PhD programme is now open. Interested nominees must apply for approved research projects at The University of Manchester. The application window will be open from 13th January 2025 to 3rd March 2025. To apply, please visit the Joint Doctoral Programme page on the IIT Kharagpur website.
- Go to the webpage of IIT Kharagpur.
- Then, find the link to the Joint Doctoral Programme.
- Fill out the details in the Joint Doctoral Programme application form.
- Submit the documents that are required for the Joint Doctoral Programme form.
- Then, submit the Joint Doctoral Programme application form.
Contact Information
For any queries regarding the programme, feel free to reach out:
- The University of Manchester: Email the Doctoral Academy at Manchester’s Doctoral Academy.
- IIT Kharagpur: Email adeanir@adm.iitkgp.ac.in or koushiki@adm.iitkgp.ac.in.
FAQs
What is the dual-award PhD programme?
This programme lets students conduct research in science and engineering at both The University of Manchester and IIT Kharagpur, spending two years at each. After completing the programme, students receive a PhD from both universities.
How dual-award PhD programmes will be funded?
Three fully-funded scholarships are available for this four-year programme. The scholarships cover tuition, living expenses, and stipends, so students can focus on their research without worrying about finances.
