MRC DTP Studentships

The MRC Doctoral Training Partnership (MRC DTP) will award a number of fully-funded MRC postgraduate research studentships to support research and training in Biomedical and Translational Science.

Flexibility of pathways – our MRC DTP Studentships are available full-time (or pro-rata as part-time studentships), either as:

  • a one-year MRes followed by a PhD (‘1+3’); or
  • as a 4-year PhD (‘0+4’)

For students joining the DTP programme we offer two pathways, students are not required to make a choice until after they have been offered a place on the programme and discussed the options with Theme leads. This recognises that outstanding students will come from a range of backgrounds and have a range of interests and training needs, and so the right decision is made for each student.

Our Projects page details research projects currently available for application. All projects are available as 1+3 (MRes+ PhD) or as a 4-year PhD.

iCASE Studentships

Industrial CASE studentships (Collaborative Awards in Science and Engineering) allow postgraduate research students to receive high quality research training in collaboration with a commercial or other non-academic partners. The studentships are part-funded by Research Councils together with the partner and include stipend, tuition fees and other project costs. The partner can specify a research project that will be of importance to them and they must also provide a placement at their premises, and a supervisor, for the student.

The MRC Doctoral Training Partnership (MRC DTP) will award fully-funded MRC iCASE studentships to support research and training in Biomedical and Translational Science.

Our iCASE studentships are available as full-time (or pro-rata as part-time studentships) 4 year PhD’s (0+4).

The iCASE projects available are detailed on the Projects page.

Each iCASE studentship will receive the following additional support from the industry partner:

  • £2,500 stipend top up per/annum
  • £1,400 consumables top up per/annum
  • A three-month placement with the industry partner

Studentship Award Details

The MRC DTP only offer 4-year fully-funded studentship awards; including a stipend, tuition fees, research training and support grant (RTSG), and a travel and conference allowance.

Stipend: Inside London stipend rate for academic year 23/24 is £20,622. This is a tax-free payment made to the student based on the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) minimum rate. An iCASE studentship award includes a £2,500 top up in addition to the minimum rate per year.

Tuition fees: The studentship award covers the full tuition fee amount per year, including any international fee rate.

Research training and support grant (RTSG): £5,000 per year. Can also be known as bench fees, this is a contribution towards consumable costs of training research students. An iCASE studentship award includes an extra £1,400 per year.

Travel and conference allowance: £300 per year. This is a contribution to the costs of attending scientific conferences, workshops or visits to collaborators.

Flexible Supplement: Available to students funded by the MRC, this can help fund a wide range of research and training activities.

Eligibilty Criteria

The programme welcomes applications from a diverse range of backgrounds. Applicants will be reviewed on qualifications, experience and potential to undertake a research degree. 

Academic requirements: The minimum entrance qualification is an Upper Second Class Honours degree in a relevant subject, or an equivalent overseas qualification. Applicants who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements may be admitted if they hold an alternative qualification of an equivalent or higher level in a relevant subject, or can prove relevant professional experience which demonstrates that the applicant can follow and complete the programme.

English language requirements: If English is not your first language you will be required to provide evidence that you meet the minimum English requirements of the Faculty [Band D] as prescribed by the university’s English Language requirements. If you are unable to provide this confirmation before applying any offer you are made would be conditional upon you meeting these requirements prior to enrolment.

Residency requirements: Both home, and overseas applicants are eligible to apply. Up to 30% of our offers will be made to overseas applicants. This is approximately 10 studentship places per year.

Fee Status Guidance – Home or Overseas?

Determining whether you are classified as home or overseas depends on whether you meet certain criteria. These criteria are set by the Government’s Department for Education. To be classed as a home student, applicants usually fit into one of the following categories, and are subject to you also meeting residency requirements:

  • be a UK national (meeting residency requirements)
  • have settled status
  • have pre-settled status
  • have indefinite leave to remain or enter

For full details of all the different ‘categories’ of student who can be classified as home, please read UKCISA guidance. There are lots of different categories to look at. Most of them are described in this pdf guide.

If you do not fit into one of these categories, you are most likely classified as overseas.

For Stage One please self-identify your fee status as best you can for the online application form, using the guidance provided here. Your fee status will only be fully assessed and confirmed by KCL Admissions at Stage Two.