Course Overview

The Integrated PhD Life Sciences Doctoral Training Programme (iDTP) is a specialist four-year programme for international students. This unique programme has been created to train the next generation of leading international scientists and clinicians in all aspects of human life science.

The iDTP combines PhD research with a programme of structured research, professional and subject-specific training, which allows you to choose a life sciences subject that suits your research and professional interests.

The programme takes four years (compared to three years for a non-integrated PhD programme) to successfully complete, leading to you being awarded a PhD in Integrated Studies. The programme has been specifically designed for researchers from outside the UK to provide additional support for you to adapt to the UK educational system. It will suit individuals joining a PhD programme without a Masters degree, or for those with a Masters degree that did not focus on developing research skills.

The iDTP offers high quality research-based training, which integrates technical skills for laboratory or epidemiology-based research across a wide breadth of human life sciences subjects; analytical skills for quantitative or qualitative research; communication skills for diverse audiences; and core transferable skills such as organisation and time management.

General Eligibility

An applicant must comply with the following entry requirements:

Attainment of an Honours degree (normally a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree or equivalent) in a relevant biological or life sciences subject, or

Attainment of an alternative qualification or qualifications and/or evidence of experience judged by the University as indicative of an applicant’s potential for research and as satisfactory for the purpose of entry to a research

Part Time Work Details

20 Hours of Work permit weekly for international students.

Language Requirement

• Please note IELTS requirements for the iDTP is 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any band. You can satisfy our English language requirements in two ways:

  • by holding an English language qualification to the right level

  • by taking and successfully completing one of our English courses for international students

  The English for Academic Purposes Presessional course is for international students who have a conditional offer to study at the University, but who do not currently meet the English language requirements.