The University of Manchester is celebrating a major milestone, its 200th anniversary, and it’s doing it in a way that actually benefits students, not just the PR department. To mark the occasion, the university has launched its Bicentenary PhD Studentships, an ambitious funding initiative that will create over 200 fully funded PhD opportunities between 2025/26 and 2026/27. It’s a rare, large-scale expansion at a time when funded PhD seats in the UK are usually limited and extremely competitive.
Key Takeaways
What Manchester University Has Announced for 2025
The idea behind this initiative is simple: strengthen global research by attracting outstanding minds from around the world. By offering full funding across its three major faculties, the university aims to push forward work in fields that matter science and engineering innovations, medical breakthroughs, and deeper insight into social and global challenges. For students, it’s a once-in-a-generation chance to pursue a doctoral degree at a world-leading research institution without worrying about the financial burden.
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What the Fully Funded Studentship Covers for International Students
One of the biggest advantages of the Bicentenary Studentships is that they truly are fully funded not “partially funded with strings attached,” as is common with many UK doctoral offers. Selected PhD scholars will have their full tuition fees covered, regardless of whether they are UK nationals or international applicants. That alone makes this an incredibly valuable opportunity, considering international PhD tuition can exceed £25,000 per year.
On top of that, the studentship includes a generous annual stipend at the UKRI rate. For instance, PhD candidates in the Faculty of Science & Engineering may receive around £20,780 per year for 2025/26, paid for four full years. Candidates also receive funding for essential research costs, access to high-end laboratories and resources, and membership in Manchester’s Doctoral Academy, a hub for training, collaboration, and academic development. For international students, especially, the combination of tuition, stipend, and institutional support means the entire PhD journey becomes financially sustainable and academically enriching.
Who Can Apply for These 200 PhD Positions in 2025?
The studentships are open to candidates from all nationalities, and Manchester has made it clear that it wants to attract a diverse research community. Applicants must hold or expect to complete at least a first-class or upper second-class honours degree (or international equivalent). For many subjects, having a master’s degree with merit or distinction significantly improves the chances of selection, especially in competitive departments like engineering, biological sciences, or social sciences.
The university is targeting applicants who have strong research potential. This can show up in different ways depending on the candidate’s background: previous research projects, independent studies, academic publications, internships, or even a well-written research proposal. Like all UK universities, Manchester requires students to meet its English-language standards, which means submitting IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent scores if needed. Overall, the eligibility criteria are designed to identify promising researchers who can handle the academic rigour of a top-tier PhD programme.
Which Fields and Departments Are Offering Funded PhD Seats?
One reason this initiative is attracting so much attention is the sheer range of research fields available. The studentships span all three of Manchester’s core faculties: Science & Engineering; Biology, Medicine & Health, and Humanities, reflecting the university’s interdisciplinary approach. Whether someone is researching artificial intelligence or analysing global inequality, there’s likely a suitable project available.
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Key research themes include Digital & AI, Climate and Environmental Science, Biomedical and Health Research, One Health, Health Inequalities, Creative Industries, Social Sciences, and Humanities disciplines. Many departments are also offering open-theme projects, allowing candidates to propose their own ideas if they align with the university’s broader research goals. This flexibility ensures that applicants from diverse academic backgrounds can find a PhD project that matches their interests.
How the Application and Selection Process Works
Unlike some doctoral schemes that accept general applications, Manchester’s Bicentenary Studentships are project-based. Applicants must first browse the list of available PhD projects on the university’s website to identify the one that matches their academic interests and background. Once they find the right project, they need to contact the supervising academic to discuss the fit and confirm that the supervisor is willing to support their application.
After this initial confirmation, applicants submit a formal PhD application through the university’s online portal. While applying, they must clearly indicate that they wish to be considered for the Bicentenary Studentship. The selection process typically involves shortlisting, followed by interviews, and this often happens on a rolling basis, meaning early applicants have a significant advantage. Required documents usually include academic transcripts, degree certificates, a research proposal, a CV, reference letters, and English-language test scores. With over 200 positions available, the process is competitive but fair, with strong emphasis on academic potential and supervisor support.
Why This Is One of the Best PhD Opportunities in the UK Right Now
The Bicentenary Studentships stand out as one of the most attractive PhD opportunities in the UK for several reasons. First, the scale of funding covering over 200 places is extremely rare, especially at a university consistently ranked among the top global research institutions. Second, the combination of financial support, cutting-edge facilities, supervisor mentorship, and research community access makes it ideal for students who want both academic depth and practical impact.
The initiative also opens pathways for long-term academic and industry careers. Manchester’s global reputation means graduates are well-positioned for postdoctoral opportunities, industry research roles, or teaching positions at universities worldwide. Finally, with UK doctoral funding becoming more competitive each year, this is one intake that serious applicants simply can’t afford to overlook. Acting early, selecting the right project, and building a strong proposal could make all the difference for students aiming to join the 2025 cohort.
