Applications open: 9th September 2026
Closing date: 21st October 2026
Once you have read our student guidance and attended a “Candidate Support Webinar“, apply here.
- Use of AI
- Application checklist and template
- Recruitment Timeline
- Stage 1: Applying to GW4 BioMed for an Offer of Funding
- Stage 2: Applying to the lead institution for an Offer of Study
- Success criteria
Use of AI
We strongly discourage the use of generative AI in our application process.
Our assessment criteria focus on your own personal motivation, commitment, and experience. Writing in your own words gives you the best chance at being shortlisted for interview.
Application checklist and template
We have created an application checklist outlining each step of the process. You can use this to ensure you have completed all steps in the process.
Use the template to plan your answers, using the maximum character count, before completing your online application.
Recruitment timeline
Stage 1: Applying to GW4 BioMed for an Offer of Funding
Applying
- Select up to two projects from the project descriptions
- Prepare to apply
- Read the frequently asked questions and guidance on our website
- Register to attend a candidate support webinar
- If you are unable to attend a live session, review the recording
- Plan your application using the templates available
- Submit your application
- Candidates can only submit one application
- Duplicates will be removed
Shortlisted students
- Shortlisting is conducted anonymously by theme-specific panels
- Informal meetings
- Shortlisted applicants will have an informal meeting with the project’s lead supervisors
- Formal interviews: Up to 60 candidates will be invited to interview. These will occur:
- virtually
- by theme-specific panels
- with academics from each GW4 institution
Awarded students
- Student selection happens after the formal interviews
- Projects are allocated based on the rank of the successful candidates
- It is not always possible to offer applicants their first-choice project
- A clearing period will follow until approximately mid-March 2027 until all places have been offered and accepted
- Because of this, it’s not possible to provide immediate interview results to all applicants
Stage 2: Applying to the lead institution for an Offer of Study
- Applicants should apply to GW4 BioMed first to secure an offer of funding.
- Once an offer of funding is issued by GW4 BioMed, and you have accepted your studentship, you will receive more information on submitting a formal application to the relevant institution.
- Apply for an Offer of Study at the home institution of your lead supervisor.
- More details on this will be sent to you if you reach this stage.
Success Criteria
Application criteria
Applications will be assessed on these criteria:
- Proven academic quality typically demonstrated by:
- Outstanding achievement at undergraduate or master’s level
- or equivalent high-quality evidence of professional practice
- Independent problem-solving ability demonstrated by your:
- achievements in academia or research
- achievements outside of academia
- other relevant skills
- Personal motivation and commitment demonstrated through your application, showcasing:
- understanding
- motivation
- suitability for your first-choice project
- your broader enthusiasm and interest
- commitment to the programme
- Non-biomedical disciplines
- To support interdisciplinarity, special consideration will be given by the interview panels to non-biomedical applicants.
- Candidates should not feel the selection criteria are biased towards biomedical applicants as your unique skills will be considered.
Interview criteria
Candidates will be assessed on these criteria during the interview:
- Critical thinking assessed via discussion of a student-selected piece of data
- Fit with the project: The interview panel will evaluate the candidate aptitude and key issues in the project, assessed via set questions
- Personal commitment & motivation
