What We Offer

PhD applications are open from the 1st September 2025 to 20th October 2025 at 5pm. Click here to apply.

Find out what we offer, including: training, funding and information on leave.

Studentships

The GW4 BioMed2 MRC DTP spans four research-intensive universities (Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter), offering students access to the research strengths, training expertise, and resources of each institution. Our DTP projects often have co-supervisors from multiple universities, allowing students to join research partnerships. We offer competitive, fully-funded studentships in one of our four research themes:

All projects within our programme reflect the collective strengths of the DTP:

  • Quantitative skills (including mathematical modelling)
  • Using data for discovery
  • Interdisciplinary skills and approaches (including physics, engineering, chemistry and health economics)

Students in the GW4 BioMed2 MRC DTP have access to diverse training opportunities across all four universities. Our bespoke training covers research skills, professional development, and broadening horizons.

Funding

A GW4 BioMed2 MRC DTP studentship includes:

  • full tuition fees at the UK/Home rate, a stipend at the minimum UKRI rate
  • a Research & Training Support Grant (RTSG) valued between £2-5k per year
  • a £300 annual travel and conference grant based on a 4 year, full-time studentship

Part-time study may also be available and these funding arrangements will be adjusted pro-rata for part-time studentships. Throughout the duration of the studentship, there will be opportunities to apply to the Flexible Funding Supplement for additional support.

Accessibility

Adjustments to Study

The GW4 BioMed MRC DTP believes strongly in providing equality and inclusion for all our students. Our supportive environment means that we make every effort to facilitate success. Our Research Culture and Wellbeing Lead can assist all students in signposting to support services and working with your institution and Supervisory teams to make reasonable adjustment to study where appropriate.

Disability Services

All four institutes have Student Support Services who can support you and you can apply for a disability support allowance to fund any adjustments that are required. If you have specific needs around the interview process, please let us know.

Family Leave

UKRI funded Students are entitled to family leave. Maternity leave can commence up to 11 weeks before the expected week of childbirth. A student is eligible if the leave commences during their funded period and they are the birth parent of the child. A stipend can be paid at the full rate for the first 26 weeks, followed by 13 weeks commensurate with Statutory Maternity Pay. The final 13 weeks would be unpaid. The studentship may be extended to account for the period of maternity leave. 

Partner’s or paternity leave (leave for partners following the birth of a child) may be paid for two weeks of leave for a student who is the partner of a mother or birth parent following the birth of their child. Further leave may be taken on an unpaid basis.

Provision is also made for adoption leave, neo-natal care leave, and for pregnancy loss, or the loss of a child.

The arrangement for family leave are visa dependant and there is no qualifying period for maternity, paternity or adoption leave and full details can be obtained for the DTP.

Medical Leave

Medical leave is available in circumstances by which a Student is deemed unfit to study. It may also be used to provide paid leave to attend medical appointments where flexible study is not possible.

 A stipend may be paid for Medical Leave of up to 28 weeks in a rolling 12-month period. The total cumulative amount of medical leave must not exceed 52 weeks across the whole studentship.

The arrangements for medical leave are visa dependant and full details can be obtained from the DTP.

Additional Leave

Additional leave may be provided to cover specific instances where a Student may be required to be absent from study that are not covered by other types of leave. These include:

  •  Special leave (including bereavement and pregnancy loss)
  •  Baby loss (including stillbirth and neonatal death)
  •  Carer’s leave
  • Additional disability leave associated with delayed adjustments
  • Health and safety related leave
  • Public duties including jury service

The arrangements for additional leave are visa dependant and full details can be obtained from the DTP.

Wellness and Research Culture Lead

Our Research Culture and Wellbeing Lead is available to all students who would like access to independent signposting, guidance or support. Please contact the DTP team on gw4biomed@cardiff.ac.uk for information on how to get in touch.