Core studentship application form 2027

Important Information:

This application form is only for Core studentships.

Please review the frequently asked questions section and the main website before proceeding with your application.

As progress on the below application form cannot be saved prior to submission, it is recommended that you complete your application in a word processing application (Microsoft Word, Google Docs), and copy and paste the relevant information into the appropriate boxes within the application form below.

Applications close at 12 noon on 16th November 2026.

Please note - after submitting your application by clicking the 'Submit' button at the bottom of the page, please scroll back down to the bottom of the page in order to request a copy of your application via e-mail (we recommend all applicants request a copy of their application for their records).

We recognise that applicants may use AI tools to help them understand the programme, explore research areas, and prepare their application. However, all information submitted must be truthful and accurately reflect your own experience, skills, and motivations. We will fact-check and explore the content of your application further at interview.

Please note that we will assess your application based on the evidence and examples you provide to support your statements. As an example, it is not sufficient to say you are curious about biomedical research. We need to see examples that demonstrate your curiosity. Some sections are very short, and you may find it hard to fit everything you want to say. You should prioritise the information you feel is most relevant to this programme.

Essential Application Documentation:

Please ensure that you attach your transcripts for your undergraduate and (where relevant) master’s degrees, which outline all modules and grades for the aforementioned qualifications, alongside an up to date CV.

We are currently accepting applications from home applicants only for Core studentships.

Ringfenced studentships for British Black Students

We recognise that persistent inequalities in access to and participation in postgraduate research are shaped by structural barriers, rather than by a lack of talent, potential or ambition. To address this, we have ringfenced a number of studentships each year for Black British students and we use a contextualised recruitment process designed to recognise applicants’ achievements and potential fairly.

If you are a Black British Student (see criteria below) and wish to be considered for a ringfenced studentship for Black British Students, please tick below (note that ticking this box will not exclude you from being considered for remaining core studentships should the ringfenced studentships be filled).

Are you a British citizen and a member of one of the following ethnic groups:

Black African
Black Caribbean
Black Other
Mixed – White and Black Caribbean
Mixed – White and Black African
Other mixed background (to include Black African, Black Caribbean or Black Other)

Yes

Please note that only the following information will be seen by those involved in the selection and interview process:

Information provided in questions 10 to 18.

Your Personal Details

1. Title

2. First name(s)

3. Preferred first name (e.g. you may use the name(s) listed above or you may, for example, use a shortened version of your first name, or a different name)

4. Surname

5. Preferred pronouns (see https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/academy/activities/learningcircles/transqueerpedagogies/pronouns/ if you’d like further information)

6. Address

7. Email address

8. Telephone number

9. Are you a home or an international student? See https://www.ukri.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/UKRI-030221-Guidance-International-Eligibility-Implementation-training-grant-holders-V2.pdf for home student criteria. Please note that we do not currently accept applications from international students.

Biological Sciences / other Biology based discipline

Natural Sciences

Chemistry

Physics

Engineering

Mathematics / Statistics

Computer Science

Other

Molecular Basis of Human Disease

Combating Infection

Either of the above

10c. Provide examples of how you have begun to develop the knowledge and skills to undertake research and deliver outcomes as described by the Vitae Researcher Development Framework (Research). See also the FAQ page. For example, you can draw upon your academic experience, technical and research skills, and wider skills gained from paid work/voluntary work. (Maximum 200 words)

10d. What motivates you to study for a PhD, and how will your personal and professional values and behaviours make you a successful PhD student (See the Vitae Research Development Framework (Researcher))? Note that you need to draw on specific examples to demonstrate your values and behaviours. (maximum 200 words)

Your Education Details and Information about your Skills & Experience

11. Education (A-Levels). Please list the grades you achieved at A-Level (or equivalent). We appreciate international school results may not align with the UK system. In this case, please provide up to five of the most relevant subjects and associated marks you have achieved, along with your overall score if relevant (e.g. International Baccalaureate Diploma Score).

Please note your school results alone will not form part of the scoring of your application. This information is solely used to contextualise the rest of your education and to help us understand your onward academic journey. Later in the application form, you will be given a chance to outline any extenuating circumstances that may have impacted your school performance.

12. Education (Higher Education). Please include name and country of each university, course(s), dates of study, and overall grade/classification if course completed. Please note you must attach evidence of module grades at the end of this application.

Maths

The MRC DTP Programme places a strong emphasis on interdisciplinarity, and aims to welcome students from a range of backgrounds/disciplines. We understand that some disciplines place more of an emphasis on Maths than others. With this in mind please answer the following questions:

If you are from a Biological Sciences discipline, please answer question 13a.

If you are from a Maths/Statistics, Physical Sciences (Physics, Chemistry) or Engineering discipline, please answer question 13b.

13a. (Biological Sciences and related background) Please state whether you have Maths at A-level (or equivalent) and include the grade. In the case that you do not have Maths at A-level (or equivalent), please describe if, and how, you have enhanced your quantitative skillset during your degree, for example through taking modules in statistics and computing. Where appropriate, give module titles and associated grades.

13b. (Maths/Statistics, Physical Sciences, Engineering background) Please briefly state your highest mathematical qualifications and include the grade. Further, explain how you have engaged with biological sciences during your undergraduate (e.g., modules on mathematical biology, biostatistics, biophysics). Where appropriate, give module titles and associated grades.

14. What attracts you to the MRC DTP Programme at Warwick, and how does your background and future plans align with the key aims of the Programme (see FAQ page). (Maximum 200 words)

15. Provide one example where you have faced a challenge and detail how you overcame this – these challenges can be academic or personal in nature and should demonstrate how you are developing resilience. (maximum 200 words)

16. Is there anything about your circumstances that you would like us to consider when assessing your application? This might include substantial paid work, caring responsibilities, financial constraints, disrupted education, discrimination or limited access to research opportunities. Please focus on the impact on your education or opportunities; you do not need to provide sensitive personal details. (Maximum 200 words)

17. Attachments. Please attach your transcripts, CV, and any other relevant documents here. Advice on what to include in your CV can be found on the FAQ page.

Attach file

No files are currently attached.

Widening Participation

Please only complete these questions if you completed your secondary education in the UK. Unfortunately, we do not currently have a set of criteria that can be used for students educated outside the UK.

The following questions are optional and will help us identify which of our applicants are from a widening participation (WP) background. We are asking for this information for 2 reasons:

So that we can contextualise applications.
To help us monitor the diversity of our applicants and how well we are reaching applicants from WP backgrounds.

18b. If you have ticked a box in 18a. please provide your residential home postcode prior to commencing your undergraduate studies.

Diversity Information

19. Gender

20. Is your gender identity the same as the gender you were assigned at birth?

21. Sexual orientation

22. Age range

23. Ethnicity

24. Religion/beliefs

26. Do you have caring responsibilities?

How did you hear about us?

Privacy notice

Only the information in fields 10 to 18, as well as which applicants are flagged as a WP applicant and/or wish to be considered for a ring-fenced studentship, will be made available to staff considering applications at the shortlisting and interview stage of the recruitment process. All other information will be removed from the application form by the administrative team, and is being gathered for monitoring purposes and to identify which applicants which to be considered for ring-fenced studentships. See the top of this form for further details.

The University of Warwick will use your personal data provided in this online registration form for the purposes of processing your application to the MRC-DTP in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research. The legal basis for processing this personal data is consent, which is obtained through your submission of this online form. The data you have provided will be shared only within the University of Warwick and with the Medical Research Council. Your personal data will not be transferred outside of the EEA, will be kept securely by the University of Warwick and will be retained for a period of 6 months if you are not offered or do not accept a place on the course, and two years after graduation if you are offered and accept a place on the course.

The University of Warwick is the Data Controller of this information and is committed to protecting the rights of individuals in line with Data Protection Legislation. Please visit the Information Commissioner’s Office’s webpages for further information in relation to your rights and the University’s Data Protection webpages for further information about how the University processes your personal data. The University’s Data Protection Officer can be contacted through infocompliance@warwick.ac.uk and any requests or complaints should be made in writing to the University’s Data Protection Officer.

The University of Warwick is the data controller of any information you have entered on this form and as such is committed to protecting your data and rights in line with applicable data protection law (including the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018). Please review the privacy information (including privacy notices) provided by the University via the following link, for further information on your rights and how the University processes your personal data: Data Protection.

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