Dual-award between The University of Manchester and IIT Kharagpur

The University of Manchester and the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur have partnered to offer a dual-award PhD programme in a variety of projects across the Faculty of Science and Engineering, with applicants spending four years across Manchester and Kharagpur.

Scientist Looking into a microscope

Broaden your horizons, take advantage of the incredible opportunity to conduct your research in two countries and benefit from world-class academic supervision of two leading institutions.

Why undertake a dual-award?

  • Embrace the challenge of living abroad in a brand new country.
  • Form part of a talented cohort seeking to address challenges across science and engineering, and choose from a range of projects.
  • Develop a global perspective and international fluency to benefit your future development, opening the door to exciting new job opportunities.
  • Boost your intercultural skills and become part of a talented pool of prospective employees for UK academia and industry.

About the programme

The dual-award programme builds upon the strategic partnership that has been developed between The University of Manchester and IIT Kharagpur.

The partnership has capitalised upon the expertise, facilities and infrastructure of both institutions, and has been characterised by impactful research across a number of thematic areas including:

  • Biomaterials
  • Geochemistry
  • Industry 4.0

Students enrolled on the newly launched programme can expect to benefit from the world-class academic supervision of two globally renowned universities as they spend two years based at each institution.

Competitive scholarship opportunities will be available for successful applicants to secure a varying degree of support including tuition fee sponsorship and top-up awards for living costs.

Admission for the fifth cohort of students for the University of Manchester and IIT Kharagpur Dual-Award PhD programme is currently being rolled out.

Further information - including details of how to apply and a list of available projects - will be published soon.

Open call for project proposals

Project proposal overview

Project proposals are now being accepted for consideration as part of this joint-award.

Applications will open for candidates to apply for approved projects at the leading institution during the week commencing 13 January 2025 and will close on 3 March 2025.

Project Proposal Form 2025
Project Proposal Guidance 2025

To submit your project for consideration, please check your project is eligible according to the below criteria then complete this application form and email it to fse.doctoralacademy.specialistprogrammes@manchester.ac.uk, adeanir@adm.iitkgp.ac.in, and koushiki@adm.iitkgp.ac.in by 2 December 2024.

Project eligibility

In order to receive approval, a project must meet the following essential criteria:

  • Have an agreed joint project supervisory team comprising at least a main supervisor and co-supervisor from University of Manchester and a main supervisor from Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur.
  • The main supervisors are both permanent members of academic staff of their respective institutions.
  • Have an agreed project title and outline project plan with milestones and timelines showing the progression of the Ph.D. over the 4 years.
  • The joint project supervisory team confirms that they have collective access to the resources, other than tuition fees and living allowances, to enable the proposed PhD project to be executed.
  • Supervisory teams confirm their availability to discuss with, interview, and rank candidates who apply to their project between 14 and 25 April 2025.
  • The UoM supervisors must have conducted the Export Control self-assessment for the project and are undertaking the necessary steps to put an Export Control licence (if applicable), and they must have conducted a compliance risk assessment for the project (e.g. ATAS clearance and export control clearance) and put mitigating measures in place.

The following desirable characteristics will also be used to rank these proposals:

  • Demonstrated extent of previous collaboration between the IIT Kharagpur and University of Manchester supervisory teams.
  • Demonstrated strength of joint project supervisory team.
  • Demonstrated value added of the project arising from the collaboration between IIT Kharagpur and University of Manchester.
  • Demonstrated (as evidenced by an appropriate letter of support or email) and extent of involvement of a suitable business, NGO or government agency partner.
  • Potential of research to address strategic research priorities of India, UK or global challenges.

Available Projects

Project proposals are currently being accepted for consideration.

A full list of available projects will be published here on week commencing 13 January 2025.

Funding

Up to 3 fully funded scholarships (all basic level tuition fees, standard living allowances at Manchester and Institute scholarship while at IITKGP for all 4 years of programme, including 2 years of allowances at UKRI equivalent stipends) are available for suitable candidates to commence on this 4-year programme initially at IIT Kharagpur in July 2025.

Eligibility

  1. Candidates may only apply for projects approved by the Joint Academic Board.
  2. For Indian residents, the programme is open to graduates B.Tech. or M.Sc./M.Tech. graduate from any Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) with a minimum CGPA of 7.5 on a scale of 10.
  3. For residents of other countries, it is open to graduates of Institutes/Universities within QS WUR of 500 (published in 2024).
  4. Candidates must be able to undertake PhD studies at IIT Kharagpur from July 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter with no requirement for a (further) visa to study in India.
  5. Willingness to travel to the UK to undertake 2 years of study based at The University of Manchester if such travel is permitted by UK and India governments.
  6. Holds or expects to obtain a 2:1 class honours undergraduate degree or higher (or international equivalent – contact the Admissions Team for details).
  7. Ideally Preferably holds a master’s-level qualification at merit or distinction (or international equivalent – contact the Admissions Team for details).
  8. Demonstrable excellent communication skills, including in English language, a proficiency in which should be demonstrably indicated by meeting the requirements as indicated on https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/admissions/language-requirements and in particular securing an IELTS score of at least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component OR securing a TOEFL iBT score of 90 with no less than 20 in each component equivalent OR equivalent. The TOEFL/IELTS exam may be taken after the final selection and award of scholarship, and prior to joining IIT Kharagpur.
  9. For some projects an ATAS certificate may also be required by them.
  10. Demonstrate to fulfil The University of Manchester Faculty of Science and Engineering Postgraduate Researcher person specification:
    • Educational background matches research project.
    • Potential to form effective working relationships with a diverse range of people, including working inclusively and as part of a team.
    • Potential to take the initiative, lead on projects, and be proactive in prioritising a dynamic, agile and diverse workload.
    • Potential to develop understanding of complex problems, evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a given scenario, and apply in-depth knowledge to address them.
    • Potential to develop expertise in new areas of the subject.
    • Evidence of an understanding of the proposed area of research, including knowledge of current challenges and opportunities.
    • An interest in continuous personal and professional development.
    • Potential to communicate ideas and conclusions, verbally and in writing, clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
    • Preliminary knowledge of research techniques/track record of engaging with research.
    • Commitment to principles of Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, & Accessibility in teaching, research, or experience.

How to apply

Candidates will need to meet all of the minimum entry requirements.

Applications will open for candidates to apply for approved projects at the University of Manchester during the week commencing 13th January 2025 and will close on 3rd March 2025.

Further details of how to apply and available projects will be available soon.

Contact

If you have any queries about the programme, please don't hesitate to get in touch:

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur