Dual-award between The University of Manchester and the University of Tokyo

The University of Manchester (UoM) and the University of Tokyo have partnered to offer a dual-award PhD programme on projects across the Faculty of Science and Engineering, with applicants spending four years across Manchester and Tokyo.

Lab assistant using 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 PhD programme - launched in May 2023 - complements the wider agreement on academic cooperation between our two institutions.

Postgraduate researchers will be jointly selected and spend time in Manchester and Tokyo, benefiting from the expertise, facilities and infrastructure of two globally renowned institutions.

Students will be awarded a degree from both institutions, based on a single research experience managed cooperatively by both institutions.

Admission for the second cohort of students for The University of Manchester and University of Tokyo Joint-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.

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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 24 February 2025 and will close on 28 April 2025.

To submit your project for consideration, please check your project is eligible according to the below criteria, then download and complete this project proposal application form and email it to The University of Manchester and the University of Tokyo, by 20 January 2025. Download guidance notes for completing the application form.

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 The University of Manchester (Faculty of Science and Engineering) and a main supervisor from University of Tokyo (Graduate School of Science).
  • 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 PhD 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 by stipulated deadline (see timeline).
  • 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 University of Tokyo and The University of Manchester supervisory teams.
  • Demonstrated strength of joint project supervisory team.
  • Demonstrated value added of the project arising from the collaboration between University of Tokyo and The University of Manchester.
  • Demonstrated (as evidenced by an appropriate letter of support or email) an extent of involvement of a suitable business, NGO or government agency partner.
  • Potential of research to address strategic research priorities of Japan, 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 20 January 2025.

Funding

Up to three fully funded scholarships (all basic level tuition fees, standard living allowances for all four years of programme, including two years of allowances at UKRI equivalent stipends, a travel budget of £2,000, and RTSG budget of £3,000 while at UoM) are available for suitable candidates to commence on this 4-year programme in April 2026. The University of Tokyo will cover the amount equivalent to stipends that is offered by The University of Manchester during their stay at the University of Tokyo.

Eligibility

  1. Candidates may only apply for projects approved by the Joint Programme Board.
  2. Fulfil both institutions entry requirements.
    • The University of Manchester:
      • Hold (or expect to achieve) a First Class or 2:1 UK honours degree (or international equivalent to be checked with UoM admission team).
      • Ideally hold a master’s-level qualification at merit or distinction (or international equivalent to be checked with UoM admission team).
      • Demonstrable excellent communication skills, including in English language, a proficiency in which should be demonstrably indicated by meeting English language requirements and in particular securing an IELTS score of at least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in writing and listening, and 5.5. in all other sub-tests OR securing a TOEFL iBT score of 90 with no less than 20 in each component equivalent OR equivalent. Project supervisor teams may recommend a candidate who has excellent English language skills, but otherwise has not formal certification of such. Please note that a timely demonstrable minimum English language level is a requirement of the UK Home Office for the issue of student visas to the UK. For some projects an ATAS certificate may also be required by them.
    • University of Tokyo:
      • Japanese nationals:
        • Meet the eligibility requirements for the examination conducted by the Graduate School of Science at the University of Tokyo which are indicated on Tokyo's admission's page.
        • Pass the entrance examination mentioned above.
      • International students:
        • Meet the eligibility requirements for the examination conducted by the Graduate School of Science at the University of Tokyo which are indicated on Tokyo's graduate admission's page.
        • Pass the entrance examination mentioned above.
  3. Demonstrate willingness to travel to two partner institutions to compete the programme.
  4. Demonstrate to reflect the 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 and Accessibility in teaching, research or experience.

How to apply

There are up to three fully funded studentships available for suitable candidates to start this four-year programme in April 2026.

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 24 February 2025 and will close on 28 April 2025.

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

Contact info

If you have any queries about the programme, the application process or your eligibility, please don't hesitate to get in touch:

Iconic building at the University of Tokyo