Dual-award between The University of Manchester and Tsinghua University

The University of Manchester and China's Tsinghua University have come together to offer a unique dual degree PhD programme, with successful applicants spending four life-changing years across Manchester and Beijing.

At Manchester and Tsinghua, you'll benefit from the excellent research infrastructure and academic supervision of not one, but two world-leading institutions.

A female scientists uses a pipette to drop liquid into a series of test tubes.

Why undertake the dual degree PhD programme?

  • Embrace the challenge of living abroad in one of the world's most famous cities, in a country with the world's fastest-growing economy.
  • 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

Admission for the seventh cohort of students for The University of Manchester and Tsinghua University Dual Award PhD programme is currently being rolled out.

The first-of-its-kind dual award PhD programme brings together two globally-renowned institutions at the forefront of research.

This dual PhD programme will develop world-class research outputs, while at the same time providing PhD training and skills to support a transition from a fossil resource to a bio-based system.

"It promises to be a fantastic programme and will provide a unique educational experience for the next generation of scientists. The strengths of Manchester and Tsinghua together will provide an excellent environment for PhD students to grow and blossom." - Dr Neil Dixon, former Programme Director.

"This Tsinghua-Manchester dual degree PhD programme will provide unique opportunities for students to experience various research environments of both universities, to learn great sciences across national borders and to become more culturally open. More importantly, the students will exploit complementary strengths of both sites." - Professor George Guoqiang Chen, Programme Director of Tsinghua University.

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

Available projects

A full list of available projects will be published here on week commencing 15 December 2025.

A double helix of DNA

Life at Tsinghua University

As part of this programme you'll spend two years at Tsinghua University – one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Its campus is also considered one of the world's most beautiful, and is the site of the former imperial gardens of the Qing Dynasty.

Spending so much time abroad can seem daunting; but everything is in place to ensure a wonderful, life-changing experience in Beijing.

Many international students attend Tsinghua, and you can find out more about activities and events on the University's website. You can also discover more about opportunities for UK students in China through the British Council campaign Generation UK.

Funding

Up to three fully funded scholarships are available to suitable candidates to commence on this four-year programme in September 2026.

Full tuition fees at both institutions are covered as part of the studentship. Additional financial support includes:

  • an annual stipend at the UKRI minimum rate (approximately £20,780 for 2025/26) while in Manchester,
  • a stipend provided via the China Link Scholarship, which will provide a commensurate standard of living with UKRI stipend, while based at Tsinghua University,
  • an annual Research Training Support Grant to contribute towards research project costs and consumables (up to £5,000 pa)  during the time spent in Manchester,
  • Tsinghua University owned accommodation guaranteed to successful CLS applicants,
  • the flight allowance for students travelling to Beijing and visa costs.

Students are required to duly complete the necessary administrative procedures and facilitate their smooth transfer to Tsinghua.

Eligibility

  1. Candidates may only apply for projects approved by the Joint Programme Board.
  2. Entry via Manchester for the scheme is open to international students except for Chinese nationals (Mainland China, Taiwan, Macau, and Hong Kong).
  3. All Chinese nationals (Mainland China, Taiwan, Macau, and Hong Kong) should apply via Tsinghua University.
  4. Fulfil The University of Manchester entry requirements:
    • Hold (or expect to achieve) an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD (or international equivalent to be checked with UoM admission team) OR any upper-second class (2:1) honours degree and a Master’s degree at merit in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD (or international equivalent to be checked with UoM admission team). 
    • All applicants will need to demonstrate competency in English language. Applicants who do not already possess an acceptable English Language qualification will need to take a recognised test and attain a minimum IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6 in writing and listening, and 5.5. in all other sub-tests or equivalent. 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.
  5. Fulfil the Tsinghua University entry requirements:
    • Hold a master’s-level degree certificate at merit or distinction, MPhys, MChem, or MEng degree (2:1 and above), or international equivalent to be checked with The University of Manchester admission team. 
  6. Demonstrate willingness to travel to two partner institutions to complete the programme.
  7. Fulfil the Faculty of Science and Engineering Postgraduate Researcher person specification.

How to apply

There are up to three fully funded studentships available for suitable candidates to start this 4-year programme in September 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 week commencing 15 December 2025 and will close on 26 January 2026. 

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

The Manchester Institute of Biotechnology building at The University of Manchester.

Contact us

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