Universities of Melbourne and Birmingham joint PhD programme in Engineering and Physical Sciences

The University of Birmingham and the University of Melbourne are offering a joint PhD programme, co-funded by both institutions, giving up to 4 ‘Priestley Scholars’ in engineering subjects the opportunity to study alongside world-leading academics in Birmingham and Melbourne.

The £2 million ($4 million AUD) ‘Priestley PhD Scholarship’ programme reflects the unique, 20-year relationship between the universities, which have a shared history in Sir Raymond Priestley, the British geologist and Antarctic explorer who was Vice-Chancellor of both institutions.

Working together across shared areas of priority research including biomechanics, machine learning and energy storage will lead to high-quality research with global impact, and provide exciting research opportunities for PhD students.

We are now inviting applications for Priestley Joint PhD Fellowships to start in February 2024. Each fully-funded studentship, will include a tax-free Doctoral Stipend of £18,622* per annum and is available for home and overseas students.

*subject to inflationary variation

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for the Birmingham/Melbourne Joint PhD are either:

• An upper second-class four-year honours undergraduate degree in a relevant subject
• An MSc/MRes in a relevant subject

How to apply

Applicants must choose a project (available from the list below) and make their application by the deadline of 15th November 2023.

Applications should include a statement of research interests. Applicants are encouraged to contact prospective supervisors informally to discuss the project.

Applications are made online at the University of Birmingham website. Click on ‘Institutional website’ via the FindAPhD project entry below or on the relevant University course finder page and you will be taken to the University of Birmingham Postgraduate application system. Within the application, at the Programmes open for Admission page, please select ‘EPS/University of Melbourne Joint PhD 3.5 years’. Please detail the supervisor and project title under the Research Information section of the application form.

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