Department of Bioengineering
Doctoral Training Programme

About Us

The Bioengineering Doctoral Training Programme (B-DTP) is housed within the leading bioengineering department in the UK, attracting outstanding students and researchers from around the world.

It currently has more than 140 candidates working towards a PhD in a topic from one of our 7 research themes.

• Biomedical Sensing, Diagnostics and Imaging
• Computational and Theoretical Modelling
• Medical Devices
• Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering
• Neurotechnology and Robotics
• Regenerative Medicine and Biomaterials

Our PhD candidates come from a wide variety of educational establishments and diverse backgrounds; they are all actively engaged in conducting and publishing original research. The Bioengineering DTP programme is usually 3 years long, followed by a writing up period of one year maximum. Our Department prides itself of remaining committed to conducting high impact research. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (2014), 95% of the Department's returned research was judged to be either world-leading or internationally excellent.

What you can expect in pursuing a DTP PhD

B-DTP students will benefit from studying as part of a cohort, undertaking a range of additional training and development opportunities to support them throughout and after their PhD studies. The major milestones that they will encounter are detailed in our Departmental webpage for Research Students and on the Registry’s Research Degrees webpage.

In addition to completing and defending a PhD thesis, most of our candidates present their research at conferences, attend workshops and are engaged in supporting the delivery of teaching on our undergraduate and master’s level programmes. In some cases, research is conducted in collaboration with companies.

Who Should Apply?

Graduates with a degree in engineering, any of the physical sciences, mathematics, biological sciences, physiology or medicine may be accepted for a PhD. We will normally only accept applicants with a good 2:1 or 1st class degree from a UK university, or non-UK equivalent.

Please also check the Imperial College entry requirements to ensure you meet the minimum entry criteria for research.

How To Apply

Application deadline for 2019 entry is 18 January 2019 (Start date would be October 2019).

Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to also contact a potential supervisor to start discussing a project.

1. To get an idea of available research areas, supervisors and projects
   • Visit the B-DTP projects, research and academic staff pages of the Bioengineering website.
2. Once ready, please make your official application via the Imperial College online application system.
   • Please include a brief cover letter to confirm that your application is being made to the Bioengineering DTP, stating supervisor choice and motivation.
   • Your application will be reviewed by a shortlisting panel consisting of 4-5 members of academic staff and, if successful, you will be invited to an interview; applicants are encouraged to maintain contact with their proposed supervisor(s) in the meantime.
   • If your interview is successful, you will be offered a conditional place, subject to meeting the entry requirements and obtaining/confirming appropriate funding for the duration of the PhD.

Successful applicants will be informed of the outcome by the end of March 2019.

Funding

We have 3 studentships available for Home students, covering tuition fees and stipend for 3.5 years of studies. The rate is the standard Research Council rate, to be confirmed for 2019-20 (in 2018-19 the stipend rate is £16,777 per annum).

PhD applicants can also be considered for other (College) scholarships (for example the President’s Scholarship) but please note that other application deadlines apply.

International students (non-UK/EU) can also apply, but please note that funding schemes are limited and alternative funding routes need to be considered.