Overseas applicants

Eligibility

We accept a select number of exceptional Overseas Students onto our PhD program each year at the School of Biochemistry. Candidates should have (or be about to receive) an upper second class degree (or higher) in Biochemistry or a related subject. Applicants with non-UK degrees should check country-specific postgraduate entry requirements at:

http://bris.ac.uk/international/study-at-bristol/how-to-apply/country-specific/az-i

If you are not a native English speaker, then candidates must be able to demonstrate English language proficiency with a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent TOEFL score.

Most overseas PhD students are self-funded, or are supported by an award made through their home country. The minimum period for completing a PhD is three years. The School of Biochemistry does not have funding available for overseas students; however, there are usually a small number of University of Bristol Overseas Postgraduate Research Scholarships for exceptional students. These Scholarships cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance stipend, which is based on the minimum UK research council rate (currently £13,290) for a period of 3 years. There is an annual competition for these studentships with a deadline for applications in March. Further details are listed on the University's Student Finance site. Please indicate on your postgraduate application form if you are interested in applying for this Scholarship.

The cost of doing a PhD as an overseas self-funded student is as follows:

Tuition fees - please refer to: Tuition Fees Webpage

Bench fees: ~ £5,000 - £10,000 per year * (dependent on the project).

*Bench fees are a partial contribution towards the cost of your research materials, which would otherwise have to be met by your Supervisor.

For your information, the estimated cost of living as a student in Bristol is about £10,000 per year, and we expect applicants to be able to show that they can support themselves financially before we can accept them onto our PhD program. Please refer to the webpage: Financing Your Studies.

Informal Enquiries

If you are simply interested in obtaining more information about our research programmes and project supervisors at this time, please go to:

http://www.findaphd.com/search/viewall.asp?inst=BRIS-UBio&searchtype=l

If you would like to obtain additional information about a project being offered by a specific PhD supervisor before making an application, please send your question (indicating the name of the project supervisor) with your contact information to pg-enq-bch@bristol.ac.uk. We will then forward your request to the appropriate supervisor.

How to apply

If you are ready to apply, then we strongly encourage you to make your application ONLINE (see below).

Online application

You can apply to study for a PhD at the School of Biochemistry online at:
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/2011/dept/MVSF/x

Please be sure to indicate the name of the Supervisor (max 3) who is sponsoring the project that is of interest to you. We will then forward your application to the individual(s) that you have specifically named.

Your application will be given careful consideration. You can expect to hear back within two-three weeks with a decision as to whether your potential supervisor wants to proceed further with your application. If the project supervisor is interested in your application, then it is likely that s/he will contact you to arrange an interview either in person or by phone.

After the interview, your potential supervisor might not be able to provide an immediate decision about your application, but s/he should let you know when you should expect a decision. If you are applying early in the cycle, then the supervisor might wish to have the opportunity to interview other candidates. In addition, the supervisor might not yet know about the availability of funding to support your PhD Studentship. If you feel unsure about the status of your application, please contact Ruth Batterham (E-mail: R.Batterham@bristol.ac.uk) and she will make enquiries on your behalf.

Applications are accepted throughout the year.

If you are successful

If your application is successful, you will need to provide the following information:

1. If you are not a native English speaker, we will ask you to provide evidence of proficiency in English. The University’s minimum requirement for postgraduate study is a score of 6.5 in IELTS, or an equivalent TOEFL score.
2. We will need certified transcripts of your academic qualifications.
3. We will need a written assurance from you (or your sponsor) that you are willing and able to pay your tuition and bench fees.

Important financial limitation notice for self-funded students: please note that neither your PhD supervisor nor the School of Biochemistry has any financial obligation or responsibility to provide tuition fees, bench fees or living costs to support students for the duration of their PhD studies at the University of Bristol.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or problems.

Professor Patty Kuwabara, Postgraduate Admissions Tutor