GW4 BioMed Candidate Support Webinar 2025

GW4 BioMed Candidate Support Webinar 2025

1. Candidate Support Webinar Professor Emma Kidd, Dr Giovanni Biglino 2025

2. Overview of what a PhD is What is a DTP and how does the GW4 BioMed2 DTP work? The application process Hints and tips FAQs Today

3. Undertaking higher level academic study Answering a novel question, adding a novel contribution to existing knowledge Becoming a specialist in a subject area Pursuing a coherent project for 4 years often in phases Guided by a supervisory team Develop growing independence in research Confidence with experimental approach Create a thesis and defend it at viva What is a PhD and what can you gain from it?

4. A range of skills Practical Academic Confidence in writing up data/analysis In depth knowledge of a subject… A publication or 2… Experience of other labs and opportunities Awareness of other discipline areas and their techniques What is a PhD and what can you gain from it?

5. A literature review of the background and the research question What did you want to know and why? Your methodology What did you find out and what does it mean? (results and discussion) Often several results chapters Final discussion to contextualise in a bigger picture Discussed with two experts in an oral exam What are a thesis and viva?

6. The PhD – a learning cycle

7. Doctoral training programme, funded by UKRI Provides a stipend for 4 years (to cover PhD up to final submission) Pays your fees Provides training and support Provides a training grant Cohort to journey through a PhD with Provides maternity/paternity cover Provides sick pay Up to 40 days annual leave Bench fees (costs of the study) met by supervisory team What is a DTP?

8. Collaborative Research Excellence

9. If successful at interview you will be offered a project Successful candidates will start on 1st October 2026 A 3-month prep period will allow you to review the project, suggest changes and refinements, visit other labs You will undertake an annual orientation, core training, annual congress, regular events with theme leads and institutional leads. You will have a peer mentor You work on the PhD and then will undertake a 3-month Broadening Horizons placements to gain experience of other industries and career opportunities Continue working on the PhD, write your thesis (up to 80,000 words) Undertake a viva examination (2 examiners) How does the GW4 BioMed2 MRC DTP work?

10. Review the project list Select 1 or 2 projects Contact potential supervisors for clarification (if you wish) Complete one online application form following instructions You must answer all questions Please ensure you accurately use the table to convert international qualifications, we will check these Top ranked candidates will be invited for an online panel interview and to discuss the project with the supervisors Support will be offered ahead of the interview Successful candidates will be offered their first-choice project, second choice if no longer available Please read the website – How to apply What is the application process?

11. Proven academic quality:  Excellent performance to first degree and/or Master’s level OR an equivalent, high-quality provision of evidence related to professional practice; required to meet the eligibility requirements of the institutions. Note : if you are applying with a 2:2 undergraduate degree, you will only be considered if you also have a master’s degree (at the University of Bath, the master’s must be at least a Merit). Independent Problem-Solving Ability:  examples of achievement within academia/research related projects and outside of academia, evidencing relevant skills. Personal motivation & commitment:  supporting statement of understanding, motivation and suitability for their first-choice project and by a wider enthusiasm, interest and commitment to the MRC DTP programme. Non-biomedical disciplines:  In line with supporting interdisciplinary and quantitative skills, special consideration will be given by the interview panels to non-biomedical applicants. Such candidates should not feel the selection criteria are biased towards biomedical applicants as their unique skills will be taken into account. What are we looking for in the application form?

12. Please outline 2 examples of your achievements in research related activities (200 words in total). Please only mention 2 examples. Do not list a series of techniques / papers / placements Think about what you have done, what demonstrates your relevant skills Provide a little explanation, what was the goal? Describe your role/contribution? How long did you do it for? What did you learn? Were there any outputs (e.g., papers) or did you learn some practical skills? What was the overall outcome? Focus on what is important, You only have 200 words in total to describe both examples, not 200 words per example Keep it succinct but use the word count available

13. Please outline 2 examples of your achievements in non-research related activities (e.g. outside of academic study) (200 words in total) Try and illustrate complementary skills to those previously mentioned It could be in an academic context but outside of studies/research Do not just describe an achievement or activity but also what you gained from it How do you think this achievement will be relevant to a PhD?

14. Please describe why you have chosen your first-choice project (200 words). Tell us why the subject of your first-choice project is so interesting to you, what will keep you motivated to study it for 4 years? Do you have any background academic, workplace or personal experience that makes this relevant to you? Have you got any skills that this project needs or you would like to gain?

15. What do you hope to gain from doing a PhD with the GW4 BioMed2 MRC DTP? (200 words). Think about what you know of the DTP What is your personal goal? What do you need to get there? Are there specific skills/experiences/opportunities you hope to gain? What will getting a PhD enable you to do in the future? How can the DTP help you get to where you want to be? Don’t copy and paste from our website/AI – use your own words – we want to know about your ambitions.

16. Please provide any additional information relating to extenuating circumstances or special considerations that you would like to make the panel aware of (maximum of 150 words). Please note that completion of this section is not compulsory. Extenuating Circumstances

17. Think about your written communication skills – how you write is important, take time to craft it Get someone else to read it through for you You can only apply through the website form, please do not email a CV to the GW4, this will not be accepted Read the website information and FAQs carefully Choose projects you are passionate about, if that is only one, leave it at one. Complete all sections as fully as you can Use the word count to its fullest Provide different examples in each box Think about the structure of your questions, consider STAR (situation, task, action, result) Please check English language eligibility criteria on the University website You will need to meet these requirements to have an offer, not to apply Hints and tips for the application

18. Do you want transcripts or references with the application form? No, we only ask for these at the interview stage, not for initial application. Can I submit more than one application? No, we will only accept one application per candidate and additional or duplicate applications will be removed without consideration What happens if someone else is offered my first-choice project? you are offered your second choice if you put one. If you did not select a second-choice project, we will be unable to offer you a studentship FAQ: Applying

19. Should I speak to the potential supervisor about the project? You may approach them informally, but you will be contacted about meeting them formally if you are invited to the interview stage (but remember that first email approach is important) I haven’t completed my MSc yet, what do I put? You can enter a predicted grade, your offer may be conditional on this grade, or put ‘pending’ Do I need to apply to the University as well as complete the GW4 form? Not at this stage, but you will need apply for an ‘offer to study’ if you are successful at interview, more info will be provided to you then. FAQ: Applying

20. I have international qualifications; do you accept these? Yes, but please ensure you have converted your qualifications to the UK equivalent using the international equivalency table on our website I am an international student; will I have to pay more in fees? No, the DTP will cover this Will I get help with other costs? No, our funding cannot cover visa application fees, relocation costs, NHS surcharges or any other costs associated with moving to the UK. You will need to fund these yourself. FAQ: International

21. I have disabilities and need support to complete a PhD If you have specific needs around the interview process, please let us know All 4 institutions have student support services who can support you and apply for disability support allowance to fund any adjustments that are required Can I do a PhD part-time? Yes, if the project is suitable, for the same % stipend and this extends the time commensurate with the reduced hours. International students may be restricted by their visa requirements Is there support for students from LGBTQ+ or minority ethnic backgrounds? Yes, all institutions have support groups, and we are keen to ensure everyone has the opportunity to access the DTP, particularly those from minoritized groups. FAQ: Accessibility

22. What is the likelihood of gaining a studentship offer? Our scheme is very competitive and last year we received a record number of 2,421 applications for just 18 studentships. International students had a 0.275% chance of being successful and home students had a 2.16% chance. Why the difference? 75% (1,818) of the applications that we received last year came from international students, but the MRC only permits us to offer a maximum of 30% of our available studentships to international students, that’s a maximum of 5 for 18 studentships. FAQ: Stats

23. What is the closing date? We close to applications on 20th October 2025 at 5pm. However, we reserve the right to close to either home or international candidates before that date if we receive an unprecedented number of applications. Check our website for regular updates on this. FAQ: Deadline

24. Reminder: Applications close on  Monday, 20th October 2025   at 5pm, but this could be sooner. This webinar is repeated on Tuesday 16th September and Thursday 18th September. The slides and a recording of this session will shortly be available on our website. Please read the information on our website carefully before applying using the online application form. Thank you