Dual-award between The University of Manchester and Peking University

The University of Manchester and Peking University have partnered to offer a dual-award PhD programme, with successful applicants spending four years across Manchester and Beijing.

Broaden your horizons, take advantage of the incredible opportunity to conduct your research in two countries, and benefit from world-leading academic supervision of two leading institutions.

Why undertake a dual-award?

  • Embrace the challenge of living abroad in a brand new country.
  • Form part of a talented cohort seeking to address challenges across science and engineering, and choose from a range of projects.
  • 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

This dual-award postgraduate research programme builds on a growing strategic partnership between The University of Manchester and Peking University.

Postgraduate researchers will be jointly selected and will spend time in both Manchester and Beijing, benefitting from the combined expertise, research infrastructure and academic environments of two globally renowned institutions.

Students will receive high-quality academic supervision from experienced researchers at both universities and spend two years based at each institution as part of the four-year programme.

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

Available projects

Use our widget to browse all of our live advertised dual-award projects. Apply through the online application portal.

Funding

Up to three fully funded scholarships are available to suitable candidates to commence on this 4-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 2026 / 27) 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 Peking University;
  • an annual Research Training Support Grant to contribute towards research project costs and consumables (up to £2,500 pa) during the time spent in Manchester;
  • Peking University owned accommodation guaranteed to successful CLS applicants;
  • the cost of a visa and one return flight between Manchester and Beijing.

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 Peking University.
  4. Fulfil The University of Manchester entry requirements
    1. 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). 
    2. 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 Peking University entry requirements
    1. Hold a master’s-level certificate at merit or distinction (or international equivalent to be checked with UoM admission team).
    2. Applicants must obtain their degree certificate and complete the academic qualification verification with the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) by September 2026.
  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

Available projects are listed above.

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 8 December 2025 and will close on 19 January 2026.

Contact

If you have any queries about the programme, please get in touch: