Dual-award between The University of Manchester and the University of Tokyo

The University of Manchester (UoM) and the University of Tokyo have partnered to offer a dual-award PhD programme on projects across the Faculty of Science and Engineering, with applicants spending four years across Manchester and Tokyo.

Lab assistant using microscope

Broaden your horizons, take advantage of the incredible opportunity to conduct your research in two countries and benefit from world-class 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

The dual award PhD programme - launched in May 2023 - complements the wider agreement on academic cooperation between our two institutions.

Postgraduate researchers will be jointly selected and spend time in Manchester and Tokyo, benefiting from the expertise, facilities and infrastructure of two globally renowned institutions.

Students will be awarded a degree from both institutions, based on a single research experience managed cooperatively by both institutions.

Admission for the next cohort of students for The University of Manchester and University of Tokyo Dual-Award PhD programme is currently being rolled out. Further information – including details on how to apply and a list of available projects – will be published soon.

Open call for project proposals

Project proposal overview

Project proposals are now being accepted for consideration as part of this dual-award.

Applications will open for candidates to apply for approved projects at the leading institution during the week commencing 8 February 2027 and will close on 19 April 2027.

To submit your project for consideration, please check your project is eligible according to the below criteria, then complete the project proposal form and return it via Microsoft Forms here and email a copy to the corresponding University of Tokyo Graduate School by 18 January 2027.

Project eligibility

In order to receive approval, a project must meet the following essential criteria:

  • Have an agreed joint project supervisory team comprising at least a main supervisor and co-supervisor from University of Manchester (Faculty of Science and Engineering) and a main supervisor from University of Tokyo (Graduate School of Science OR Graduate School of Engineering).
  • The main supervisors are both permanent members of academic staff of their respective institutions.
  • University of Manchester supervisors can only submit one project proposal for this call.
  • Have an agreed project title and outline project plan with milestones and timelines showing the progression of the Ph.D. over the 4 years.
  • The joint project supervisory team confirms that they have collective access to the resources, other than tuition fees and living allowances, to enable the proposed PhD project to be executed.
  • Supervisory teams confirm their availability to discuss with, interview, and rank candidates who apply to their project in accordance with the timeline advertised in the project proposal guidelines.
  • The UoM supervisors must have conducted the Export Control self-assessment for the project and are undertaking the necessary steps to put an Export Control licence (if applicable), and they must have conducted a compliance risk assessment for the project (e.g. ATAS clearance and export control clearance) and put mitigating measures in place.

The following desirable characteristics will also be used to rank these proposals:

  • Demonstrated extent of previous collaboration between the University of Tokyo and University of Manchester supervisory teams.
  • Demonstrated strength of joint project supervisory team.
  • Demonstrated value added of the project arising from the collaboration between University of Tokyo and University of Manchester.
  • Demonstrated (as evidenced by an appropriate letter of support or email) an extent of involvement of a suitable business, NGO or government agency partner.
  • Potential of research to address strategic research priorities of Japan, UK or global challenges.

Available projects

Project proposals are currently being accepted for consideration.

A full list of available projects will be published here on week commencing 8 February 2027.

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Funding

Up to four fully funded scholarships are available for suitable to commence on this four-year programme in April 2028, up to two per Graduate School.

The University of Manchester will provide two years of all basic level tuition fees and UKRI equivalent stipends, a travel budget of £1,000, and RTSG budget of £2,500 per year whilst at UoM.

The University of Tokyo will provide a stipend at a level comparable to that offered by the University of Manchester, taking into account local living costs. Details may vary between the Graduate Schools and candidates should contact the University of Tokyo supervisor(s) and/or the relevant Graduate School for details.

Eligibility

  1. Candidates may only apply for projects approved by the Joint Programme Board.
  2. Fulfil both institutions entry requirements.
    1. University of Manchester:
      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. Project supervisor teams may recommend a candidate who has excellent English language skills but otherwise has no formal certification of such. 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.
    2. University of Tokyo:
      1. Graduate School of Science
        1. Meet one of the eligibility requirements for admission to the Graduate School of Science at the University of Tokyo, which are indicated on the following websites.
          1. General Entrance Examination: https://www.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/ja/admission/doctor/index.html
          2. Special Selection for International Applicants: https://www.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/admission/graduate.html
        2. Candidates eligible for the General Entrance Examination will be required to apply for and pass the General Entrance Examination. Eligible top-ranked candidates should follow the application procedures at the link above.
        3. Candidates eligible for the Special Selection for International Applicants will be required to apply for and pass the individual selection process for admission to the University of Tokyo. Detailed application guidelines will be sent separately to eligible top-ranked candidates.
      2. Graduate School of Engineering
        1. Japanese nationals:
          1. Meet the eligibility requirements for the examination conducted by the Graduate School of Engineering which are indicated on https://www.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/study-at-utokyo/soe/apply
          2. Pass the entrance examination mentioned above.
        2. International students:
          1. Meet the eligibility requirements for the examination conducted by the Graduate School of Engineering which are indicated on https://www.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/study-at-utokyo/soe
          2. Pass the entrance examination mentioned above.
  3. Demonstrate willingness to travel to two partner institutions to undertake two years of study at each to complete the programme.
  4. Demonstrate to reflect the Faculty of Science Postgraduate Researcher person specification

How to apply

There are up to four fully funded studentships available for suitable candidates to start this four-year programme in April 2028, up to two per Graduate School.

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 February 2027 and will close on 19 April 2027.

Further details of how to apply and available projects will be available soon.

Contact information

If you have any queries about the programme, the application process or your eligibility, please don't hesitate to get in touch:

Iconic building at the University of Tokyo