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United Kingdom PhD Fully Funded

GW4 BioMed Scholarship 2027: Fully Funded UK PhD Studentships

The GW4 BioMed Scholarship offers fully funded 4-year PhD studentships across four UK universities for October 2027 entry. Open to UK and international applicants, it covers tuition fees, a doctoral stipend at UKRI rates, and up to £5,000 annual research support.

September 28, 2026 ⏰ Deadline: Oct 21, 2026

Quick Overview

Host CountryUnited Kingdom
University/OrgUniversity of Exeter, University of Bath, University of Bristol, Cardiff University
Degree LevelPhD
Funding TypeFully Funded
Fields of StudyComputing, Infection and Immunity, Mathematics, Medical Sciences, Physical Sciences
DeadlineOctober 21, 2026

Scholarship Overview

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Overview

The GW4 BioMed Scholarship is a competitive, fully funded doctoral programme supporting PhD studentships starting in October 2027. Offered through the GW4 BioMed3 Doctoral Landscape Programme, it brings together the research strengths of four leading UK universities: Bath, Bristol, Cardiff (lead institution), and Exeter. The programme funds up to 18 MRC-funded studentships across 134 available projects aligned with critical health research themes.

For African applicants from Zimbabwe and the SADC region, this represents a significant opportunity to pursue doctoral research at world-class institutions with comprehensive financial support, including coverage of the international tuition fee differential.

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What the Scholarship Covers

The GW4 BioMed Scholarship provides substantial financial support for successful candidates:

  • Full tuition fee coverage: UK tuition fees are fully covered; the GW4 partners additionally cover the difference between home and international tuition fees, meaning international students are not required to pay this cost themselves
  • Doctoral stipend: £21,805 per annum for 2026/27, updated annually in line with UK Research Council National Minimum rates
  • Research training support: Up to £5,000 per annum for research training and related costs

Studentships run for four years full-time, with part-time study options potentially available.

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Available Research Themes

The 134 projects span four major thematic areas:

  • Cardiometabolic Disease
  • Infection, Immunity and Antimicrobial Resistance
  • Neuroscience and Mental Health
  • Population Health Sciences

Projects are distributed across the four partner institutions. Applicants should review specific project details on the official GW4 BioMed website to identify supervisors and research locations.

Eligibility Requirements

Academic Qualifications

Applicants must hold or be about to obtain:

  • A first or upper second-class UK honours degree, or
  • Equivalent qualification from outside the UK in medical sciences, computing, mathematics, or physical sciences

Those with a lower second-class degree may be considered only if they also hold a master’s degree.

Residency and Nationality

The scholarship is open to:

  • UK applicants
  • International applicants (including African and SADC nationals)

Following Brexit, EU students are classified as international unless they hold rights under the EU Settlement Scheme. The GW4 partnership explicitly covers the international fee differential, making this accessible to Zimbabwean and other African applicants who would otherwise face prohibitive overseas fees.

English Language Requirements

Non-native English speakers must meet the host university’s English language requirements by programme commencement. For University of Exeter projects, this means:

  • IELTS: minimum 6.5 overall, or
  • Acceptable equivalent qualification

Other partner universities may have different requirements; verify with your specific institution.

Costs Not Covered

International applicants must personally cover:

  • Student visa application fees
  • Immigration Health Surcharge
  • Relocation and settling-in costs to the UK

Application Process

Follow these steps to apply:

  1. Review available projects: Visit gw4biomed.ac.uk to browse all 134 projects and identify up to two preferences
  2. Submit one application: Complete the online GW4 BioMed3 application form for an ‘offer of funding’—only one application per candidate is permitted
  3. Meet the deadline: Submit by 5:00pm GMT on Wednesday, 21 October 2026
  4. Institutional application: If successful, later apply to your chosen host university for an ‘offer to study’

Key Dates

  • Applications open: Wednesday, 9 September 2026
  • Application deadline: 5:00pm, Wednesday, 21 October 2026
  • Shortlist notification: From Tuesday, 22 December 2026
  • Virtual interviews: 26 and 27 January 2027
  • Studentship start: 1 October 2027

Contact Information

For informal enquiries: gw4biomed@cardiff.ac.uk

For project-specific questions: Contact supervisors directly via details on the GW4 BioMed website.

Related scholarships

Official scholarship page: https://gw4biomed.ac.uk

Apply on the official site →

You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships

Funding Coverage

Full UK tuition fees plus international fee differential coverage; doctoral stipend at UKRI National Minimum (£21,805 p.a. for 2026/27, annually updated); up to £5,000 p.a. research training support

Eligibility Criteria

First or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in relevant sciences; UK and international applicants eligible; lower second-class degree holders considered only with master's degree

Required Documents

Not specified in source materials; applicants should check gw4biomed.ac.uk for project-specific requirements

Application Process

1) Review projects at gw4biomed.ac.uk and select up to two preferences, 2) Complete online GW4 BioMed3 application form by deadline, 3) If shortlisted, attend virtual interview, 4) If successful, apply to host institution for offer to study
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Frequently Asked Questions

No. The GW4 partners have agreed to cover the difference between home and international tuition fees. You will not be expected to pay tuition fees. However, you must personally cover your student visa, healthcare surcharge, and relocation costs to the UK.
Only if you also hold a master's degree. The standard requirement is a first or upper second-class UK honours degree or equivalent. Applicants with a lower second-class degree are considered only when combined with a master's qualification.
You may select up to two projects on your application, but you can submit only one application per candidate. Choose your projects carefully from the 134 available on the GW4 BioMed website.
Up to 18 studentships are available across 134 projects, making this a competitive programme. Shortlisted candidates are notified from 22 December 2026, with virtual interviews held on 26-27 January 2027. Selection is based on academic merit, project fit, and interview performance.
Requirements vary by host university. For University of Exeter projects, you need IELTS 6.5 or an acceptable equivalent. Check the specific English language requirements of your chosen host institution, as Bath, Bristol, and Cardiff may have different thresholds.
Studentship funding begins on 1 October 2027. The programme runs for four years full-time. Part-time study may be available—confirm with your specific project supervisor.

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