The UCL Birkbeck MRC DTP was established in September 2016. Following a successful bid in 2021, the UKRI awarded the Doctoral Training Partnership a new contract for the September 2022, 2023 and 2024 entry. We will be offering both DTP and iCASE route studentships.
About the Programme
Four Themes
All students are admitted to one of the 4 themes. Before applying you should have a look at the theme pages (which include information about potential supervisors and their research interests) and apply to the theme which fits your area of interest.
Many of the students in our DTP are part of a four-year programme that includes an initial ‘rotation’ year. Other students are part of a three-year programme that does not include the initial rotations. These include industrial CASE students, which is described here.
Four year pathway
Year 1
Students undertake 3 rotations in their first year before choosing their PhD project. There is a large pool of projects (updated annually) to choose from and students have time in induction to meet with potential supervisors and decide on what they would like to do.
Years 2-4
Students select a primary and secondary PhD supervisor and write a short project proposal prior to starting their PhD, for which they will be based in the home department of their primary supervisor.
iCASE studentships
Industrial CASE PhDs are projects run in collaboration with an industrial partner. The student applies to a specified project which has been created between an academic and industry partner. CASE PhDs include at the least the equivalent of a 3 month placement spent with the industry partner and offer a unique chance to work within industry on projects that are likely to have rapid impact, provide an experience of at least two distinct research cultures, and access to a wider than usual range of technology, facilities and expertise.