University of Birmingham The Kennedy Trust MB-PhD Programme

The Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research was founded in 1965 with a mission to achieve a meaningful impact on the development of cures and preventative treatment for musculoskeletal and inflammatory diseases. Mindful of the importance of clinician scientists and the key role they play in translating discovery into clinical benefit, the Trust launched its MB-PhD scheme in 2020.

In collaboration with the Kennedy Trust, we aim to develop the next generation of clinical academics and provide current MBChB students with an outstanding opportunity for early career research training in a dynamic, multidisciplinary, nurturing and supported environment. 

Each year we can offer three Intercalating PhD studentships (MB-PhDs) in musculoskeletal and inflammatory diseases. These three-year studentships provide:

• A living stipend (£23,000 in year 1, £24,759 in year 2, £26,000 in year 3)
• PhD tuition fee costs, up to £14,825
• Laboratory consumables (£5,000 per year) and a training allowance.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirments
• Application Documents
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineJanuary 24, 2025
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorUniversity of Birmingham
• City to studyBirmingham
• School to studyUniversity of Birmingham
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

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Benefits

A living stipend (£23,000 in year 1, £24,759 in year 2, £26,000 in year 3), PhD tuition fee costs, up to £14,825, laboratory consumables (£5,000 per year) and a training allowance.

Requirements

• Have completed three or four years of your MBChB, or three years if you are on the Graduate Entry Course (GEC)
• Have completed or be completing an intercalating degree OR have completed an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject (for GEC students only)

OR

You must be a current year 3 or year 4 UK medical student from another UK based university, who has completed or are in the process of completing an intercalated degree. 

Non-University of Birmingham students will need an agreement from their current university to allow them to return to their medicine programme in 2028, or if this was not permitted, consider completing their medical training at the University of Birmingham from 2028 onwards.

Application Documents

• A detailed CV of the applicant.
• A personal statement detailing why you are applying for an intercalating MB-PhD in Birmingham.
• Students should give the names of two referees.
• Research interest and experience of the student.

Application Deadline

How To Apply

To apply for the MB-PhD programme, please complete this application form and return it to Rebecca Birch ([email protected]) by Friday 24th January 2025.

You will also need to complete an anonymous equal opportunities form.

Zoom workshop for prospective students: Thursday 28th November 2024, 7pm-8pm – please email [email protected] for the joining details.

Application deadline: Friday 24th January 2025. 
Interviews: Wed 26th February 2025
Deadline for submitting detailed PhD project proposals: Friday 21st March 2025.  Proposals will be reviewed by the interview panel on 27th March 2025.

Offers to successful candidates will be sent by the end of March 2025 and PhD studies will commence between June and July 2025.

Please note that if you are reliant on funding from the Student Loans Company/Student Finance England, when you return to year 5 of the MBChB, you will need to delay the conferment and graduation from your PhD until you complete your MBChB.  This is in order to retain your undergraduate status and enable you to access full funding support from the Student Loans Company.

For more details visit UOB Website