Offering graduates outstanding training in scientific research.
This scheme offers graduates outstanding training in scientific research.
The way we fund research is changing to support our new strategy.
Current science PhD programmes will continue to recruit PhD researchers up to 2024.
Who can apply
You can apply for a studentship on one of Wellcome's four-year programmes if you're a graduate or student who has, or expects to obtain, a degree (or equivalent for EU and overseas candidates) in a relevant subject.
Candidates with other relevant qualifications or research experience may also be eligible.
For more information about eligibility, contact the individual programmes listed in the 'How to apply' section on this page.
Who can't apply
You can't apply to carry out activities that involve the transfer of grant funds into mainland China.
A Four-year PhD Studentship in Science includes support for:
Our new PhD studentship stipend scales from 1 October 2023 are:
If you're based outside London:
| Year 1 | £23,955 |
| Year 2 | £24,525 |
| Year 3 | £25,096 |
| Year 4 | £25,666 |
If you're based in London:
| Year 1 | £25,954 |
| Year 2 | £26,572 |
| Year 3 | £27,190 |
| Year 4 | £27,808 |
Our PhD studentship stipend scales from before 1 October 2023 are:
If you're based outside London:
| Year 1 | £22,976 |
| Year 2 | £23,523 |
| Year 3 | £24,070 |
| Year 4 | £24,617 |
If you're based in London:
| Year 1 | £24,975 |
| Year 2 | £25,570 |
| Year 3 | £26,164 |
| Year 4 | £26,839 |
Nationals of the UK and Republic of Ireland are eligible to pay home fees.
Nationals of all other high-income countries will need to pay international fees. From 1 January 2021, this also includes EU and EEA nationals.
We recommend that you check with the relevant programme to see what fees you will need to pay.
Find out about claiming the costs to offset the carbon emissions of your travel and cover childcare or any other caring responsibilities.
The studentship may be held on a part-time basis.
To apply for a Four-year PhD Studentship in Science, contact one of the programmes below. Please don't apply to Wellcome.
Programmes
Health Data Research UK
King's College London
Queen Mary University of London
University College London
University of Bristol
University of Cambridge
University of Dundee
University of East Anglia
University of Edinburgh
- Hosts, Pathogens and Global Health
- Integrative Cell Mechanisms (iCM)
- One Health Models of Disease: Science, Ethics and Society
- Translational Neuroscience 2 (TN2)
University of Glasgow
University of Leicester
University of Manchester
University of Nottingham
University of Oxford
- Cellular Structural Biology
- Chemistry in Cells – New Technologies to Probe Complex Biology and Medicine
- Genomic Medicine and Statistics
University of Sheffield
In addition, we also fund four-year PhD programmes at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre. Please contact the programmes directly for more information.
Individual PhD programmes recruit students annually.
If you have a question about your application, contact the relevant university PhD programme.
Wellcome’s PhD Programmes for Health Professionals offer health professionals outstanding research training in supportive and inclusive research environments. Fellowships supported through these programmes aim to create knowledge, build research capability and train a diverse group of future leaders in clinical academia, within a positive research culture.
Studentship stipend, fees and other costs
4 years