How to apply

• Applications opened October 2024 for September 2025 entry.
• All applicants to the CDT should apply to The University of Manchester, regardless of whether your research project will be based in Manchester or Cambridge.
• We do not specify a formal deadline for applying to the CDT, but we encourage you to apply as early as possible. We expect all places to be filled by the end of March 2025.
• Please ensure that you read the information below before applying and follow the application instructions.

We welcome applicants from across the physical sciences, including physics, chemistry, materials, and engineering. You should have, or expect to achieve, a First or Upper Second (2:1) UK undergraduate degree and at least 4 years of training in a relevant subject (such as a 4 year degree or a 3 year degree plus 1 year of relevant work experience). Evidence of some research experience is highly desirable (this includes extended undergraduate projects).

You must be enthusiastic and looking for a challenging, interdisciplinary research training environment.

To make your application you should have the following:

• A personal statement: a statement indicating your preferred University for the research project (Manchester or Cambridge) and the two research missions you would like to join, in order of priority. Also, describe briefly (no more than 300 words) why you chose these research areas.
• Certificates and transcripts: Certificates and final transcripts of any completed university-level qualifications and interim transcripts for qualifications in progress. If you have not completed your degree, please provide interim transcripts and forward your final transcripts and certificate(s) when they are available.
• CV: Summarising your academic record and highlighting experience that demonstrates your potential to conduct research.
• Referees: Names and contact details of two referees who we can get in contact with and will support your application. These should typically be academics related to your previous degree, however if you have industry experience one referee can be from this source.

All applications must be made online via the University's online application form. The online form is generic and is used for all postgraduate degrees. Most of the pages are intuitive; the instructions below should make the application process as simple as possible.

Where the form asks for a potential supervisor and proposed research project, list the two research missions to which you are applying (same as in your personal statement).

Once on the University website's application page, select the apply online button and follow the instructions to create an account.

When prompted during the application process, select the following information:

• Level of study: Postgraduate by Research
• Entry year: Select the appropriate academic year
• Academic programme: Search for the keyword ‘2D Materials’ and then select the PhD programme
• Research details:
  • Specific project – select ‘No’
  • Proposed area of research – type in the two research missions to which you are applying, in order of priority
  • Identified Supervisor – select ‘No’.
• Funding sources: UK applicants – select ‘No’.

You will be prompted to upload documentation required to support your application, see the list of required documents here.

Please email our CDT to let us know that you have submitted an application. This will help us to find your documents in the application system in a timely manner.

Apply now

Next steps

1. Your application will be assessed by the CDT academic leadership team.
2. Applicants will be shortlisted based on their written applications, considering qualifications, aspirations and experience.
3. If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to an in-person interview.
4. View our postgraduate research website for advice on preparing for a postgraduate research interview.
5. The interview will focus on your knowledge, aspirations and experience. It is also an opportunity for you to meet the team and learn more about the training offered by the CDT.

Any questions?

Please email our CDT Admissions team.

We welcome applicants from across the physical sciences, including physics, chemistry, materials, and engineering. You should have, or expect to obtain, an international equivalent of the UK First-Class undergraduate degree and at least 4 years of training in a relevant subject (such as a 4 year degree or a 3 year degree plus 1 year of relevant work experience). Evidence of some research experience is highly desirable.

You must be enthusiastic and looking for a challenging, interdisciplinary research training environment.

A small number (maximum 3 per year) of fully funded places (tuition fee and stipend) are available to EU and international applicants. These studentships are very competitive and require evidence of exceptional academic performance; previous research experience is also highly desirable.

Additionally, the CDT may be able to assist you in securing one of the prestigious scholarships provided by The University of Manchester or the University of Cambridge. In addition to exceptional academic credentials, these require proven research potential (such as published papers or evidence of significant contribution to research projects).

The University of Manchester scholarships

• China Scholarship Council and The University of Manchester's Joint Scholarship Programme
• President's Doctoral Scholar Award
• Dean's Doctoral scholarships.

You can search for funding on the Faculty of Science and Engineering website.

For strong applicants we may be able to issue provisional conditional offers, subject to securing the required funding elsewhere, to be used in national scholarship applications.

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 6 in all other sub-tests.

• TOEFL iBT: At least 90 overall with no subtest below 20. We do not accept 'MyBestScore'.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): At least 70 overall with no subtest below 59. Further information on language requirements can be found on our website.
• Pre-sessional English: We also accept successful completion of a pre-sessional English course run by the University Language Centre to meet our English language requirements.

To make your application you should have the following:

• A personal statement: a 500-word statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research, why you wish to be admitted to the 2D Materials of Tomorrow CDT programme, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience and techniques and skills you’ve developed.
• Certificates and transcripts: Certificates and final transcripts of any completed university-level qualifications and interim transcripts for qualifications in progress.
• CV: Summarising your academic record and highlighting experience that demonstrates your potential to conduct research.
• English language proof: A certificate or evidence demonstrating your English language ability and proficiency. This isn’t required at the point of application, but you will need to provide it during the application process.
• Referees: Names and contact details of two academic referees who we can get in contact with and will support your application. These should typically be academics related to your previous degree, however if you have industry experience one referee can be from this source.

All applications must be made online via the University's online application form. The online form is generic and is used for all postgraduate degrees. Most of the pages are intuitive; the instructions below should make the application process as simple as possible.

Where the form asks for a potential supervisor and proposed research project, list the two research missions to which you are applying (same as in your personal statement).

Once on the University website's application page, select the apply online button and follow the instructions to create an account.

When prompted during the application process, select the following information:

• Level of study: Postgraduate by Research
• Entry year: Select the appropriate academic year
• Academic programme: Search for the keyword ‘2D Materials’ and then select the PhD programme.
• Research details:
  • Specific project - select ‘No’
  • Proposed area of research – type in the two research missions to which you are applying, in order of priority
  • Identified Supervisor – select ‘No’.
• Funding sources: UK applicants – select ‘No’.

You will be prompted to upload documentation required to support your application, see the list of required documents here.

Please email our CDT to let us know that you have submitted an application. This will help us to find your documents in the application system in a timely manner.

Apply now

Next steps

1. Your application will be assessed by the CDT academic leadership team.
2. Applicants will be shortlisted based on their written applications, considering qualifications, aspirations and experience.
3. If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to an in-person interview.
4. View our postgraduate research website for advice on preparing for a postgraduate research interview.
5. The interview will focus on your knowledge, aspirations and experience. It is also an opportunity for you to meet the team and learn more about the training offered by the CDT.

Any questions?

Please email our Admissions team.