Eligibility Criteria
Who should apply?
Chemistry, physics, mathematics and engineering graduates who wish to learn how to apply their physical sciences skills to biological problems.
Students from biological or medicinal backgrounds are usually not eligible, unless the content of the degree was at least 50% physical sciences or if they have experience working in a relevant laboratory on top of a more biologically focused degree.
The entry requirement is a degree in the physical sciences with a minimum 2.1 or above (or equivalent).
Studentships for October 2026 entry were released on 15 December 2025.
Please check our website for updates regarding our October 2026 entry studentships, and follow us on Bluesky @icbcdt.bsky.social, Instagram @ICB_CDT and on LinkedIn.
For the 2026 cohort of studentships, the EPSRC CDT in Chemical Biology: Empowering UK BioTech Innovation has been selected to be part of a government led TechExpert pilot to help grow the UK’s national capability in chemical Biology and AI research, part of the UK’s modern industrial strategy. Everyone is welcome to apply, if you are passionate about chemical biology and looking to develop your research and innovation skills at doctoral level.
Successful applicants with Home fee status will receive an enhanced stipend of up to £10,000 above the UKRI minimum stipend. In return students will be asked to take part in additional TechExpert activities including outreach to promote tech careers, networking with the TechFirst community and engagement with the tech industry.
This opportunity is only available to applicants with Home fee status. Applicants with Overseas fee status are still able to apply for one of the few CDT international student scholarships.
How is the studentship structured?
Our studentships are for 4 years, covering the fees and bursary (stipend) for both our one-year MRes Chemical Biology and Bio-Entrepreneurship, followed by a three year PhD, subject to passing the MRes.
Fee status eligibility
The Centre for Doctoral Training in Chemical Biology: Empowering UK BioTech Innovation is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and is subject to their eligibility criteria.
Following the UK’s exit from the EU, EU and EEA students who are recruited and start from October 2021 onwards will become international students, if they do not meet UK fee status eligibility criteria.
In response to this, UKRI have opened up a limited number of UKRI funded studentships to international students. Successful applicants, both home and international, will receive a full studentship award to include a stipend and fees at the home level.
To fund the difference between home and international tuition fees, we have a very limited number of international student scholarships available to support the difference between the home tuition fee and the international tuition fee. This allocation is highly competitive, and we encourage applications.
Overseas/international students are also welcome to self-fund and join our cohorts or apply with scholarships. In this instance, students will need to design their PhD research project with their supervisors. Some scholarship examples are:
Imperial offers a Scholarships search tool which may be of use.
UK eligibility
To be classed as a home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
- Have settled status, or
- Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
- Have indefinite leave to remain or enter
For a full description on eligibility criteria, please read the following documents and guidelines:
- Terms and conditions of training grants (PDF, 852KB) (April 2018), EPSRC. Read the terms and conditions
- The education regulations 2007. Read the regulations
- Training Grant Guide (PDF, 231KB), EPSRC. Read the training grant guide
- Imperial College fee status webpages
- The UKRI guidance pages announcing the change in international student eligibility
Date last reviewed: 15 December 2025
Date last updated: 15 December 2025
