integrated phd programs in europe

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The Integrated  MSc and  PhD programme (3+5)

The Integrated MSc and PhD programme makes it possible to integrate the MSc programmes’ optional programme elements and the writing of the PhD dissertation. This allows students and their supervisors more time for the research element of the PhD programme.

The former 4+4 PhD is now a part of the Integrated PhD Scheme (3+5).

Admission requirements

The Integrated PhD programme is open to applicants who:

• have completed the Bachelors degree with a good result.
• are enrolled on an MSc programme offered by SCIENCE  or  have been offered admission to an MSc programme offered by SCIENCE
• can coordinate and integrate the remaining ECTS of their MSc programme with the proposed PhD programme.
• is qualified to be admitted to the PhD programme
• have not  started writing the MSc thesis.

The academic content of the MSc programme must be related to the proposed PhD programme.  Read more requirements in the programme description below. 

Organisation of the Integrated MSc/PhD programme

The prescribed period of study for the integrated programme is five full-time equivalents (FTEs) (two for the MSc programme and three for the PhD programme). If, at commencement of the integrated 3+5 scheme, the student has passed one or more programme elements, the period of study is reduced correspondingly.

The 3+5 scheme is divided into two parts:

Part A: The student completes the MSc programme and concurrently completes one third of the PhD programme (one FTE). Part A is completed when the student completes the MSc programme and must be organized in such a way that the MSc programme is completed two years before completion of the entire integrated programme of study.

Part B : The student is a PhD student exclusively and completes the PhD programme in accordance with the approved PhD plan. Part B can be commenced once the student has completed the MSc programme (part A), and the regular assessments have been satisfactory, meaning that the student has lived up to the requirements in the PhD plan.

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Integrated PhD

Studentships

Funding for our CDTs and DTPs is provided by Research Councils so eligibility criteria apply for the studentships that they offer. This is outlined on the UK Research and Innovation website . They may also consider self-funding applicants for non-funded projects.

A new model of Doctoral training

Integrated PhDs provide a new model of postgraduate training. They retain the depth, rigour and focus of a conventional PhD while also providing a broader training experience.

While the specific training routes may vary, they typically consist of a one-year Master's course (MSc or MRes) which leads straight into a three-year PhD.

This new style of doctoral training is available within our Research Council-funded Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) and Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs).

CDTs and DTPs

Our CDTs and DTPs recruit cohorts of students from a broad spectrum of disciplines, creating vibrant multi-disciplinary communities.

The diversity of students recruited to these centres reflects the breadth of research which they cover.

As well as benefitting from a variety of training opportunities and cohort-building activities, students studying within these centres may also have access to a supervisor and facilities at a partner institution.

Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs)

We offer the following DTPs:

• Science and Solutions for a Changing Planet , funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and hosted by the Grantham Institute – Climate Change and the Environment.
• Medical Research Council Studentships – Imperial College Medical Research Council Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) , funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC)
• Photonics , available through several EPSRC-funded Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) in which Photonics research group members are involved.

Imperial is also a partner in London Interdisciplinary Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (LISS) , funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs)

Imperial currently hosts the following Centres for Doctoral Training. Explore the centres that interest you to find out more about their training programme and available studentships.

• Advanced Characterisation of Materials
• Artificial Intelligence for Healthcare – UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training
• BioDesign Engineering
• Chemical Biology - Innovation for the Life Sciences
• Modern Statistics and Statistical Machine Learning
• Next Generation Synthesis and Reaction Technology
• Nuclear Energy Futures

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What do you want to do?

Brunel integrated phd.

The Brunel Integrated PhD combines PhD research with a programme of structured research, professional and subject training. The programme typically takes 4 years (compared to 3 years for a non-integrated PhD programme). On successful completion, you will be awarded a PhD with an Integrated Postgraduate Diploma in Research in your chosen subject specialisation.

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Benefits of undertaking the Integrated PhD

You will benefit from this programme immensely if you want to:  

• receive a more much guided and hands-on supervision of your learning and research process, especially if you come from more traditional teaching cultures
• increase your chances for a timely completion of your PhD programme in comparison to students taking traditional route PhD, cutting down the expenses associated with prolonged study
• access to tailored, highly specialist research training not available as part of the support provided to traditional route PhD students
• maximise your chances for a successful research analysis by applying practical assignments and training which are part of the integrated PhD directly to the research you do for your thesis     
• receive an official P ostgraduate Diploma in Research in addition to your PhD award  to certify the completion of skills training which may be required by employers in some countries if you wish to pursue an academic career 

The programme is suitable for all research students but especially for those from outside the UK who may need additional support to adapt to the UK educational system and those joining a PhD programme without a Masters degree or with a Masters degree which did not focus on developing research skills. 

Contact our  Enquiries team . Course Enquiries:  +44 (0)1895 265599 (before you submit an application) Admissions Office:  +44 (0)1895 265265 (after you submit an application)

Programme structure

The programme of taught modules runs in parallel to your research work during the first three years of study, with the fourth year providing time for you to focus on writing up your PhD thesis. The taught modules cover research and professional skills as well as providing discipline-specific content. The Brunel Integrated PhD aims to support an individual’s development as a research professional. It aims to produce researchers who are well prepared to embark on careers as academics or professional researchers. As well as the skills to conduct and disseminate high quality academic research, researchers will develop a range of broader (‘transferable’) skills to help ensure that their work has impact in the wider world.

Find out more 

• Advanced Manufacturing and Enterprise Engineering Integrated PhD
• Business and Management Integrated PhD (Brunel Business School)
• Chemical Engineering Integrated PhD
• Civil Engineering Integrated PhD
• Computer Science Integrated PhD
• Design Integrated PhD
• Economics Integrated PhD
• Electronic and Electrical Engineering Integrated PhD
• Health Sciences Integrated PhD
• Information Systems and Computing Integrated PhD
• Law Integrated PhD
• Life Sciences Integrated PhD
• Mathematical Sciences Integrated PhD
• Mechanical and Aerospace Integrated PhD
• Mechanical Engineering Integrated PhD  

 “The structure and high quality of the Integrated PhD programme has provided me with the opportunity to develop my research skills and to participate in advanced taught modules with experts and researchers in different research areas. Brunel University offered me a truly unique experience, combining the best education with an extensive programme of activities, a fantastic place for research and making friends”.   Ali Tarhini is from Lebanon and has completed the Brunel Integrated PhD Programme in Information Systems and Computing.

• Integrated Masters with PhD – Explained
• Types of Doctorates

An Integrated Masters with a PhD (iPhD) is a four-year postgraduate level programme that combines a one-year Masters course with a three-year PhD course. They allow students to familiarise themselves with their chosen topic, research methods and academic writing techniques before embarking on their own independent research project. An Integrated Masters with a PhD is particularly popular with international students and students who initially lack specialised knowledge or research skills.

Introduction

An Integrated Masters with PhD, also commonly referred to as either just an Integrated Masters degree or an Integrated PhD, offers a relatively new way to undertake postgraduate training. They maintain the depth and focus of a conventional PhD but offer a more comprehensive doctoral training experience.

Due to their growing popularity, both the number of universities offering these newer forms of PhD and the number of students applying to them has steadily increased.

This page describes what Integrated Masters with PhDs are, who they are for, their advantages and disadvantages, how they differ from conventional PhDs and how they are structured in terms of programme, eligibility and costs. This page is for you if you are considering applying for an integrated course, or simply want to know more about them.

What is an Integrated PhD?

An Integrated PhD is a four-year postgraduate programme. They involve undertaking a one-year Masters degree (MRes or MSc) in your first year, followed by a three-year PhD programme in your second to fourth year. Although the courses run back-to-back, a student can only progress to the second year if they show satisfactory performance in their first year. The one-year Masters and the three-year PhD are considered separately in terms of qualifications; therefore, a student who completes an Integrated PhD will receive both a Masters degree (MRes or MSc) and a PhD as opposed to a single postgraduate qualification.

The aim of an Integrated PhD is to provide a structured approach to doctoral studies, combining advanced PhD research with formal teaching in relevant subjects, research methods and communication skills.

As Integrated PhDs are relatively new compared to more regular doctoral pathways such as stand-alone or MPhil-upgraded PhDs, some professors informally refer to them as ‘New Route PhDs’.

Difference Between Integrated PhD and Regular PhD

The most significant difference between an Integrated PhD and a regular PhD is the addition of the one-year Masters degree at the beginning of the programme. This results in an Integrated PhD typically lasting four years, as opposed to the three years as with regular PhDs.

Integrated PhDs are structured in such a way that they provide students with a broader range of foundational skills than a regular PhD. The first year introduces you to a combination of taught elements, practical experience and advanced research skills. In a regular PhD this mode of teaching is missing as it is assumed you already have this level of knowledge.

The last significant difference between the two types of doctoral programmes is the ‘group’ aspect associated with the Integrated version. Since the Masters programme also includes other students enrolled in Integrated PhDs, you will have a small cohort with whom you will work closely alongside during your studies.

Who are Integrated PhDs suitable for?

Integrated PhDs can be an effective pathway for any student, but they stand out in two situations:

Scenario 1: International Students

The Higher Education system differs across countries , although not by a large amount, enough to where an unfamiliar student may struggle, especially when working independently. An Integrated PhD allows you to adapt to the UK education system by offering a more guided and hands-on approach to your learning and research process before you embark on your three-year research project.

It also has visa benefits. If an international student seeking a Masters degree in the UK already knows they want to follow it up with a PhD, enrolling in an Integrated PhD will save them from having to leave the country and re-apply for a visa after completing their initial postgraduate degree.

Scenario 2: Lack of undergraduate research experience or a relevant Masters degree

An Integrated PhD is useful for students who have academic abilities but lack the necessary background to be considered for a standard-route PhD. This usually occurs under one of three scenarios:

• The applicant is currently an undergraduate student or only holds a Bachelor’s degree,
• The student has a Masters degree, but in a subject only loosely related to the discipline they wish to pursue at doctoral level,
• The student has a relevant Masters degree, but the programme lacked a research focus, leaving the student with underdeveloped research skills.

Advantages and Disadvantages of an Integrated PhD

The advantages of an Integrated PhD are strongly linked to the international and inexperienced students they cater for. They offer students an effective means of gaining more confidence, knowledge and research skills in their field before starting a doctorate, and also provide visa benefits to international students who will be undertaking prior postgraduate study.

Integrated PhDs also enable students the possibility of receiving funding for the Masters phase of their programme, as will be explained in more detail in the ‘Funding Opportunities’ section.

Integrated doctorates have no obvious disadvantages, but are generally not suitable for those who already have a Masters degree or well-developed research skills in their chosen field. For these students, the additional costs and duration of an Integrated PhD can be avoided by opting for a traditional PhD for which they will already be suited for.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

The programme of study is naturally divided into two parts, the first for your Masters studies and the second for your PhD studies.

Your Masters studies will usually be divided into 180 module credits, half of which will focus on taught components and the other half on research components.

The modules will be tailored to your course, but they will include a variation of:

Taught modules:

• Subject-specific module – You choose one or two modules from a predefined list of topics within your subject area. Your selection should reflect the research area you want your PhD to focus on.
• English and Communication – Academic language and communication skills will be taught to prepare you for the ‘writing-up’ phase of your doctorate. A common misconception is that this module is similar to the English language requirement tests required to apply to a iPhD. In reality, the module will focus on learning how to critically evaluate research sources, write abstracts, literature reviews and conclusions, communicate in lab-based environments and present to audiences.
• Research Techniques  – You’ll receive in-depth training to familiarise you with the different research methods and analytical techniques available to modern researchers.
• Research Proposal Development  – You’ll work with your intended PhD supervisor to prepare a research proposal for your three-year PhD research project.

Research Modules:

You will carry out one or two small laboratory research projects under supervision for practical experience.

If you complete these modules with satisfactory performance, you will be awarded a Masters degree and will be considered for the following three-year PhD programme.

Each university has its own process for making this consideration, but most invite you to an interview with the supervisor you wish to conduct research with. The interview is used to confirm that you have acquired the specialised knowledge and research skills expected at masters level, and beyond that of someone capable of completing doctoral study.

If your interview goes well, you will be enrolled in your PhD programme. From this point on, your path will be the same as a regular PhD student. During your doctoral phase, you will conduct independent research and laboratory work for two years, followed by a final year of writing up and formally submitting your findings as a thesis. Your thesis, expertise and research competence will be assessed in an oral examination known as a viva. Upon successful completion of your viva, you will be officially awarded a PhD, and your studies will come to an end.

It should be noted that aside from the above, your university may offer optional modules which can equip you with a wide range of transferable skills.

Eligibility

Entry requirements for an integrated masters degree in the UK will vary from university to university, but the typical requirement is an Upper Second Class (2:1) honours Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject. Equivalent international qualifications are also accepted.

If you are an international student and English is your second language, most universities will require proof of your English language proficiency through an exam certificate. It’s best to check directly with the universities which certificate types they accept, but the most common English language qualification requirement is an IELTS certificate, with a minimum overall score of 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each category.

The typical annual tuition fee for an Integrated PhD in the UK is £4,712 per academic year for home/EU students (or £2,356 for part-time study) and £19,596 per academic year for international students (or £9,798 for part-time study).

As with all doctoral programmes, there are likely to be additional costs associated with your studies, such as bench fees for lab work, travel costs for collaborating and potential write-up fees for students who need more time to submit their thesis. You can get more information about these additional costs on our cost breakdown page .

Funding Opportunities

You can obtain funding for Integrated PhDs in the same way as for regular PhDs. Funding is usually provided by one of the seven UK Research Councils  and research charity organisations such as the  Wellcome Trust ; grants, scholarships and funded opportunities can be found directly in our searchable database .

Funding can either be partial (tuition fees only) or full (tuition fees and living costs). Most funding providers also cover the tuition fee for the Masters degree programme due to being integrated with the PhD, however, you should confirm this on a case-by-case basis.

As with regular PhD funding, the fully-funded opportunities are generally limited to home and EU students.

It’s also worth noting that PhD programmes which include an integrated Masters degree are eligible for a Doctoral Loan , even if you already have a postgraduate Masters degree from a previous university. Applications for Doctoral Loans must be made directly to Student Finance England and you must first be registered for a full doctoral degree. Due to application restrictions, you won’t be able to apply for a separate Postgraduate Masters Loan for the integrated Masters phase of your degree.

Availability

You can search for Integrated PhDs in three ways:

• Our Search Page  – Search for the term ‘Integrated’ in our  comprehensive database of STEM PhDs .
• University Search Pages – Universities advertise their Integrated PhDs on their postgraduate search pages. You can find them by searching the name of the university followed by “ search postgraduate courses ” directly in Google.
• Funding Body Websites – Funding bodies which provide studentships for Integrated PhDs sometimes advertise the positions on their website. A list of the most common funding providers can be found here: PhD Studentships .

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A combined postgraduate experience

Integrated PhD

A pathway into research training, about the programme.

Our Integrated PhD programme combines a one-year master's course with a three-year PhD research programme.

You can choose from over 90 master's courses across nine subject areas.

Benefits of our master's courses

Our taught master's courses in biological, medical and health sciences are strengthened by our highly rated research and significant links with the NHS and industry.

Research project

Your master's includes a research project, and will enhance your knowledge and skills before beginning specialist research in your chosen field.

How long does it take?

You can study the Integrated PhD either full-time (4 years) or part-time (up to 8 years).

Our reputation

The University of Manchester is ranked 27th worldwide (QS Global World Rankings 2022) and is #1 for social and environmental impact (Times Higher Education). We have been the University of the Year for Graduate Employment (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020).

An international community

Join over 7,000 of our international postgraduate students for a unique and exceptional learning experience.

How it works

Your training pathway.

Our Integrated PhD gives you the opportunity to study for an MSc that will prepare you for a related PhD project.

You'll spend the first part of the programme studying on your chosen master's course in biology, medicine and health before moving into one of our PhD programmes, working on research in the same area as your MSc.

Your PhD will be undertaken at Manchester under the supervision of researchers working on a variety of exciting projects. You'll draw on the skills and knowledge you learned at MSc level to contribute to crucial research.

Example pathway: from MSc Precision Medicine to PhD research in omics

Integrated PhD students undertaking our  MSc in Precision Medicine  would be well-equipped to undertake the 'Predicting response to IL6 inhibition in patients with rheumatoid arthritis' PhD project.

You would be able to apply your master's learning in the principles of stratified medicine to address an important clinical question: whether we can use omics to better target the right drugs to the right patients.

Your MSc-level training in omics technologies, such as genomics and transcriptomics, would be directly applicable to this PhD project.

View all example MSc and PhD pathways

Making an application

Apply for the integrated phd.

If you wish to be considered for the Integrated PhD programme and meet our eligibility criteria, you must complete an online application.

Application process for the Integrated PhD

Information on making an application can be found on the how to apply page.

You must make one separate application for this programme (select  FBMH Integrated 1+3 Programme  on the online application form). If you select the incorrect programme, your application cannot be considered.

Before applying, you should identify a supervisor for your PhD project. You can look at available projects on our  database . Using the  Research Explorer  can also help identify potential supervisors and research areas.

We recommend you make direct contact with potential supervisors to discuss your application before applying, indicating you are interested in the Integrated PhD programme. Supervisors may also be able to suggest a relevant master's course to compliment your research interests.

You should review the  master's courses  on offer and ensure you meet the entry requirements before making an application for the Integrated PhD. Please note that some postgraduate taught courses are not included in the Integrated PhD. Please get in touch to see if the master's course you are interested in is included in this PhD programme.

On the online application form, you will need to include the name of your preferred supervisor/provisional project title. If you are unable to identify a supervisor, please contact the Admissions team for advice by emailing  [email protected] .

Your supporting statement should be a maximum of 1,000 words summarising your motivation for the Integrated PhD, outlining any research experience and your career ambitions. You should also indicate which of our master's courses you would like to be considered for.

Other application information

Please refer to the individual MSc or MRes course page for details of application deadlines.

Eligibility

Applicants must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second UK honours degree or the equivalent qualification gained outside the UK in a related subject area.

A Lower Second honours degree may be considered if applicants also hold a master's degree with a Merit classification, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK.

Please refer to the individual  MSc or MRes course page  for detailed entry requirements.

As part of the selection process for the programme, you will be required to attend a short interview.

Have any questions? Get in touch.

Applications.

For queries regarding the application process, the projects on offer or your eligibility, please contact the Doctoral Academy.

Email:  [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)161 275 5608

You may wish to contact supervisors directly about projects. You can find the name of the supervisor on each project, and their contact details in the  University's online directory

University of Manchester intercalation queries should be sent to Professor Sue Atley and the intercalation team.

Search term

Phd programme.

The interdisciplinary PhD programme in Sustainability Science and Policy (SSP) is designed to educate researchers, university teachers, and world leaders in the social, economic and natural science disciplines that underpin sustainable development.

The research produced by the programme’s doctoral dissertations will focus on integrative, interdisciplinary research that is needed to explore science and policy issues in sustainable development.

Integrated assessment methods and concepts (transitions, modeling, scenario analysis) will be instrumental to provide answers to the central questions of sustainable development.

Sustainability science is a new multi-disciplinary approach to science that recognizes the limitations of traditional scientific inquiry in dealing with the complex reality of social institutions interacting with natural phenomena.

Join the PhD programme

Paid PhD positions (employed researchers) If there are positions available, you will find the vacancies listed here.

PhD student with alternative funding If you have confirmed funding (an estimate of the tuition fee for a 4-year PhD programme is €20.000,-) for the PhD programme you are welcome to contact us for an application package.

Admission requirements

The programme is designed for an international student body and therefore we are interested in candidates from all over the world. The basic admission requirements are:

• A master’s degree (or equivalent to) from a recognized university or institution of higher education in the following fields: economics, humanities, engineering, political science, or other natural/social sciences
• Excellent written and verbal English language skills. Applicants whose first language is not English may be asked to take the IELTS Test. A score of 7 or above is required
• Applicants should demonstrate an ability to pursue independent research through their prior work and academic distinction
• Upon graduation it is expected that the candidates will play an important role as scholars, policymakers and professionals in their home countries and in the international community, taking leadership roles in government, international organisations, non-profit organisations and business

More information about PhD programmes at Maastricht University

Current PhD projects

Better, not more – business strategies to enable sufficient consumption.

This PhD project focuses on the role that business can play in a transition towards sufficient, sustainable consumption. Sufficiency refers to consumption that enables prosperity for all while remaining within the boundaries of planetary capacity. Sufficient consumption is needed as the current economic system is based on the continuous consumption of new products, and overconsumption of resources, which creates negative environmental and social impacts.

Businesses are key creators of demand, through their product and service offering and advertising. While many businesses have recognized the need to work towards sustainability, these efforts remain largely confined to efficiency improvements and moves towards a circular economy (consistency). This, however, is insufficient in tackling sustainability challenges, as rebound effects swallow resource and emissions savings and overconsumption remains unchallenged. This research addresses the more radical proposition of businesses acting as leaders for sufficiency, supporting their consumers to reconsider their consumption behaviour and consume differently, less, or not at all.

Transboundary learning in higher education for sustainable development: Designing learning environments and competence assessments

In the past two decades, education for sustainable development has been increasingly discussed on global, national, and regional agendas, resulting in a blossom of sustainability-related programmes and courses. Higher education graduates are expected to deal with sustainability-related societal problems during their professional and personal lives. The challenge is that these multi-faceted problems cannot be solved by individuals or using a single perspective. To produce competent professionals and improve education quality, universities put effort into defining/adopting relevant competence frameworks that include specific knowledge, skills, and attitudes. However, processes and impacts of learning still appear as Pandora’s box because: 1) Perspectives towards sustainable development are influenced by motivations, demographic, and intellectual backgrounds, but they remain inadequately assessed for the relevance to education; 2) interactions in learning environments can lead to both positive and negative outcomes for individuals, groups, and organisations, 3) complexities in real-world learning cannot be tackled without considering the direct and indirect impact of social, economic, and environmental factors.   

Successful crossing of disciplinary, cultural, and professional boundaries is an encompassing competence and a promising source of learning, which has become popular in designing learning environments. Although the patterns of interactions differ, study exchange, work placement, field trips, intervention workshops, student-stakeholder projects, university-led living labs, and start-up incubators are examples of learning environments that connect different perspectives and enable mutual learning. However, they risk failing to address students’ varying initial capacity and self-efficacy, group dynamics, support/hindrance in and outside the campus, the interplay of stakeholder interests, monitoring of career trajectories, and a lack of rigorous assessments overall.   

My PhD research contributes to fulfilling the said knowledge gaps, focusing on the design of learning environments and assessments for the competence of working across multiple boundaries:   

• Tapping into insights from education and management sciences, specifically taking stock of knowledge in situations of boundary crossing, boundary spanning, and boundary work.
• Linking different views on nature and ways of life from the Cultural Theory to perspectives on sustainable development (students, teachers, researchers, and stakeholders), quantifying the degree of diversity and change of perspectives before and after a study period.
• Designing and experimenting with configurations of learning environments (i.e. alternative classrooms) to enable boundary interactions and learning from different perspectives, offering an open, authentic, inspirational and fun part of higher education for sustainable development. 

Overpassing the hot spot: Climate proofing with in a sustainable development strategy for Central America.

Central America faces decisive moments, not only by the challenges presented in terms of poverty, insecurity, vulnerability and institutional weakness, but also it is at a key time for taking the decisions and actions necessary to build a region of sustainable development.

The region has begun to implement climate proofing for public infrastructure, at national and local level, nonetheless, the region isn’t working to incorporate the climate proofing to the spatial planning, and even, the spatial planning is weak or absent in most of the region. At the same time, the Central American countries are among the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, and also, have a large history of impacts thanks to extreme weather conditions.

In a region as vulnerable as Central America, is of high importance the use of strategies to climate proof their efforts towards its sustainable development. Climate proofing is a term considered new for the region, the Asian Development Bank define it as:

“identifying risks to a development project, or any other specified natural or human asset, as a consequence of both current and future climate variability and extremes, and ensuring that those risks are reduced to acceptable levels through long-lasting and environmentally sound, economically viable, and socially acceptable changes implemented at one or more of the following stages in the project cycle: planning, design, construction, operation, and decommissioning.” (ADB, 2005. P. 2)

The interest of this research is to document relevant international experience incorporating climate proofing strategies to the spatial planning as part of the efforts of adaptation to climate change in cities. Based on these experience, to build a proposal to strengthen the initial efforts of the region to climate proof public infrastructure, especially, elevating the scope to include climate proofing to the spatial planning in Central America’s cities.

The Role of Assumptions in Social Change Processes

This PhD project is concerned with the assumptions that individual actors or actor groups involved in change initiatives towards more sustainable, just and inclusive societies hold about what is at stake and about how change can be brought about. The focus is as much on assumptions that are verbalised explicitly as on assumptions that underlie actions taken and strategies pursued.

Cases considered range from government-supported behavioural change programmes and research projects to civil society social innovation initiatives and activist groups. Findings are evaluated against a range of theories on transformative, social change from across the social sciences.

The Role of Animals and Nature in Learning for Sustainable Development --a Chinese Perspective

Animals had many measurable benefits to both humans and society, such as enhancing physical and psychological well-being, reducing loneliness and depression, improving animal diversity and promoting sustainable nature and society development. From another point of view, the direct presence of public attitudes toward animals, which are somewhat influenced by human culture and knowledge, can contribute to animals’ healthy dietary and decent living environment, and eventually the construction of an optimum animal welfare system. Therefore, it is clear that a better understanding of public attitudes toward animals, animal emotions, as well as what effects the influential factors have on these attitudes, are of fundamental importance to both animals and humans.

My research mainly focused on the sustainable relationships between humans and animals in China, Japan, and the Netherlands. Through this research, I want to know how people attribute emotions to animals, and how the degree of attachment influences the attribution of emotions to animals in these countries. In addition, my research also aimed at finding out Chinese, Japanese and the Dutch people’s attitudes toward animals and their influential factors, such as culture, ethical ideologies, the degree of attachment and other possible variables. Furthermore, Ecological Paw Print as an important variable to measure sustainable development will also be included in my research. Through my research, I want to find out the current situation of animals and human-animal relationships in China (as well as in the Netherlands and Japan), and therefore find ways to improve people’s awareness of animal welfare.

Organisational Transformation and Systemic Change: Navigating pathways towards Sustainability for the University

How can universities effectively navigate pathways of transformation for sustainability? In order to answer this question, international case-study research on pioneering universities and their networks is developing and testing a tool to help evaluate and track fundamental transformation for organisations towards more actionable outcomes across diverse aspects of sustainability. These include but are not limited to: management performance, governance, intrapreneurship and innovation, sustainability in education, inter and transdisciplinary research, communications strategies, stakeholder management and social and environmental responsibility practices.

As part of an Action research approach, structured interventions will be applied to Maastricht University with the Green Office as the implementation agents, aiming to resolve system dysfunction and improve sustainability performance.

The project deliverables, aside from publications and a thesis, will include policy recommendations, management reviews, a transdisciplinary framework for organisational transformation for sustainability at universities, and – from a four year period of observations - executive reports on institutional governance for sustainability, longitudinal organisational assessments, and knowledge on increased social impact of academia through social entrepreneurship.

This PhD will work towards my core objective: to apply action research, for intentional change and improvement, in partnership with organisations that want purpose driven into their core and are committed to a fortuitous movement for sustainable development - whether in the public, private or social sectors. I will continue close participative research with the Green Office, and my network in social enterprise, in order to perform interventions for UM's sustainability performance in 2017. After 2017, the outcomes and continuation of this work will be primarily focussed and applied where there is the most traction and willingness to undertake necessary transformative change; external to ossified administrative, bureaucratic and political systems.

Are energy decisions about energy?

The most challenging element of the energy transition is to reduce fossil fuel energy consumption in the existing housing stock because of the complexity of the system of different actors and their social practices. In this PhD research an interdisciplinary socio-technical approach is used that goes beyond technology and individual behaviour and will also tackle the physical, economic and social context of the different actors. Empirical data is collected in the case-study of Parkstad Limburg (NL) and the results are used to develop recommendations to improve the effectiveness of energy transition policies and product offerings to residents.

Sustainability Assessment tools for Urban Mobility –policy lessons from a China-Europe comparison

This PhD research originates from the argument of The World Health Organization (2016), that ‘good health of all its citizens is one of the most effective markers of any city’s sustainable development’.  This calls for sustainable, health-promoting urban policies. In China, sustainable urban development (SUD) is stimulated by, for example, the National Development and Reform Commission’s ‘low-carbon pilot program’. In Europe, SUD is stimulated by, for example, the new ‘Urban Agenda for the EU’. However, decision-makers do not often apply a ‘health-lens’ to SUD policies. So how can the dual goals of healthy citizens and urban sustainability be integrated in decision-making? And how can we enhance the health co-benefits of existing and anticipated SUD policies?

Sustainability assessment (SA) is nowadays a widely used term that covers a broad range of approaches aiming to operationalize sustainability concepts for decision-making, mostly within but also outside governments. It emerged as a ‘marriage’ between environmental assessment and sustainable development (see Dijk et al 2017). These approaches may be formal or informal, legally prescribed or voluntary, science-driven or policy-driven, etc., and may carry different labels, such as sustainability appraisal, sustainability impact assessment or integrated assessment. A common feature is that they try to integrate various perspectives, interests, and types of knowledge. However, despite scholarly progress, Gibson (2016) concludes that in public and private sectors the speed of sustainable development has been rather slow in the last decade. An important way forward is the development of new and better Sustainable Assessment tools. In this project we focus on the improvement of Sustainability Assessment tools for urban mobility.

An SA is designed to form a logic sequence within an analytic and decision-making process, and within which a range of different methods can be applied. There is no single and commonly accepted procedure for sustainability assessment. A procedure may be formally prescribed by law, such as in environmental impact assessment (EIA) in many countries (but with great variety between countries) and as strategic environmental assessment under the EU SEA Directive (2001/42/EC). A broad range of methods has been applied in SA, with often combinations of methods being used within one study. However, in assessments in the public and private sector, the choice is often poorly explained and, when combining methods, often one method is clearly dominant and basically shapes the SA outcomes. A common problem identified in the literature is the lack of guidance on what methods can be used. Thus, research on how to organize and deploy tools and methods in assessments seems to have a lot of room for improvement.

Understanding Human-Ocean Relationships: A Multi-Perspective Analysis of Chinese Ocean Society

Throughout human history, the ocean has always been playing a crucial role in human society. How people view the ocean is strongly correlated with how they make use of the ocean, and subsequently, what the ocean looks like now. Are we considering human as the dominator of the ocean? Or are we regarding human society and ocean as equally important? Understanding human-ocean interaction would be helpful to build a healthy relationship between human society and ocean.

However, seldom studies look into this area in current academic community. Especially the conditions in developing countries, such as China, still remain unclear. On one hand, large-scale foreign trade and annual seafood consumption justify the significance of ocean to Chinese society. On the other hand, increasing maritime disasters and resource depletion indicate the environment is far from ideal.   

From three aspects, this research project targets at answering the question of how to understand and develop a sustainable human-ocean relationship. This research will assess how Chinese people perceive marine life, recognize marine economic development, and deal with modern maritime disaster. We will delineate a general picture of human-ocean relationship in contemporary Chinese society. And we would like to contribute to the discussion of how to shape a positive and robust relationship between ocean and human society.

Detecting and analyzing assumptions and behavioural changes on pro-environmental consumer behaviour in relation to waste management through Big Data Analysis (BDA)

This PhD research originates from the need to better understand the human behaviour in relation to waste management through the analysis of the huge amount of unstructured data available online (like social media and other free platforms).

Nowadays the attention to sustainable development (SD) issues is continuously increasing as demonstrated, at the supra-national level, by development of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their inclusion in the national agenda of many nations. At the individual level, the focus on SD matters is addressed through enhanced education, improved attention to our lifestyle and to the impact of our routine actions, responsible purchasing, respectful behaviours, etc. These concerns are also demonstrated by the creation of new terms as green attitude, pro-environmental behaviour, eco-friendly attitude, green consumption, to highlight the importance of the individual behaviour in pursuing the SD, and to indicate that the development of an environmentally sustainable consumption is also dependant on consumers' willingness to engage in pro-environmental behaviours.

Actually the analysis of human behaviour is very complex and interdisciplinary, especially when considering pro-enviromental factors, as demonstrated by the huge variety of approaches and methodologies adopted by the existing scholars. In the latter years, novel expanded approaches have been proposed with the intention of including all applicable factors in the correct way. These activities are very challenging, and many scholars agree that human actions are the results of a complex economic, social, physical and psychological process, influenced by numerous and heterogenoeus factors related to environment, culture, laws, politics, geography, circumstances, emotions, intentions, just to name a few of them.

Nowadays the researches on human behaviour and its influencing factors can definitely benefits of the analysis of big data (BD). For example, it would be useful to understand from the posts on social media the reaction of the inhabitants of a town to the introduction of municipal novel waste measures, or to comprehend the influence and interactions of economic, social and psychological factors on human perceptions in relation to environmental issues.

Unfortunately the majority of data available on internet are unstructured, but they potentially contain very useful information offering a great opportunity for the advancement of researches on human behaviour.

This does not mean that the key for success is BD itself, but our challenge is to create value from it by creating transparencies and unvealing relsationships, to better understand the human behaviour thorugh the utilization of big data analysis (BDA).

For the above-mentioned reasons this research aims at understanding some specific aspects of the human behaviour by taking full advantage of the most recent big data analysis tools through an interdisciplinary approach open to the collaboration of scholars from different disciplines.

Network leadership for advancing transformative capacity of social innovation

Tim is working half-time as a PhD researcher, investigating learning processes in networks of transformative social innovation initiatives like Impact Hubs, Transition Towns, TimeBanks, Hacker Spaces and Ecovillages.

This research draws on involvement with the recently completed EU-funded TRANSIT project (2014-2017), which developed an empirically grounded theory on how such social innovations relate to transformative social change. The focus lies on better understanding how network leaders can effectively shape the learning processes at various network levels for social innovations to develop transformative capacity.

• Completed PhD Projects

Shared Value Creation and Inter-organisational Collaboration for Sustainable Business Model Innovation       Myrthe Velter

Spatially Modelling the Positive and Negative Effects of Nature on Human Health: a Focus on Optimizing Urban Green Infrastructure       Bram Oosterbroek

Global Sustainable Governance: Partnerships Between Fragmentation and Cohesion       Ceren Pekdemir

Organisational Transformation and Systemic Change: Navigating pathways towards Sustainability for the University       Alex Baker-Shelley

The OPEDUCA Concept - Basing schooling (from primary to higher) on Education for Sustainable Development in a local-to-global multi-stakeholder reality of Learning       Jos Eussen

Climate and ENSO variability effect on dengue incidence in Aruba       Marck Oduber

Certification contracts from an institutional economic perspective      Esther Sri Astuti

Learning for sustainability: the learning process      Anneloes Smitsman

Ecological Consequences of Globalization: Implications for Sustainable Development (2017) Lukas Figge |  Read more

Social and Economic Effects of Coffee Certification, with a Specific Focus on the Livelihood Effects for Farmers (2017) Ibnu Muhammad |  Read more

The Role of Governments on Sustainable Agriculture (2017) Atika Wijaya |  Read more

The Social and Economic Effects of Palm Oil Certification, with a Specific Focus on the Livelihood Effects for Farmers (2017) Nia Hidayat |  Read more

Religion and sustainable development (2017) Laura Kurth

The transition of farmers’ sustainable agricultural production behaviors:  comparative cases study in China and Netherlands Jing Wang

Climate change and health: consequences and adaptation in Europe (2015) Su-Mia Akin |  Download

Climate change and dengue transmission in Vietnam: an integrated assessment (2015) Toan Do Thanh | Download

A sunny future for photovoltaic systems in the Netherlands? An analysis of the role of government and users in the diffusion of an emerging technology (2014) Veronique Vasseur | Download

Stepping stone cities? Exploring urban greening and gardening as a viable contribution to global biodiversity conservation (2014) Carijn Beumer | Download

The Perspectives Method: Towards socially robust River Management. Maastricht University (2012) Astrid Offermans | Download

Regional sustainable development: Barries in Practice (Findings from policy, citizens, practitioners and monitoring) (2011) Annemarie van Zeijl-Rozema | Download

Living with Less: Prospects for Sustainability (2010) Jeanine Schreurs

Sailing on the winds of change. The Odyssey of Sustainability of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. Maastricht University. (2010) Niko Roorda

Union democracy: The challenge of globalisation to organised labour in Ghana. (2010) Akua Britwum

Innovation in car mobility. Co-evolution of demand and supply under sustainability pressures. (2010) Marc Dijk

Climate change and tourism: Impacts and vulnerability in coastal Europe. (2010) Alvaro Moreno

The role of future studies in innovation processes Nicole Rijkens-Klomp

• Laura Niessen Better, Not More – Business strategies to enable sufficient consumption
• Ningna Xie Transboundary learning in higher education for sustainable development: Designing learning environments and competence assessments
• Diego Ramírez Overpassing the hot spot: Climate proofing with in a sustainable development strategy for Central America.
• Julia Backhaus The Role of Assumptions in Social Change Processes
• Bingtao Su The Role of Animals and Nature in Learning for Sustainable Development --a Chinese Perspective
• Alex Baker-Shelley Organisational Transformation and Systemic Change: Navigating pathways towards Sustainability for the University
• Wendy Broers Are energy decisions about energy?
• Xu Liu Sustainability Assessment tools for Urban Mobility –policy lessons from a China-Europe comparison
• Mo Chen Understanding Human-Ocean Relationships: A Multi-Perspective Analysis of Chinese Ocean Society
• Alessandro Concari Detecting and analyzing assumptions and behavioural changes on pro-environmental consumer behaviour in relation to waste management through Big Data Analysis (BDA)
• Tim Strasser Network leadership for advancing transformative capacity of social innovation

Our mission

Latest news.

Institut Curie is recruiting a PhD Program Manager. Position based in Paris, 5th arrondissement.

The list of International Courses organized by Institut Curie’s Advanced Training Office in coordination with researchers is now available.

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EuReCa International PhD Program

What is eureca, current phd positions, application process.

• Applicant's Guide

Recruitment process

Benefits of completing a eureca phd.

• >> FAQ

The fourth and last call for applications is now closed. The new Institut Curie International PhD Program is IC-PhD .

EuReCa (Europe Research & Care) is Institut Curie’s international PhD Program which provides PhD students with an excellent interdisciplinary, inter-sectorial, and international training. It includes   a personalized career development plan, coaching, mentoring and the possibility of undertaking secondments in partners' institutions.

What is Institut Curie ?

A leading player in the fight against cancer, Institut Curie brings together an internationally-renowned Research Center and an advanced Hospital Group that provides care for all types of cancer. Founded in 1909 by Marie Curie, Institut Curie comprises three sites (Paris, Saint-Cloud and Orsay), where more than 3,500 members of staff are dedicated to achieving three objectives: hospital care; scientific research; and the sharing of knowledge and the preservation of legacy.

As a private foundation that is recognized as serving the public interest, Institut Curie is supported by donations and grants. This support is used to fund discoveries that will improve treatments and the quality of life of cancer patients.

EuReCa PhD fellows will carry out research in a vibrant environment based on the pluri-disciplinary approaches and excellence offered by over 85 research groups comprising Institut Curie’s 13 joint research units organised in 6 research areas and a translational department :

• Epigenetics, RNA and genome dynamics
• Cell biology and developmental biology
• Tumor biology and immunology
• Radiobiology and molecular imaging
• Physics of living systems and chemical biology
• Computational and systems biology

Applicants have to complete an online application form in English when the call is open. They may apply for 1 or 2 thesis project(s) without an order of preference. Incomplete and unsubmitted applications will not be eligible. No application will be accepted after the deadline January 13 th , 2023 at 4:00pm CET (GMT +1). The following documents are required:

• a motivation letter,
• a copy of the high school degree,
• a copy of the university degrees including the European Master’s degree or equivalent master's degree (translated by the applicant in English)  if already available ,
• a copy of the university grade transcript from the Master’s degree or equivalent master's degree which would formally entitle to embark on a doctorate (translated by the applicant in English) if already available ,
• 2 recommendation letters. Referees must have submitted their recommendation letters by the end of the call. We strongly advise applicants to contact their referees as soon as possible so that referees have enough time to upload the recommendation letter online. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the 2 recommendation letters are uploaded by the referee before the call ends.

Applicant's Guide

>> Download the 2023 applicant's guide <<

Eligibility criteria

• Early-stage researchers (ESR) shall at the call deadline be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree.   Full-time equivalent research experience is measured from the date when a researcher obtained the degree which would formally entitle him or her to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the researcher is recruited or seconded, irrespective of whether or not a doctorate is or was ever envisaged.
• Applicants from all countries are eligible. The applicants may not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc) in France for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the call's first deadline.  Time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention, compulsory national service and/ or short stays such as holidays are not taken into account.
• Applicants must be in possession of (or be about to obtain) a European master degree or equivalent master's degree which would formally entitle them to embark on a doctorate .

For more information, please download the Applicant’s Guide (PDF).

BOOSTING YOUR CAREER

Excellence in research.

The EuReCa programme fundamental objective is to provide excellent, multidisciplinary and intersectoral training to ESRs in cancer research, while generating new scientific advances in different fields. By attracting promising and talented young researchers our ambition is to build a multifaceted community able to communicate, interact, build and share expertise to tackle the challenges of cancer.

International environment

More than  80 nationalities  are represented at Institut Curie. The university accredited international courses offered on campus and abroad gather students from all over the world and enable networking opportunities. As associate member of PSL Research University, Institut Curie is part of a trans-disciplinary world-class research and training center. Institut Curie’s involvement in the EU-Life Alliance also offers international course and secondment opportunities. In collaboration with a European partner institute, the students’ association organizes an annual scientific meeting that allows lively interactions as well.

Personalized Career Development Plan (PCDP)

Throughout their thesis, ESRs will be designing their Career Development Plan in accordance with their career track. They will benefit from coaching sessions, courses and training, take part in out-of-the-lab internships and various activities on campus.

• University accredited international courses
• Transferrable skills courses
• Hands-on training on scientific techniques & apparatus
• Career Development workshops
• Public engagement activities
• Out-of-the-lab internships
• Secondments

PhD supervision, mentoring & thesis committee meetings

All ESRs will be supervised by a researcher holding an  Habilitation à Diriger les Recherches  (HDR), a diploma which authorizes the supervision of research.

At their arrival, they will choose a mentor to guide them throughout their thesis. They organize yearly PhD thesis committee meetings with their thesis supervisor(s), their mentor and a representative of their doctoral school. These meetings are required by the university to follow the progress of the thesis.

Cutting-edge transversal & core facilities

ESRs will benefit from top-notch technology platforms and equipment for scientific imaging, genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics. Training will be provided by the platform managers.

Links with industry & partners

This program is run in close partnership with L’Oréal, Bristol-Myers-Squibb, CryoCapCell and Institut Roche as well as public and academic European & American partners. With a strong record of scientific collaborations with industrial partners, Institut Curie offers ESRs the possibility to screen for industrial partners all along their project; as well as to receive training on intellectual property, startup set up, interaction with the industrial sector job market…

Institut Curie also offers opportunities for secondments with its membership in the EU-Life Alliance.

A Students’ Association (Adic) deeply involved in Research

Institut Curie’s students and postdocs’ association (ADIC) enables ESRs to get involved in the organization of conferences, the Young Researchers Life Sciences Congress, career development workshops and social events. Its aim is to represent young researchers at Institut Curie, facilitate their access to the work market, reinforce their role in the scientific life of the institute and promote doctoral training.

Annual scientific meeting

PhD fellows organize and participate in the Young Researchers Life Sciences Congress organized by ADIC together with another European institute. It is a great opportunity for young researchers’ career development as they all present their research work with a poster, a short talk or an elevator pitch.

Travel Grants

ESRs can apply for travel grants covering travel, accommodation or registration fees. They can also ask for financial help from their host laboratory to attend meetings, summer schools, conferences or courses abroad.

Conferences on campus

Institut Curie researchers benefit from around 300 conferences in English on campus each year. Speakers are Institut Curie researchers and physicians as well as renowned international scientists.

Registration at a French University

Institut Curie is an associate member of  PSL Research University . This university groups 24 partner institutions and aims at promoting laboratories with international visibility, attracting internationally renowned researchers and building an integrated approach for top-level research and training. Most of Institut Curie laboratories are affiliated with PSL.  

PHD GRADUATION CEREMONY

Institut Curie organizes a yearly PhD Graduation Ceremony to celebrate all PhD students who defend their thesis.

With elevator pitches and testimonials, this event is an opportunity to gather laureates, talk about their future, and connect with the Institut Curie Alumni network.

>> See previous ceremonies

EASE YOUR ARRIVAL

Housing at the ciup.

Housing is secured for EuReCa PhD fellows. Institut Curie has booked student accommodations at the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris ( CIUP ). The monthly rent is paid by the PhD fellow ( Single room: 599 € per month for students under 30 years - 681 € per month for students over 30 years ).

Signature of contract

From their formal acceptance to the EuReCa PhD Program, PhD fellows are in contact with the English speaking staff from Institut Curie’s Human Resources Department and the EuReCa Management Team to organize their arrival. They will get help for their visa application, residence permit, and other administrative procedures like social security and insurance among others.

All EuReCa PhD fellows will be registered with a partner university and affiliated with a Doctoral School.

French language courses on campus

Institut Curie’s Training Unit and the student’s association (ADIC) offer extensive and intensive French courses for PhD students throughout their thesis.

Induction period & Welcome meeting

At their arrival in September, PhD students will have an induction period for a smooth integration at the institute in France. They will have time dedicated for administrative & orientation activities.

PhD fellows are also invited to attend the welcome meeting organized by the Training Unit, presenting courses available on campus and explaining the Career Development Plan.

CAMPUS LIFE

As Institut Curie employees, PhD fellows benefit from various advantages among which subsidized access to cafeteria for lunch and sports on Campus in Paris ( PSL Sports ) & Orsay.

The Students’ association

The student’s association Adic organizes social events on a regular basis. These informal meetings help students to network and get acquainted.

>>  FAQ

>> Previous international PhD program IC-3i

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions grant agreement no 847718.

• Single Cell Analysis
• Computational Biology
• Biostatistics
• Clinical Research
• Translational

INTEGRATE Doctorate Training Programme in Integrative Genomics

What is integrative genomics.

Integrative genomics is an emerging field of genomics that uses interdisciplinary approaches to better understand complex diseases. For example, integrated analysis of high-throughput genomic data with novel computational algorithms correlated with clinical outcomes can identify biological pathways and molecular targets to develop better therapies.

INTEGRATE is a doctorate training programme co-funded by the European Commission’s Marie Sklodowska Curie Actions (MSCA) COFUND programme and the Centre for Research Training (CRT) in Genomics Data Science funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI). INTEGRATE is a sub-programme within the CRT in Genomics Data Science providing training in Integrative Genomics Research to equip researchers with biomedical scientific knowledge and genomics data science skills.

The INTEGRATE programme offers 20 prestigious four-year PhD scholarships to eligible early stage researchers (ESRs).

The CRT and INTEGRATE work with a number of partner organisations thus linking together over 100 genomics data science research groups and several sectors to provide world-class training in genomics data science, including:

• academic institutions
• Industry partners
• Governmental/intergovenmental agencies
• Clinical science organisations
• Non-governmental organisations and charitie

INTEGRATE provides world-class training with several advantages over the traditional, apprenticeship-type PhD training including:

• Cohort-based training where 25-30 students train together each year
• Our students can choose their research project based on their personal professional interest
• A large number of research projects are available
• The training is interdisciplinary and intersectoral, with a cross-sectoral (e.g. academia to industry) secondment and joint supervision
• Structured career development planning and a broad spectrum of career opportunities

The Training Programme

The INTEGRATE programme trains doctorate students in the interdisciplinary field of integrative genomics to provide our graduates with the knowledge and the ability to identify research questions of most benefit to society and have all the skills to address these typically complex problems.

The training programme is a structured PhD programme starting with a 1st semester residential training programme (RTP) at NUIG. At the end of this residential training programme students choose projects and relocate to the partner university at which their research project will commence.

Research Themes

Over 50 Research Group Leaders, including many of Ireland’s top genomics scientists, are available as PhD supervisors. Students will be able to choose projects from across 4 research themes of the programme:

• Genomics of common and rare diseases
• Cancer genomics and precision medicine
• Genomics for pathogen surveillance and control
• High-resolution population genomics

Practical information for applicants

The INTEGRATE programme offers a  total of 20 PhD scholarships. 

The total  salary allowed per student is  €32,508 (before Employer taxes and contributions are deducted). The gross salary payable to the student is €25,143 (before Employee taxes and contributions are deducted). A family allowance is available for students with a family.

Additionally, fees of €5,500/year, a high-end laptop computer and accommodation  while on the first semester residential training programme are provided. Funding is also available to  cover travel expenses (€7,500), participation in workshops (€1,500), a placement (€4,500) and publication costs (€6,300) allowing your research findings to be published in open access journals.

For details of the application, eligibility and evaluation criteria, please see INTEGRATE guide for applicants 2021-22.

Application Procedure

Please note:  INTEGRATE has recruited its full complement of 20 students and no further students will be recruited onto the programme. To be eligible, you must meet the eligibility criteria for MSCA early stage researchers and the specific eligibility criteria for the INTEGRATE programme:

• You must be an early stage researcher , meaning that at the call deadline you must be within the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of your research career and not yet have been awarded a doctoral degree.
• You must comply with the MSCA mobility rules whereby you should not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Ireland for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the call deadline.
• You must have a 3 rd level degree (B.Sc, equivalent of Honours 2.1 Irish degree or MSc.) in a relevant discipline, such as a biological science (genetics, biochemistry, biomedical science, molecular biology, immunology, etc) or a data science (computer science, engineering, physics mathematics, statistics, bioinformatics, etc.). You should also have a strong aptitude for programming and data analysis.
• You must have advanced level English language competency: You must demonstrate your ability to understand and express yourself in both written and spoken English at a sufficiently high level to be able to complete the training. English language competency can be demonstrated by certificates from International English language courses – see NUIG regulations at  ( https://www.nuigalway.ie/international-students/entry-requirements/ but note that the requirements at some of our partner institutions may differ slightly.

The INTEGRATE Programme is a sub-programme of the SFI Centre for Research Training in Genomics Data Science (CRT). 

The application process is now CLOSED 

Informal Queries: May be addressed to the following email address: [email protected]

Eva Szegezdi (Programme Co-ordinator)

Research Lecturer in Cancer Biology Biomedical Sciences School of Natural Sciences

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Integrated PhD

• Updated on  
• Apr 26, 2023

Pursuing a PhD is the ultimate goal of a scholar as it offers immense opportunities to delve into the ocean of knowledge of any domain of study. Involving a painstaking research process, a PhD can stretch from 3-5 years which is a colossal amount of time to immerse into a particular discipline. An Integrated PhD is a viable alternative to a regular doctoral degree as it saves you from the additional time and effort that goes into making the transition from a master’s degree to a research degree. If you’d like to fetch the information associated with different aspects of an Integrated PhD, continue reading our blog through which we aim to elaborate on the key essentials of this degree and the major institutions you can pursue it from.

This Blog Includes:

What is an integrated phd, difference between regular phd and integrated phd, who should study an integrated phd, documents required, submitting the application with a project title, submitting the application without a project title, applying for cdt programme, imperial college london, university of copenhagen, university of warwick, brunel university london, university of southampton, national university of singapore, loyola university chicago, boston college, university of rochester.

Integrated PhD is a research programme mainly comprising of Science , Technology, Engineering and Mathematics [ STEM ] fields. Some other similar doctoral programs are also available in Arts , Social Sciences and Humanities which are funded by the Research Councils. This 5-year degree program combines a master’s course with a PhD in which the first 2 years, students are supposed to study an MSc , MTech, MA or MRes and the next 3 years are dedicated to research work and a core PhD course. However, the duration may vary from university to university. On successful completion, scholars are awarded a doctoral degree.

• PhD in Education
• PhD in Pharmacy
• PhD in English
• PhD in Physics
• PhD in Economics

How Does Integrated PhD Programme Works?

Your master’s program will be inclined towards providing subject knowledge and accumulation of research skills important for your doctorate. In fact, the master you study may actually be called a Master of Research (MRes) rather than a taught MSc or MA.

How is Integrated PhD Graded? 

While the master’s portion is graded as a standalone qualification, the latter part is assessed on your thesis and performance in the viva voce. 

Why Should You Study Integrated PhD?

For students looking forward to working in a field that would require a blend of qualifications and specific research training, an integrated doctorate course can be a great way to prepare for this. The extended degree program is designed to offer the skills and competencies you need. Students will gradually acquire logical ways to smoothly transcend from master’s to doctoral research. 

Are you wondering what type of doctoral degree is right for you? Choosing between similar courses is a difficult task, but if you have the key differences in front of you, it becomes easier to make a concise decision. In order to pursue a regular PhD, scholars are required to have a master’s degree as the minimum qualification, whereas an Integrated PhD can be started just after completing your graduation. While a regular PhD can be done in any subject you want and is time-consuming, an integrated program takes fewer years to finish and also offers you the flexibility to select your field of interest. 

An integrated PhD is an excellent choice for anyone who believes they might benefit from more formal research training before pursuing an independent PhD topic. People who apply for Integrated PhDs, on the other hand, tend to fall into one of two categories:

• Bachelor’s degree holders who do not have a Master’s degree
• International students who want to familiarise themselves with the higher education system in their host country before pursuing a PhD.

Entry Requirements

• A 2:1 undergraduate degree in a related topic is normally required for admission to an integrated PhD.
• International students may additionally be required to achieve English language proficiency criteria.
• Most courses will accept an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each section.
• Check the programme description of your chosen PhD programme for detailed entry criteria.

Typically, applications are submitted using an online gateway on your university’s website. The specific documents necessary may vary, but in general, you will need to provide a combination of the following:

• Personal statement
• Cover letter
• Academic CV
• Research proposal (if applicable)

Also, Read: How to pursue a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)?

Application Process

Depending on the nature of the curriculum, there are a few alternative ways to apply for an Integrated PhD.

Some integrated PhDs will require you to select a research subject before applying (much like a normal PhD). Once you’ve identified a university that offers an integrated option for the subject you want to study, you’ll need to determine whether you want to propose your own research topic or apply for a PhD that has already been designed for you. In either case, reach out to potential supervisors before submitting your application.

The supervisor will be indicated in the advertisement if you are applying for a pre-designed PhD. If you created your own project, you’ll need to identify a professor whose expertise matches your research interests. In both circumstances, inform your potential supervisor that you will be applying for an integrated programme. This can help them assess if they are a good fit for the project.

Some integrated PhD programmes do not require students to choose a research subject before beginning their study. Instead, in your first year, you will engage in numerous minor research projects alongside potential supervisors, allowing you to make an educated decision on your eventual PhD topic. During your first year, you will typically develop your research proposal. This is very prevalent in STEM disciplines.

You will not need to contact prospective supervisors before applying for these projects. However, when completing your application, it is still a good idea to consider areas of research that interest you.

Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) finance many integrated PhD curricula. These are consortiums formed by groups of research entities (often universities and industry partners) that provide training for PhD cohorts and provide fully supported studentships. If you want to apply for an integrated CDT PhD (also known as a 1+3 programme), you can do so through your host university or through the CDT itself.

Individual projects are normally offered under each CDT programme, so you’ll need to mention which one you’re interested in when you apply. You may be prompted to mention a preference in your application yet may be matched with a different project.

Major Universities

This PhD program is a new model of doctoral training which retains the rigour, depth and focus of a conventional PhD while also extending a broader training experience. Let us briefly look at some of the most renowned institutions in the world offering excellent integrated doctoral courses:

Established in 1907, this public research university is a one-of-a-kind in the UK, focusing extensively on Science, Medicine , Engineering and Business. Imperial College London aims to offer the next generation of PhD scholars the ability to get ahead of the curve. It provides three different Wellcome Trust Integrated PhD programs: MRes and PhD in Epidemiology, Evolution and Control of Infectious Diseases; MRes and PhD in Molecular and Cellular Basis of Infection and MRes and PhD in Theoretical Systems Biology and Bioinformatics. The program typically comprises a 1-year master’s degree followed by a 3-year PhD.

Also, the funding for Centres of Doctoral Training (CDT) and Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) is provided by the Research Councils. Students recruited to these centres come from a broad spectrum of disciplines and have access to the facilities and supervisors at the partner institutions. 

To explore the centres that interest you, reach out to our counsellors at Leverage Edu and know more about the different training programmes and available studentships.

It is quite interesting to know that the new graduates from the University of Copenhagen have established a unique record of setting up 290 businesses in a year on average. But what makes this oldest university of Denmark established in 1479 so popular? Not only prominent in the field of Humanities and Social Sciences, the institute also offers excellent research facilities to students pursuing a career in Science and Medical Sciences. Its Integrated MSc and PhD programme scheme lasting for a duration of 3+5 years gives the option to combine the MSc optional programs with the writing of the PhD dissertation. The scheme is divided into the following two parts:

• Part A – The students are required to complete the MSc program within two years before concluding the entire Integrated PhD program. 
• Part B – The PhD program begins only when students have completed their part A, fulfilling the required eligibility criteria of the course.

Also, Read: PhD in UK

Known to rank 64th in the world by QS World University Rankings 202 3 and 8th in the UK by The Guardian 2023 league table, the University of Warwick is framed as internationally-leading research excellence. The university is committed to attracting and nurturing students across the world since 1965. Its new centre for doctoral training aims to develop mathematical concepts to address challenges in healthcare, financial and industrial sectors through an integrated research program. This MSc+PhD in MathSys (Mathematics for Real-World Systems) combines 1-year full-time MSc and a 3-year PhD, perhaps closely with one of the partner institutions. Other courses also include a 4-year Integrated PhD in Material Modelling. 

Founded in 1966, Brunel University London is home to nearly 13,000 students from more than 100 countries across the globe. The Brunel Integrated PhD brings together structured professional, research and subject training for typically 4 years. Once completed, scholars are awarded a PhD with an Integrated Postgraduate Diploma in Research. The coursework covers training and professional skills as well as providing field-specific content. You can choose your integrated research among the following courses:

• Business and Management 
• Mathematical Sciences
• Advanced Manufacturing and Enterprise Engineering
• Electronic and Computer Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Information Systems and Computing 
• PhD after MTech
• PhD after MBA
• PhD after BTech
• PhD after MCA

Recognised as a founding member of the Russell Group , University of Southampton aims to develop critical thinking and independent learning skills in students to help them become future leaders. The university offers an Integrated PhD in Education to equip students with foundational research skills and opportunities to develop proposals during the early stages of the program. The coursework can be studied both full-time (4-year) and part-time (9-year). This is an intensive program integrating a substantial number of seminars, lectures, workshops, etc. conducted by a supervisory team with specialist expertise in your area. Other such programs include a PhD (Integrated) in Biomedical Science – Cell Biology and Immunology of Cancer designed to create the next generation of leaders in cancer study and a PhD in Web Science broadly engaged in the Digital Economy.

Transformative and multidisciplinary research at NUS has been consistently nurturing effective global leaders, impacting society and transforming lives for the better. The National University of Singapore was founded in 1905 and is known to be the first autonomous research in the country. The NUS PhD/MEng program allows students to chase ideas, seek new experiences and turn their ideas into reality. In a vibrant research-intensive environment, MEng students with PhD calibre can subsequently upgrade their course to the doctoral program after a year of study. 

The Loyola University Chicago – Stritch School of Medicine offers an MD/PhD program incorporating medical and graduate education with high-impact scientific research. Since 1870, the university has strived to create integrated educational programs that are designed to be individualized and tailored to meet the professional goals of every student. The individuals demonstrating a strong interest in research can definitely opt for an Integrated PhD which aims to cover both degrees in 7 to 8 years of duration.

Graduates interested to delve deeper into the field of social work can consider Boston College for a combined MSW and PhD in Social Work . The college allows talented students to embark on their PhD coursework before completing a degree in the Master of Social Work . One of the greatest advantages of pursuing an Integrated PhD can be the elimination of redundancy between a master’s degree and doctoral program – saving approximately one year compared to the traditional PhD. At this private institution founded in 1863, international students get to acquire the fundamental American social welfare system and social work practices.

• PhD in Australia
• PhD in Canada
• PhD in Europe

Planning to put your nursing education in high gear? The University of Rochester , founded in 1850, offers a full-time MS-PhD combing a master’s in nursing alongside a research-intensive curriculum or 6 nurse practitioner speciality disciplines. As a scholar, you will be allowed to teach future healthcare experts in clinical and academic settings. The class size is generally small and limited to academically strong students ensuring that every student receives support and close mentorship from faculty. Students can choose among the following MS-PhD speciality courses:

• Nurse Practitioner Courses for Family, Pediatric, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, Family Psychiatric Mental Health or Pediatric/Neonatal
• Nursing Education

Ans. The Integrated PhD combines taught specialist modules, training and skills courses, and research studies. This enables Postgraduate Researchers (PGRs) to widen and deepen their topic knowledge, as well as to broaden and develop their expertise in other directions.

Ans. While a traditional PhD can be completed in any subject and takes time, an integrated programme takes fewer years to complete and allows you to choose your field of interest.

Ans. A four-year postgraduate programme is an Integrated PhD. In the first year, you will complete a one-year Master’s degree (MRes or MSc), followed by a three-year PhD curriculum in the second through fourth years.

If you are aiming to increase your chances for timely completion of your doctorate program in comparison to those taking the traditional route of PhD, then an Integrated PhD is most suited for you. You can get in touch with our experts at Leverage Edu who can help you throughout the application process from choosing the right PhD degree to making an impressive application and drafting SOPs and LORs to get successfully shortlisted into your dream university abroad.

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Hi, I want to pursue PhD. I had done my B’Tech in computer science. I am a working professional and have 16 yrs of exp. How can I do that?

Hi Naresh, Our experts are here to guide you on your path of pursuing a PhD in the field of your choice. Get in touch with us at 1800572000 and book a free e-meeting.

I want to pursue LLM-PHD integrated in Law currently I’m in my semi final year of LLB. Which recognized universities abroad offer the same?

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International Programmes 2023/2024

MD/PhD Programme: Molecular Medicine MD/PhD Programme: Molecular Medicine

Hannover medical school • hannover.

• Course details
• Costs / Funding
• Requirements / Registration

TwinCore Hannover, HZI Braunschweig, Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine

All seminars and courses are held in English. German language courses are offered.

Orientation weeks from 1 October

Three-year research projects in various fields of Biomedicine See homepage The international MD/PhD programme "Molecular Medicine" combines a broad spectrum of research in the fields of Immunology, Infection Biology, Oncology and Stem Cell Biology/ Differentiation, Cell Biology, and Genetics. Students (approx. 60: 20 per year; medical as well as life scientists) work in over 20 different departments of MHH as well as at partner institutes (Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Friedrich Loeffler Institute Mariensee (FLI)). The main aim of the programme is to bridge the gap between basic sciences and applied clinical aspects in research training and to foster the necessary interdisciplinary exchange. Projects cover aspects of research on infectious or inflammatory diseases (HIV, hepatitis, diabetes, asthma, atopic eczema, autoimmune diseases, atherosclerosis, etc.), signal transduction or oncology (MAP kinases and targets, WNT signalling, telomere shortening, genetics of breast cancer, genetics and signalling of leukaemia) and stem cell research or differentiation (hepatic differentiation of stem cells, targeting of hematopoietic stem cells - gene therapy, somite and limb patterning, etc.).

Three-year programme, 300 hours of lectures/seminars, variety of soft skills courses

• International guest lecturers
• Integrated study abroad unit(s)
• Specialist literature in other languages
• Language training provided
• Training in intercultural skills
• Study trips
• Projects with partners in Germany and abroad

Short-term stays abroad are possible.

Internships are possible upon request.

• Other (e.g. state level)

About 400 EUR per semester

About 1,000 EUR

Every student receives a stipend or salary of at least 1,700 EUR.

Master's degree, German Diploma ("Diplom"), or Dr med

Excellent English language skills required, preferably TOEFL or other tests

https://hbrs.cloud.opencampus.net/

(Platform opens between 1 December and 1 March.)

Rooms are provided in the nearby student hostel.

We offer a variety of career advice services like consultation hours, a lecture series called "career perspectives", a great number of workshops and soft skill courses, excursions to industry, career days, etc. Our ~300 alumni students are happy to help you. 

• Welcome event
• Buddy programme
• Accompanying programme
• Specialist counselling
• Visa matters
• Pick-up service

Hannover Medical School

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Commission rolls out plans for a European degree

Today we are one step closer to creating a European degree , a new type of voluntary joint programme between universities from different EU countries that will be recognised across the EU. This comes after the Commission presented a package to advance cross-border cooperation between higher education institutions.

A European degree will benefit students by boosting learning mobility and by making graduates more attractive for employers. At the same time, it will help to meet labour market demand, ultimately boosting Europe’s competitiveness.

The package is comprised of three initiatives that tackle the legal and administrative barriers to setting up competitive joint degree programmes at Bachelor, Master or Doctoral levels. Importantly, they do so while fully respecting universities’ autonomy and competence of EU countries and regional governments in the area of higher education.

The first of these initiatives is the blueprint for a European degree, which sets out a concrete cooperation path between EU countries and the higher education sector. Given the diversity of European higher education systems, this will follow a gradual approach with two possible entry points

• a preparatory European label : joint programmes which meet the proposed European criteria would be given a preparatory European label and students would receive a European degree label certificate together with their joint degree
• a European degree : a new type of qualification anchored in national legislation, awarded jointly by several universities or a common legal entity established by such universities, and automatically recognised

To support this and to support the higher education sector more generally, there are two other initiatives in the package. One looks at ways to improve quality assurance processes and automatic recognition of qualifications in higher education, and the other at how to make academic careers more attractive and sustainable.

Find more information

Dedicated website on the Higher Education Package

Factsheet on a European degree

Press release: Commission rolls out plans for a European degree

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Important Dates

• Application Opens: April 15, 2024
• Application Deadline: June 17, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. ET
• HILS Preview Weekend: September 26-28, 2024

Please read the program description, eligibility criteria, and application instructions before beginning your application.

Program Description

The goal of the  Harvard Integrated Life Sciences  (HILS) Preview Weekend is to provide an in-person academic professional development and community building experience for prospective HILS PhD program applicants who have not previously had the opportunity to visit Harvard and become familiar with its programs and resources. Core to the mission of the HILS Preview Weekend is the promotion of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in STEM.

At the HILS Preview Weekend, participants will:

• connect and network with  HILS PhD program students, staff, and faculty
• gain insights into the application process and how to prepare a strong application for HILS PhD programs
• learn about resources, support, and the life sciences research environment at Harvard
• explore the city of Boston.

Lodging, airfare, and all meals are covered for HILS Preview Weekend participants.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants must meet  all of the following criteria:

• US citizens, permanent residents, or non-US citizens with DACA 
• individuals who will be applying to PhD programs in the life sciences in 2024
• must be available to attend the entire in-person program.

Individuals ineligible for the HILS Preview Weekend include those:

• who have participated in summer research, postbaccalaureate, or other outreach programs at Harvard, its affiliated hospitals and/or institutes
• who are current or former research assistants or master's students at Harvard or its affiliated institutes.

Please note that applications that do not meet these eligibility criteria will not be considered.

Who Should Apply?

• college seniors, postbaccalaureate students, research assistants, master's students, and STEM professionals

Individuals with:

• a demonstrated interest in pursuing a PhD in the life sciences
• a strong interest in  HILS PhD programs
• prior hands-on research experience in a wet lab or dry lab environment.

We especially encourage applications from students who are from  underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds (see also  NOT-OD-20-031 ). Applications are open to all, and HILS does not consider race, ethnicity, or national origin in reviewing applications.

Application Components

The HILS Preview Weekend application consists of the following components:

• personal, academic, and research background
• unofficial transcripts
• statement of purpose – see instructions below
• personal statement – see instructions below
• a letter of recommendation (from a faculty member in whose laboratory you have performed research) – see instructions below
• resume – see instructions below
• Note: There is no application fee for the HILS Preview Weekend.

Please note that incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Stay tuned for the launch of the application!

Statement of Purpose (750 words max)

Your statement of purpose should be clear, concise, and coherent, including all of the following components.

• Describe your reasons and motivations for participating in the HILS Preview Weekend and pursuing a PhD in your chosen field(s), including how you will benefit from the HILS Preview Weekend. 
• Briefly indicate your career objectives. 
• the central question and/or hypothesis driving each of your research projects or research experiences
• key methods, results, and conclusions
• your specific experimental and intellectual contributions to the work.

Your statement should be free from spelling or grammatical errors, well structured with transitions, labeled with your first and last name, and comprehensible for someone who is not an expert in your field. Please upload your statement of purpose as a PDF.

Personal Statement (500 words max)

A core part of the Harvard Griffin GSAS mission is to identify and attract the most promising students to form a dynamic and diverse community. We are committed to training individuals who reflect the growing diversity of society today and who will contribute to our commitment to sustain a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment. Please briefly describe your personal journey to graduate education and how your experiences have impacted your decision to pursue graduate study. In addition, please describe any personal experiences in your education or upbringing—including opportunities, hardships, or obstacles—that you believe to be pertinent to your application.

Letter of Recommendation

Please have a faculty member in whose lab you have conducted research submit a letter of recommendation for you, describing and discussing (1) your work in their laboratory, (2) academic performance, (3) intellectual potential, (4) motivation for graduate study, (5) creativity and originality, and (6) other qualities that make you a strong candidate for PhD programs in the life sciences.

Note: You are responsible for ensuring that the faculty member writing your letter of recommendation submits it by the application deadline. Applications without a letter of recommendation will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.

Resume (1-2 pages)

Your resume should include a brief overview of the following elements, as applicable: your relevant education, research experience, laboratory skills, teaching experience, presentations, publications, honors and awards, and relevant leadership, outreach, and extracurricular activities. Resumes that are longer than two pages will not be reviewed.

Harvard Integrated Life Sciences

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