Joint Doctoral Program - University of Manchester

Call for Applications opening on 16th January, 2024. Application Deadline: 4th March 2024 11:59 pm IST. Please go through the details below for information on application.

Call for project applications are announced for potential supervisors from both the Institutions in the last quarter of each calendar year. Following the approval of research projects, portal is made open for student applications. Applications are received for approximately a month. After two levels of selections, final interviews and presentations take place around April-May of the following year. Awardees are notified within a month of their final interview. Relevant guidelines and forms are shared when announcements are made. The Call for Project Proposals have been made open on 18th October, 2023. All relevant information is available on this page.

This is a time bound PhD program which needs to be completed in 4 years. 3 positions with full scholarships are available for the program.

  1. For Indian nationals: Open to B.Tech. or M.Tech/M.Sc. graduates with a CGPA of 7.5 from any IIT or QS WUR 500 universities.
  2. For UK and other nationals: Bachelors or Masters graduates in science, engineering or related fields from a globally reputed university (QS WUR 500 universities) with minimum first class or equivalent, or minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0
  3. English language IELTS 6.5 with minimum 6.0 in every category, or equivalent (which could include GCSE English pass or equivalent) as a screening requirement.

Applicants can apply through the online portal at https://erp.iitkgp.ac.in/IITKGPApplications/index?admiss_ch=48. Only one application form is required in the initial stage. If selected, successful candidates may be required to submit other forms as necessary prior to registering for the project.

An applicant can choose to apply against only one of the offered projects.

The documents that would be required to be uploaded in the portal are:

  1. Academic Transcripts
  2. Curriculum Vitae
  3. Statement of Research Interest-Max 750 words (you may contact the listed supervisors for your project to obtain more information)
  4. 2 recommendation letters
  5. Any photo identity proof (Passport / Aadhar Card / Voter ID / Student ID Card)
  6. Photo and Signature

  1. Supervisors from both Institutions will evaluate applications for their respective projects and recommend the names of top candidate(s)
  2. The Joint Programme Board involving members from IIT Kharagpur and University of Manchester will select the 3 positions for scholarships based on the merit of both the candidate and the project

Equal Opportunuity Policy

The University of Manchester and IIT Kharagpur pride ourselves on our commitment to fairness, inclusion and respect in everything we do. Applications are welcome from people of all backgrounds and identities. We encourage you to bring your whole self to work and study. We will ensure that your application is given full consideration without regard to your race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, domicile, disability, age, marital or pregnancy status, or socio-economic background.

The program is four years long. The time will be allocated as follows:


Year 1: Spent at IITKGP.

Coursework must be completed within the first two semesters. Preliminary research activity under joint supervision is initiated in the first year itself. Comprehensive Exam at IIT Kharagpur should be taken and cleared within the first 10 months.

Year 1 Milestone:Comprehensive Exam @IITKgp = First year/Continuation @ U Manchester

Note: If the candidate is unsuccessful after two attempts in Comprehensive Exam, or if any course grade is D or lower, then the candidate will be asked to leave the program.


Year 2: Spent at Manchester.

Research work continues at U of Manchester. Supervisor(s) at both ends continually monitor progress. Registration Seminar given in Manchester.

Year 2 Milestone: First annual review @ UManchester = Registration seminar @IITKgp


Year 3: Spent at Kharagpur/Manchester.

Research continues. Supervisor(s) at both ends continually monitor progress. Enhancement Seminar given in Kharagpur.


Year 3 Milestone: Enhancement seminar @IIT Kgp = Second annual review @ UManchester


Year 4: Spent at Manchester/Kharagpur.

Thesis work is completed. Synopsis seminar is given. Thesis is submitted to both Institutions and sent for examination as per each institution’s rules;
a) IITKGP sends thesis to Indian and Foreign Examiners. Both examiners submit report. If accepted, defence seminar is conducted as per IITKGP rules in Manchester/Kgp depending on student’s location. Otherside attends by video conference.
b) Evaluation and closed door defence is conducted at Manchester as per University of Manchester rules.

Year 4 Milestone: Third annual review @ UManchester = Synopsis seminar @IITKgp

Closed door defence @ UManchester AND Open Thesis defence @Kgp


Note: This time allocation can be altered in consultation with the project supervisors and the joint academic board.

If student successfully defends the thesis as required by each institution, both institutions jointly award the doctoral degree. There will be two parchments - each will prominently mention the joint nature of the work and the partner institute’s name.

Student can walk the stage during convocation/commencement at either or both Institutions.

Tuition: UManchester and IITKGP both waive/absorb their respective tuition fees.

Stipend: IIT Kharagpur awards stipend at the prevailing JRF/SRF rates while the student is resident in its campus. University of Manchester will make available competitive scholarship opportunities while the student is in residence at Manchester.

As per prevailing rules of UK and India.

  1. Applicant should be a graduate with minimum CGPA of 7.5 on a scale of 10
  2. International applicants if not an Indian national, should have visa to study in India starting if needed.
  3. An applicant can apply for ONLY ONE project.
  4. English Language Proficiency test must be cleared by successful applicants before they are admitted to the Dual Ph.D. programme.
  5. Successful candidates may require ATAS certificate if relevant for the project. For details, refer to https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme
  6. Applicant must be in a position to join the program by 15 July* every year.
  7. Successful candidates must have a valid passport before they can apply for travel to UK.
  8. Successful candidates will receive tuition waiver from University of Manchester. Students will receive stipend while at IIT Kharagpur at prevailing JRF/SRF rates.
  9. No funding support will be provided for travel.
  10. All standard rules and policies of both institutions will be applicable.


* Exact start date may vary.

  1. Approval Form. ( Download PDF | DOCX )
  2. Project Proposal Guidance. ( Download PDF | DOCX )
  3. Project Proposal Form ( Download PDF | DOCX )
  4. Selection Criteria and Guidance Notes ( Download PDF | DOCX )  


* Document # 1 carries information on student selection that you will be requiring in due course during student candidate selection. Please refer to Documents # 2 & 3 for your Research Project Applications.

  1. Approved Project List ( Download XLSX )
  2. Additional Project Information Files ( Download ZIP )

  1. For project related queries please contact IITKGP supervisor
  2. Form administrative queries please contact ir-office@adm.iitkgp.ac.in
  3. For technical issues with application form please contact: parimal.santra@adm.iitkgp.ac.in or chandan.giri@adm.iitkgp.ac.in
  4. No calls please