Joint Doctoral Program - University of Manchester

Call for Applications opening on 13th January, 2025. Application Deadline: 3rd March 2025 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 21st October, 2024. 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 residents, the programme is open to graduates B.Tech. or M.Sc./M.Tech. graduate from any Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) with a minimum CGPA of 7.5 on a scale of 10.
  2. For residents of other countries, it is open to graduates of Institutes/Universities within QS WUR of 500 (published in 2024).
  3. Candidates must be able to undertake PhD studies at IIT Kharagpur from July 2025 or as soon as possible.
  4. Willingness to travel to the UK to undertake 2 years of study based at The University of Manchester if such travel is permitted by UK and India governments.
  5. Holds or expects to obtain a 2:1 class honours undergraduate degree or higher (or international equivalent – contact the Admissions Team for details).
  6. Preferably holds a master’s-level qualification at merit or distinction (or international equivalent – contact the Admissions Team for details).
  7. Demonstrable excellent communication skills, including in English language, a proficiency in which should be demonstrably indicated by meeting the requirements as indicated on https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/admissions/language-requirements and in particular securing an IELTS score of at least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component OR securing a TOEFL iBT score of 90 with no less than 20 in each component equivalentOR equivalent. The TOEFL/IELTS exam may be taken after the final selection and award of scholarship, and prior to joining IIT Kharagpur.
  8. For some projects an ATAS certificate may also be required by them.
  9. Demonstrate to fulfil the University of Manchester Faculty of Science and Engineering Postgraduate Researcher person specification:
    1. Educational background matches research project.
    2. Potential to form effective working relationships with a diverse range of people, including working inclusively and as part of a team.
    3. Potential to take the initiative, lead on projects, and be proactive in prioritising a dynamic, agile and diverse workload.
    4. Potential to develop understanding of complex problems, evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a given scenario, and apply in-depth knowledge to address them.
    5. Potential to develop expertise in new areas of the subject.
    6. Evidence of an understanding of the proposed area of research, including knowledge of current challenges and opportunities.
    7. An interest in continuous personal and professional development.
    8. Potential to communicate ideas and conclusions, verbally and in writing, clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
    9. Preliminary knowledge of research techniques/track record of engaging with research.
    10. Commitment to principles of Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, & Accessibility in teaching, research, or experience.

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. Project Proposal Guidance. ( Download PDF | DOCX )
  2. Selection Criteria and Guidance Notes ( Download PDF )  

  1. Approved Project List ( Download XLSX | PDF)

  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