British Heart Foundation 4 Year PhD Programme in Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes

Why focus on Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes?

Professor Mark Kearney BHF Professor of Cardiovascular Disease & Diabetes and Dean of Medicine, University of Leeds
Structure of our Programme
Project proposals

Highlights of the Programme:
- Emphasis on PGR support (dedicated administrator, buddy scheme, mentors)
- Access to world class research facilities and the LIGHT laboratories
- Maximized time for the main PhD project
- Overseas visits to other world-leading laboratories
- Support for career development
- Off-campus research retreat in the Lake District
- Publication of a review article
- Extensive relevant taught and real-life training experiences
- Wide multidisciplinary supervisor pool (including clinician-scientists)
- Located in a stylish state-of-the-art scientific building on one of the largest university-hospital complexes in the UK
Entry Requirements
- Students will have, or expect to obtain, a degree equivalent to at least a UK upper second class undergraduate degree in a relevant subject area including; medical sciences, biomedical sciences, structural biology, biochemistry, imaging, physics, chemistry, mathematics and computing
- Four awards will be available annually, with a maximum of one for an international candidate
- Applicants applying should not already have been awarded a doctoral degree
Applicants whose first language is not English must meet the Faculty’s English Language requirements.
Fee Information
UK/EU students: This studentship will cover the cost of tuition fees (at UK/EU rate) and a maintenance stipend (£19,919 - £23, 298 per year), based on 2018/19 rates.
Non-UK/EU students: one International Studentship will be considered for an exceptional candidate from outside the UK/EU. This studentship will cover:
- an annual contribution towards the international academic fee, leaving a deficit to be funded by the applicant of approximately £10,000 per annum
- a maintenance stipend (£19,919 - £23,298 per year), based on 2017/18 rates
Please note: the deficit in academic fees for international students must be paid by the student or their sponsor at the time of registration. This can either be a payment for the full amount, or a payment for half the amount outstanding (approx. £5,000), with a second payment for the same amount required halfway through each academic year. The academic fee will remain the same for international students for all subsequent years of the programme. You will need to provide evidence that you are able to fund a minimum of half the academic fees outstanding (approx. £5,000) at the time of application. The stipend cannot be used to pay your first instalment of fees.
The full list of our project proposals
How to apply
To apply please email the following supporting documentation to the Faculty of Medicine and Health Graduate School:
- Completed Faculty Scholarship Application Form
- Full Academic CV including referee details
- Degree certificates and transcripts (or grade transcript if still studying)
- Evidence of funding
- 2 references from academic referees. Please ask your referees to send these references on your behalf, directly to the Faculty of Medicine and Health Graduate School
- For non-UK/EU applicants, evidence (eg: bank statement, sponsorship letter) that you are able to cover the additional cost of fees, either personally or via a sponsor (approximately £10,000 per annum).
- Evidence of funding
- Evidence of English language ability
Enquiries regarding the application process should be directed to the Faculty of Medicine and Health Graduate School.
Selection process
Closing date for applications is midnight on 2nd January 2020. If selected for interview you will be invited to visit the Institute for the day and experience:
- A short talk by the Programme director Professor David Beech and co-director Dr Richard Cubbon who will discuss the research ongoing and the support on hand for PhD students
- A tour of the laboratories and office space in the LIGHT building
- Informal lunch with our current PhD Students
- Short 1:1 meeting with the supervisors of your three selected projects
- The interview itself - 30 minutes and with three members of the Programme management team. We do not require interviewees to give presentations
- Successful candidates will be contacted to discuss their project choice and further options if necessary to ensure they get the best experience
For candidates currently outside the UK, interviews can be conducted over Skype.
Links to useful sites
International Office - Provides welcome and orientation support and immigration advice and the opportunity to be part of a Global Community.
Doctoral College - Provides support and enhances opportunities available to you as a PhD student.
Feeling at Home in Leeds - The University offers face to face support and online tools to help students feel at home and make the most of University life.
Faculty of Medicine and Health Graduate School - As a researcher at Leeds, you will be part of a vibrant and welcoming research community both within the Faculty and the wider University.
Contact Us
For any queries about the 4 Year BHF Programme, please contact our dedicated administrator, Gillian Richardson.
Lauren Eades 4-year British Heart Foundation PhD Programme
The foundation year of my PhD has enabled me to learn a wide range of practical techniques and skills, including both experimental and computational methods. My PhD has been enriched by attending and presenting my work at conferences, such as the institute’s annual endothelial and MRCP conferences, 2019. I particularly enjoyed presenting at the annual student BHF conference at Imperial College London, 2019.View Profile
Michael Bell PhD in Cardiovascular Science
The highlights of the PhD so far have been conducting imaging experiments in the brand new ePIC facility and the opportunity to present research at the faculty away days. My research project is based on molecular imaging of abdominal aortic aneurysm. This involves studying the use of molecular probes which could use a stratification biomarkers in the detection and management of abdominal aortic aneurysm. The facilities in LICAMM and the University of Leeds are state of the art. ePIC houses leading equipment in medical imaging and the microscopy suite houses a range of excellent microscopes.View Profile