university birmingham phd

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We offer a huge diversity of opportunities for research at postgraduate level. Powered by FindAPhd.com, below you will find our research opportunities.

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Qualification, university name, phd degree at university of birmingham.

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History of Art PhD (On-Campus or by Distance Learning)

University of birmingham.

By pursuing research in History of Art at Birmingham, you will joining a vibrant and dynamic research community thanks to the Department’s Read more...

• 3 years Distance without attendance degree: £2,389 per year (UK)
• 3 years Full time degree: £4,778 per year (UK)

African Studies PhD (On-Campus or by Distance Learning)

The Department of African Studies and Anthropology has an international reputation as a centre of excellence in the study of Africa and its Read more...

Classics and Ancient History PhD (On-Campus or by Distance Learning)

The Department of Classics and Ancient History offers the opportunity to carry out postgraduate research in a distinctively wide range of Read more...

PhD International Development

The International Development Department (IDD) is committed to encouraging new thinking in the fields of development studies, global Read more...

• 6 years Part time degree: £2,389 per year (UK)

Pure Mathematics PhD

The Pure Mathematics group is at the forefront of research in contemporary aspects of Algebra, Analysis, Combinatorics, Geometry and Read more...

• 6 years Part time degree

Atmospheric Sciences and Air Pollution PhD with Integrated Study

Our Atmospheric Sciences and Air Pollution PhD with Integrated Study has been developed to provide a new route to the Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree: £4,778 per year (UK)

Shakespeare Studies PhD (On-Campus or by Distance Learning)

In the heart of Shakespeare’s Stratford, with access to the theatres of the Royal Shakespeare Company and extraordinarily rich libraries Read more...

Management Mathematics PhD

The Management Mathematics PhD examines the basic concepts in a broad range of managerial, industrial and scientific problems and Read more...

Drama and Theatre Studies PhD (On-Campus or by Distance Learning)

Postgraduate research in the Department of Drama and Theatre Arts brings students, scholars and theatre practitioners together to achieve a Read more...

Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering PhD

Research in Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering at the University of Birmingham addresses key challenges, problems and Read more...

English Literature PhD (On-Campus or by Distance Learning)

By pursuing research in English Literature at Birmingham, you will be joining a vibrant and dynamic research community thanks to the Read more...

As a postgraduate researcher at Birmingham Law School you will be contributing to more than 85 years of research tradition, working Read more...

Dentistry - PhD

Our Dentistry PhD/MSc by Research will equip you with the skills you need to contribute to research that focuses on the scientific basis of Read more...

Musicology PhD (On-Campus or by Distance Learning)

Carry out your postgraduate research in one of the most dynamic institutions in Britain, with supervision from world-leading academics and Read more...

Philosophy PhD (On-Campus or by Distance Learning)

By pursuing research in Philosophy at Birmingham, you will joining a vibrant and dynamic research community thanks to the Department’s Read more...

• 6 years Distance without attendance degree: £2,389 per year (UK)

Chemical Engineering PhD

Chemical Engineering at Birmingham is one of the largest departments in the UK, we have a well-established tradition of wide-ranging Read more...

Civil Engineering PhD

Our research tackles the problems faced by society today and develops the knowledge and tools to build the communities of the future. Many Read more...

Cognitive Science (Computer Science) PhD

The School of Computer Science welcomes highly motivated and well qualified graduates to join us to work towards a Cognitive Science Read more...

Metallurgy and Materials PhD

Metallurgy and Materials Science at Birmingham is a major research centre with world class facilities. Our research is at the leading edge Read more...

Physics and Astronomy PhD

Push the boundaries of knowledge at the frontiers of science in one of the largest Physics departments in the country. Combining a high Read more...

• 3.5 years Full time degree: £4,778 per year (UK)

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University Of Birmingham PhD Scholarship for Black British Researchers 2024

Published: 29 Mar 2024 476 views

The PhD will provide a unique opportunity to engage with an under-researched collection of African art at the University of Birmingham (UoB), a discrete collection that is part of Research and Cultural Collections (RCC) - a university museum holding full Museum Accredited status from Arts Council England (ACE) The African Collection is rich and diverse: it celebrates extensive cultural traditions and modern and contemporary artistic expression through a range of objects and media. Communities represented are Yorùbá, Hausa and Asante, and it includes work by artists such as Ben Enwonwu and Justus Akeredolu, as well as an important group of Nigerian modernist paintings by artists associated with the Zaria Arts Society.

The PhD has two key aims:

• It will provide the first in-depth critical assessment of art objects from the collection ever undertaken. It will approach the relation between form, content, and the aesthetics of artworks and objects which traditionally have been labelled as ‘African’ from multiple perspectives. It will critically evaluate art historical notions such as ‘decorative art’ or ‘tourist art’ and emphasize diverse applications of the terms ‘African’ and ‘diaspora’.
• It will explore how collections of African art might be able to employ new methods and approaches to engage diaspora communities and widen audience participation, including strategies of co-curation, and the use of digital technologies. By doing so, it will contribute to RCC’s ongoing co-curation initiatives, such as ‘Africanize’ in collaboration with ‘We Don’t Settle’ and Black artists in Birmingham and the ongoing programme of community and artist engagement, where focus is directed towards co-research and co-production and HEI researchers working with external researchers from source communities.

This PhD is timely and necessary. It will make a significant contribution to current debates around the colonial legacy of museum collections in Europe and North America with special emphasis on the objects’ diasporic agency and significance for source communities. As part of a university collection, research into the African collection will uniquely address calls to decolonise curricula and university collections.

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About University of Birmingham

Phd scholarship, aim and benefits of phd scholarship, requirements for phd scholarship qualification, interview date, process and venue for phd scholarship, application deadline, how to apply.

The University of Birmingham (informally Birmingham University) is a public research university located in Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Queen's College, Birmingham (founded in 1828 as the Birmingham School of Medicine and Surgery) and Mason Science College (established in 1875 by Sir Josiah Mason), making it the first English civic or 'red brick' university to receive its own royal charter. It is a founding member of both the Russell Group of British research universities and the international network of research uni... continue reading

• Financial Support:  Recipients of these scholarships will receive substantial financial support, including a stipend at UKRI rates, which is set at £18,622 per year. This support covers tuition fees, living expenses, and research-related costs, including bench fees. This support is designed to alleviate the financial burden often associated with pursuing a doctoral degree.
• Mentorship and Guidance:  Scholarship recipients will benefit from mentorship opportunities and guidance from accomplished faculty members who are dedicated to helping them succeed in their academic and research endeavours.
• Research Opportunities:  We are committed to providing an exceptional research environment. Students will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge resources, and a vibrant scholarly community.
• Community Building:  A key component of the scholarship programme is the creation of a supportive community of Black British researchers pursuing PhDs. This network will foster collaboration and peer support among scholars.
• Research Training Support Grant:  In addition to financial support, scholarship recipients will receive a research training support grant. This grant is intended to support conference attendance, fieldwork, and other essential activities that enhance their research and academic growth.
• Commitment to Inclusivity:  We are dedicated to building an inclusive academic environment that values diversity and ensures equitable access to education

These scholarships are designed to create opportunities and address the underrepresentation of talented Black or Black mixed heritage students in academia. Applicants who meet all of the following criteria are eligible to apply:

• UK nationals and eligible for registration as Home students
• Black African
• Black Caribbean
• Black Other
• Mixed – White and Black Caribbean
• Mixed – White and Black African
• Other mixed background (to include Black African, Black Caribbean or Black Other)
• Not already enrolled on a PhD programme at the University of Birmingham

Once you’ve submitted your application, we’ll send you details on how to access your applicant portal. You’ll be able to track the progress of your application, update your personal information, view decisions and accept offers.

Your application will be ‘pending’ on your portal while we check your application.

You can add or edit some details or documents within your application after it’s been submitted through your applicant portal. Or email  [email protected]  (include your applicant ID number) and we can add or edit for you.

Once applicants have familiarised themselves with the above project details, they are encouraged to contact the lead PhD supervisor to discuss the project and the applicant's suitability for the project. This is recommended before you apply to the PhD project.

CONTACT THE LEAD SUPERVISOR

• After applicants have made contact with the lead PhD supervisor, you will then need to apply to the PhD project using our online application portal: you should select ' 125th Anniversary Scholarships (CAL) '. You will need to create an account for the online application portal and you will be prompted to sign-in upon your return to the portal.
• You do not need to complete your application in one session; you can save your application at each stage and return to the portal at any stage before submission, particularly if you do not have all of the necessary documents when you begin your application.
• As this is an 'advertised PhD', in which you will studying the above project that has already been provided by the academic supervisor(s), you do not need to submit a research proposal. Your personal statement will suffice for determining your suitability for the PhD project as well as your previous academic, professional and personal experiences.

The deadline for applications is 23:59 (UK time) on Tuesday 30 April 2024.

Possible research questions include:

• What is the role and significance of the African Collection for African diaspora communities in Birmingham and the UK?
• What might be gaps and silences in the collection, and how could these be addressed through new models of (co-)curation, public engagement and museum interpretation?
• How could museums and collections of African art in Europe utilise the possibilities offered by digital technologies to contextualise the objects in their collections and engage with source communities?

Applicants are encouraged to use the 'Project Overview' to form the basis of their research proposal and use their personal statement to outline what they will bring to the project and how they would develop it in line with your own research interests.

Application portal tips

• You don’t need to complete your application in one session. Simply save it and come back to it when you’re ready.
• Avoid delays by checking all your information is accurate and complete.
• Your application won’t be processed until you’ve completed all the relevant sections and submitted it.
• If you run into any technical issues with your application, email us at  [email protected]

For more details, visit  UoB website

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Finding Her Voice: Beeson graduate tells her story of God’s faithfulness

Morgan Champion thought she knew where she was headed when she first came to Samford University in 2018.

Starting her collegiate career as a triple major in pre-law, Spanish and journalism, while being part of the University Fellows program, Champion learned to live with cerebral palsy and navigated being on her own for the first time while using a wheelchair.

A few months into her time at Samford, Champion realized she wasn’t doing what the Lord had called her to do. She had a conversation with her parents in December 2018 and told them she felt called to ministry.  Champion changed her major to religious studies, still believing that law school would be in her future.

God had other plans.

Through a relationship with Jim Barnette, a professor in the Department of Biblical and Religious Studies and a campus minister, Champion learned she had a platform because of her disability. Barnette, struck by Champion’s evident giftedness in preaching and teaching, encouraged her to pursue seminary, recommending Samford’s Beeson Divinity School.

While she was never part of the Preministerial Scholars program Barnette directed, Champion said Barnette called her an honorary member, and continued to push her to follow God’s will.

“He was the most amazing, incredible person,” Champion said. “I wouldn’t be where I am without Dr. Barnette. The whole Barnette family has come alongside me in some awesome and incredible ways throughout my time in seminary.”

Before coming to Samford, Champion had never spent more than two weeks away from her family in Georgia. The first semester was a challenge, she said, as cerebral palsy forces the body to use about five times more energy to accomplish tasks than those without the disability. But over time, she became more confident, helped by a university that “became home, a safe place and a respite.”

“Samford really gave me the confidence to say, ‘This is who I am; this is what I’m good at; this is what the Lord has called me to do,’” Champion said. “It really gave me the confidence to say, ‘I’m going to throw away this perfectly curated and crafted plan that I’ve had for so many years and I’m going to obey Him and go to seminary.’”

As she prepared for Beeson, Champion admitted she didn’t know what she was getting into, not knowing anything about what seminary would be like.

“It was something that could only happen by the Lord’s grace,” she said.

Professors at Samford advocated for her, putting in a good word with Beeson leadership about her and encouraging her as she applied. Barnette planned to write a recommendation for her but was diagnosed in late 2020 with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, an untreatable degenerative brain disorder. Barnette died in February 2021.

“It was really hard when he passed away,” Champion said. “I had to figure out who I am in ministry without him.”

Champion was the inaugural recipient of the James Barnette Award for Excellence in Preaching. She also completed her supervised ministry at Brookwood Baptist Church in Mountain Brook, where Barnette served in various leadership roles, including as senior pastor.

Studies at Beeson represented a new challenge for Champion. One of the setbacks caused by cerebral palsy is a lack of depth perception and other issues related to vision, which was a problem when it came time to learn the biblical languages of Greek and Hebrew, she said. Champion’s eyes struggled to read the Greek alphabet.

“Dr. (Randy) Todd pulled me through that first semester of Greek, kicking and screaming,” Champion said. “I wouldn’t have made it through without Dr. Todd.”

Champion credited Beeson professor Mark Gignilliat with helping her through Hebrew when the time came as well.

Despite the challenges, Champion never considered changing her degree path to one which would not require learning the biblical languages, knowing she was called to earn a Master of Divinity.

“I knew that’s what the Lord was wanting me to do, even though it was really hard,” Champion said. “I knew I would not be being faithful if I was not getting through that season. The blessing … is that I had so many people that first year come alongside me as I was learning the languages and helping me.”

As she conquered Greek and Hebrew, Champion also continued to grow more and more independent, moving to an off-campus apartment. She also built relationships as she trusted the Lord to provide transportation to and from school each day.

Through May 2023, she rode in the mornings with a bus driver, “Ms. Janice,” who retired last year at the age of 80. In order to catch her bus, Champion had to leave her apartment each day at 5:30 a.m. and would catch rides back to her apartment with friends from Beeson. This past year, she’s carpooled with friends both ways. Friends have also provided meals over the years, making sure she’s taken care of, even as she’s learned to cook and become more independent.

“It’s been really hard, but it’s been a blessing to see how the Beeson community has come around me and poured into me in this season when I didn’t know how the Lord was going to provide even basic things like transportation and meals,” Champion said. “Some of my favorite friendships at Beeson, I’ve built inside people’s cars, which is just crazy to me. It’s a living, breathing testament of God’s grace and God’s provision.”

Coming to Beeson offered Champion a chance to study preaching under the renowned Robert Smith Jr., who is retiring this year after more than 25 years at the school.

“I would follow Dr. Smith blindfolded anywhere,” Champion said.

Being at Beeson has confirmed her calling, and the Lord has used her time here to push her in ways she said she is “so grateful for.”

As she prepares to graduate this April, Champion said she feels as if she is “stepping into an unknown abyss.” Samford’s campus has been home for six years.

“It’s going to be weird when I’m gone,” Champion said. “I’m waiting for the Lord to open the right door. The Lord has brought me this far. I believe He’ll do it now.”

Wherever she goes, Champion plans to be an advocate for those with disabilities inside the church. Not many people have the background and perspective she does, and she often thinks about how what she’s learned in seminary could be used to help those with disabilities better follow Christ and be active members of a church.

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To apply for the Bioinformatics PhD Program, you must submit complete applications by December 1 for admission the following Fall term. Early applications are not allowed and will not be considered. 

Please visit the Rackham Graduate School web pages for additional information on applying. There you will also find information on how to respond to an offer of admission, plus tips and materials required for international applicants and incoming students.

If you are certain about pursuing a Bioinformatics PhD, then applications should be submitted directly to the Bioinformatics PhD Program ; there are more than 100 diverse affiliated faculty to choose from.

Applicants should be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. In addition, applicants with a background in quantitative sciences should consider applying directly. Separately, if you are transferring from another University of Michigan Program or have obtained an established University of Michigan mentor affiliated with the program, a direct application is most appropriate.

PIBS is an umbrella program that offers first-year PhD students flexibility in exploring opportunities in bioinformatics and thirteen other graduate programs. Through PIBS, students have the opportunity to rotate in, and potentially join the lab of a faculty mentor in another program; there are more than 500 diverse faculty to select from. PIBS students who list Bioinformatics as their primary choice must complete at least one rotation with a Bioinformatics-affiliated faculty member. After 10 months in PIBS, students officially join Bioinformatics (or one of the other programs). You can visit the PIBS website for more information.

Please note that reviewing admissions faculty for both PIBS and direct applications are the same. In addition, admitted applicants take the same Bioinformatics-specific courses and activities. See below for details on program diversity outreach, application materials, and funding.

Students who will have an MS in a relevant field (e.g. computer science, statistics, biostatistics, biology) from another university may request to have up to 6 credit-hours (two classes) waived. These classes may be used to help fulfill the core PhD requirements for biology (1 course), statistics (2 courses), and/or computing (1 course). To obtain approval, students need to send a detailed syllabus of the class(es) they took to the PhD directors along with their grade(s), which must be a B or better. The other PhD course requirements, including BIOINF-529 and two advanced bioinformatics courses, cannot be waived.

Most international Bioinformatics PhD applicants should apply through PIBS. However, some who are already embedded in a University of Michigan mentor lab affiliated with the program may be an appropriate fit for the direct Bioinformatics PhD program.

The TOEFL or IELTS exam is required unless Rackham Graduate School waiver requirements have been met. Criteria for English proficiency exemption can be found on the Rackham website . In addition, a list of required credentials from non-U.S. institutions for an application can be found here.

The Bioinformatics Graduate Program encourages applications from traditionally underrepresented minorities, students with disabilities, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. There are numerous funding opportunities and resources on campus to contribute to students overall well-being while pursuing studies. Several resources available to students can be found on the Rackham Graduate School Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion website .

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All application materials should be submitted electronically when possible. Applicants must meet  Rackham's Minimum Requirements for Admission . The  online application form  can be found on the Rackham Admissions webpages. The application is available in early September through the deadline. 

• GPA, minimum 3.2/4.0 (exceptions may be made if deemed appropriate)
• Letters of recommendation (3 required): Please be aware that submitting only the Rackham Recommendation for Admission Form is insufficient; forms must be accompanied by a letter from the recommender. All letters are due by the application deadline. Without them, applications will not be considered complete or reviewed by the Program Admissions Committee.
• Statement of Purpose: The Statement of Purpose should be a concise, well-written statement about your academic and research background, your career goals, and how Michigan's graduate program will help you meet your career and educational objectives.
• Personal Statement: The Personal Statement should be a concise, well-written statement about how your personal background and life experiences, including social, cultural, familial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan. This is not an Academic Statement of Purpose, but a discussion of the personal journey that has led to your decision to seek a graduate degree.
• Transcripts: Please submit unofficial transcripts electronically with your online application
• GRE scores are no longer included as part of admission
• Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency via either the TOEFL or IELTS exam. The institution code is 1839. Other exams may not be substituted. Rackham Graduate School offers a full explanation of this requirement , including exemption criteria. Please contact Rackham directly ( [email protected] ) with questions.

Diversity is a key component of excellence, especially for solving the complex biomedical challenges that our field of computational medicine and bioinformatics faces. We believe that all people—regardless of background, race, religion, sexual/gender orientation, age or disability—deserve an equitable opportunity to pursue the education and career of their choice.

The Bioinformatics Graduate Program will provide tuition, healthcare coverage, and a stipend on a 12-month basis. This level of support will be maintained throughout a student's tenure in the Program, provided s/he remains in good academic standing and makes reasonable progress towards the degree as determined by the Graduate Directors, with faculty input. It is expected that the student will be supported directly by the mentor's laboratory, beginning in the second year. The expected time to degree is typically 5-6 years.

The U-M MS program is a terminal degree program. If you are interested in the Bioinformatics PhD Program, you must submit a new application. If you are a Bioinformatics MS student who is in good academic standing and has identified a Bioinformatics affiliated faculty mentor, you may apply for admission directly to the PhD Bioinformatics Program for the Winter term. Reviewing faculty take all application components into account and mentors are prepared to take both academic and financial responsibility for their trainees.

Eligibility: Only current or recently graduated University of Michigan Master’s students are eligible. Before applying, students must have completed more than half of all required courses, with at least six credits from the Bioinformatics Program.

Application deadline: October 1

The online application form can be found on the Rackham Admissions webpages. The application is available in early September through the deadline.

• Letters of recommendation: Please be aware that submitting only the Rackham Recommendation for Admission Form is insufficient; forms must be accompanied by a letter from the recommender. If you wish to include three letters from your original application, only one additional letter is needed. It must be from the DCMB faculty member who will serve as your primary mentor. The letter should state clearly that the mentor takes responsibility for your funding upon admission. Alternatively, you may wish to obtain three new letters of recommendation. The Admissions Committee strongly encourages you to include letters from those familiar with your research and coursework obtained while pursuing your Master’s degree. Of these, one must be from the faculty member who will serve as your primary mentor. The letter should state clearly that the mentor takes responsibility for your funding upon admission.
• Statement of Purpose: The Statement of Purpose should be a concise, well-written statement about your academic and research background, your career goals, and how the PhD Program will help you meet your career and educational objectives.
• Transcripts: Only a current, unofficial U-M transcript is necessary. You do not need to re-submit materials included with your Master’s application.
• TOEFL: If you submitted TOEFL scores when applying to the Master’s Program, additional test scores are not needed.

Bioinformatics consists of a mathematical and/or statistical analysis of a biomedical problem using computation. We define bioinformatics widely and include traditional bioinformatics areas such as for examples, systems biology, genomics, proteomics, plus statistical and evolutionary genetics, clinical informatics, and protein modeling.

As an interdisciplinary field, Bioinformatics attracts graduate students from mathematics, statistics, physics, computer science, biomedical engineering, chemistry, biochemistry and biology. Most incoming students have both a major in one and a minor in another discipline. In recent years students have entered with undergraduate training in bioinformatics or computational biology.

Each student obtains individual counseling by one of the two graduate program directors upon arrival and throughout their academic career. As Bioinformatics is still developing, new courses are added all the time. Current students are encouraged to contact the Program Directors about courses that may be relevant to their studies and are not listed on the website (esp. if they are new or infrequently offered).

In most cases, we recommend you apply to the PIBS program, as it provides flexibility in classes, funding, and a central admission for many biomedical programs. If you have no or very little biology background, please contact our Student Services Representative as to whether a direct application would be better. Current student who are considering transferring areas of study should also contact the Bioinformatics Graduate Office.

There is no need to apply both direct and through PIBS, as the same committee sees your applications.

For most students, thesis work includes computing, reading, and writing. A small group also participates in wet laboratory work. Please check both the research areas and student webpages for an overview of the varied subjects addressed in research and student theses.

Many of our graduate students obtain academic postdoctoral fellowships and go on to faculty positions. Quite a significant number of graduates go into non-academic professions such as small or large biotech companies. Some have founded their own business, and others apply their analytical skills in companies unrelated to bioinformatics. For a current list of graduate placement, please visit the alumni pages.

No. If you want to get a PhD, directly apply to the PhD Program.

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