Applications are invited for the prestigious Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) Scholarships in Transportation Infrastructures, jointly offered by the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) and Shandong University (SDU). This joint doctoral programme offers fully funded research opportunities leading to an internationally recognized PhD degree awarded by the University of Nottingham.
Overview & Key Details
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Reference | 2605DTPSDUTI |
| Host Institutions | University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) & Shandong University (SDU) |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Designation | PhD Student / Doctoral Researcher |
| Number of Awards | 2 Places |
| Duration | Up to 36 months (Subject to satisfactory progression) |
| Entry Date | 15 February 2027 |
| Application Deadline | 30 September 2026 (China Standard Time) |
Designation
Successful applicants will be registered as full-time Doctoral Researchers (PhD Students) under the joint supervision of academic staff from UNNC and SDU.
Research Areas
The PhD scholarship is open for innovative research projects within Transportation Infrastructures, with specific focuses on:
- Smart Construction
- Building Materials
- Intelligent Transportation
- Geotechnical Engineering
Note: Applicants are required to seek consent from potential supervisors prior to submitting their formal application.
Location
The doctoral programme is based primarily at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China) and Shandong University (SDU, China). Candidates must be based at UNNC for a minimum of 50% of the PhD duration (at least 18 months).
Scholarship Description & Benefits
This comprehensive scholarship package covers the following for up to 36 months (subject to satisfactory annual progress):
- Full tuition fee waiver
- Monthly living stipend of RMB 4,500.00
- Comprehensive medical insurance coverage through designated providers
- Opportunity to undertake paid Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) or Research Assistant (RA) roles starting from the second year of study
Upon successful completion of the programme, researchers will be awarded an official PhD degree from the University of Nottingham (UK), accredited by both the UK Quality Assurance Agency and the Chinese Ministry of Education.
Eligibility / Qualification Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the entry requirements for a PhD at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China:
- Master’s Degree Route: A master's degree with a minimum average score of 65% (Merit or above) from a British university (or equivalent international qualification), alongside an upper second-class (2:1) bachelor’s degree.
- Direct Entry via Bachelor’s Degree: Candidates holding a first-class honours bachelor’s degree from a British university or an equivalent degree from a prestigious institution (e.g., Double First-Class Chinese universities) will also be considered by the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
- English Language Proficiency: Valid IELTS test score report or equivalent international English certification fulfilling the subject area entry criteria must be submitted by the application deadline.
- Supervisor consent must be secured before application submission.
How to Apply
No separate scholarship application is required. Candidates must apply through the UNNC online PhD application system following these steps:
- Contact and gain endorsement from potential academic supervisors at UNNC and SDU.
- Access the UNNC online PhD application portal.
- Complete the application form and ensure you enter/select the correct scholarship reference number: 2605DTPSDUTI.
- Upload all required documents, including academic transcripts, graduation certificates, research proposal, supervisor endorsement, English test scores, and references.
Last Date for Apply
The closing date for scholarship applications is 30 September 2026 (China Standard Time, CST).
Apply Link
For more details and to access the application system, please visit the official listing: UNNC PhD Scholarship Portal – Reference 2605DTPSDUTI.
