Joint Doctoral Program at IIT Kharagpur with University of Manchester, UK

April 20, 2021

Designation/Position- Joint Doctoral Program

IIT Kharagpur with University of Manchester, UK invites application for Joint Doctoral Program from eligible and interested candidates

About- The Office of International Relations at IIT Kharagpur is happy to announce that the Institute has entered into a Dual Ph.D. programme with University of Manchester, UK. Applications are now invited for the Joint Degree Program for 17 approved projects (Click here to view the project details).

This is a time bound PhD program which needs to be completed in 4 years. For the term starting in 2021, 5 positions with scholarships (including 3 further top-up scholarships from UniMan) are available for the program.

Research/Job Area- Science, engineering or related fields

More Opportunities:
IITH-Deakin University Joint Doctoral Program (JDP), Apply by 30 April 2021

SERB Overseas Visiting Doctoral Fellowship Scheme for PhD students

Ph.D. program Entrance Test by Jiwaji University, Gwalior, India, Total seats=947

E4D Doctoral Scholarships Programme at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, Europe

Location- IIT Kharagpur and University of Manchester

Eligibility/Qualification–

For Indian nationals: B.Tech./M.Tech./M.Sc. graduates from any IIT or IISc with minimum CGPA of 7.5/10.
For UK and other nationals: Bachelors or Masters graduates in science, engineering or related fields from a globally reputed university (with QS rank within 500) with minimum first class or equivalent, or minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0

Note: For term starting in 2021, applications are limited to Indian nationals or applicants who have the required visa to study in India starting July 2021.

Job/Position Description-

Program Duration and time allocated between Institutions

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. A 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

Award of degree

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.

Funding

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.

For the term starting in 2021, University of Manchester will be supporting 5 positions with full tuition waivers with 3 of them getting top-up scholarships.

Post study work visa

As per prevailing rules of UK and India.

How to Apply-

Applicants can apply through the online portal. 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:

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

The recruitment process will be jointly managed by the two Institutions and will involve two steps:

Supervisors from both Institutions will evaluate applications for their respective projects and recommend the names of top candidate(s)
The Joint Programme Board involving members from IIT Kharagpur and University of Manchester will select the 5 positions for scholarships based on the merit of both the candidate and the project

You may find a list of factors to be considered during selection process here .

The selected students must satisfy the proficiency test for English language before being admitted to the Dual Ph.D. programme. IELTS score of 6.5 or TOEFL iBT score of 90 (with no less than 20 in each component) are required.

The University of Manchester and IIT Kharagpur pride themselves 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, nationality, disability, age, marital or pregnancy status, or socio-economic background.