PhD+

PhD+ at Aston

PhD+ AT ASTON

The UK's first fully funded doctoral scholarship scheme with a four-month industrial placement, equipping researchers with crucial skills for the digital age.

Inclusive. Entrepreneurial. Transformational.

Please note applications are now closed for 2025

Empowering future innovators, leaders, and entrepreneurs

Welcome to the Aston PhD+ studentship scheme – a pioneering initiative designed to support exceptional PhD students who will excel in their research while gaining invaluable skills to advance their careers.

The Aston PhD+ studentship scheme sees us partner with companies leading within their respective fields and is at the core of our commitment to fostering innovation and inclusion.

PhD+ at Aston includes:

An integrated four-month industrial placement.
Training in the latest advancements in AI, leadership and business.
Fully funded three and a half year scholarships that are open to all regardless of nationality.

Why Choose Aston PhD+?

Located within the Birmingham Innovation Precinct in the vibrant city of Birmingham, Aston University is a leader in tech, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Our PhD+ scholars will be part of a dynamic environment that nurtures talent and drives forward-thinking research.

The Aston PhD+ studentship scheme offers a comprehensive support package designed to enhance your academic journey and prepare you for a successful career.

Why choose Aston University?

Our research goes beyond mere academic pursuits. We tackle real-world problems to deliver practical solutions that resonate with organisations, policymakers, and stakeholders. Our research creates a lasting, positive impact across society, culture, health, and the environment, driven by three interdisciplinary themes: health, digital innovation and technology.

Join us and become part of a legacy of transformative research shaping the future.

World-class research environment: At Aston University, innovation thrives in a vibrant research culture and environment. Our research centres and institutes are at the forefront of major discoveries, pushing knowledge boundaries.
Expert supervision: Gain access to a diverse community of experienced and renowned researchers. Our experienced supervisors provide invaluable guidance throughout your research journey including trailblazing expertise in forensic linguistics, interdisciplinary membrane research, photonics and sustainable resources.
Industry connections: You will have the opportunity to leverage our strong connections with industry and the Birmingham Innovation Quarter to drive real-world, impactful research.
Supportive postgraduate researcher community: By studying at Aston University, you become part of a diverse and inclusive community that celebrates different perspectives and experiences within a rich learning environment. We provide opportunities for you to network through academic and social events, so you feel valued and connected throughout your time with us. Many of these events are jointly organised through the Aston Postgraduate Research Society.

"We believe that successful universities of the future will foster confident and enterprising learners who are able to adapt to the changing world of work and drive research and innovation."

Professor Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University

Key Features:

Full Funding

For both home and international students: enjoy a comprehensive funding package including fee waiver regardless of nationality, an annual scholarship at UK Research Council rate (circa £20k p.a.), for 3.5 years.

4-Month Industry, clinical, or business placement

Gain hands-on experience and earn a Certified Professional Development (CPD) certificate, enhancing your career readiness and employability for diverse career paths in academia, industry, and beyond.

Leadership, business engagement, & AI training

Exclusive access to specialised training in leadership, business engagement, and AI, providing Aston PhD+ scholars a unique advantage in the job market.

Top-Tier Supervision

Work with leading academic and industrial supervisors who are committed to supporting the scholars’ research and professional growth.

"Our partnership with Aston University on the PhD+ scholarship scheme is a unique opportunity to push the boundaries of autonomous vehicle technology in the aviation sector."

Professor David Keene, Chief Executive Officer at Aurrigo

Eligibility for PhD+

Entry requirements

Students from a wide diversity of academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Projects are available for excellent students with a degree from a related discipline.

Eligibility:

Studentship funding is open to UK and international students.

International students will require a student visa to be able to study in the UK. Check this web page for further information.

Academic requirements:

The successful applicant should have been awarded, or expect to achieve, a First or Upper Second Class award in their Undergraduate Degree, and/or a Merit or Distinction in their Masters Degree, in relevant subjects.

Overseas qualifications will be considered but performance must be equivalent to the requirements stated above, and the University reserves the right to ascertain equivalence according to its own criteria.

Proof of English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate that they have met the following English Language requirement before enrolment.

Proof of English Language proficiency does not need to be submitted at the time of application, but does need to be provided in good time before the start of the programme.

We do not accept online/home versions of English tests. We accept IELTS (Academic) with an overall band score no lower than 6.5 (with no individual band less than 6.0). We accept TOEFL IBT (Not ITP or Home) with the following minimum scores:

Reading: 18/30
Writing: 23/30
Listening: 19/30
Speaking: 19/30
Overall: 93/120

Applicants may be exempted from these English language test requirements if they have studied for a minimum period of one year in the UK and achieved at least a 2:2 within the last five years.

Applicants who are nationals of one of the countries listed below and hold a degree level qualification from one of these countries will also be exempt from the English Language requirements:

Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
The Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Canada
Dominica
Grenada
Guyana
Jamaica
New Zealand
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
United Kingdom
United States of America

Please note that these are the minimum entry requirements, and you may not be shortlisted if other candidates can demonstrate higher academic achievement or English Language proficiency.

Please note applications are now closed for 2025

The closing date for all projects is 23.59 on 9th February 2025.


Research Project Title	Main Supervisor	Other Supervisors	Participating Industrial Partner
Strategic integration of Generative AI for enhanced customer intelligence and cybersecurity in mid-sized enterprises	Alexeis Garcia Perez	Pawan Budhwar & Anikó Ekárt	Image
Manufacturing sustainably-sourced plastic materials with fine-tuned functional properties for fresh produce packaging	Alfred Fernandez-Castane	Paul Topham and Vesna Najdanovic
Modelling and Optimisation of Microalgae Growth for Carbon Capture in Next-Generation Photobioreactors	Abed Alaswad	Alfred Fernandez and Ahmed Rezk
Integrating millimetre-wave radar for smart healthcare monitoring systems	Zhuangzhuang Dai	Luis Manso and Victor Chang	Image
AI-based Multivariate Multimodal Data Analytics for Predictive Fraud Detection in Insurance Claims	Abdul Sadka	Amal Htait	Image
Advanced fibre laser technology for distributed sensing	Kaiming Zhou	David Webb	Image
Automated deployment of competitive autonomous vehicles for aircraft service delivery	Farzaneh Farhadi	Maria Chli	Image
Treatment of corneal infection using UVC technology	Shehzad A Naroo	Raquel Gil Cazorla
Selective removal of bitterness compounds during chocolate production	Alan Goddard	Matthew Derry and John Simms	Image

How to apply:

Read the project information

Review the details provided for each project to understand the scope, objectives, and requirements. This will help you identify which projects align with your interests and goals.

Decide on your interests

Reflect on the projects you've read about and determine which one appeals to you. Consider how each project fits with your skills, career aspirations, and areas of curiosity.

Find out more

If you wish to find out more information, you can contact to the supervisor or supervisor team. Their email addresses will be in the details document for the project.

Apply to be shortlisted

Once you've chosen a project, complete the application form to be shortlisted. Links to all forms are in the table above and the details document for each project. If you are shortlisted, we will send you more information about the full application process.

Daniel Taylor
Systems Research Group, Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI)

“I’m proud to be the first person to take up a PhD in my family. I couldn’t have afforded to complete a PhD without funding so the studentship I am in receipt of has enabled me to do what I do.”

Sasipim Srivallapanondh
Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies (AIPT)

“With strong industry partnerships and hands-on projects, AIPT is the ideal place to make a real impact in photonics and optical communications. Additionally, the technical expertise and problem-solving abilities I develop through my PhD will make me a strong candidate for both academic and industrial roles.”

Previous Pause Next