Aston-Deakin Cotutelle PhD Program
Study for a PhD in Australia and the UK
Now advertising studentships to start in October 2025
Study for a PhD in Australia and the UK
Work with internationally recognised researchers on projects in child health and development.
About ADCP PhD
ADCP PhD is a partnership cotutelle PhD program between Aston University (Birmingham, UK) and Deakin University (Melbourne, Australia).
All studentship projects will be jointly supervised across the two institutions, offering an excellent opportunity for students to undertake research training in an international, collaborative environment, learning new skills and developing valuable networks.
Vision:
ADCP PhD is an exciting opportunity to foster highly skilled scholars. In recognising the value of joint supervision and exchange of doctoral research students as a vehicle to enhance international research networks, we will provide opportunities to advance scholarship and the generation of world leading, impactful research centred around child health and development.
Excellence:
Students will choose projects co-supervised by internationally recognised researchers collaborating on projects in child health and development and based in well-resourced labs.
Collaboration:
All studentships will be co-funded and co-supervised between partners, forming the foundations of a vibrant international network and building the critical mass vital to ensure the global impact of our research. Students will spend time at both institutions during their studies receiving a degree from both institutions on completion.
Campuses
Deakin University (Burwood, Geelong Waterfront, Geelong Waurn Ponds)
- Study for a PhD
ADCP PhD offers fully funded studentships.
All PhD projects will be co-supervised by experienced academic supervisory teams across Aston IHN and Deakin University.
Students will be primarily based at their home institution (from where they will receive their funding) with a period of 6-12 months (depending on their personal training schedule) spent studying at their host institution. The timeline for each studentship will be individually tailored to the requirements of the project.
Students must spend a minimum of 6 months at each institution.
For example:
For a Deakin home student: 12 months studying at Deakin, 8 months studying at Aston, 8 months studying at Deakin; 2 months at Aston, 2 months at Deakin.For an Aston home student: 12 months at Aston, 12 months at Deakin, 12 months at Aston.
Students will be enrolled at their home institution and at their host institution and will receive a Doctoral degree from Aston University and Deakin University.
Aston Home Students
Deakin Home Students
Full tuition fee waiver
Full tuition fee waiver
A tax free annual stipend (in academic year 2023-24 this was £18,622)
A tax free annual stipend (in 2023 this was $A30,000)
Consumables budget
Consumables budget
One return economy airfare and visa costs to the value of £2,500
One return economy airfare and visa costs to the value of $A3,000
Access to further funds for travel and accommodation as required by the personal training schedule
Access to further funds for travel and accommodation as required by the personal training schedule
- Training
All ADCP PhD students are expected to participate in the Aston Deakin Training Program.
- How to apply
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.
View available projects and make your application here. https://www.aston.ac.uk/graduate-school/how-to-apply/studentships#deakin_cotutelle
The closing date for applications is 23:59 GMT on 2nd February 2025
Eligibility:
Aston home studentship funding is open to UK, Australian 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.
Deakin home studentship funding is open to Domestic students only.
Academic requirements:
To meet the entry requirements for the programme, you need to demonstrate either Criteria A or Criteria B.Criteria A
Criteria B
UK
A Bachelors degree in a relevant subject with an award of First Class, and a Masters degree in a relevant subject with an award of Merit or higher.
A Bachelors degree in a relevant subject with an award of First Class, plus substantial and relevant research experience*
Australia
A four-year Honours Bachelor degree in a related area including a thesis that is equivalent to at least 25% of a year’s full time study with achievement of a grade for the project equivalent to a Deakin University grade of 70%.
OR
A Masters Degree (Research) in a related area with an award of Distinction or higher.OR
A Bachelors degree in a relevant subject with an award of High Distinction, and a Masters (with a research component) degree in a relevant subject with an award of Distinction or higher.
A Bachelors degree in a relevant subject with an award of High Distinction, and a Masters (with a research component) degree in a relevant field plus substantial and relevant research experience*
Other Countries
Qualifications from other countries which are considered by the Cotutelle to be equivalent to that described above will be eligible to apply.
*What counts as research experience?
A demonstrated capacity to undertake significant independent research at a very high standard in the proposed field of study. At a minimum, all successful applicants will have typically completed a research project in a related area of study, including a thesis.
Relevant postgraduate research experience may be taken into consideration including:
o Independently refereed journal articles, publications, or conference papers
o Professional reporting or prior learning
o Research-related awards or prizes
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 7.0 (with no individual band less than 6.5). We accept TOEFL IBT (Not ITP or Home) with the following minimum scores:Listening
19/30 Speaking
19/30 Reading
23/30 Writing
27/30 Overall
94/120 Applicants may be exempted from these English language test requirements if they are a national of one of the countries listed below. Also, applicants are exempted if they have completed a university degree of at least three years duration (full-time equivalent), which is no more than two years prior to their proposed enrolment at Deakin or Aston, in the countries listed below.
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 AmericaApplication
If you are interested in an Aston-Deakin PhD project, please visit the Find a PhD website, read the guidance for each project and submit your application via the link provided.
For general admissions information and guidance, please visit the Aston and Deakin websites.
For questions specific to the Aston application process, please contact the PGR Admissions team.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview.
- Information for supervisors
To enable critical mass to be built in target research areas, studentships may be paired so that each supervisory team has two projects running (one Aston and one Deakin) in parallel within a cohort.
Supervisory teams must meet the regulatory requirements of both universities and may also include members external to Aston IHN and Deakin where additional expertise is required.
Annual information sessions will be held to assist in identifying studentship projects and cross-institution supervisory teams.
All ADCP PhD students are expected to participate in the Aston Deakin Training Program. Supervisors are also expected to contribute to collaborative network activities.
If you would like to offer a PhD project, please contact k.a.crowdy@aston.ac.uk
Contact Us
General enquiries:
ADCP PhD Management Team:
Dr Karen Crowdy (Program Manager)
Professor Amanda Wood (Deakin Academic Lead)
Professor Rachel Shaw (Aston Academic Lead)
Hear from our ADCP PhD students
Hear Kiah’s story as she reflects on the standout moments from her first year in the ADCP program.
With an incredibly supportive supervisory team representing diverse areas of expertise, Kiah has developed her knowledge, skills, and confidence as a researcher.
"Some of my most memorable experiences from my first year include becoming runner-up in Aston University’s Three Minute Thesis competition, winning ‘Best Presentation’ at Aston's Institute of Health and Neurodevelopment conference, and passing my Confirmation of Candidature (with no corrections)!"
Kiah advises those considering a PhD to ensure you have a genuine interest and passion for the project. Also, contact supervisors before making the final decision to assess whether you can work well together and will have a supportive supervisory team.
"Both of these things have got me through the challenging times!"
Discover how training in Hannah's first year helped her to conquer public speaking anxieties and her anticipation for studying in Melbourne.
Experience of Birmingham and anticipation for Melbourne
Hannah was already familiar with Birmingham before starting at Aston University, but she particularly loves the trendy, creative vibe in South Birmingham. Now, she's thrilled about her upcoming time in Melbourne and the opportunity to live by the beach.
"I’ll like the change in weather, and I’m excited about doing more swimming and surfing, and living in another creative city."
Significant challenges and rewards
Completing the confirmation of candidature was a major milestone for Hannah. This is where students present their research plan and progress to a committee to ensure they are on the right track.
"Passing this milestone was a major achievement for everyone involved, as it was proof that we were doing well."
Presenting a poster at a UK conference was another significant challenge and reward for Hannah as it required her to overcome anxieties around public speaking. Hannah noted how the support from Aston, especially through monthly seminars for the Psychology of Eating in Adults and Children (PEACh), has been great for developing her public speaking skills.
"Presenting at one of these seminars was a big step for me. If you had told me at the start of the year that I would be speaking in front of ten people, I wouldn’t have believed it."
Now, preparations are underway for a conference in New Zealand.