HOW TO APPLY
SELECT A PROJECT
Please look at all available projects and select which one(s) you wish to apply for. Our themes are:
- Animal Biology in Health & Disease
- Underpinning Bioscience Discovery
- Understanding Pathogens, from Molecules to Phenotypes
- Plant Health, Resilience, Yield & Growth
Applicants can apply for up to three projects in different institutions. Only one candidate per research project will be recruited.
APPLICATION PROCESS
When applying for the NorthWestBio programme, candidates have to complete the online application through the UofG application portal first.
- CREATE AN ACCOUNT. Candidates much go on the UofG Admissions portal and create an account. You will be sent an immediate email confirming that you have now set up an account showing user id(email). Please note at this stage there is no application – only a user account.
- CREATE AN APPLICATION. At this point you will be sent a notification that you have started a new application. Fill this in (you don't need to do it all in one sitting). When you save the application, you will be able to see the application number (see below highlighted in yellow). This is required for the next part of the application process.
3. RECRUITMENT INFORMATION FORM. Complete our Recruitment Information Form. It is IMPERATIVE that you note the application number (above), which is an 8-digit number. Put the application number from your admissions portal application where it asks for 'Application Number'. Please note you cannot save this form therefore it does need to be completed in full.
4. TAKE A SCREENSHOT. When completed, screenshot of the signing part of the form and upload where required to the admissions portal supporting document to complete application.
PLEASE NOTE, if a Recruitement Information Form is not completed applications will not be progressed to the shortlisting.
If you require any assistance with your application or the application process, the first port of call is northwestbio@glasgow.ac.uk. Where your enquiry is in relation to the admissions system, we may have to refer you to our admissions colleagues.Please take a note of your login information so that you are able to edit your application and upload supporting documentation, some of which is mandatory.
SHORTLISTING
Project supervisory teams will be the primary reviewers at initial shortlisting and, following initial shortlisting, they will asked to put forward their top choice candidates and reserve candidates. Please note this does not mean supervisors have approval of applying candidates. There is no need to approach supervisors ahead of applying unless you wish to, and we would advise that you do.
Please note that applications will be considered for the programme in general and not for individual projects, with all applicants being in open competition for programme entry.
If applicants are shortlisted for more than one project, they will be asked to indicate which project they prefer and will then be interviewed for that project.
Applicants meeting eligible criteria should complete the UofG Admissions portal and BBSRC NorthWestBio Recruitment Form.
Application Deadline: Sunday 4th January 2026
Application deadline
The closing date for applications is Sunday 4th January 2026. Candidates who are successfully shortlisted will be invited for interview around the end of February. Interviews will take place around w/c 16th March 2026.
Application Instructions
APPLICATION PROCESS
When applying for the NorthWestBio programme, candidates have to complete the online application through the UofG application portal first.
- CREATE AN ACCOUNT. Candidates much go on the UofG Admissions portal and create an account. You will be sent an immediate email confirming that you have now set up an account showing user id(email). Please note at this stage there is no application – only a user account.
- CREATE AN APPLICATION. At this point you will be sent a notification that you have started a new application. Fill this in (you don't need to do it all in one sitting). When you save the application, you will be able to see the application number (see below highlighted in yellow). This is required for the next part of the application process.
3. RECRUITMENT INFORMATION FORM. Complete our Recruitment Information Form. It is IMPERATIVE that you note the application number (above), which is an 8-digit number. Put the application number from your admissions portal application where it asks for 'Application Number'. Please note you cannot save this form therefore it does need to be completed in full.
4. TAKE A SCREENSHOT. When completed, screenshot of the signing part of the form and upload where required to the admissions portal supporting document to complete application.
PLEASE NOTE, if a Recruitement Information Form is not completed applications will not be progressed to the shortlisting.
If you require any assistance with your application or the application process, the first port of call is northwestbio@glasgow.ac.uk. Where your enquiry is in relation to the admissions system, we may have to refer you to our admissions colleagues.Please take a note of your login information so that you are able to edit your application and upload supporting documentation, some of which is mandatory.
Applicants must meet Eligibility criteria to apply.
Eligibility
Applicants must have obtained or be about to obtain a first or upper second class UK honours degree, or the international equivalent in an appropriate area of science.
We are able to accept applications from international students, with international student places making up 30% of our cohort each year.
To be classed as a home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
- Have settled status, or
- Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
- Have indefinite leave to remain or enter
All other candidates will be classed as an International student.
All successful candidates (Home or International) will receive full tuition and stipend support. Please note that we are unable to provide supporting costs for visas or International Health Surcharge for any student. If selected, by attending the interview, candidates are confirming that they are able to cover these costs independantly.
Supporting Documentation
When completing the application on the UofG Admissions Portal, you will be asked to complete a full application as well as uploading the following documentation:
- CV/Resume
- Degree certificate (if you have graduated prior to 1 July 2025)
- Academic transcript
- Passport (a scan of the photo page)
- Personal statement. State your motivation for selecting this programme and explain how completion of the programme will aid the development of your career. The statement should include information relating to research projects in which you have been involved, along with any other relevant information you wish to emphasise (previous academic, professional or voluntary experience, projects, placements, etc.). The statement should be no longer than one A4 page. NOTE: if applying to more than one project, please only submit one statement, outlining your motivation for applying to each project (if applicable).
You are not required to upload a research proposal for this programme, despite the online application stating this.
- Details of referee 1 (should be from an academic who has a knowledge of your academic ability from your most recent study/programme)
- Details of referee 2 (should be from an academic who has a knowledge of your academic ability)
English language proficiency
All non-UK candidates whose first language is not English must provide a certificate of proficiency in the English Language before they are able to matriculate at the University of Glasgow: https://www.gla.ac.uk/international/englishlanguage/requirements/ (details in the section: College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences). Note: it is only necessary to provide evidence of English language proficiency if you are offered a place on the Programme, in order to meet University of Glasgow matriculation requirements. Evidence of English language proficiency is not required at the point of application.
Funding
The studentship provides funding for tuition fees, a stipend and laboratory expenses for both Home/*International applicants (see Eligibility section).
The BBSRC NWB grant provides tuition fees and stipend of at least £20,780 for 2025/26.
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE UNABLE TO SUPPORT VISA AND INTERNATIONAL IMMIGRATION SURCHARGE COSTS AS A PROGRAMME OR AS AN INSTITUTION. International applicants must be able to cover these costs independantly.
Programme Recruitment Timeline
PROGRAMME TIMELINE
10th October 2025: Recruitment for 2026 candidates goes live.
4th Jan 2026: Recruitment Closes
9th-13th Jan 2026: Blinded recruitment forms are sent to supervisors
27th Jan 2026: Deadline for scores and comments to be returned
29th Jan 2026: Shortlist meeting
4th-6th Feb 2026: 2nd review sent to supervisors for interview and reserve candidates
20th Feb 2026: Deadline for supervisors returning interview and reserve candidates
By 25th Feb 2026: Candidates invited for interview
16th-20th March 2026: Candidate interview
Late March 2026: Confirmation of offers
Application
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Sunday 4th January 2026.
Applicants can apply to projects based at any of our partner sites, but candidates must complete an application on UofG Admissions Portal and NWB Recruitment Form.