NorthWest Biosciences

APPLICATION PROCESS

When applying for the NorthWestBio programme, candidates have to complete the online application through the UofG application portal linked here.

1. CREATE AN ACCOUNT Candidates need to create an account on the UofG Admissions portal. You will be sent an immediate email confirming that you have now set up an account showing your user id (email). Please note at this stage there is no application – only a user account.
2. CREATE AN APPLICATION. At this point you will be sent a notification that you have started a new application but the application number is still not available. The application number is something you will require but it only becomes available when you save the application. You do not need to complete all parts of the application when first creating it, but when you save it, your application number will be available (see below highlighted in yellow).
3. LOGIN INFORMATION. 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. Please note that programme start date will be Monday 6th October 2025.

4. RECRUITMENT INFORMATION FORM. One of the mandatory parts of the application process is the NorthWestBio Recruitment Information form. THIS MUST BE COMPLETED ONLINE. ANY FORMS UPLOADED TO ADMISSIONS WILL NOT BE COUNTED. To reduce unconscious bias in the shortlisting process, all candidates have to complete a Recruitment Information Form (RIF), which does not ask for any identifying information (name, address, gender, institutions attended, employers, age), ensuring all candidates can be shortlisted equally. PLEASE NOTE, if an RIF is not completed applications will not be progressed to the shortlisting.

5. NOTING APPLICATION NUMBER. Please complete all parts of the online RIF, being mindful of the word limit. It is imperative that you add your application number (shown above), to the online RIF. As we explicitly ask candidates not to add any personal identifying details, the application number is the only way to link the online admissions application with the online RIF. Application number is an 8-digit number (as above). Please add this on the RIF where it asks for ‘Application Number’.

6. ONLINE RIF CANNOT BE SAVED ON MICROSOFT FORMS. The RIF is on Microsoft Forms, therefore has to be completed when started. It cannot be saved and returned to, therefore when the screen is shut down without submitting, candidates will have to start again. However, please note that the form needs to be completed on Microsoft Forms. Any PDF uploads to the system will be null and void. 

7. TAKE SCREENSHOT. When RIF is completed, screen shot the last page of the document (shown below) as you will be required to upload this to the recruitment information form section of supporting documents, on the admissions portal.

8. FINAL NOTIFICATION. You will receive a final notification when you have submitted your application.

APPLY HERE

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Monday 6th January 2025

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 £17,668 (UKRI rate 2022/23).

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.

*Due to a recent update in UKRI guidance, we are delighted that we will now be able to accept applications from International students, with them able to make up to 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 ensure the following supporting documents are uploaded at the point of application.

• NorthWestBio Recruitment Information Form 2024/2025 

• CV/Resume

• Degree certificate (if you have graduated prior to 1 July 2024)

• 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.

PROGRAMME TIMELINE

21^st October 2024          Candidate Applications Open

6^th January 2025            Application closing date

28^th February                 Applications and supporting documents are downloaded, sorted, organised, filed and processed for            shortlisting. Levels 1 and 2 of shortlisting take place

w/c 3^rd March 2025        Candidates will be advised of application outcome and invitations to interview will go out.

w/c 24^th March 2025      Candidate interviews

w/c 7^th April 2025          Outcome of interviews and successful candidates notified.