Candidate Support Webinar for 2024/25 student applicants.

1. CANDIDATE SUPPORT
WEBINAR
Professor Emma Kidd
GW4BioMed@Cardiff.ac.uk

2. Today
■ An overview of what a PhD is
■ What is DTP and how does the GW4 BioMed2 DTP work?
■ The application process
■ Hints and tips
■ FAQs

3. What is a
PhD and
what can
you gain
from it?
■ Undertaking higher level academic study
■ Answering a novel question, adding a novel
contribution to existing knowledge
■ Becoming a specialist in a subject area
■ Pursuing a coherent project for 4 years often in
phases
■ Guided by a supervisory team
■ Develop growing independence in research
■ Confidence with experimental approach
■ Create a thesis and defend it at viva

4. What is a
PhD and
what can
you gain
from it?
■ A range of skills
– Practical
– Academic
■ Confidence in writing up data/analysis
■ In depth knowledge of a subject…
■ A publication or 2…
■ Experience of other labs and opportunities
■ Awareness of other discipline areas and their
techniques

5. What are a
thesis and
viva?
■ A literature review of the background and the
research question
■ What did you want to know and why?
■ Your methodology
■ What did you find out and what does it mean?
(results and discussion)
■ Often several results chapters
■ Final discussion to contextualise in a bigger
picture
■ Discussed with two experts in an oral exam

6. The PhD – a learning cycle
Read the
literature
Define first
hypothesis
Determine
methods
First
experiment
Analyse the
data
Plan the
next
experiment
Build the core
skills you need

7. What is a DTP?
■ Doctoral training programme, funded by UKRI
■ Provides a stipend for 4 years (to cover PhD up to
final submission)
■ Pays your fees
■ Provides training and support
■ Provides a training grant
■ Cohort to journey through a PhD with
■ Provide maternity/paternity cover
■ Sick pay
■ Up to 40 days annual leave
■ Bench fees (costs of the study) met by supervisory
team

9. How does
the GW4
BioMed2
MRC DTP
work?
■ If successful at interview you will be offered a project
■ Successful candidates will start on 1st October 2024
■ A 3-month prep period will allow you to review the
project, suggest changes and refinements, visit other
labs
■ You will undertake common annual inductions, core
training, annual congress, regular events with theme
leads and institution leads.
■ You will have a peer mentor
■ You work on the PhD and then can undertake
Broadening Horizons placements to gain experience of
other industries and career opportunities
■ Continue working on the PhD, write your thesis (up to
80,000 words)
■ Undertake a viva examination (2 examiners)

10. What is the
application
process?
■ Review the project list
■ Select 1 or 2 projects
■ Contact potential supervisors for clarification (if
you wish)
■ Complete the online application form following
instructions
■ You MUST answer all questions
■ Please ensure you accurately use the table to
convert international qualifications, we will check
these
■ Top ranked candidates will be invited for an online
panel interview and to discuss the project with the
supervisors
■ Support will be offered ahead of interview
■ Successful candidates will be offered their first-
choice project, second choice if no longer available
■ PLEASE READ THE WEBSITE – How to apply

11. What are we looking for in the
application form?
■ Proven academic quality:
– excellent performance to first degree and/or Master’s level OR an equivalent, high-
quality provision of evidence related to professional practice.
■ Research potential:
– examples of achievement within academia/research related projects and outside of
academia, evidencing relevant skills.
■ Personal motivation & commitment:
– supporting statement of understanding, motivation and suitability for their first-choice
project and by a wider enthusiasm, interest and commitment to the MRC DTP programme.
■ Non-biomedical disciplines:
– In line with supporting interdisciplinary and quantitative skills, special consideration will
be given by the interview panels to non-biomedical applicants. Such candidates should not
feel the selection criteria are biased towards biomedical applicants as their unique skills
will be taken into account.

12. Please outline 2 examples of your achievements in
research related activities. (1250 characters
including spaces).
■ Please only mention 2, Do not list a series of techniques/papers/placements
■ Think about what you have done, what demonstrates your relevant skills
– Provide a little explanation, what was the goal?
– Describe was your role/contribution? How long?
– What did you learn? Outputs (e.g. papers) Practical skills
– What was the overall outcome?
■ Focus on what is important, You only have 1250 characters including spaces per
example.
■ Keep it succinct

13. Please outline 2 examples of your achievements in
non-research related activities (e.g. outside of
academic study). (1250 characters including
spaces).
Try and illustrate complementary skills to those previously
It could be in an academic context but outside of studies/research
Do not just describe an achievement or activity but also what you gained from it
How do you think this will this achievement will be relevant to a PhD?

14. ■ Tell us why this subject is so interesting to you, what will keep
you motivated to study it for 4 years?
■ Do you have any background academic, workplace or personal
experience that makes this relevant to you?
■ Have you got any skills that this project needs that you have or
would like to have?
Please describe why you have chosen your first-
choice project. (1250 characters including spaces).

15. What do you hope to gain from doing a PhD with
the GW4 BioMed2 MRC DTP? (1000 characters
including spaces).
■ Think about what you know of the DTP
■ What is your personal goal?
■ What do you need to get there?
■ Are there specific skills/experiences/opportunities you hope to gain?
■ What will getting a PhD enable you to do?
■ How can the DTP offer that will help you get there?
■ Don’t copy and paste from our website – use your own words.

16. ■ Please provide any additional relevant information to support
your application (maximum of 1000 characters including spaces).
Please note that completion of this section is not compulsory.

17. Hints and
tips for the
application
■ Think about your written communication skills –
how you write is important, take time to craft it
■ Get someone else to read it through for you
■ You can ONLY apply through the website form,
please do NOT email a CV to the GW4, this will not
be accepted
■ READ the website information
■ Choose projects you are passionate about, if that
is only one, leave it at one.
■ Complete all sections as fully as you can
■ Use the character count to its fullest
■ Provide different examples in each box
■ Think about the structure of your questions,
consider STAR (situation, task, action, result)
■ Please check English language eligibility criteria on
the University website
– You will need to meet these requirements to
have an offer, not to apply

18. FAQ
■ Do you want transcripts or references with the application form?
– We only ask for these at the interview stage, not for initial application.
■ Can I submit more than one application?
– No, we will only accept one application per candidate.
■ What happens if someone else is offered my first-choice project?
– you are offered your second choice if you put one
■ Should I speak to the potential supervisor about the project?
– You may approach them informally, but you will be contacted about meeting them
formally if you are invited to interview stage (but remember that first email
approach is important)
■ I have international qualifications; do you accept these?
– Yes, but please ensure you have converted your qualifications using the
international equivalency table
■ Do I need to apply to the University as well as complete the GW4 form?
– Not at this stage, but you will need apply for an ‘offer to study’ if you are
successful at interview, more info will be provided to you then.

19. FAQ
■ I haven’t completed my MSc yet, what do I put?
– You can enter a predicted grade, your offer may be conditional on this grade
■ I am an international student; will I have to pay more in fees?
– No, the DTP will cover this
■ I have disabilities and need support to complete a PhD
– If you have specific needs around the interview process, please let us know
– All 4 institutes have student support services who can support you and apply
for disability support allowance to fund any adjustments that are required
■ Can I do a PhD part time?
– Yes, for the same % stipend and this extends the time commensurate with
the reduced hours
■ Is there support for students from LGBTQ+ or minority ethnic backgrounds?
– Yes, all institutes have support groups, and we are keen to ensure everyone
has the opportunity to access the DTP, in particular those from minoritized
groups.

20. Thank you
■ Reminder: Applications close on Wednesday, 1st November 2023 at 5pm
■ This webinar is repeated on Thursday, September 8th at 15.30 GMT and Friday,
6th October at 10.00 GMT. The slides are available on our website
■ Please read the website and apply using the online application form.