Eligibility Criteria

Qualifications

Applicants must hold, or expect to obtain before September 2026, an undergraduate degree (or equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK) in a relevant area. Ideally, the DTP would expect applicants to hold a 1st or 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree. Where applicants hold a 2.2 undergraduate degree (or equivalent), they should very clearly show their relevant prior experience and skills, and their suitability to undertake a PhD, in their application to provide a competitive comparison.

Those applying for +4 Studentships should also preferably hold, or expect to obtain, a relevant Masters, or have a combination of relevant qualifications and experience which demonstrates equivalent ability and attainment. This may include a period of employment or internship in a relevant environment. Both transcripts and employment history will be reviewed.

Some projects have more specific requirements. These are outlined in the project’s detailed information available via links from the Projects List.

English Language Proficiency

International students may be required to show that they meet the English language requirements of their primary institution (where their proposed primary/lead supervisor is based).

• LSHTM English language requirements
• CSG English language requirements for international students and CSG eligibility requirements

Applicants who are offered a studentship award will be expected to provide relevant proof at that stage.

Nationality

All applicants can apply for these studentships, regardless of nationality.

International applicants should note two limitations set by the funder.

1. Maximum number of available potential awards

MRC LID can offer up to a maximum of two studentships per year to applicants with ‘overseas’ fee status. This means that competition is very strong. (See historical MRC LID statistics by fee status below, for reference.)

For further information on Home and Overseas fee status please see the UKCISA web pages. UKCISA provides a clear outline of UK government regulations and framework which UK universities must use to determine and make fee status assessments.

2. Studentship award value

The funder only provides tuition fees at the ‘Home’ fee rate. This means that other funds are required to cover the remainder of fees each year. International awardees will be expected to pay the annual fee ‘top-up’ from other sources of funding (bursary, scholarship or personal funds).

MRC LID Application Statistics by Fee Status (2021-22 to 2025-26)

Please see MRC LID Applicant Guidance and FAQs on the MRC LID How to Apply page for further information.