Integrative Biomedical Sciences (Based in China) PhD Level: Postgraduate research Subject: Biological, Biomedical and Life Sciences Year of entry: 2026 Study options Key facts Programme website PhD Integrative Biomedical Sciences (Based in China) PhD by Distance Not available Apply now 19 to 21 November 2025: Postgraduate Virtual Open Days Join us live to explore postgraduate taught and research study at Edinburgh and gain key insights before you apply. Register now Overview About the degree programme Our four-year dual award PhD in Integrative Biomedical Sciences programme will equip you with the distinct skills required to bridge the knowledge gap between the design, execution and interpretation of fundamental research and the challenges of translating this knowledge in humans. The programme focuses on training you to align the following with comprehensive knowledge of the translational environment: cutting-edge experimental animal modellingcellular, regenerative, computational, genetic technologiesanalytical tools Upon successful completion of the programme, you will have the opportunity to be awarded a PhD in Integrative Biomedical Sciences from both the University of Edinburgh and Zhejiang University.Study in China The Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJE) is located on the International Campus of Zhejiang University in Haining, China. This programme will be taught in English by staff from Zhejiang University, the University of Edinburgh and the ZJE Institute. They will be based entirely in Haining, China.ZJE InstituteThe ZJE Institute provides innovative teaching in Biomedical Sciences, all from our new campus in China.Learn more about the ZJE Institute Applying How to apply Applications for this joint programme should be made directly to Zhejiang University:Apply for this programme Application fee There is no fee to apply to this programme. Funding, fees and costs Funding Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:borrowing moneytaking out a loanfamily supportpersonal savingsincome from workemployer sponsorshipscholarshipsExplore sources of funding for postgraduate study ScholarshipsFor information on available scholarships, please email our ZJE-based team:zje@intl.zju.edu.cn Search for other funding opportunities You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.Postgraduate funding opportunities Tuition fees Find your tuition fees on the ZJE website:PhD Integrative Biomedical Sciences (Based in China) tuition fees Graduate discount If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.Find out how to receive your graduate discount Entry requirements These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026. Qualifications A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in biomedical sciences or a related subject.Applicants may hold a masters degree, but this is not a requirement.Applicants will be required to meet additional requirements for visa entry to China. International qualifications To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list. Where you studied - Select a country or region -AfghanistanAlbaniaAngolaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDemocratic Republic of CongoDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFinlandFranceGabonThe GambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGuatemalaGuineaHaitiHondurasHong Kong-SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKorea, Republic ofKuwaitLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLithuaniaLuxembourgMacau-SAR ChinaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMauritiusMexicoMoldovaMongoliaMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNetherlands, TheNew ZealandNicaraguaNigeriaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPacific IslandsPakistanPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTajikistanTaiwanTanzaniaThailandTogoTrinidad and TobagoTurkeyTurkmenistanUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVenezuelaVietnamWest Indies and CaribbeanZambiaZimbabweMy country or region is not listed English language requirements There are no Chinese language proficiency requirements for applicants, however you must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:an English language testa degree that was taught and assessed in Englishcertain professional qualifications English language tests we accept We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher: IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements. TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component. Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components. Oxford ELLT: total 7 with at least 6 in each component. Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 145 with at least 135 in each component. How old your English language tests can be Tests no more than two years oldThe following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:IELTS AcademicTOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)Trinity ISEOxford ELLTOxford Test of English AdvancedTests no more than three and a half years oldAll other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality. Degrees taught and assessed in English We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.UKVI list of majority English speaking countriesWe also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).Approved universities in non-MESCHow old your degree can beIf you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country. Find out more about our English language requirements Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.English language requirements Programme details Research profile This programme draws on unique research strengths in biomedical sciences from The University of Edinburgh and Zhejiang University. As evidenced by our award of the 2018 Education Institutional Partnership of the Year at the British Business Awards, we have established an international research institute that builds on the existing strengths of our institutions and aims to foster further collaboration in teaching and research. Our research community Extensive collaborations exist with the wider biomedical and clinical communities, helping ensure you are supported in a world-class research environment. Taught courses The programme provides a taught component in Years 1 to 3, which aims to benefit the growth and all-round development of our doctoral students. The taught courses include:YearCourse1Biomedical Disorders 11Biomedical Research training1Grant Application2Biomedical Disorders 23Biomedical Disorders 3 Work placements and internships During the PhD programme, you will have the opportunity to undertake a number of research projects in different research laboratories and/or translational environments. Support You will be assigned a personal PhD thesis committee. This comprises:your principal supervisoran assistant supervisor from the University of Edinburgha thesis committee chairThe committee provides advice and mentoring, and monitors progress. Supervisors maintain the highest standards of research training with a strong research output in leading international journals. Facilities You will have access to state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment for all aspects of modern biomedical sciences to facilitate your research objectives. These are located at our new International Campus in Haining, China. Careers Career opportunities Joining a joint UK-China PhD programme offers the opportunity to gain research and life experience in the emerging, dynamic East Asian biomedical and biotechnology research space.The 21st century’s centre of economic gravity is shifting eastwards, and many research and academic career opportunities are also shifting in that direction. Combining this with strong links to an established global and European research university offers a unique combination of global career opportunities.There is an opportunity to learn the Chinese language and gain entry and insight into China’s ancient, rich culture and modern, rapidly developing economy and society. Careers Service Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. With the Careers Service, you can: access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengthstry different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you developget help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobsattend careers events and practice interviewsget information and advice to help you make informed decisions Visit the Careers Service website Contact General enquiries Academic AdministratorYuchen Mao (Keith) zje_postgrad_apply@intl.zju.edu.cn Phone:+86 (0) 571 8757 2821 Academic contact Dr Matt Brook Programme Director Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine University of Edinburgh Contact details Email: matt.brook@ed.ac.uk
