Joint University of Surrey and A*STAR PhD studentships

The University of Surrey’s Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences (FHMS) and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) in Singapore are pleased to announce the re-launch of their jointly funded 3.5-year PhD programme. 

Start date

31 October 2026

Duration

3.5 years

Application deadline

Funding source

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Surrey and Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) in Singapore

Funding information

Whilst the candidate is in the UK, University of Surrey funding will include UKRI-aligned stipend (£17,668 pa for 2025-6) and approved fees. When the candidate relocates to Singapore, A*STAR will provide funding consisting of: a stipend of SGD 3600/month, housing subsidy of SGD300/month, a one-time airfare grant to Singapore of SGD 1,500, a one-time settling-in allowance in Singapore of SGD 1,000, a one-time IT allowance of SGD 800, medical insurance and a conference allowance. Please note that the Surrey stipend will cease while the student is based in Singapore.

About

Structure of programme

Annually, we seek outstanding applicants interested in undertaking research projects in Surrey and Singapore as part of ARAP. This collaborative programme, established between the University of Surrey and A*STAR, follows a structured approach: 

First 18 months – University of Surrey (UK) 

Months 1 –12 (Year 1) 
  • Induction
  • Literature report
  • Project planning and design
  • Confirmation viva 
Months 13-18 (first half of Year 2) 
  • Continuation of research project. 

Subsequent 12–24 months – Singapore (A*STAR) 

Typical timeline (Year 2.5 to Year 3.5) 
  • Final project work
  • Preparation of thesis
  • Final submission and viva. 

Progression requirements

  • Students must successfully pass their Confirmation Report while at the University of Surrey before progressing to Singapore.
  • Students must spend a minimum of 12 months and a maximum of 24 months in Singapore. 

Eligibility criteria

Your candidate will need to meet the minimum entry requirements for FHMS PhD programmes. Please read our studentship FAQs to find out more about applying and funding. Please visit the A*STAR Research Attachment Programme for a thorough understanding of the programme and nomination criteria. 

How to apply

For supervisors based at Surrey University

Step 1: Identify an A*STAR supervisor  

 Supervisors must first connect with a supervisor hosted at A*STAR who can co-supervise the project. Use the A*STAR Directory of Researchers to explore potential 

collaborators and make direct contact. 

Step 2: Promote your PhD project  

Supervisors should promote their available PhD topics to prospective candidates. 

Step 3: Submit candidate documents 

 Surrey supervisors together with A*STAR supervisors must identify a suitably qualified candidate and submit all the required documents to the Associate Dean Doctoral College (ADDC) Professor Kathrin Cohen Kadosh (addc-fhms@surrey.ac.uk) by 1st of May 2026: 

  • BSc and/or MSc transcripts
  • CV
  • Research proposal (no word limit).

This will then be reviewed by the ADDC and A*STAR to determine eligibility.  

Step 4: Complete the programme application  

If eligibility is confirmed, you may proceed with completing: 

Application deadline

Please ensure that the online application and required form are submitted to A*GA by 1st of June 2026 for an October start date.  

Outcomes are expected first week July 2026. Successful candidates that have secured both Surrey and A*STAR approval will then need to submit a full application on the Doctoral College System to receive their unconditional offer letter for the PhD. The PhD will commence October 2026. Inability to start in October 2026 will mean the student will not be eligible for funding and offer withdrawn. 

Studentship FAQs

Read our studentship FAQs to find out more about applying and funding.

Contact details

To learn more about our A*STAR PhD studentships, please reach out to Professor Kathrin Cohen Kadosh, Associate Dean Doctoral College (ADDC) - addc-fhms@surrey.ac.uk

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