A fully funded, 4-year PhD at the University of Manchester, University of Oxford, or University of Glasgow — covering your tuition fees, a tax-free living stipend, and research expenses — is now open for international and home applicants through the RAINZ CDT programme. If you have ever wanted to combine cutting-edge robotics, artificial intelligence, and real-world climate solutions, this is one of the most exciting doctoral opportunities in the United Kingdom right now.
This guide covers everything you need to know: what the RAINZ CDT programme is, what funding you receive, who can apply, available research areas, and exactly how to submit a winning application before the Phase 2 deadline of 15 May 2026.
🎓 Quick Summary
| Detail | Information |
| Programme | RAINZ CDT — EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training |
| Degree Level | PhD (4 Years, integrated MSc + PhD) |
| Country | United Kingdom 🇬🇧 |
| Host Universities | University of Manchester, University of Oxford, University of Glasgow |
| Funding Type | Fully Funded (Fees + Stipend + Research Grant) |
| Stipend | £20,780/year (tax-free, 2025/26 rate) |
| Open To | Home & International Students |
| Phase 2 Deadline | 15 May 2026, 5:00 PM UK time |
| Official Website | rainz-cdt.ac.uk |
🎓 What Is the RAINZ CDT Programme?
RAINZ stands for Robotics and AI for Net Zero — and the name tells you exactly what this programme is about. It is an EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) Centre for Doctoral Training, a prestigious UK government-funded framework that brings together world-class universities to train the next generation of researchers in critical fields.
The CDT is a collaborative initiative connecting three world-ranked institutions: the University of Manchester, the University of Oxford, and the University of Glasgow. Together, they form a research network focused on one of the most urgent global challenges of our time — using robotics and AI to accelerate the transition to net zero carbon emissions.
What makes this programme stand out is its integrated structure: students spend their first year completing a taught MSc at the University of Manchester before moving into three years of focused PhD research at their chosen host institution. You are not just a lone researcher in a lab — you are part of a cohort, working alongside peers, industry partners, and leading academics on problems that genuinely matter.
Since its establishment, RAINZ CDT has attracted partnerships with major industrial players and is actively co-creating research challenges with industry, giving every student real-world relevance from day one.
🎓 Benefits & Funding — What You Actually Receive
Here is the best part: this is a genuinely fully funded programme. Here is everything covered:
- ✅ Tuition fees — paid at the Home student rate for all four years
- ✅ Tax-free stipend — £20,780 per year (2025/26 rate), which increases annually in line with inflation
- ✅ Research Training and Support Grant — covers conference attendance, travel, project consumables, secondments, and research activities
- ✅ Accessibility Fund — available for students with specific needs (e.g., caring responsibilities) when attending required activities
- ✅ Additional CDT funding — for institutional visits, specialised equipment, and secondments
TechExpert Enhancement (Home Students Only): As part of the UK Government’s TechFirst skills programme, successful Home applicants to Cohort 2 will receive an additional £10,000 per year on top of the UKRI minimum stipend — bringing their total stipend to approximately £30,780 per year.
For international students, the studentship covers fees at the Home rate. The gap between Home and International fees can potentially be bridged through tuition fee waivers, which are discussed on a case-by-case basis during the interview stage with the host university.
To put this in perspective: a fully funded UK PhD with a stipend of £20,780+ tax-free per year is equivalent to a comfortable living wage in most UK cities, with zero tuition debt at the end of four years.
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
Before you apply, make sure you meet the following requirements:
- ✅ Undergraduate degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or a related STEM discipline
- ✅ Minimum grade: Upper Second-class (2:1) with at least 65% average, or an international equivalent
- ✅ Programming experience — you must be able to demonstrate this
- ✅ No existing PhD — applicants cannot already hold a doctoral degree
- ✅ Individual project requirements may apply — review each project listing carefully
Regarding English Language: International applicants who have not yet met English language requirements at the time of application can still apply. If shortlisted, you will be required to meet the English language conditions set by your host institution before enrolment. (Verify specific IELTS/TOEFL score requirements on the official website for your chosen project and host university.)
Nationality:
- Home students have access to the full studentship including TechExpert enhancement
- International students are welcome but are limited to a maximum of 30% of the cohort due to EPSRC funding constraints
- Some individual projects may have specific nationality or residency requirements — always check the project listing
🎓 Who Should Apply — And Who Should Not
✅ Apply if you:
- Hold (or expect to receive) a 2:1 STEM degree with 65%+ average
- Have programming skills and a genuine interest in robotics, AI, or clean technology
- Want a structured, cohort-based PhD experience with real industry exposure
- Are willing to relocate to Manchester for Year 1, then to Manchester, Oxford, or Glasgow for Years 2–4
- Are motivated to work on climate-relevant, net zero research problems
❌ Don’t apply if you:
- Already hold a PhD qualification
- Are seeking a standalone master’s degree only (no MSc is awarded — the Year 1 MSc courses lead directly into the PhD)
- Are unwilling to complete the mandatory Year 1 MSc training even if you already have a master’s degree
- Cannot demonstrate any programming experience or STEM academic background
🎓 Available Research Areas & MSc Pathways
The specific PhD project you apply for determines which MSc you study in Year 1 at the University of Manchester. The available Year 1 MSc options include:
- 🤖 MSc Robotics
- 🧠 MSc Artificial Intelligence
- 🖥️ MSc Machine Learning
- ⚡ MSc Advanced Control and Systems Engineering
- 📡 MSc Communications and Signal Processing
- 🔒 MSc Cyber Security
- 🌱 MSc Renewable Energy and Clean Technology
PhD research projects span areas including (but not limited to):
- Autonomous robotic systems for environmental monitoring
- AI-driven energy grid optimisation
- Robotic systems for offshore wind and renewable infrastructure
- Machine learning for climate modelling and prediction
- AI for smart energy management in buildings and cities
- Human-robot interaction for sustainable industries
For the most current and complete list of available PhD projects, visit: rainz-cdt.ac.uk/study/projects
🎓 Required Documents
To submit your initial application, prepare the following:
- University transcripts — official copies of your undergraduate degree (and any postgraduate qualifications)
- Interim transcript — if you are currently completing your degree
- English translations — required if any transcripts are not in English (must be official or authenticated)
- Application form — completed via the RAINZ CDT online portal
- Personal statement — tailored to your chosen project(s), demonstrating technical and transferable skills
- Evidence of programming experience
If you progress to the next stage, additional documents may be requested, such as degree certificates and references.
🎓 Step-by-Step Application Process
Follow these steps carefully to maximise your chances of success:
- Browse available PhD projects at rainz-cdt.ac.uk/study/projects and select up to three projects that match your background and interests
- Check project-specific requirements — note the host university location and any additional eligibility conditions
- Complete the RAINZ CDT application form at forms.office.com (RAINZ portal) — list up to three preferred projects
- Submit before the deadline — Phase 2 closes 15 May 2026 at 5:00 PM UK time
- Wait for academic panel review — all applications are reviewed after the deadline
- Oxford/Glasgow shortlisted candidates will be asked to submit a local university application within one week of receiving the email instruction
- Manchester shortlisted candidates receive local application guidance after the shortlisting stage
- Attend online interview — shortlisted candidates are invited to interview online
- Receive decision — outcomes are communicated after all interviews are completed (July 2026 for Phase 2)
Pro tip: Do NOT contact supervisory team members directly — this is explicitly stated in the guidelines and could harm your application. Direct all queries to rainz@manchester.ac.uk.
🎓 Important Dates & Deadlines
| Phase | Deadline | Decisions |
| Phase 1 | ~~13 February 2026~~ (closed) | April 2026 |
| Phase 2 | 15 May 2026, 5:00 PM UK | July 2026 |
⚠️ The Phase 2 deadline is 15 May 2026. Bookmark this page and check back for any updates. New projects are also being advertised in spring 2026, so monitor the project page regularly.
Candidates unsuccessful in Phase 1 are welcome to reapply in Phase 2 for different projects.
🎓 Why Apply — Why RAINZ, Why the UK
The UK is home to some of the world’s most respected universities, and Manchester, Oxford, and Glasgow are among the finest. The University of Manchester alone has produced more than 25 Nobel Prize winners. Oxford is consistently ranked among the top three universities globally. Glasgow is a Russell Group institution with a rich heritage in engineering and technology research.
But beyond prestige, what makes RAINZ CDT truly special is its mission. Climate change is the defining challenge of our generation. Robotics and AI are the tools that will help solve it. Through this programme, you will not just study these fields — you will be part of teams that are actively building solutions: autonomous systems, clean energy technologies, and intelligent infrastructure that the world urgently needs.
The cohort model also means you will never feel isolated. You will build lifelong professional relationships, attend industry-defined research sprints, collaborate on shared challenges, and graduate with a PhD that carries real industrial and academic credibility. The TechFirst / TechExpert enhancement further signals that the UK government is directly investing in this talent pipeline — and in you.
Manchester itself is a vibrant, affordable, and multicultural city — one of the UK’s most exciting places to live and study.
🎓 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can international students apply to the RAINZ CDT? A: Yes, international students are welcome to apply. However, due to EPSRC funding constraints, a maximum of 30% of each cohort can be international students. Funding covers fees at the Home student rate, and fee waivers for international students are considered on a case-by-case basis during the interview stage.
Q: Do I need to already have a master’s degree to apply? A: No. All RAINZ CDT students — regardless of whether they already hold a master’s degree — are required to complete the Year 1 MSc training at the University of Manchester. Please note that no MSc qualification is awarded for the Year 1 training.
Q: What English language score do I need? A: Specific IELTS or TOEFL requirements depend on your chosen host university (Manchester, Oxford, or Glasgow). International applicants can still apply before meeting language requirements, but must meet them if shortlisted. Verify exact score requirements on the official website for your chosen project. (verify on official website)
Q: Can I apply for more than one project? A: Yes — you can select up to three PhD projects on a single application form. This is encouraged to improve your chances of being matched to a suitable project and supervisor.
Q: What happens if I am unsuccessful in Phase 1? A: Applicants who are unsuccessful in Phase 1 are explicitly welcome to apply again in Phase 2 for different projects. The Phase 2 deadline is 15 May 2026.
Q: Should I contact supervisors directly before applying? A: No. RAINZ CDT explicitly requests that applicants do not contact any member of a supervisory team directly. For any queries, email rainz@manchester.ac.uk.
🎓 Official Sources & Links
- 🌐 Official Website: https://www.rainz-cdt.ac.uk/
- 📋 PhD Projects Page: https://www.rainz-cdt.ac.uk/study/projects/
- 📝 Application Guide: https://www.rainz-cdt.ac.uk/apply/
- 📧 Contact Email: rainz@manchester.ac.uk
- 📍 Address: Robotics and AI for Net Zero CDT, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL
- 🔔 Mailing List (for new project alerts): Join here
🎓 Complete Summary Table
| Detail | Information |
| Programme Name | RAINZ CDT — EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Robotics and AI for Net Zero |
| Degree | PhD (4 years, integrated MSc + PhD) |
| Country | United Kingdom 🇬🇧 |
| Universities | Manchester, Oxford, Glasgow |
| Funding | Fully Funded |
| Annual Stipend | £20,780 (tax-free, increases with inflation) |
| TechExpert Bonus | +£10,000/year for Home students |
| Research Grant | Included (travel, conferences, consumables) |
| Open To | Home & International students (max 30% international) |
| Entry Requirement | 2:1 STEM degree (65%+ average) |
| Programming Required | Yes |
| Existing PhD Accepted | No |
| Phase 2 Deadline | 15 May 2026, 5:00 PM (UK time) |
| Contact | rainz@manchester.ac.uk |
| Official Link | rainz-cdt.ac.uk |
🔗 Explore More Opportunities on Gradualin
Browse by Category:
Top Scholarship Guides:
- 🇦🇺 Fully Funded Scholarships in Australia 2026
- 🇬🇧 Fully Funded PhD Scholarships in the UK 2026
- 🇺🇸 Fully Funded Scholarships in the USA 2026
- 🇮🇹 Study in Italy 2026 — Complete Guide
Stay updated with the latest scholarships, jobs, and opportunities at Gradualin.com — your trusted guide to studying abroad for free.
