Founded in 1965, the University of Warwick is one of the UK’s leading higher education institutions. It enjoys an outstanding reputation for high-quality research and teaching, innovative spirit, and close links with industry and business, consistently ranking among the top ten universities in the United Kingdom. It is placed 69th in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Warwick holds exceptional academic standing in science, engineering and business disciplines; subjects including Mathematics and Computer Science have ranked highly for many consecutive years. Located in the Midlands of England, the university boasts a scenic campus widely recognised as one of the finest in the UK. It embraces an internationalised and culturally diverse learning environment, offering a welcoming and vibrant global academic community for international students, including those from China.
Eastern Institute for Advanced Study (EIAS) in Ningbo is a new research-intensive university of high standards, small scale, refined development, innovation focus and international outlook. It is funded by social forces, jointly built by provincial and municipal governments, and supported as a national priority. With the mission of serving national development and advancing social progress, EIAS prioritises fundamental research, frontier interdisciplinary studies and engineering technologies. Its disciplinary framework centers on science, engineering, information studies and business, complemented by distinctive humanities and social sciences. Upholding the educational philosophy of aspiring high and seeking truth from facts, EIAS cultivates top-notch innovative talents with solid foundational knowledge, innovative capacity, a strong sense of national responsibility and global vision.
To integrate the strengths and distinctive features of both universities and jointly train high-calibre scientific and technological innovators, Eastern Institute for Advanced Study and the University of Warwick have launched the Joint PhD Programme since 2024, with global open recruitment.
Students admitted to this joint programme will be registered at the University of Warwick, under joint supervision by supervisors from both institutions. Upon fulfilling all academic requirements specified in the joint training scheme, meeting the relevant criteria of both universities for outputs generated during doctoral dissertation research, and passing dissertation assessment and viva voce examination, candidates will be awarded a PhD degree by the University of Warwick, together with a certificate of programme completion issued by Eastern Institute for Advanced Study.
I. Disciplines Available for Admission
Disciplines open for the 2026 intake are listed below:
Sciences: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Life Sciences
Engineering: Mechanical Engineering, Mechanics and Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Energy Science and Engineering, Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Information Disciplines: Electronic Science and Technology, Computer Science and Technology, Automation, Information and Communication Engineering
II. Programme Duration and Admission Quota
The standard duration of this joint PhD programme is four years. Students will study at the University of Warwick in the first and final years, and conduct research at EIAS for the intervening period (a minimum of two years). Direct-entry PhD applicants with only a bachelor’s degree normally require five years to complete the programme. The 2026 intake will be capped at 25 students.
III. Eligibility Criteria
Endorse the leadership of the Communist Party of China, love the motherland, abide by laws and regulations, and possess good moral conduct.
Hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree recognised by the Chinese Ministry of Education (either current or past graduates). Applicants who obtained degrees overseas must provide the Verification Report of Overseas Academic Degrees and Diplomas issued by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE).
Demonstrate a strong passion for academic research, innovative awareness, innovation capacity and solid subject expertise.
Be in good physical and mental health and satisfy the medical examination requirements set by the state and the universities.
English proficiency requirement (normally): IELTS overall score of at least 6.5, with no band below 6.0. For the official English entry requirements, please refer to Warwick’s webpage: https://warwick.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/english/
Bachelor’s direct-entry applicants are normally expected to have an average score of 85/100 or a minimum GPA of 3.5/4.0 during undergraduate studies. Details: https://warwick.ac.uk/study/international/admissions/entry-requirements/china
IV. Application Documents
Applications shall be submitted via the portal: http://yjszs.eitech.edu.cn/. Required documents are as follows:
Curriculum Vitae (in English)
Research Proposal (in English). Template guidance: https://warwick.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/research/prepare_application/researchproposal/
Scanned copies of academic transcripts and ranking information (if available) for undergraduate and postgraduate studies, stamped by the academic affairs office of the awarding institution
Scanned copy of English language test report (can be submitted at a later stage)
Scanned copy of ID card
Scanned copies of degree certificates or academic/student status verification documents
Supplementary materials to demonstrate academic competence (journal or conference papers, publications, patents, award certificates, professional qualifications, etc.)
Records of national-level or higher awards (e.g. National Scholarship)
V. Application Procedures
Contact an EIAS doctoral supervisor. Applicants shall reach out to prospective EIAS supervisors to obtain preliminary acceptance before application. The Warwick co-supervisor will be confirmed by the EIAS supervisor.
Submit application documents to EIAS.
Deadline for Round 1: 15 December 2025
Deadline for Round 2: 15 March 2026
Preliminary screening. EIAS will conduct eligibility review and shortlisting based on submitted materials. Only successful candidates will be notified.
Interview and Warwick online application. Shortlisted applicants will attend an in-person interview.
Formal admission. Applicants complete the official application on the University of Warwick portal. Relevant academic departments will issue formal offers after comprehensive review. Applicants may track progress via Warwick’s website.
Enrolment. Intake starts in October 2026, subject to Warwick’s official announcement.
VI. Additional Notes
Costs while in the UK EIAS will cover tuition fees for study periods at the University of Warwick. All other expenses incurred in the UK should be discussed and agreed with the EIAS supervisor prior to application.
Scholarships and stipends at EIAS While based at EIAS, students will receive competitive stipends and scholarship support in accordance with national regulations, allowing them to focus on study and research. Joint PhD students shall pay accommodation fees and other related charges at the prevailing rates set by EIAS.
Dual supervision Applicants may browse the supervisor directory via EIAS website: https://person.eitech.edu.cn/main.psp. As the EIAS faculty team continues to expand, further enquiries may be sent to the Admission Office of the EIAS Graduate School. Applicants must confirm the corresponding Warwick co-supervisor together with their EIAS supervisor. Both supervisors share joint responsibility for supervising the doctoral research.
Applicants must guarantee the authenticity of all uploaded documents and information entered in the system. If any falsification is identified at any stage, the application and admission offer will be revoked immediately, and the applicant shall bear all resulting consequences.
VII. General Provisions
Application documents are recommended to be submitted as PDF scans. No revision is permitted after submission.
IELTS / TOEFL certificates must remain within the two-year validity period at the time of Warwick’s official online application.
The research proposal should be no longer than 2000 words, normally covering research interests, research questions, methodology and expected outcomes.
Applicants who are current graduates must obtain their degree certificates before enrolment.
VIII. Enquiries and Contact Information
Graduate School, Eastern Institute for Advanced Study
Website: www.eitech.edu.cn
Tel: +86 574 8660 3288
Email: pg.admissions@eitech.edu.cn
Address: No. 2911 Haijiang Avenue, Jiaochuan Subdistrict, Zhenhai District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province
Postal Code: 315200
