The University of Birmingham has extended its agreement with Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) in China to offer split-site PhD degrees.

The renewed collaborative agreement will provide PhD opportunities in joint research projects for 18 months in Birmingham. There will be funding for up to 15 PhD students per year to join the University of Birmingham across a range of disciplines. SUSTech is a fast-growing research focused university based in Shenzhen.

“We are delighted to have renewed this agreement with SUSTech, which opens up further opportunities for collaboration between researchers in many disciplines at the University of Birmingham, ranging from Computer Science and Chemistry to Environmental Sciences and Biomedicine. SUSTech is an ambitious and forward-thinking institution that shares our pioneering attitude towards higher education and high-quality research,” said Professor Jon Frampton, Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor (China) and Director of the China Institute.

40 students have already taken up the opportunity to study for their PhD via this collaboration. Projects have included 3D printing advanced titanium alloys for medical implant applications.

“In Engineering and Physical Sciences we have already established strong links with joint research projects with SUSTech. We are looking forward to welcoming new students onto the scheme and continuing our fruitful collaboration with SUSTech,” said Professor Zoe Pikramenou, Director of Global Engagement, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Birmingham.

The first students who took part in the scheme are due to graduate in 2021.