The HDR UK-Wellcome Biomedical Vacation Scholarship (BVS) programme is designed to support undergraduates, in the middle year(s) of quantitative degrees, to undertake their first health data research project.

We are looking for applicants with an enthusiasm to learn how their mathematical and/or computational skills can be applied to biomedical and health care research problems.

Our programme offers a selection of exciting and highly challenging research projects hosted by organisations from across the UK, carried out during the summer break. They give insights into scientific research and the opportunity to work under leading UK academics and clinicians.


“It was interesting working with such large amounts of data as I had never done this before, and working with big data sets is definitely a good skill to have in data science,” Emma Hesketh, BVS scholarship at Manchester Royal Infirmary.

 



It’s certainly very challenging and very interesting. And because it’s research, no one knows the answers, so we have to figure it out as we go. It has given me really, really good experience and will be very helpful in helping me to decide whether or not I want to progress into research.” Zhe Ren Ooi, UCL intern

 


Throughout the internship, you receive:

  • The Real Living Wage, plus holiday pay and NI contributions
  • Up to £1,500 (or £2,000 if living in London) towards travel and accommodation if required
  • Up to £500 towards materials and equipment costs
  • A mentor
  • Training on health data skills from HDR UK academics

The projects will be for 6-8 weeks during the summer.

Applications are currently: Closed

Register your interest

Eligibility

  • Undergraduate degree in a quantitative subject
  • At a UK or Irish university
  • Interested in health data research
  • In the middle year(s) of your degree
  • On track to achieve a 1st or a 2:1

Examples of relevant subjects

  • Computer / data science
  • Engineering (all types)
  • Mathematics / Statistics
  • Physics, Chemistry or other quantitative sciences

Unfortunately we cannot accept your application if you:

  • have previously undertaken a vacation scholarship from Wellcome or another funding body, or have had significant research experience
  • have completed or are currently undertaking an intercalated year
  • have completed or are currently undertaking a one-year placement in research as part of your degree (e.g. a sandwich year)
  • are a graduate-entry medical student who has completed a previous undergraduate degree in a science-related subject.

 

The application process

Applications are currently: Closed

Register your interest

  • Whilst the internship is open to eligible candidates, we are prioritising applications from individuals who are underrepresented within health data research. This includes:

    • If you are in the first generation of your family to attend university
    • If you are or have been a looked after person (Care-experienced)
    • If you are a carer (i.e. someone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability or for another reason cannot cope without your support)
    • If you are a government refugee or asylum seeker
    • If you have a clinically diagnosed disability
    • If you were eligible for Free School Meals

    We will also encourage applications from those who are studying at a non-Russell Group university. Fulfilling one or more of the criteria above will mean that your application will be prioritised for review.

    If you are awarded a scholarship and have declared that you meet one or more of the criteria listed above you will be expected to evidence this either via a supporting statement from a referee, formal documentation or otherwise.

    Please note: This information will NOT be made available to those engaged in the vacation scholarship application shortlisting and interviews. The information will only be accessible by restricted administrative staff. It will be used to flag applications that meet one or more of the widening access criteria.

  • Applications open: TBC

    Deadline: TBC

    Interviews: TBC

  • We accept applications on our application portal. You will be asked about the following in your application form to us:

    • Your contact details (name, email address, phone number)
    • An up-to-date CV
    • Your current degree subject
    • Eligibility questions
    • Your project choice
    • Criteria for widening access
    • 4 personal statement-style questions on your experiences, skills and motivation

    Please note that there is a timed assessment within this application. We will be asking 3 Maths-based questions with 15 minutes. If you have any reasonable adjustments that require extra time, please email us at phd@hdruk.ac.uk before opening this assessment.

    Please ensure that your university details (course, dates and university) are up-to-date to ensure proof of your eligibility for our programme. We would also recommend checking the contact details (phone and email) on your CV are current and match those in your application.

  • After your application has been submitted, we will be screening applications for eligibility before reviewing personal statement-style answers and timed assessment answers. This will be done in a blind and randomised manner to review applications in a fair manner.

    Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview with host organisation academics, PhD students and HDR UK Training staff. Those who pass the sifting process and do not reach interview will receive feedback on their personal statement-style answers. All candidates who complete an interview within our scheme can receive feedback, regardless of outcome.

    We are looking for applicants with an enthusiasm to learn how their mathematical and/or computational skills can be applied to biomedical and health care research problems.

    We will look for these:

    • In your Maths quiz scoring (at least 2/3)
    • In the answers you give to the personal statement-style questions in your application to us, which are then reviewed anonymously and given a score.

Got any questions?

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, or about the programme, please feel welcome to reach out to us.

Email us

 

Meet our previous scholars

2022

A note on positive action

This scholarship programme is a form of positive action. Positive action is a range of measures permitted under the Equality Act 2010 which can be lawfully taken to encourage and train people from under-represented groups to help them overcome disadvantages in competing with other applicants. Applicants eligible for the Biomedical Vacation Scholarship are from groups which are under-represented in postgraduate research, with the aim of increasing participation in postgraduate research from these groups.