NanoDTC story
Centre overview
The NanoDTC at the University of Cambridge, established in 2009, is recognised as a global leader in postgraduate research and training in functional nanotechnologies and advanced materials. Over the past 15 years, it has been supported by more than £17 million of EPSRC CDT funding. This has included:
- The EPSRC CDT in Integrated Functional Nano (1+3 programme) for cohorts from 2019 to 2023.
- The PhD in Interdisciplinary Nanoscience and Nanotechnology for cohorts from 2024 onwards.
Based in the West Cambridge innovation District, the programme is embedded in a thriving ecosystem that brings together a rich network of researchers, industry partners, and wider stakeholders across the research -innovation spectrum. Students benefit from direct access to a critical mass of over 100 research groups, as well as the wider Cambridge ecosystem, creating exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Attracting talent
Over its 15+ years of running, the NanoDTC has become one of the most sought-after programmes of its kind, attracting talented students from across the world, including Europe, Australasia, the Americas, and Africa.
The programme attracts 150-200 applicants each year, with a large proportion holding first-class undergraduate degrees or equivalent (>65% in 2024).
Around a third of our students hold prestigious scholarships, and all pursue student-led PhD projects, giving them ownership and independence in their research from the outset.