Overseas applicants do so up to a year in advance.
Although the majority of students start in October, it is also possible to register to start in January or April. An Open Day is held each January to which selected students are invited to discuss their research interests with potential supervisors, talk with current PhD students and view the Laboratory's facilities. Most studentships will be awarded after the Open Day. Your application will then be circulated to the supervisors concerned and we will let you know their decision and whether you will be called for interview in due course.