Dual PhD Programme
Keele University & Universiti Sains Malaysia
Introducing Keele University and Universiti Sains Malaysia
Keele University is a research-intensive university founded 75 years ago to meet the demands of a new kind of society, economy and world. Established in 1949 by Lord Lindsay – the former Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University – in a country still recovering from the Second World War, the University's founding aim was to produce graduates who not only had the technical and specialist knowledge to move society forward, but who understood the social and political landscape that drove this need. This original ethos remains at the core of the University's mission today, and our global network of over 100,000 alumni in 120 countries is creating positive impact across the world in a range of diverse careers.
We are a campus university with over 12,500 students, located in 600 acres of Staffordshire countryside and just an hour from the major cities of Manchester and Birmingham. Modelled on US liberal arts colleges, it is a big campus but a small and cosmopolitan community, with space to think, study and relax. Our campus is home to Europe's largest Smart Energy Network Demonstrator (SEND), where pioneering green technologies are developed and tested to help cut UK and worldwide carbon emissions, and as 2021 Global Sustainability Institution of the Year we have embedded sustainability across everything that we do - from our campus operations to our research and education.
From understanding and alleviating the impact of human diseases and improving global food security, to developing pioneering green technologies and discovering new exoplanets, Keele University research is changing the lives of people across the world. Our innovative research collaborations with the UK’s National Health Service, national governments, international organisations and industry partners such as Siemens and ENGIE are transforming the role that universities play in addressing important global challenges.
Our students are some of the most satisfied in England. In 2022, students ranked us 'Britain's best university' in the Student Crowd University Awards. In the 2025 National Student Survey, Keele University had 14 subjects ranked as Top Ten in the UK, with Chemistry and Veterinary Science ranked first in their subject listing.
Faculty of Natural Sciences, Keele University
The Faculty of Natural Sciences is one of three main faculties at the University. From an observatory featuring a telescope used by Albert Einstein, to one of the newest Veterinary School buildings anywhere in the country, we prepare our students for the future by providing them with the best of the past and present. With an international reputation for high-quality research and a diverse degree programme portfolio that covers many aspects of the world around us, including technology, computing and the environment, our vision for a more sustainable world is embedded at all levels throughout the Faculty. Significant investment in the Faculty’s research facilities and student learning environment have made it an outstanding place to study and work. A £45 million investment in the creation of the David Attenborough Life Sciences Laboratories and the Central Sciences Laboratories show our commitment to creating a first-class educational experience.
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
USM is one of Malaysia’s leading universities and the first to be awarded APEX status for excellence. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and is a key player in Southeast Asia’s higher education landscape.
INFORMM – Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine
Founded in 2003, INFORMM is a nationally recognised centre of excellence in diagnostics for infectious diseases. With a strong track record in research, development, and international collaboration, INFORMM is committed to advancing molecular medicine and translational research. Its dual-campus setup provides access to extensive facilities and expertise, fostering global partnerships and innovation.
School of Biological Sciences, USM
Established in 1969, the School of Biological Sciences has grown rapidly and now boasts over 40 academic staff with expertise across biological sciences. Offering high-quality undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, the School supports research through state-of-the-art labs and specialised facilities like an Electron Microscope Unit, Herbarium, and Fish House. International collaborations enrich its research environment and ensure students are trained in the latest technologies.
