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Engineering (School of Engineering) (MPhil/PhD)

Find out more about our MPhil/PhD in Engineering (School of Engineering).

We may have revised the information on this page since publication. See the edits we have made and content history.

P-H1Q2

PhD/MPhil

3-4 years full-time;
Up to 7 years part-time

5 October 2026

11 January 2027

1 April 2027

Engineering

University of Warwick

With 93% of our complete REF2021 submission ranked as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent,’ Warwick’s School of Engineering is one of the leading unified engineering schools in the UK. Our MPhil/PhD in Engineering will give you the skills and knowledge needed to thrive as an independent research professional.

The MPhil/PhD in Engineering at the University of Warwick offers students the opportunity to undertake a substantial piece of independent research within one of the UK’s leading unified engineering schools.

Based in Warwick’s School of Engineering, the MPhil/PhD course allows students to immerse themselves in a vibrant and supportive postgraduate research community. With over 150 postgraduate research students and more than 40 postdoctoral researchers, our School fosters an active environment for innovation and discovery.

As a general engineering department, we are uniquely positioned to support multi-disciplinary research across a broad range of topics. Our researchers collaborate with academic colleagues across the University and with a wide network of external partners—including SMEs, large corporations, NHS Trusts, charitable organisations, and other universities—to address real-world engineering challenges.

Students register in the first instance for the degree of MPhil unless otherwise approved by the Board of Graduate Studies. Subject to satisfactory progress, registration may be upgraded to the degree of PhD.  If you prefer to complete the MPhil, this is a two-year registration.

Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

To satisfy the requirements of the degree of MPhil a thesis shall constitute an original contribution to knowledge. The thesis shall be clearly and concisely written and well-argued and shall show a satisfactory knowledge of both primary and secondary sources. In addition, it shall contain a full bibliography and, where appropriate, a description of methods and techniques used in the research.

The maximum length of the thesis is 60,000 words. A student must attend an oral examination, which shall cover the thesis itself and the field of study in which the thesis has been written. The examiners may also require the student to take a written and/or practical examination. The student must complete satisfactorily the oral examination and written and/or practical examination, in order to satisfy the requirements for the degree.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

To satisfy the requirements of the degree of PhD, a thesis must constitute a substantial original contribution to knowledge and is, in principle, worthy of peer-reviewed publication. The thesis shall be clearly and concisely written and well-argued and shall show a satisfactory knowledge of both primary and secondary sources. It shall contain a full bibliography and, where appropriate, a description of methods and techniques used in the research.

The maximum length of the thesis is 70,000 words. A student must attend an oral examination (viva voce), which shall cover the thesis itself and the field of study in which the thesis has been written. The examiners may also require the student to take a written and/or practical examination. The student must complete satisfactorily the oral examination and written and/or practical examination, in order to satisfy the requirements for the degree.

Areas for supervision

Overarching research themes

Our organisational structure connects our research with our study programmes to ensure quality research-led teaching.

We have six Research Clusters shaping our framework, they are:

• Built Environment & Sustainability
• Biomedical & Biotechnology
• Electrical Power & Control
• Fluids & Thermal
• Measurement, Devices & Materials
• Predictive Modelling

Discipline streams

Built Environment & Sustainability

Our researchers work on a broad range of issues underpinning the construction and environmental sectors at both national and international levels. Combining computational modelling with practical experimentation, we tackle issues directly associated with the many challenges posed by the Climate Emergency and linked to UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Biomedical & Biotechnology

The Biomedical clusters cover problems in fundamental research of humans, human systems and healthcare. Interspersed with various applied projects around the design, development and deployment of assistive technologies and rehabilitation techniques.

Electrical Power & Control

The Electrical Power & Control conducts internationally leading research and drives for cutting-edge technology development in tackling the great challenges in power generation, energy conversion, distribution, transmission and efficient use of energy.

Fluids & Thermal

The diverse range of fluid flows in nature and technology spans scales (from atmospheric to the nanoscale), phenomena (from cavitation to combustion), constituents (from granular to rarefied), biology (from pulmonary air to microvascular blood) and engineering applications (from turbulent-drag reduction to explosion hazard detection).

Measurement, Devices & Materials

Materials is one of our fastest-growing areas of research. Here we focus on a wide range of applications, including photovoltaics, batteries, optoelectronics, power electronics, and modulation of terahertz radiation. As well, precision in measurements plays a fundamental role in all areas.

Predictive Modelling

This area involves using mathematical models and simulations to analyse complex systems across fields. Key applications of modelling include material science, computational chemistry, quantum devices, nanotechnology and energy conservation and generation.

Explore our research areas on our Engineering web pagesLink opens in a new window.

Find your supervisor using the link below and discuss with them the area you'd like to research.

Explore our Engineering Academic Staff DirectoryLink opens in a new window where you will be able to filter by your disciplinary interest.

Please note our Modelling of Heterogenous Systems PhD offers a range of research projects. A research proposal is not required. Instead, you should nominate one to three projects that you are interested in, in order of preference.

Learn more about our groups and projectsLink opens in a new window.

You can also see our general University guidance about finding a supervisorLink opens in a new window.

• School of Engineering ScholarshipsLink opens in a new window
• Research VacanciesLink opens in a new window
• Live chatsLink opens in a new window

2:1 undergraduate degree in a related subject or Master’s degree at merit level (or equivalent).

• Band A
• IELTS overall score of 6.5, minimum component scores not below 6.0.

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.