Engineering (School of Engineering) (MPhil/PhD)
Find out more about our MPhil/PhD in Engineering (School of Engineering).
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.
Course overview
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.
General entry requirements
Minimum requirements
2:1 undergraduate degree in a related subject or Master’s degree at merit level (or equivalent).
English language requirements
You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:
- Band A
- IELTS overall score of 6.5, minimum component scores not below 6.0.
International qualifications
We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.
For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.
Academic References
We typically ask for two academic references for research courses.
You will be asked to include an email address for your referee(s) when submitting your application and we will contact them for you.
View our guide to academic references.Link opens in a new window
Additional requirements
There are no additional entry requirements for this course.
Our research
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.
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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
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 pages.Link opens in a new window
Find a supervisor
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 projects.
You can also see our general University guidance about finding a supervisor.
- School of Engineering Scholarships https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/eng/postgraduate/funding/pss/
- Research Vacancies https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/eng/postgraduate/phdm/project
- Live chats https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/eng/livechat/
Research proposals
An important part of your PhD application is the research proposal. We want to know what your research interests are so that we may direct your application to potential supervisors. The proposal does not need to be long, but the quality should be high and no more than 2-3 pages should be sufficient.
Ideally, your proposal should address the points below - however, as long as we get a clear idea of your research interests then we can consider your application. Ensure that your research interests match those in the School of EngineeringLink opens in a new window, or contact us for clarification of research areas.
- Outline the main objectives of your research, providing details of two or three key aspects.
- State your target audience for this project.
- Explain what the main outcomes of the project are that you would want to see.
- Outline what methods/approaches you intend to use to achieve the aims of your project.
- Indicate your suggested data collection procedures, including sources and any possible difficulties.
- Explain any analytical techniques you intend to use for your research.
Avoid:
- Broad research areas which would be unmanageable as a PhD topic or that have no relevance to University of Warwick research areas.
- Vague descriptions of your research interests.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.
Find your research course fees
Fee Status Guidance
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.
Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?
If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.
Find out more about how universities assess fee statusLink opens in a new window
Additional course costs
As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of research trips in the UK and overseas. In addition, you should consider the more general costs below:
- Access to research material that is not available via university resources
- Printing and binding a personal copy of your dissertation
- Robe hire for your degree ceremony
Scholarships and funding
Scholarships and financial support
Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.
Living costs
Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at University of Warwick.
Engineering at Warwick
Use your maths and science skills to creatively solve real-life problems.
Find out more about us on our website.Link opens in a new window
Our Postgraduate Taught courses
- Advanced Mechanical Engineering (MSc)
- Biomedical Engineering (MSc)
- Communications and Information Engineering (MSc)
- Diagnostics. Data and Digital Health MSc
- Diagnostics, Data and Digital Health (Medical Diagnostics) MSc
- Diagnostics, Data and Digital Health (Medical Imaging) MSc
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering (MSc)
- Electrical Power Engineering (MSc)
- Humanitarian Engineering (MSc/PGDip/PGCert/PGA)
- Humanitarian Engineering (with Management) (MSc)
- Humanitarian Engineering (with Sustainability) (MSc)
- Predictive Modelling and Scientific Computing (MSc)
Our Postgraduate Research courses
How to apply checklist
Our how to apply checklist helps you prepare for your application.
I'm ready to apply
Learn more about the Applicant Portal.
Application deadlines
Applications for courses starting in academic years 2025/26 and 2026/27 are now open.
For research courses that start in September and October 2026, the application deadline for students who require a visa to study in the UK is 2 August 2026.
For courses starting at other times of year we recommend that you submit your application a minimum of 3 months prior to your intended start date.
This should allow sufficient time to complete the admissions process and to obtain a visa to study in the UK if required. We will still accept late applications, however cannot guarantee that the application will be processed in time to complete the admissions process if received late or there are a number of conditions to meet.
If applying late please include your degree certificates and transcripts, English proficiency evidence (if needed) and ensure referees can submit references promptly to allow time for CAS and visa processing (if applicable).
Explore ways to connect with us
We understand how important it is to visit and explore your future university before you apply. That's why we have put together a range of online and in-person options to help you discover more about your course, visit campus, and get a sense of postgraduate life at Warwick. Our events offer includes:
- Warwick hosted events
- Postgraduate Fairs
- Live chats
- Talk and Tours
- Department events