PhD/MPhil in Engineering (2022 Entry)
About this research graduate course
Course overview
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.
To satisfy the requirements of a PhD, the thesis must constitute a substantial original contribution to knowledge and is, in principle, worthy of peer-reviewed publications. 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 for PhD in the Faculty of Science. These limits are exclusive of appendices, footnotes, tables and bibliography. The total length of all appendices combined may not exceed 5,000 words in length.
You 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 that you take a written and/or practical examination. You must complete the oral examination and written and/or practical examination satisfactorily to satisfy the requirements for the degree.
General entry requirements
Minimum requirements
2:i 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 requirements. 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 page.
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 four disciplines shaping our framework, they are:
- Civil and Environmental
- Electrical and Electronic
- Mechanical and Process
- Systems and Information
Discipline streams
Our Civil and Environmental researchers work on a broad range of issues underpinning civil engineering.
Combining modelling with practical experimentation, they tackle issues such as:
- Sustainable housing
- Dynamic loading of structures
- Earthquake destabilisation of land
- Pollution of waterways
Key specialisms include Ground Engineering, Structural Engineering and Water.
The Electrical and Electronic Engineering research group covers a range of Power, sustainability, and improved communications at the heart of our Electrical and Electronic stream.
Key areas of research include:
- Artificial olfaction (or 'electronic nose')
- Electrical energy conversion
- Grid-scale energy storage
- Nanoscale communications
- Quantum devices
Key specialisms include Communications, Electrical Power and Sensors and Devices.
Our Mechanical and Process Engineering research group are our largest and most diverse stream, their activities include:
- Fluid mechanics
- Fire and explosion hazards, chemical engineering
- Precision and surfaces
- 3D printing
- Thermal energy technology
Key specialisms include Fluids and Modelling, Measurement and Machines, Reaction and Materials Engineering, Sustainable Thermal Energy Technologies.
The Systems and Information research group bring together expertise in:
- Nonlinear and stochastic systems
- Modelling of human activity
- Neural engineering
- Telemedicine
- Imaging
- Synthetic biology
Much of the research undertaken is around health and security and the nature of the work means that many labs are cross-group. Key specialisms include Biomedical and Biological Systems, Information Engineering and Systems Modelling and Control.
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 Directory where you will be able to filter by your disciplinary interest.
You can also see our general University guidance about finding a supervisor.
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.
Taught course fees Research course fees
Fee Status Guidance
The University carries out an initial fee status assessment based on information provided in the application and according to the guidance published by UKCISA. Students are classified as either Home or Overseas Fee status and this can determine the tuition fee and eligibility of certain scholarships and financial support.
If you receive an offer, your fee status will be stated with the tuition fee information, however we are awaiting guidance from the UK government regarding fee status for EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members living in the UK for academic year 2021/22 onwards. We are not able to confirm the fee status for these students until the relevant eligibility criteria have been confirmed. Once we have received further information from the UK government, we will provide you with an update on your fee status and let you know if any additional information is required. If you believe your fee status has been incorrectly classified you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire (follow the instructions in your offer) and provide the required documentation for this to be reassessed.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides guidance to UK universities on fees status criteria, you can find the latest guidance on the impact of Brexit on fees and student support on the UKCISA website.
Additional course costs
Please contact your academic department for information about department specific costs, which should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below, such as:
- Core text books
- Printer credits
- Dissertation binding
- Robe hire for your degree ceremony
Scholarships and bursaries
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 the 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.
Our Postgraduate Taught courses
- Advanced Mechanical Engineering (MSc)
- Biomedical Engineering (MSc)
- Communications and Information Engineering (MSc)
- Electrical Power Engineering (MSc)
Our Postgraduate Research courses
Taught course applications
Here is our checklist on how to apply for taught postgraduate courses at Warwick.
Research course applications
Here is our checklist on how to apply for research postgraduate degrees at the University of Warwick.
After you’ve applied
Find out how we process your application.
Applicant Portal
Track your application and update your details.
Admissions statement
See Warwick’s postgraduate admissions policy.
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Ask questions and engage with Warwick.
Postgraduate Open Day
Our Postgraduate Virtual Open Day will help you find out more about your course of interest, as well as general topics like applying to Warwick, accommodation, careers and funding.Postgraduate fairs
Throughout the year we attend exhibitions and fairs online and in the UK. These events give you the chance to learn about our Master's and PhD study routes, and the wider context of postgraduate study.
Live chats
Every week, you can connect directly with representatives from Warwick, who will be answering your questions on applying to and studying postgraduate studies at Warwick.
Departmental events
Some academic departments hold events for specific postgraduate programmes, these are fantastic opportunities to learn more about Warwick and your chosen department and course.
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