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PhD/MPhil in Engineering (2023 Entry)

a group of postgraduate engineering students

Find out more about our Engineering PhD/MPhil course.

The PhD/MPhil in Engineering offers an effective mix of academic and practical application. Warwick's School of Engineering has expertly designed this programme to allow you to gain valuable research skills and knowledge.


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 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.


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.

Explore our research areas on our Engineering web pages.

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

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 status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

  • 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.

Department content block about careers

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.

Join a live chat

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.
Please register your interest to be the first to hear when booking opens.

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.

Find out more

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.

Sign up for Live Chats

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.

See our online departmental events

Connect with us

Want to hear more about postgraduate study at Warwick? Register your interest and find out more.