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 MSc by Research (MScR) in Engineering will give you the skills and knowledge needed to thrive as an independent research professional.
The School of Engineering has a very welcoming and supportive research culture. There is a strong emphasis on collaboration, whether through research groups, seminars, workshops, or informal discussions with colleagues. I particularly enjoy being part of a department where people are genuinely interested in sharing knowledge and supporting each other’s development. It creates a positive environment that encourages both academic and personal growth.
Saff E Awal
Current PhD student in the School of Engineering
The MSc by Research (MScR) 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, this one-year research degree 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.
The MScR culminates in the submission of a 40,000-word thesis, clearly and concisely written to show evidence of originality in knowledge and in interpretation, and shall be judged on its scholarly presentation. The research will be supported under the guidance of an academic supervisor.
Students are required to submit a project plan, Gantt chart and a literature review early in their registration. Regular meetings with their supervisor/s are recorded by the student on a monthly basis to show the delivery and progression of their research. A progress review panel is established for each student to monitor progress and give advice; the first review is usually within the first two months of registration, a formal review after approx. 9 months.
This degree provides an excellent foundation for further research study (such as a PhD) or for careers in industry where research and analytical skills are valued.
Entry requirements
2:1 undergraduate degree in a related subject or Master’s degree at Merit level (or equivalent).
IELTS overall score of 6.5, minimum component scores not below 6.0
Please adjust your country as required:
We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications. For more information, please visit the international entry requirements page.
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.
There are no additional entry requirements for this course.
Research themes
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.
There are several routes to finding a PhD supervisor at University of Warwick. Searching for a supervisor and submitting a research proposal will look different depending on the opportunity you are applying for. Below you’ll find guidance from the department about what is required for this course.
For more general advice, including top tips for finding and contacting a potential supervisor, and what to include in your research proposal visit the university’s guidance webpages.
Find your supervisor using the link below and discuss with them the area you'd like to research.
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.
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.
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.
The School of Engineering also offers project suggestions. This is not an exhaustive list but is intended to show the range of postgraduate research taking place: Available Projects
Fees and scholarships
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 assessment and some student amenities.
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.
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
Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.
Turn ambitious ideas into engineering breakthroughs.
Why study with us?
Here, you’ll explore how science, maths and creativity can be used to address real-world challenges. From biomedical engineering and digital health, to electrical power, communications and predictive modelling, discover how engineering contributes to technologies that shape modern life.
Our courses combine strong technical foundations with practical problem-solving opportunities, helping you develop the knowledge and skills to tackle complex engineering problems. Through design projects, laboratory work and collaborative learning, you’ll gain experience in applying engineering principles to contemporary challenges and opportunities.
You’ll have access to well-equipped laboratories, workshops and specialist facilities that support practical learning and project work. At the heart of this is the Engineering Build Space - a collaborative design studio where you [HS1] can prototype, experiment and develop projects using tools and technologies, including computer-controlled equipment.
Supported by our Makers-in-Residence, you’ll work alongside staff and fellow students in a hands-on environment that encourages creativity, collaboration and innovation.
Life at Warwick
This is where your journey begins. Our campus is the heart of it all. It’s more than just a campus - it's the places you visit, the people you meet, the fun that you have; the experiences you have here will be transformative.
Within a close-knit community of staff and students from all over the world, discover a campus alive with possibilities.
Our campus is where all the elements of your student experience come together in one place. You won't be short of ways to spend your time on campus - whether it's visiting Warwick Arts Centre, using our incredible sports facilities, socialising in our bars, nightclub and cafés, or enjoying an open-air event. Or if you need some peace and quiet, you can explore lakes, woodland and green spaces just a few minutes’ walk from central campus.
Follow our students around campus on our social channels to see their experiences first-hand.
Teaching facilities
Our campus is designed to cater for all of your learning needs. You will benefit from a variety of flexible, well-equipped study spaces and teaching facilities across the University.
Oculus, our outstanding learning hub, houses state-of-the-art lecture theatres and innovative social learning and network areas
Different study spaces offering you flexible individual and group study spaces, computers, printing and scanning facilities, multimedia resources and more
Supporting you
Our continuous support network is here to help you adjust to student life and to ensure you can easily access advice on many different issues. These may include managing your finances and workload, and settling into shared accommodation. We also have specialist disability and mental health support teams.
Whether you live on campus or off campus, in private accommodation in the well-serviced local area, you’ll be part of a community to get the most from your experience at Warwick.
Societies and sports play a huge part in community life at Warwick. With over 300 to choose from, getting involved is one of the easiest ways to make friends and share in experiences. Whether you’re into films, martial arts, astronomy, gaming or musical theatre, you can instantly connect with people with similar interests.
Your university experience is defined by far more than your course or the career path you follow. At Warwick, it’s where you discover who you could become.
68th
Warwick is ranked 68th in the world and top 10 in all major UK league tables
Our alumni community still call Warwick home. From a few hundred in 1965 to more than 310,000 alumni, and it's ever-growing.
As Warwick graduates, our students have access to employability support for two years after graduation, including access to careers appointments, job vacancies and professional networks.
Applications for courses starting in academic year 2026/27 are now open.
For research courses that start in September and October 2027, the application deadline for students who require a visa to study in the UK is 2 August 2027.
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).
This information is applicable for 2027 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our web page 'Important information to consider before making an application' in advance of applying to Warwick.
Next steps
Explore your future university further at an upcoming event, online or in-person. Can't join? Receive regular email updates or ask current students and staff questions about life at Warwick.
