Engineering (MSc by Research)
Find out more about our Engineering Master's by Research degree.
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.
Course overview
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.
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
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, Materials and Process
- Systems and Information
Discipline streams
Civil and Environmental
Our Civil and Environmental researchers work on a broad range of global research challenges underpinning civil engineering.
Combining modelling with practical experimentation, they tackle issues such as:
- Low carbon structures and structures using high-performance materials.
- Structural dynamics and structural health monitoring
- Vibration serviceability
- Human interaction with structures
- Resilient infrastructure to Climate Change
- Environmental Pollution
- Sustainable ground improvement material and techniques
- Geohazards prediction and mitigation
- Offshore geotechnics
Key specialisms within the Civil and Environmental Engineering stream include Water and Environmental Engineering, Structural Engineering, and Geotechnical Engineering.
Electrical and Electronic
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.
Mechanical, Materials and Process
Our Mechanical, Materials and Process Engineering discipline is our largest and most diverse stream. The stream has research groups in the fields of:
- Chemical engineering
- Fluid mechanics
- Materials
- Measurement
- Sustainable thermal energy technologies
Current research interests include: efficient production of green chemicals and low carbon fuels; investigating flow dynamics from the nanoscale to global environmental systems; atomic scale modelling of materials to improve their functional properties; experimental materials science for applications including silicon photovoltaic solar cells, terahertz imaging, optoelectronic devices based on 2D materials, sensing, and photoelectrochemical water splitting; developing methods of precision measurement for automotive, aerospace, bioengineering, healthcare applications; developing new technology for sustainable energy systems such as solar collectors, heat pumps and thermal storage.
Systems and Information
The Systems and Information research group bring together expertise in:
- Nonlinear and stochastic systems
- Modelling of human activity
- Biomedical Systems Modelling and Data Analytics
- 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, Data Analytics and Systems Modelling and Control.
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.
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/funding/
- 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 the 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 status
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 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.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 September and October 2026 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. This should allow sufficient time to complete the admissions process and to obtain a visa to study in the UK.
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