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MSc by Research (MScR) in Engineering (2024 Entry)

a group of postgraduate engineering students

Find out more about this Research in Engineering research Master's degree.

On Warwick's MSc by Research (MScR) in Engineering, you will gain the skills and knowledge to enable you to thrive as an independent research professional. Warwick's School of Engineering offers you specialist guidance with an effective mix of academic and practical application.


Course overview

We aim to equip all our Postgraduate Researchers with the skills, knowledge and attributes to enable you to thrive as an independent research professional and prepare you for your next career steps with our Professional Development Training Programme.

To satisfy the requirements for a Master's by Research degree, the thesis shall be clearly and concisely written, show evidence of originality in knowledge and interpretation, and shall also be judged on its scholarly presentation. In addition, it shall contain a full bibliography.

The maximum length of the thesis is 40,000 words, which shall be exclusive of appendices, footnotes, tables and bibliography.

The examiners may require the candidate to attend an oral examination. If an oral examination is held, this must be completed in line with University conventions to meet the requirements for the award of the degree. Research degree courses do not contain any interim examinations, but we will expect you to attend lecture modules on appropriate topics.

You are required to submit a project plan and Gantt chart early in your registration. You will have regular meetings with your supervisor/s, which will be recorded on a monthly basis to show the delivery and progression of your research. Three independent review panel meetings will also be arranged to monitor your progress.


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.


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 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.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 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.

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 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

How to apply

Applications are now open for courses that start in September and October 2025.

For research courses that start in September and October 2025 the application deadline for students who require a visa to study in the UK is 2 August 2025. This should allow sufficient time to complete the admissions process and to obtain a visa to study in the UK.

How to apply for a postgraduate research course  

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.

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