Engineering - Research, MPhil/PhD
Enjoy world-class specialist laboratories and a diverse community when you study a research degree in Engineering (MPhil/PhD) at the University of Greenwich.
The Department of Engineering is home to around 50 MPhil and PhD students across seven research groups. We focus on important real-world issues, supported by research funding of around £1.6 million per year. As a research student, you'll receive guidance and support from expert supervisors throughout your registration. You'll normally enrol as an MPhil student and progress to PhD following a review of your first year's work.
Research groups in the faculty focus on areas including product development, infrastructure management, sustainability in civil engineering, internet security, mobile and wireless communications and manufacturing engineering. You'll be able to take advantage of our world-class specialist engineering laboratories, which have recently been refurbished with unique facilities.
Department
Campus
Duration
- 3-4 years full-time
- 5-7 years part-time
Start month
September; March; April; October
Home/international fees
2020/2021 fees *
2021/2022 fees
* March; April; October 2021 starters pay the 2020/2021 fees.
What you should know about this course
What you will study
About the course team
The School of Engineering has specialist academic and senior research staff, as well as highly skilled technical support staff. Our Research Groups have strong industrial and academic connections to an extended team of experts, which keeps us informed of latest research, standards and industrial practice. You'll also receive comprehensive training from our Research and Enterprise Training Institute (RETI) throughout your studies.
Come and meet us
Given the current situation with Covid-19, we are offering virtual events so that you can still experience how Greenwich could be the right university for you.
Next Open Days
Got a question?
To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
If you are
Applicants should have:
- A taught Master's degree, with a minimum average of 60% in all areas of assessment (e.g. Merit level or above), in a generic subject area relevant to the subject matter of the proposed research project, and/or
- A First Class or Second Class, First Division (Upper Second Class) Honours degree in a subject area relevant to the proposed research project.
In addition to the above, applicants whose first language is not English must also meet the English Language requirement, which is:
- a Bachelor or Master's degree transcript from the UK or UKVI recognised Majority English Speaking Country (MESC).
OR
- an IELTS certificate demonstrating that you have achieved a minimum of 6.5 in all elements, or an acceptable, demonstrable equivalent to this.
For further information and the application form, see applying for a postgraduate research degree.
If you would like to contact the Faculty, please email: fes_research_office@gre.ac.uk.
For more information, contact courseinfo@greenwich.ac.uk or 020 8331 9000.
You can also read our admissions policy.
The University of Greenwich accepts a broad range of international qualifications for admission to our courses.
For detailed information on the academic and English language requirements, please find your country in our directory.
Alternatively, please contact us:
- By telephone: +44 (0)20 8331 8136.
- By email: international@gre.ac.uk.
Available to overseas students?
Yes
Can I use prior learning?
Find out more on our Recognition of Prior Learning pages.
How you will learn
This section helps you understand more about how you'll learn based on standard delivery of teaching and learning on campus.
However, as a response to COVID-19 we are currently operating a 'blended model' of teaching and learning (except for distance-learning courses). This means a combination of face-to-face sessions on our campuses with online lectures. There is additional support for any students who are unable to attend campus because they are ill or shielding. We'll continue to offer blended learning to all our students, in line with government guidelines, for as long as we are advised to. If government or local authority rules require it, we may be limited to offering online-only learning but will return to blended learning as soon as we are safely able to do so.
You can find out more about how we are supporting our students.
Teaching
MPhil/PhD students are usually allocated two supervisors to guide you through your research project. Your supervisors are usually research staff from within the faculty, although one may be appointed from another department or from outside the university.
Class sizes
The School of Engineering is home to around 60 MPhil and PhD students across four research groups.
Independent learning
A research degree is a major piece of original work. Most of your study time will be spent working independently, with support from your supervisory team.
You may also wish to factor in other research activity, such as participation at seminars, events and conferences, or working towards publications.
Overall workload
If you are studying full-time, you should expect the workload to be similar to a full-time job over a 3-year period. For part-time students, this will adjust accordingly.
Assessment
The MPhil/PhD Programme is assessed by a written thesis and a viva including an external examiner, an internal examiner and a panel chair. For PhD study, you will register for the MPhil initially and undergo an upgrade review after a year of research to determine your readiness for full PhD registration.
Feedback summary
You receive regular feedback from your supervisory team, which meets formally every two weeks, but informally much more often. A faculty-level committee reviews your progress annually and helps to shape the direction of the project.
The oral examination (or viva) takes place a few weeks after the submission of the thesis and is assessed by an external researcher knowledgeable in the field of study.
Dates and timetables
Enrolment on the PhD/MPhil programme can take place at any time during the academic year.
*Calculated as an average of compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year. You can find more detail about how individual modules are taught within the 'what you will study' section.
Fees and funding
Your time at university should be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress. Planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
2020/2021 fees
| Full-time (per year) | Part-time (per 30 credits) | |
|---|---|---|
| View fees |
* March, April and October 2021 starters pay the 2020/2021 fees.
2021/2022 fees
| Full-time (per year) | Part-time (per 30 credits) | |
|---|---|---|
| View fees |
Fees information International fees
Fees are assessed based on your country of domicile, with students domiciled in the EU charged international fees. If you are unsure, find out more about how your fee status is assessed.
Accommodation costs
Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. We have dedicated accommodation for postgraduate students (Devonport House) available from just £160 per person per week, with bills included. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost. Students based at the Medway Campus can also reside in student halls in Chatham or rent privately in the local area.
There is a range of financial support available to support your studies. This includes postgraduate loans, international scholarships, and options for current students and alumni to continue studying at the university. EU students may be eligible for a bursary to support their study. View our EU bursary to find out more.
We also provide advice and support on budgeting, money management and financial hardship.
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
Graduates from this programme can pursue a wide range of career opportunities in industry, government and academia.
Do you provide employability services?
We have a team dedicated to enhancing student employment outcomes. Our Employer Partnerships Manager develops relationships with companies to provide employment opportunities.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
Each student is assigned to at least two supervisors, of whom one is designated the lead supervisor. The supervisors would have complementary technical knowledge and project management experiences in the student's area of investigation. In addition, all members of related research Group will provide advice and support as required. The Programme Leader will also provide general guidance and support, as will the teaching team. In many cases, industrial supervisors are included in the supervision team to provide timely industrial requirements, trends, knowledge and support.
Support from the department
All students prepare a research proposal identifying a programme of work and the equipment and resources required.
The School of Engineering is fully equipped to support students across a range of disciplines. You also have access to state-of-the-art industrial technologies during projects with our local engineering collaborators including BAE Systems, Cummins Power Generation, Ford, Delphi, Thales, Atlas Copco and 3M.
Advice, guidance and support is available from a range of sources in the Faculty of Engineering and Science and across the University.
Accommodation information
Not quite what you were looking for?
We've got plenty of other courses for you to choose from. Browse our postgraduate research prospectus or check our related courses below.
Engineering at the University of Greenwich
As an engineering student at our Medway Campus, you will gain a solid foundation in all aspects of engineering. This allows you to choose the area you want to specialise in later in your studies.
Visit our engineering subject page.
Engineering courses
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