| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-23 | 2023-07-04 |
| 2024-01-23 | - |
Program Overview
Study your PhD alongside inspiring academics who are leading research in civil engineering to improve the world we live in.
You can carry out your doctoral research in a range of interests in our Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering. As a joint department, our research celebrates the integration between the two subjects to find impactful solutions to challenges such as climate change, sustainable infrastructures and low-carbon design.
Our research expertise is grouped into four centres to which your PhD research topic will be linked. Our centres are:
Find out what our research graduates go on to do
Find out more about our research
Study your PhD alongside inspiring academics who are leading research in civil engineering to improve the world we live in.
You can carry out your doctoral research in a range of interests in our Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering. As a joint department, our research celebrates the integration between the two subjects to find impactful solutions to challenges such as climate change, sustainable infrastructures and low-carbon design.
Our research expertise is grouped into four centres to which your PhD research topic will be linked. Our centres are:
Find out what our research graduates go on to do
Find out more about our research
Program Outline
Programme structure
Most students complete this programme in 4 years. You cannot take less than 2 years to finish your research and the maximum time you are allowed is normally 4 years.
You will start this programme in October.
You may also start mid-year, subject to agreement with your supervisor and the Doctoral College.
Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.
Your academic progress and general welfare will be monitored by your supervisor.
Academic milestones
- Registration
- Taught phase
- Candidature
- Confirmation
- Research
- Writing up
- Give notice of intention to submit a thesis / portfolio
- Submission for examination
- Examination (Viva Voce)
- Examiners report
- Final submission of thesis / portfolio
- Graduation
Programme content
Learning
Research content
We believe in an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to our research. As such, we carry out research with other departments in the university, mostly Mechanical Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Management, and Computer Science.
We are open to a wide range of ideas and want to hear where you’d like to focus your research. Our academics are especially interested to hear how your research could build on their existing work or about a new topic in their current subject areas.
Professional Development
Professional development is a crucial element of doctoral study, not only in supporting your research but also as part of your longer term career development. Our DoctoralSkills workshops and courses will help you build your skills and help you succeed in your doctorate.
Read more about professional development support
Assessment
Assessment methods
Assessment description
You’ll join the Department as a member of the research centre that best fits your broad research interest and as agreed on acceptance.
Most of our research students register as probationers for the PhD programme to begin with. Your PhD registration is confirmed subject to your passing an assessment process. This normally involves submitting written work and an oral examination. There is also an alternate by paper route which can be discussed with the Faculty.
We expect you to carry out supervised research at the forefront of your chosen subject, which must then be written up as a substantial thesis. Presenting your research findings is an important part of research training so we encourage you to prepare papers for publication throughout your PhD.
The final stage of the PhD programme is the oral or viva voce examination, where you must defend your thesis to a Board of Examiners.
