Research Degrees in
in the Faculty of Science and Engineering
Do you want to advance or change your career, deepen your expertise in a topic, or expand your research and practical skills?
With a PhD or other postgraduate research degree in Engineering you will:
We can supervise a broad range of projects within Engineering. Our areas of expertise include:
You will join a creative team of researchers committed to pursuing rigorous applied and fundamental research. Our research is aligned to the needs of industry and society; we undertake research which has real-world impact across a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, computing, art and design, and environmental sciences.
Our research is at the cutting-edge, and we are always delivering exciting new projects and initiatives. We have recently launched a suite of new research centres to provide a focus for some of our major research strands. These include centres focusing on advanced materials and surface engineering, computer science, bioscience and sports medicine.
We are also home to interdisciplinary research groups focusing on vital topical areas such as wearable tech, smart infrastructure, and augmented reality & virtual reality.
In addition to these research centres and groups, we have also recently launched the Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre, which develops solutions and materials for local companies, and Print City, which specialises in 3D printing and digital manufacturing. These endeavours add to the impressive range of specialist facilities we have on our Manchester campus, including multi-million pound genetics facilities and a heavy engineering workshop.
As a postgraduate researcher, you will be a core part of our wider research community. You will be encouraged to play an active role in the intellectual culture of relevant research centres and groups. We will provide thorough training in practical and research skills to enhance your personal and professional development. We will also encourage you to present your research at national and international conferences. Our extensive industry links mean you will have opportunities to knowledge share and network.
Find out more about the different research degrees we offer
The majority of our students enrol in October. We offer further enrolment points in January, April and July.
Research degrees are available to study on-campus or through distance learning.
Undertaking postgraduate research will equip you with vital skills that will make you an attractive candidate in a wide range of sectors. You will be able to target specific senior roles in manufacturing, engineering, and design. You can also pursue roles in academic research and teaching.
This course is research based. You will independently conduct research into your own topic or a topic that we advertise. Your supervisory team will offer expert guidance throughout your studies and review work in progress.
Each year, you will follow a programme of training and development to enhance your research methods, subject-matter expertise and professional skills.
Please refer to our Fees page for more information on tuition fees.
Many of our PhD and Professional Doctorate programmes are eligible for the government's Doctoral Loan Scheme. MPhil and MA/MSc by Research degrees are eligible for a Postgraduate Loan.
Each year we offer a number of competitive scholarships to support high quality research projects. Current scholarship opportunities in Engineering are advertised on our site.
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You should, as a minimum, have a first or 2.1 honours degree or an equivalent qualification.
International students must demonstrate a sufficiently high standard of English language ability.
In order to enter most postgraduate courses the English requirements are IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 575, and TOEFL computer-based 230.
We welcome interest from applicants from non-standard backgrounds. We will take subject knowledge, professional experience, publications, or other appropriate evidence of accomplishment into consideration.
See more about our standard entry requirements.
Before applying for a research degree, you should have a preliminary discussion with a member of staff about your project and ideas. To arrange this, please email Dr David Sawtell, d.sawtell@mmu.ac.uk, the Research Degrees Co-ordinator for the Department of Engineering.
For further information on the application process, contact the Admissions team pgradmissions@mmu.ac.uk, +44 (0)161 247 2966.
To apply for this degree, please select one of the study options below to begin your application.
Before you apply, you should discuss your project with a member of academic staff. You should also complete the postgraduate research degree thesis proposal form, which you will need to upload as part of your application. The document can be attached at the final checklist section after you’ve submitted your application.