School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

EngD Engineering

Duration

2 (from the start of research phase) - 4 years
Course type

Full-time
Study location Plymouth
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Our four year professional engineering doctorate provides an alternative to a traditional PhD, tailored for students who want a career in industry. It gives you experience of cutting-edge research in a business context, where you will be co-supervised by an industry partner.

The professional engineering doctorate is different from the traditional PhD:

  • The standard duration is 4 years (one year of taught modules and three years of research phase).
  • The student is based in industry for the majority of the research phase period.
  • The doctorate is usually co-supervised by the industry partner.
  • The research project is normally an applied industry project.

The programme has four distinct aims to provide:

  • an alternative to traditional PhD for students who want a career in industry, providing candidates with experience of cutting-edge research in a business context;
  • a programme that is no less rigorous than a PhD and provides a combination of taught elements with the research component;
  • a challenging research project that has strategic importance for sponsoring organisation; and
  • integration of the student with sponsor’s own project team as a Research Engineer, helping build links with the university.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • The taught element is usually delivered in the first year during which time the student is based at the university. The Engineering Doctorate (EngD) is awarded on completion of 540 credits comprising 420 Level 8 research credits and 120 Level 7 taught credits). The taught credits are taken from relevant MSc programmes. 

  • Year 2

  • Research phase

  • Year 3

  • Research phase 

  • Final year

  • Research phase 

Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest programme structure and may be subject to change:

EngD Engineering Doctorate Programme Specification September 2024 6276

Entry requirements

UK/EU

A relevant degree with honours or an equivalent professional qualification. Other qualifications accompanied by substantial experience in an appropriate field may also be considered. Non-standard applications will be considered on a case by case basis.

International

Please view the country specific pages for further information regarding the equivalency of your degree. International applicants will be required to provide evidence of their English language ability, for example by achieving an IELTS score of 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 5.5 in each element) or equivalent, see our English language requirements. Pre-sessional English language courses are available if you do not meet these requirements.

We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for postgraduate taught programmes. Tell me more about scholarships and bursaries.

Fees, costs and funding
Please visit tuition fees for postgraduate research for information about fees.
Please visit our postgraduate research money matters page to find out more about issues related to fees, funding, loans and paying for your programme of study.

How to apply
In addition to completing the online application form (which includes space for a personal statement), you must also upload a research project proposal. Your research proposal should outline your research topic, your key aims and the research question/problem you are addressing, a brief literature review, your proposed methodology, and an explanation of why this topic is significant or important.
Your personal statement should briefly explain why you have chosen to apply to our programme and what you feel you can offer our research community.
Submitting your application
Complete your application and upload supporting documents to the Doctoral College by completing our online application form.
Questions on the application process?
We're here to help. Please contact the Doctoral College and we'll be happy to assist you.
More information and advice for applicants can be referenced in our admissions policy which can be found on the student regulations, policies and procedures page. Prospective students are advised to read the policy before making an application to the University.

Facilities

You will have access to our unrivalled facilities

COAST Lab - 2013914
Marine Station
Closeup of the High Performance Computing (HPC) resource

Research groups

Coastal Processes Research Group Perranporth beach
Postgraduate research students listening to a talk

Meet our school technical staff 

Our technical staff are integral to the delivery of all our programmes and bring a diverse range of expertise and skills to support students in laboratories and workshops.