Nikolaos-Aronis

Faculty of Science and Engineering

Engineering research degrees

Postgraduate - Research

MSc by Thesis PhD

Looking for a funded PhD?

Check out our current PhD scholarship opportunities now

About our programmes

The challenges facing the world today are complex and require a multidisciplinary approach. As a general engineering department, we are able to bring together a wide range of expertise, experience and facilities to solving such problems - encompassing mechanical engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, and energy engineering.

We have a long history of excellence in research and in the application of research to address real-world problems. In the latest Research Excellence Framework exercise (REF 2014), 99% of our research submissions were judged to be 'internationally recognised', with 75% of our outputs classed as 'world-leading' or ''internationally excellent'.

Our research interests are broadly themed around three key areas:

  • Energy and Environment
  • Medical Engineering
  • Sustainable Engineering

We welcome applications from potential graduate students who are interested in working with us for PhD or MSc by Thesis. Our PhD programmes prepare you for academic, research, and other high-level careers.

Apply for research programmes in Engineering

Details

Open for admission in 2024/25

Qualification Full time Part time
MSc by Thesis 1 year* 2 years*
PhD 3 years* 5 years*

* The length of programme registration will be longer as it includes the maximum writing-up phase.

Start in January, May or September

Research

Energy and Environment

Understanding the changing environment, adapting to climate change, increasing the efficiency of our energy usage and minimising the impact of human activity are key challenges to humanity.

Our research brings together a wide range of engineering expertise to address these problems, with particular interests in the following:

Energy Systems

  • Energy efficiency
  • Heating and cooling
  • Carbon capture, storage and utilisation
  • Solar energy
  • Marine based systems
  • Bioenergy

 

Environment

  • Environmental monitoring
  • Effects of climate change on communications
  • Transport and logistics

 

Medical Engineering

Many of the most important breakthroughs in medicine and healthcare over the past century have critically relied on the contribution of engineers, for example in new imaging modalities or joint replacements, and the introduction of novel medical devices and techniques will continue to improve our longevity and quality of life.

Our activities currently include fundamental research into the musculoskeletal system, the development of new medical devices and biomedical materials, and the development of new diagnostic and analytical systems. Current and recent supports of our research include Action Medical Research, BBSRC, EPSRC, EU, NHS, Leverhulme Trust, NERC, OSPREY, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society.

 

Sustainable Engineering

Staff and researchers in the sustainable engineering research theme undertake interdisciplinary research on advanced materials and manufacturing, design and optimisation of novel devices and control systems, and systematic engineering and sustainable solutions for energy production, carbon capture, storage and utilisation.

Research activities currently include:

  • Fundamental research into the development and characterisation of advanced metal alloys, metal-based and polymer-based composites, and the manufacturing technologies for energy, automotive and aerospace industry.
  • The development of novel photovoltaic devices to harness solar energy, and photo-electrochemical systems for conversion of CO2 into useful fuels.
  • Fault-tolerant control of offshore wind turbines and robust fault detection and diagnosis for aerospace systems.
  • Process modelling, simulation, control and optimisation for power plants, and carbon capture, storage and transport.
  • Design and production of novel green catalysis to produce biofuel from eco-friendly materials, e.g. agricultural waste.

Current and recent supporters of our research include The Royal Society, The Royal Academy of Engineering, EPSRC, British Council, EU, and industry.

“I have grown more confident in my ability to undertake quality research because of the training I received at Hull. I feel a sense of accomplishment having finished my MSc, and I look forward to my PhD.”

Samson Shittu, MSc in Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Fees and funding

Home


Full time:
£4,712 per year

Part time: £2,356 per year

International


Full time:
£19,950 per year

These fees are for all research degree programmes on this page. For courses lasting more than one year, annual increases apply. For more information, please visit the fees and funding page. 

Postgraduate research programme structures


PhD

  • Full-time: 3 years of research, with up to 12 months writing up if required
  • Part-time: 5 years of research, with up to 20 months of writing up if required

Masters

  • Full-time: one year of research, with up to 12 months writing up if required
  • Part-time: 2 years of research, with up to 24 months of writing up if required

Writing-up and thesis submission


A standard full-time PhD programme comprised three years of research plus up to 12 months of writing-up. Part-time is five years plus up to 20 months writing-up if needed. Full-time standard Masters programmes are comprised one year of research plus up to 12 months of writing-up if needed; and part time Masters programmes have two years of research with up to two years of writing-up.

For full-time students, the writing-up phase typically takes about three months but may be extended to one year without further paperwork. For part-time students, writing-up typically takes one year, but may be extended to two years without further paperwork. The maximum writing-up period is included in your overall programme length, which means that international PGRs will not need to apply for an additional visa to cover the writing-up phase.

If you need to move into the writing-up period of your research degree, you must enrol for this phase and you will be liable to pay a continuation fee.

The fees for the writing-up period for 2023/24 are:

Full time

  • Writing-up fee £345
  • Rebate for submission within first 3 months of the research period end date 100%
  • Rebate for submission between 4- 6 months of the research period end date 50%
  • Rebate for submission between 7-9 months of the research period end date 25%

Part time

  • Continuation Fee £170
  • Rebate for submission within first 3 months of the research period end date 100%
  • Rebate for submission between 4- 6 months of the research period end date 50%
  • Rebate for submission between 7-9 months of the research period end date 25%

Thesis submission timelines


It is expected that you will submit your thesis within the timeframes outlined below:

Masters degrees

  • Submission by one year and 3 months full-time.
  • Submission by 2 years and 6 months part-time.

Doctoral degrees

  • Submission by 3 years and 3 months full-time.
  • Submission by 5 years and 6 months for part-time.

Doctoral Loan

UK students who haven’t secured a scholarship can take out a Doctoral Loan to help with tuition fees and living costs. They provide up to £29,390 for full-time and part-time PhDs in all subject areas.

EU students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 must have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to get student finance. Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.

Additional costs

There are some extra costs that you may have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make. The list below has some examples, and any extra costs will vary:

  • Student visas (international students).
  • Books (you’ll have access to many books through the University library, but you may want to buy your own copies).
  • Optional conference/field/archive/library trips (Faculties support some travel and conference attendance financially. Details vary. Please check with the Department/School to which you are applying).
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want to buy your own).
  • Printing and photocopying (There is a printing allowance in place for all students, currently £20 a year. Some Faculties grant PGR students access to printing and photocopying as staff. Please check with the Department/School to which you are applying).
  • Professional-body membership.
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography).

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel and food – to name just a few.

Some postgraduate research students may be asked to pay a bench fee in addition to the tuition fee to cover additional costs of their research project. If such a fee is levied for additional project-specific costs, not included in the tuition fee, you will receive further information during the application process.

For information about bursaries and how to fund your studies see our money page, or take a look at our PhD scholarships page for specific funded PhD opportunities.

Watch: find out more about postgraduate study at the University of Hull.

The University’s Postgraduate Training Scheme (PGTS) provides a range of generic and discipline-specific modules to support research students through their programme.

The library has an exclusive lounge for postgraduate research students and a dedicated Skills Team to provide a wide range of study and research skills help.

The Doctoral College provides support to postgraduate research students. Offering skills development opportunities and dedicated facilities, the school is here to help you achieve your potential.

Research at Hull tackles big challenges and makes an impact on lives globally, every day. Our current research portfolio spans everything from health to habitats, food to flooding and supply chain to slavery.

Entry requirements

You should normally have, or expect to obtain, at least 2:1 Honours degree (or international equivalent) in engineering or related discipline. You should check our existing research areas and tailor your research proposal accordingly.

International students

If you require a student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

  • For 2024 entry, this course requires IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each competency.
  • For 2025 entry, this course requires IELTS 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in each competency.

See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by this University.

If your English currently does not reach the University's required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

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