PhD in Engineering
The PhD in Engineering is awarded to students who complete and are successfully examined on a 60,000-word thesis which makes an original contribution to knowledge. This thesis will normally be completed over three years if students study full-time, and five-seven years if they study part-time. The PhD equips students for careers in research in universities and research institutes, industry, and government, and for a wide variety of careers which value the ability to think deeply and rigorously and solve problems.
Applying for the PhD in Engineering
In Cambridge students commence preliminary work on their theses as soon as they begin their studies, so it is important that they have a well-developed proposal for a project by the time they submit their application.
We welcome applications to work on projects across the whole range of engineering sub-disciplines which build on the research being carried out here. To learn more about our research, and to see if you might want to study here, we recommend that you read the websites of the research groups in the Department, the papers our academics are publishing, and the titles of PhDs currently being completed under their supervision. This will help you identify supervisors whom you might wish to work with.
It is important to consider not only the topics a potential supervisor works on, but also their approach: a supervisor who does not have expertise in the methods you want to use, or who takes a different position to yours on the questions animating your field, will not be a good match.
Once you have identified a potential supervisor or supervisors, we strongly encourage you to contact them by e-mail to discuss the possibility of working together. You can explain why you are interested in their research and how your previous studies have prepared you for the PhD and provide a concise but cogent outline of your proposed PhD project.
Applicants are expected to name at least one supervisor on their application forms: applications which do not list a Cambridge supervisor will not be considered.
Further information on applying, including entrance requirements, can be found in the University’s course directory.
Studying for the PhD in Engineering
In order to prepare them for success in their studies, the Department requires its PhD students to complete a Researcher Development Course offered by one of its sub-disciplinary Divisions. These courses examine methodological and conceptual issues which confront researchers in engineering today and help students to become independent researchers.
Students will also select, with the advice of their supervisor, two taught modules which will support their research. An indicative list of modules can be found here:
These modules involve both lectures and practical work, and each will require approximately 80 hours of work. It is sometimes possible to replace an Engineering module with one from another Department of the University, if this is supported by your supervisor and the module co-ordinator.
Over the course of your PhD you will be an active member of the research group of which you are a part, collaborating with other PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and, most importantly, your supervisor, who is responsible for your academic progress. You will meet with your supervisor at least eight times a year, but often much more frequently.
In addition to your supervisor, you will also be assigned an advisor, who will provide additional support and guidance as needed.
The majority of your research will be conducted in laboratory facilities at the University of Cambridge, but our supervisors’ links with universities around the world, and with industry, mean that there may be opportunities to carry out research elsewhere after your first year.
At the end of your first year, you will write a 15,000 word report on your progress to date, and discuss this with two assessors. If your report is deemed satisfactory, you will be permitted to continue with the PhD.
PhD students may also have opportunities act as laboratory demonstrators for the Department, and to teach small groups of undergraduate students.
Further information, including entrance requirements and how to apply, can be found on the online Course Directory. The Engineering Postgraduate Students website contains resources for current students and may also be of interest to applicants: www.graduate.eng.cam.ac.uk.
Academics accepting PhD Students for 2025/26 can be found via the following links;
Electrical Engineering - https://ee.eng.cam.ac.uk/index.php/graduate-studies/
Mechanics, Materials and Design - http://www.eng.cam.ac.uk/research/academic-divisions/mechanics-materials-and-design/postgraduate-studies-research-students
Civil Engineering - https://civileng.eng.cam.ac.uk/study
Manufacture and Management - https://www.ifm.eng.cam.ac.uk/education/phd/topics/
Information Engineering: http://www.eng.cam.ac.uk/research/academic-divisions/information-engineering/postgraduate-studies