Course summary
The PhD is a research-based course that introduces students to research skills and specialist knowledge. The Materials Science Department in Cambridge leads a wide spectrum of cutting-edge materials research with state-of-the-art facilities. The Department has a thriving postgraduate school with more than 130 research students studying for the PhD degree in areas that address key problems in materials science (see details via the Materials Challenges page on the Department website.) Up to 40 students are admitted to full-time PhD studies in materials science each academic year. The majority start in October, but a small number are admitted in January and April. Students are fully integrated into the research culture in the Department and join a research group and are supervised by one or two members of our academic staff. Students wishing to apply for a PhD in Materials Science should investigate opportunities on the Department website. We encourage students to make contact with potential supervisors prior to applying. Educational aims of the PhD programme
- Give students with relevant experience at master's level the opportunity to carry out focused research in the discipline under close supervision.
- Give students the opportunity to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests.
- Give students training in transferable skills to broaden their horizon above and beyond the focus of their research in the Department.
- gained a comprehensive understanding of techniques, and a thorough knowledge of the literature, applicable to their own research;
- demonstrated originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in their field;
- shown abilities in the critical evaluation of current research and research techniques and methodologies;
- demonstrated some self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and acted autonomously in the planning and implementation of research;
- followed a comprehensive transferable skills training programme to develop skills and attributes for future careers and;
- produced a thesis for examination.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Materials, Minerals and Mining, Institute of
- Physics, Institute of
Entry requirements
Applicants for this course should have achieved a UK Masters (Pass). Students should have achieved at least a good upper second-class honours degree in a UK four-year master's degree or a UK three-year bachelor's (honours) degree plus a relevant one- or two-year master's degree, or equivalent. Students graduating from a master's level programme that has a range of pass levels should usually be in possession of a 'merit' before embarking on their PhD studies. On occasion, a period of research experience in a relevant area may be taken into account when the academic background of prospective students is considered.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Sponsorship information
EPSRC and industry-sponsored studentships available; funding for overseas students available from Cambridge Trusts and other University and College scholarship schemes (note deadlines by which applications should be received).
Provider information
University of Cambridge
The Old Schools
Trinity Lane
Cambridge
CB2 1TN