Course summary

With 93% of our complete REF2021 submission ranked as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent,’ Warwick’s School of Engineering is one of the leading unified engineering schools in the UK. Our MPhil/PhD in Engineering will give you the skills and knowledge needed to thrive as an independent research professional. Course overview The MPhil/PhD in Engineering at the University of Warwick offers students the opportunity to undertake a substantial piece of independent research within one of the UK’s leading unified engineering schools. Based in Warwick’s School of Engineering, the MPhil/PhD course allows students to immerse themselves in a vibrant and supportive postgraduate research community. With over 150 postgraduate research students and more than 40 postdoctoral researchers, our School fosters an active environment for innovation and discovery. As a general engineering department, we are uniquely positioned to support multi-disciplinary research across a broad range of topics. Our researchers collaborate with academic colleagues across the University and with a wide network of external partners—including SMEs, large corporations, NHS Trusts, charitable organisations, and other universities—to address real-world engineering challenges. Students register in the first instance for the degree of MPhil unless otherwise approved by the Board of Graduate Studies. Subject to satisfactory progress, registration may be upgraded to the degree of PhD.  If you prefer to complete the MPhil, this is a two-year registration. Master of Philosophy (MPhil) To satisfy the requirements of the degree of MPhil a thesis shall constitute an original contribution to knowledge. The thesis shall be clearly and concisely written and well-argued and shall show a satisfactory knowledge of both primary and secondary sources. In addition, it shall contain a full bibliography and, where appropriate, a description of methods and techniques used in the research. The maximum length of the thesis is 60,000 words. A student must attend an oral examination, which shall cover the thesis itself and the field of study in which the thesis has been written. The examiners may also require the student to take a written and/or practical examination. The student must complete satisfactorily the oral examination and written and/or practical examination, in order to satisfy the requirements for the degree. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) To satisfy the requirements of the degree of PhD, a thesis must constitute a substantial original contribution to knowledge and is, in principle, worthy of peer-reviewed publication. The thesis shall be clearly and concisely written and well-argued and shall show a satisfactory knowledge of both primary and secondary sources. It shall contain a full bibliography and, where appropriate, a description of methods and techniques used in the research. The maximum length of the thesis is 70,000 words. A student must attend an oral examination (viva voce), which shall cover the thesis itself and the field of study in which the thesis has been written. The examiners may also require the student to take a written and/or practical examination. The student must complete satisfactorily the oral examination and written and/or practical examination, in order to satisfy the requirements for the degree. This information is applicable for 2026 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply.