phd engineering oxford

Oxford Thermofluids Institute

Oxford Thermofluids Institute | The Institute - CDT in Future Flight & Propulsion

CDT in Future Flight and Propulsion

The DPhil offered by this EPSRC funded Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Future Propulsion and Power provides graduates with the opportunity to develop in-depth knowledge, understanding and expertise in aircraft propulsion and gas turbines. This is a joint programme between the Universities of Cambridge, Oxford and Loughborough, together with leading engine manufacturers and partners in the field such as Rolls-Royce plc and Siemens.

The CDT programme provides a unique research training opportunity for the next generation of graduate engineers in aerospace propulsion, by bringing together diverse areas of expertise to train future aerodynamics engineers in a supportive and exciting environment.

The programme will help graduate engineers understand and address the issues faced in current and future engine designs, and to develop solutions using innovative and integrated methods. Further information on how to apply can be found here and general information about the CDT can be seen at www.turbocdt.org . The CDT maintains close partnerships with several leading companies, including Rolls Royce and Siemens. If your company would like to investigate industrial partnerships with the CDT then please contact us here.

Further details

Research themes.

• Sustainable Aviation
• Aerodynamics and Heat Transfer
• Combustion-Turbine Interaction and Integration
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Instrumentation and measurement for engine realistic conditions
• Fluid-Solid Aerothermal and Aeromechanical Interactions
• Coupling and Interactions between Turbine Internal and External Flows
• Advanced Seals Characterization and Component Matching/Interaction
• Multistage Turbine Aerothermal Interactions
• Multi-scale Multi-fidelity Aerothermal Modelling

In the first year, all students study for a master’s degree in Future Propulsion and Power at the University of Cambridge. In years two to four, Oxford's students will undertake industrially-focussed projects at the Oxford Thermofluids Institute in the Department of Engineering Science.

Year one is oriented towards developing your knowledge base. Along with CDT students from Cambridge and Loughborough, you will register and study for an MRes degree in Future Propulsion and Power at the University of Cambridge. The course involves taught lectures and laboratory modules, along with several mini projects of two to three weeks each undertaken at the three partner universities and at some of the sites of the industrial partners. These are precursors to your DPhil study, to hone your research skills and shape your main research area. You will meet your supervisor regularly to assess progress and discuss academic issues.

Years two to four see an increasing emphasis on individual research. Oxford's students register for the degree of DPhil and carry out a research project at the Oxford Thermofluids Institute, an internationally-recognised centre for research in Gas Turbine Heat Transfer and Aerodynamics, and part of Oxford’s Department of Engineering Science. You will benefit from the network of leading experts in the field, and develop a portfolio of academic, laboratory and career-oriented skills. Throughout of the research project, close interaction with an industrial partner is expected. In addition, the full cohort meets regularly for CDT seminars and workshop events.

Entry into the CDT programme is competitive and will take account of academic qualifications, performance and aspirations. Successful applicants are likely to have an engineering background with some specialisation in fluid mechanics and thermodynamics. Candidates with undergradaute degrees from other related fields will also be considered. Students are expected to 1st class or strong 2.1 honours degree from a UK University or an equivalent standard from an overseas university.

The majority of successful applicants must be eligible for EPSRC funding for Home students but a small number of places may also be available to those with different funding sources. Each candidate will need to get accepted by both Oxford (DPhil) and Cambridge (MRes). Please note that although you will start the CDT program in Year 1 at Cambridge, your admission to the MRes at Cambridge will be conditional on your obtaining a conditional offer of a DPhil place at Oxford for Years 2-4.

Annually, there will be 4-5 funded places for those who will complete their Years 2-4 of the CDT program at Oxford. If you are interested, please visit the relevant Oxford and Cambridge websites for applications and start the process as soon as possible. You are also encouraged to contact relevant supervisors before making the application if you have preference of particular research areas/topics for the DPhil phase.

The application procedure for the MRes at Cambridge can be found from https://www.turbocdt.org/my-application/ .  

The application procedure for the DPhil at Oxford can be found at this link https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/future-propulsion-power?wssl=1 .

Please make clear on your application that it is for ‘CDT in Gas Turbine Aerodynamics’ (as a research project title or field of research). At this application stage, you can specify either the CDT supervisor group or an academic member of staff as your proposed supervisor.

Oxford CDT Director

Professor Peter Ireland: [email protected]

CDT Administrator

Alex Weaving: [email protected]

Oxford Thermofluids Institute Faculty

FellowshipBard

Fully Funded PhD in Engineering Science at University of Oxford, England

Join our telegram channel, never miss an opportunity.

The DPhil in Engineering Science will offer you the opportunity to develop in-depth knowledge, understanding and expertise in your chosen field of engineering research.

To support your research, you will develop broad skills in relevant areas of mathematical and computational modelling, in the design and build of apparatus, in the development of software, and in data analytics and visualisation.

A key aspect of your research experience in the department will be exposure to the broad sweep of today’s engineering research. The department’s research groups cluster into the following general areas:

• biomedical engineering
• chemical and process engineering
• civil and offshore engineering
• electrical and opto-electronic engineering
• information, vision and control engineering
• solid mechanics and materials engineering
• thermofluids and turbomachinery.

PhD Program Requirements

A first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in engineering or a related discipline relevant for the proposed area of research, such as physics, materials science, computer science, applied mathematics or chemistry.

A previous master’s qualification is not required.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.5 out of 4.0.

Prior publications may be an advantage when applying for graduate study in engineering science.

PhD Funding Coverage

The University expects to be able to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across the collegiate University in 2024-25.

You will be automatically considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships, if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline.

Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential.

Application Requirement

1. Online Application

2. Official transcript(s): Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.

3. Research proposal: You should submit an outline of your proposed research, written in English. The overall word count should not include any bibliography.

4. CV/résumé: A CV/résumé is compulsory for all applications. Most applicants choose to submit a document of one to two pages highlighting their academic achievements and any relevant professional experience.

5. GRE General Test scores: No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

6. English language proficiency: This course requires proficiency in English at the University’s higher level. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement.

Application Deadline

1 March 2024

Application Fee

An application fee of £75 is payable per course application.

This might interest you

Recently Viewed

Similar programs.

Professors Not Responding? Your CV May Be the Reason.

Try Our Ready-to-Use CV Templates Land You in Harvard, MIT, Oxford, and Beyond!

Using AND between your search terms narrows your search as it instructs the database that all your search terms must appear (in any order).

For example, Engineering science AND Robotics

Oxford Robotics Institute, University of Oxford, website

Oxford Robotics Institute attends prestigious events to celebrate Queen’s Anniversary Prize Award success

ORI wins prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize

Safe Inspection of Tall Buildings with Autonomous Aerial Mapping

Paul Newman appointed Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to engineering and technology.

X-Y Plotter Challenge

How Robo-dogs are helping gather species diversity data

Oxford quadruped robot research tested on a live Chevron facility

Responsible AI - let’s make driving boring again

Nick Hawes awarded the title of Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

Team ORIon at RoboCup Bangkok 2022

ORI academics winners of Departmental Teaching Awards 2022

We are the Oxford Robotics Institute

Welcome to the Oxford Robotics Institute (ORI). We are built from collaborating and integrated groups of researchers, engineers and students all driven to change what robots can do for us. Our current interests are diverse – from flying to grasping, from inspection to running, from haptics to driving, from exploring to planning. This spectrum of interests has us researching a broad span of technical topics – machine learning and AI, computer vision, fabrication, multispectral sensing, perception, systems engineering to name a few. So welcome to our homepage – and if you don’t easily find what you want or have a question, please contact us.

22 Feb 2024

28 Nov 2023

17 Nov 2023

Oxford Robotics Institute wins prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize

13 Sep 2023

Dr Daniel Omeiza, Cognitive Robotics Group, makes MIT Technology Review’s 35 innovators under 35 list

19 Apr 2023

SRL Contributes to the Oxford Sparks Demo "The Future of Automation in the Home."

Fengyu Presents His Research at the 2023 International Foot and Ankle Biomechanics Congress in Bordeaux, France

03 Apr 2023

Robosoft 2023

21 Sep 2024

Meeting Minds: Jenkin Lecture - Advances in Applied AI

13 Sep 2024

International Workshop of Shock Tube Technology

09 Sep 2024

The International Conference on AI and Musical Creativity

Report a problem

Thank you, your report has been submitted. We will deal with the issue as soon as possible. If you have any other questions, please send an email to [email protected] .

Your Programmes

University of Oxford

DPhil MEng Msc(Res) (PhD) Engineering Science

1 in 3 applicants to this programme received an offer.

Data shown above is for entry in academic year 2023/24 (sources) .

Previous Years

Data sources.

• FOI Request by S.H Crozier. July 2016.
• FOI Request by Albert Warren. December 2019.
• FOI Request by AFW. December 2023.

The acceptance rate , or offer rate, represents the fraction of applicants who received an offer. Note that this will be generally lower the acceptances rates (acceptances divided by applicants) published by many other sources. This article explains it in more detail. The acceptances generally indicate the number of offer holders who accepted the offer and fulfilled its conditions. For some universities, however, it denotes the number of applicants who accepted the offer, regardless of whether they subsequently met its conditions.

Data Reliability

Unless otherwise noted, the data presented comes from the universities and is generally reliable. However, some of the differences between years and/or courses may be due to different counting methodologies or data gathering errors. This may especially be the case if there is a sharp difference from year to year. If the data does not look right, click the "Report" button located near the top of the page.

We have 1 University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

All disciplines

All locations

Institution

Department of Engineering Science  University of Oxford

All PhD Types

All Funding

University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

Radcliffe Department of Medicine

The Radcliffe Department of Medicine (RDM) in the University of Oxford is a large multi-disciplinary department which aims to tackle some of the world’s biggest health challenges by integrating innovative basic biology with cutting edge clinical research. RDM is committed to training the next generation of scientists in biological and clinical sciences.

Microfluidics with fluid walls for cancer and neuronal research

Phd research project.

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

This research project has funding attached. It is only available to UK citizens or those who have been resident in the UK for a period of 3 years or more. Some projects, which are funded by charities or by the universities themselves may have more stringent restrictions.

FindAPhD. Copyright 2005-2024 All rights reserved.

Unknown    ( change )

Have you got time to answer some quick questions about PhD study?

Select your nearest city

You haven’t completed your profile yet. To get the most out of FindAPhD, finish your profile and receive these benefits:

• Monthly chance to win one of ten £10 Amazon vouchers ; winners will be notified every month.*
• The latest PhD projects delivered straight to your inbox
• Access to our £6,000 scholarship competition
• Weekly newsletter with funding opportunities, research proposal tips and much more
• Early access to our physical and virtual postgraduate study fairs

Or begin browsing FindAPhD.com

or begin browsing FindAPhD.com

*Offer only available for the duration of your active subscription, and subject to change. You MUST claim your prize within 72 hours, if not we will redraw.

Do you want hassle-free information and advice?

Create your FindAPhD account and sign up to our newsletter:

• Find out about funding opportunities and application tips
• Receive weekly advice, student stories and the latest PhD news
• Hear about our upcoming study fairs
• Save your favourite projects, track enquiries and get personalised subject updates

Create your account

Looking to list your PhD opportunities? Log in here .

Filtering Results

• Oxbridge Law 24/25 Entry
• Non-Oxbridge Law 24/25 Entry
• Oxford PPE 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge Economics 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge Modern Languages 24/25 Entry
• Cambridge Land Economy 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge Psychology 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge English 24/25 Entry
• Oxford Human Sciences 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge History 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge Geography 24/25 Entry
• Cambridge Philosophy 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge Classics 24/25 Entry
• Cambridge Architecture 24/25 Entry
• Cambridge HSPS Programme 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge Medicine 24/25 Entry
• Oxford Biomedical Sciences 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge Engineering 24/25 Entry
• Cambridge Natural Science 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge Maths 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge Computer Science 24/25 Entry
• Oxford Physics 24/25 Entry
• Oxford PPL 24/25 Entry
• Cambridge Veterinary Science 24/25 Entry
• Oxford Chemistry 24/25 Entry
• Oxford Biology 24/25 Entry
• Oxford Biochemistry 24/25 Entry
• Non-Oxbridge Medicine 24/25 Entry
• Non-Oxbridge Dentistry 24/25 Entry
• IMAT Medicine 24/25 Entry
• Can’t Find Your Subject?
• Law Interview Programme
• PPE Interview Programme
• Economics Interview Programme
• Oxbridge Medicine Interview Programme
• Natural Science Interview Programme
• Engineering Interview Programme
• Maths Interview Programme
• Dentistry Interview Programme
• Medicine MMI Interview Programme
• Our Guarantee

Our Students

Student Success Stories

• University Access Scheme
• New Tutor Application Form
• Frequently Asked Questions
• How Does It Work?

Enrol on an Oxbridge Programme before 31st July & benefit from a complimentary session with an Oxford University lecturer. Schedule your consultation here today.

Enrol on an Oxbridge Programme before 31st July & benefit from a complimentary session with our study psychologist (an Oxford University lecturer). Schedule your consultation here today.

• +44 (0) 208 068 0438
• [email protected]

SCIENCE PROGRAMMES (25/26 ENTRY)

HUMANITIES PROGRAMMES (25/26 ENTRY)

GET STARTED

Can't find your subject?

OXFORD TESTS (25/26 ENTRY)

CAMBRIDGE TESTS (25/26 ENTRY)

MEDICINE TESTS (25/26 ENTRY)

View Our Free admissions guides & resources

How UniAdmissions Cracked The Oxbridge Formula

Applying for Oxbridge is an opportunity seldom approached correctly. So how do you enter the top 16% of a strong cohort of applicants that get an offer? Discover how UniAdmissions get 2/3 of our students in.

2024 UCAT Exam Structure: Sections & Timings

The UCAT is divided into five sections, each containing a set of questions that need to be answered within a specific time limit. Discover what these sections entail and what to anticipate during the test.

Inside The UniAdmissions Portal: The UA Advantage

UniAdmissions students have access to the world's first dedicated Oxbridge admissions preparation platform, and this guide will help you discover exactly how the Portal will help you get your offer.

Discover all guides

ABOUT UNIADMISSIONS

Learn about who the world's first Oxbridge prep school are.

Learn about the Portal; the heart of our Programmes.

UniAdmissions' Foundation

The Foundation is our charitable arm to support disadvantaged students.

Students & Tutors

Discover who a UniAdmissions student is and our admissions criteria.

Learn about our high-performing Oxbridge tutors.

We're proud of our alumni. Read about their journey with UniAdmissions here.

Admissions Resources

Free Admissions Guides

Visit our Learning Centre and read our in-depth free guides.

We are the world's biggest Oxbridge application publisher. Learn more here.

Teachers Learning Hub

Learn about how to help your students get their place at Oxbridge.

Get Started

• Access Student Portal
• Oxbridge Programmes
• Open Day Webinar
• Tutor Application Form
• Common Questions
• Download Our Prospectus
• Oxford vs Cambridge for Engineering – Which is Better in 2024?

Last Updated: 31st January 2022

Author: Matthew Amalfitano-Stroud

• Engineering

Table of Contents

Oxford or Cambridge? It’s a question that every aspiring Oxbridge student must ask themselves, especially for an Engineering degree.

The two Oxbridge Universities are world-renowned for their quality and prestige. But how do their Engineering courses, Cambridge’s ‘Engineering’ and Oxford’s ‘Engineering Science’, hold up in comparison?   Ranking as two of the top five Engineering universities in the UK , it’s safe to say that both courses deliver in the quality you would expect, making the decision all the more difficult.  

Below you will find our comprehensive guide to the key aspects and differences in admission, study and post-graduate prospects for each University.  Let’s see which one will be best for you. 

Oxford Vs Cambridge Engineering Course Content

Oxford MEng in Engineering Science

  Duration: 4 Years  

Oxford’s Engineering Science degree will see you studying the core topics of the subject for your first two years, after which you will be able to specialise in a chosen branch of Engineering to complete major projects both individually and in a group.

• Mathematics
• Electrical and Information Engineering
• Structures and Mechanics
• Energy 
• Engineering practical work

Assessments

First University examinations: four written papers ; Assessment of Engineering practical work

Final University examinations, Part A: four written papers ; Assessment of Engineering practical work

• Five optional Engineering courses
• Engineering in Society
• Engineering Computation
• Group design project

Final University examinations, Part B: six written papers ; Assessment of Engineering practical work ; Project reports (Engineering computation and design Project )

One major project , plus six specialist courses chosen from over 25 options .  

Oxford’s exchange programme is available to fourth-year students at one of their international partner institutions.  

Final University examinations, Part C: six written papers ; Project report

Cambridge MEng in Engineering  

Duration: 4 Years

Cambridge prides itself on its unique, open-ended course structure, while still providing students with the skills expected in modern Engineering. Similar to Oxford, this course spends two years teaching the broad foundation of the topic and allows students to specialise in their final two years of study.  

Year 1 (Part IA)

• Mechanical Engineering
• Structures and Materials
• Mathematical Methods

You will also undertake several coursework activities and projects , on topics including structural design, product design, presentation skills, drawing, laboratory experiments and computer programming.

4 written papers (3 hours long), coursework and practical projects .  

Year 2 (Part IB)

• Thermofluid Mechanics
• Electrical Engineering
• Information Engineering
• Business Economics

In the third term, you will select two topics from seven engineering disciplines plus a language option.

In this year, you also have the option to specialise in Chemical Engineering as a distinct course.

Assessments  

8 written papers , coursework and practical projects .

Year 3 (Part IIA)

Specialisation into 10 topics, based around the following disciplines:  

• Aerospace and Aerothermal Engineering
• Bioengineering
• Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Electrical and Information Sciences
• Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
• Information and Computer Engineering
• Instrumentation and Control

Alternatively, you can choose (General) Engineering, in which there are fewer restrictions on paper combinations.

You may have the chance to spend your third year at another of the world’s leading universities via the exchange programme.

10 written papers and  Extension Activities

Year 4 (Part IIB)

A selection 8 papers from nearly 100 options which vary each year.

A major individual project, which can be chosen from an extensive list or proposed yourself, occupies about half of your study time.

8 written papers and major individual project 

While Cambridge is better known for its prestige in Engineering, both courses have a comparable amount of diversity and freedom in their specialisation options. A subject exclusive to one course could well be what makes your decision, so be sure to research everything each course has to offer. Here’s a quick summary of what each course offers:

Whichever way you go, UniAdmissions will help you achieve your Oxbridge Engineering dreams.

When you’ve decided, our Oxbridge Engineering Premium Programme will be able to help you throughout the whole application process.  

With our tutors and resources,  we can help you write a standout  Engineering Personal Statement , prepare for your PAT or ESAT Admissions Test and improve your Interview skills. Click the button below to find out how you can enrol and triple your chances of success.

Oxbridge Engineering Entry Requirements

As with any Oxbridge course, Engineering application standards are high so you will need to be able to put the work in either way you go. However, the smaller details behind these processes and requirements may affect your decision one way or another.  

Physics Aptitude Test (PAT)

Oxford’s PAT is required for any students applying for Physics or Engineering. With a 2 hour length, the exam contains mutliple-choice questions covering Mathematics for Physics and Physics Aptitude. Calculators are allowed. 

If you feel you need support with the PAT, have a look at our  PAT  Preparation  Programme .

Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT )  

Cambridge’s ESAT is required before an interview can be offered to any applicants. It is a 2-hour exam consisting of 3 multiple-choice subtests; Mathematics, Mathematics 2 and Physics. Calculators are not permitted.  

Be aware that the ESAT is also required for applicants at Imperial College London.

To find out more, check out our ESAT Guide.

Neither course requires you to submit additional written work and both have similar interview structures. The requirements and application processes are fairly similar between them, so a successful application should not be more or less likely at either University.  

If you’re having trouble deciding which A-Level’s to take, our guide to A-Levels for Engineering may be a useful tool.

• What A-Levels Do I Need to Study for Engineering

Application Success Rates

Oxford (2022)

Applications: 1,110

Offers: 199

Successful: 17.9%

Cambridge (2022)

Applications: 2,672

Offers: 384

Successful: 14.4%

In 2022, Cambridge had a much lower success rate, despite Cambridge sending almost double the amount of offers. There’s no doubt that Cambridge is the more popular of the two choices in this scenario, which may well be an important aspect.

However, bear in mind that Oxford’s smaller application pool and higher success rate may be a positive as it reduces the number of applications you’ll be competing with. Remember, both Universities are highly rated and provide amazing education. Oxford and Cambridge are two of only three UK universities within the Top 30 Engineering schools worldwide and are ranked higher than both Imperial College London and UCL, so these figures aren’t a reflection of either course’s quality.

Claim Your FREE "What is Oxbridge?" Handbook

Oxford and Cambridge have rich histories and unique structures that you should be aware of before applying to study there. So we’ve made a comprehensive handbook that answers the question “What is Oxbridge?” and teaches you everything you need to know before you start your course. Fill out the form below and gain instant access.

Teaching and Assessments

The methods of teaching are a key factor in deciding a course and can vary greatly between universities. You may find more value in in-depth lectures, or you may prefer practical demonstrations and trials. The same is true for assessments, you may feel more confident in a timed essay based exam compared to coursework modules. So how do Oxford and Cambridge handle teaching and assessments in their Engineering courses?

Oxford  

During your first two years at Oxford, you can expect to be attending at least ten lectures per week alongside roughly five hours of practical work and two college tutorials or classes. These tutorials are typically taught in groups of up to four students and provide valuable time with your tutors and peers.  

As you progress, you will have more time to work on independent projects. Your Third Year group design project is expected to take at least one day per week of your study time while your final year project should take 2.5 days per week. During this time, you will have much more independence while still having access to all the available resources and staff members.  

In terms of assessments, Years 1 & 2 are assessed through four written papers and one piece of coursework, while Years 3 & 4 have six written exams in addition to your practical work, which must be submitted as a Project Report.  

Your first two years at Cambridge will consist of regular lectures, coursework and 2-3 small ‘Supervisions’ per week. Additional resources include regularly released example papers, optional language courses and voluntary coursework. During the summer break of your first 3 years, you will also have the chance to apply for a paid 10-week placement within the Engineering department to pursue research.  

In your final two years, you will be able to specialise your study in your desired area. In Year 3 you will take part in an Extension Activity from a variety of technical and non-technical subjects as well as choosing 2 final term projects based around design, computing and languages. In Year 4, your final independent project is expected to take half of your available study time.  

Year 1 is assessed through four written papers based on fairly general topics including Mechanical Engineering and Mathematical Methods, while Year 2 consists of eight papers covering more advanced topics including Mechanics, Materials and Electrical Engineering. Ten papers of your choosing are sat in Year 3 alongside your final term activities, while Year 4 will involve Eight papers from chosen topics combined with your major final project.  

Both Universities have an emphasis on different areas but the course structures are fairly similar. Studying at Cambridge provides a greater variety of modules to study in your later years of the course, which is ideal for those looking to further explore the world of Engineering.  

However, Oxford may be the better choice for those looking to spend more of their study time on specific topics. Students with an interest in foreign languages should also consider Cambridge’s extensive options for language studies within its course.  

Extra-Curricular Engineering Activities

Both Universities have fully-fledged Engineering societies run by students that provide exciting extra-curricular activities and the chance to socialise with fellow Engineering enthusiasts.  

Oxford University Engineering Society (OUEngSoc)

Established in 1998, OUEngSoc currently has 500 paying members who have access to a wide variety of activities, including social ev ents, guest speakers and workshops.

The society caters to students from a variety of different courses and keeps close contact with previous alumni who have made successful careers for themselves in the industr y.  

Cambridge University Engineering Society (CUES)  

CUES was founded in 1901 and are currently Cambridge’s most active academic society, with over 1300 members. They aim to provide members with activities and opportunities to develop their skills and increase their employability prospects, all while creating lasting bonds between peers.  

The society has several impressive sponsors to their name, including Rolls Royce and P&G as well as a student published magazine, The Cambridge Engineer.

Ready to Start your Oxbridge Engineering Journey?

Whether you pick Oxford or Cambridge, our Oxbridge Engineering Premium Programme can help you with every step of the application.  

Our tutors and resources can help you write a winning Engineering Personal Statement , succeed in your PAT or ESAT Admissions Test and perfect your Interview strategy. Click the button below to find out how you can enrol and triple your chances of success.

Oxbridge Engineering Employability & Student Satisfaction

Attending either University wouldn’t be valuable without any prospects of employment at the end of your four years, but thankfully neither Oxford nor Cambridge disappoint in this regard. A degree from either is likely to impress employers and give you an advantage against the competition. But is there a better option between the two?

Employment Rate

15 months after Graduation  

Rate of Employed

Graduates in Highly Skilled

Work  

Average Earnings

As you can see, Cambridge students generally have a higher rate of employment and job satisfaction, while Oxford students that do get jobs are more likely to make a higher wage within 15 months of graduation.  

Neither course has low employment rates and both have incredibly high rates of graduates in high skilled jobs, so the difference comes down to the potential of higher job satisfaction or higher wages.  

Final Thoughts

With this information, you should hopefully now have a better idea of which University will better fit your expectations of further education.  

Cambridge’s Engineering degree certainly has the bigger numbers of the two, whether that be student numbers, available topics or the course’s overall ranking . However, studying at Oxford will have more perks for some students, whether it be the increased emphasis on group work or the lesser amount of papers to sit.

Consider the following before making a final decision:

• Ensure you book an open day for both Universities, this will be extremely helpful in making a decision. Remember that it’s not just about the course, but the feeling that you get at each campus. Find out how to make the most of your open days with our Oxbridge Open Day Guide .
• Be sure to review the details of each course closely as there are key differences between the two, all the course content is available on each course’s webpage.  
• While application success rates are similar, the higher number of applicants at Cambridge means more competition. Would you feel more confident in a smaller application pool?  
• What do you value more about employment prospects? Higher employment rates or higher wages?

This guide has given you an in-depth look at the differences between Oxford and Cambridge’s Engineering courses, but there is more to consider than just that. You will be spending multiple years living at your chosen university, so you’ve got to make sure you pick the option that seems most appealing to you. If you want to learn more about the Oxbridge campuses, teaching styles, extra-curricular activities and more, then check out our definitive guide to Oxford Vs Cambridge. 

Aiming for a place in your dream Oxbridge Engineering Course?    

Once you’ve made your decision, UniAdmissions’ Oxbridge Engineering Premium Programme can help you with every step of the application.  

UniAdmissions students placed at Oxford And Cambridge

Continue learning about Oxbridge...

What a-levels do i need to study law.

Thinking of applying for Law at university? Understanding what A-Levels to take to guarantee the best chances of getting a…

ESAT vs PAT & MAT: What’s The Difference?

Depending on if you apply for a STEM course at Oxford or Cambridge, you’ll likely have to take either the…

Engineering University Rankings UK: 2024 Results

Trying to determine which university you want to study Engineering at? In this guide, we explain the different ranking tables…

ESAT Specification Guide: What You Need To Know

The ESAT tests applicants on four major subjects; Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Within each of these subjects, there are…

ESAT vs NSAA & ENGAA: What’s Changed?

The Engineering & Science Admissions Test (ESAT) is the replacement exam for Cambridge's NSAA and ENGAA. While they're both science-based…

ESAT Basics: The Complete Guide

The Engineering & Science Admissions Test (ESAT) is the brand new admissions test for Cambridge and Imperial College London applicants.…

The Secrets to Oxbridge Admission.

• We cracked the Oxbridge formula . Find out what we discovered here.
• Looking for application support? Don't work with a random tutor. This is what you need to know first.
• Get up-to-date Oxbridge advice with our webinars. Follow our Open Days led by our experts and stay updated.

Engineering Quick Links

How would you like to speak to an Admissions Consultant?

Engineering Science

University of Oxford

www.ox.ac.uk

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings is the only global university performance table to judge research-intensive universities across all of their core missions: teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.

Photos of university / #oxford_uni

The DPhil in Engineering Science will offer you the opportunity to develop in-depth knowledge, understanding and expertise in your chosen field of engineering research. To support your research, you will develop broad skills in relevant areas of mathematical and computational modelling, in the design and build of apparatus, in the development of software, and in data analytics and visualisation.

You will join your supervisor's research group and laboratory, and enjoy day-to-day contact with your supervisor, post-doctoral researchers and other research students working on broadly similar research themes.

A key aspect of your research experience in the department will be exposure to the broad sweep of today's engineering research. The department’s research groups cluster into fields as apparently diverse as:

• biomedical, chemical and process engineering
• civil and offshore engineering
• electrical and opto-electronic engineering
• information, vision and control engineering
• solid mechanics and materials
• thermofluids and turbomachinery.

However, the department is committed to considering engineering as a unified subject, allowing interdisciplinary research to flourish.

In the first year, you will develop research skills in two ways. Firstly, you will read the current literature, often in reading groups, and attend research seminars, relevant lectures and training courses. Secondly, you will design and build apparatus, develop software, or both to address your own research topic. Often there is external involvement and you will develop your work in collaboration with researchers from industry and other research organisations.

As well as ongoing assessment by your supervisors, you will be required to write a report and give a presentation on your research at the end of the first year and to present a detailed and coherent plan for the research-intensive phase in the second and third years of your doctoral studies. Progress towards completion is again formally assessed some way in to the third year of study.

You will be required to submit a substantial thesis which is read and examined by experts in the field, one from the department and one from elsewhere. Often the thesis will result in the publication of two or three journal papers.

1. Academic ability

Proven and potential academic excellence

Applicants are normally expected to be predicted or have achieved a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications), as a minimum, in engineering or a related discipline relevant for the proposed area of research, such as physics, materials science, computer science, applied mathematics or chemistry. 

A previous master's qualification is not required.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.5 out of 4.0.

2. English language requirement

Higher level

3. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

• Three references (letters of recommendation)
• Official transcript(s) of previous university-level degrees
• CV/résumé
• Research proposal: 1,000 to 1,500 words, around two pages
• Clarendon Scholarships. This unique scheme offers around 140 new, fully-funded scholarships each year to academically outstanding graduate students, as well as providing a lively and stimulating community of scholars.
• Hill Foundation Scholarships. The Hill Foundation Scholarships fund Russian students to study for full-time graduate courses in any subject at Oxford. The Hill Foundation is a charity which aims to create a community of Oxford scholars and alumni who will work to improve Russian life and culture.The scholarship will cover 100% of University and college fees and a grant for living costs (of at least £14,296). Awards are made for the full duration of your fee liability for the agreed course.

Advanced Composites (Centre for Doctoral Training)

University of Bristol

Engineering.

University of Cambridge

Cardiff University

Epsrc engineering, formulation engineering.

University of Birmingham

Medical engineering, engineering for arts.

Systems Engineering

Computational data-enabled science and engineering.

State University of New York at Buffalo

University of Queensland

Deadline information.

Ask admission

We use cookies to give you the best online experience. Their use improves our sites' functionality and enables our partners to advertise to you. By continuing to use our website or clicking on the I agree button you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Details on how we use cookies can be found in our Cookie Policy

Don’t miss out!

Sign up or Log in now to save your favorites.

Get updates on your chosen subjects and programs

Wishlist your ideal programs

Save time sending enquiries to programs providers

• Internships
• Scholarships
• Collections
• Bachelor programs
• Masters programs
• PhD programs
• MBA programs
• PostDoc programs
• Norway programs
• US programs
• UK programs
• Canada programs
• Germany programs
• Italy programs
• Netherlands programs
• Australia programs
• New Zealand programs
• Applied Sciences
• Natural Sciences
• Social Sciences
• Clients and Partners
• Public relations

Study at Cambridge

About the university, research at cambridge.

• Undergraduate courses
• Events and open days
• Fees and finance
• Postgraduate courses
• How to apply
• Postgraduate events
• Fees and funding
• International students
• Continuing education
• Executive and professional education
• Courses in education
• How the University and Colleges work
• Term dates and calendars
• Visiting the University
• Annual reports
• Equality and diversity
• A global university
• Public engagement
• Give to Cambridge
• For Cambridge students
• For our researchers
• Business and enterprise
• Colleges & departments
• Email & phone search
• Museums & collections
• Course Directory

PhD in Engineering

Postgraduate Study

• Why Cambridge overview
• Chat with our students
• Cambridge explained overview
• The supervision system
• Student life overview
• In and around Cambridge
• Leisure activities
• Student unions
• Music awards
• Student support overview
• Mental health and wellbeing
• Disabled students
• Accommodation
• Language tuition
• Skills training
• Support for refugees
• Courses overview
• Department directory
• Qualification types
• Funded studentships
• Part-time study
• Research degrees
• Visiting students
• Finance overview
• Fees overview
• What is my fee status?
• Part-time fees
• Application fee
• Living costs
• Funding overview
• Funding search
• How to apply for funding
• University funding overview
• Research Councils (UKRI)
• External funding and loans overview
• Funding searches
• External scholarships
• Charities and the voluntary sector
• Funding for disabled students
• Widening participation in funding
• Colleges overview
• What is a College?
• Choosing a College
• Applying overview
• Before you apply
• Entry requirements
• Application deadlines
• How do I apply? overview
• Application fee overview
• Application fee waiver
• Life Science courses
• Terms and conditions
• Continuing students
• Disabled applicants
• Supporting documents overview
• Academic documents
• Finance documents
• Evidence of competence in English
• AI and postgraduate applications
• Terms and Conditions
• Applicant portal and self-service
• After you apply overview
• Confirmation of admission
• Student registry
• Previous criminal convictions
• Deferring an application
• Updating your personal details
• Appeals and Complaints
• Widening participation
• Postgraduate admissions fraud
• International overview
• Immigration overview
• ATAS overview
• Applying for an ATAS certificate
• Current Cambridge students
• International qualifications
• Competence in English overview
• What tests are accepted?
• International events
• International student views overview
• Akhila’s story
• Alex’s story
• Huijie’s story
• Kelsey’s story
• Nilesh’s story
• Get in touch!
• Events overview
• Upcoming events
• Postgraduate Open Days overview
• Discover Cambridge: Master’s and PhD Study webinars
• Virtual tour
• Research Internships
• How we use participant data
• Postgraduate Newsletter

Primary tabs

• Overview (active tab)
• Requirements
• How To Apply

The University of Cambridge Department of Engineering is one of the leading centres of engineering in the world, renowned for both its teaching and its research. Since its foundation in 1875, it has grown to become the largest department in the University, and the largest integrated engineering department in the UK, with approximately 150 faculty, 260 contract research staff and research fellows, 900 postgraduate students, and 1,200 undergraduates.

By the end of the PhD, students are expected to have produced original work making a significant contribution to knowledge in the field of engineering. At the same time, the Department expects that students will leave with the wider skills necessary to be successful in either an academic or a non-academic career.

The Department of Engineering offers PhD studies in a wide variety of subjects.  The Department is broadly divided into six Research Divisions, the strategic aims of which are broadly described below:

Energy, Fluid Mechanics and Turbomachinery

Building on research in fluid mechanics and thermodynamics to develop a systems view of energy generation and utilisation, particularly in the ground and air transport, to mitigate environmental impact. This Division's research focus includes acoustics, aerodynamics, combustion, energy use and generation, fluid mechanics and turbomachinery.

Electrical Engineering

Pursuing fundamental electrical, electronic and photonic research at the material, device and system levels with a focus on creating integrated solutions in the fields of nanotechnology, sensing, energy generation, energy conversion, displays and communications. The research in this division covers all aspects of electrical engineering from the nano-scale to heavy-duty power applications.

Mechanics, Materials and Design

Extending fundamental and applied research in mechanics, materials, bio-mechanics and design, exploiting cross-disciplinary partnerships across the University; and building on existing strengths to develop excellence in bioengineering and healthcare systems research.

Civil Engineering

Advancing the mechanics of civil and structural engineering systems within the broader context of the design, construction and operation of sustainable infrastructure and the stewardship of Earth's resources and environment.

Manufacturing and Management

Developing a new understanding of manufacturing technology, operations, strategy and policy, in close partnership with industry, in order to improve industrial performance.

Information Engineering

Developing fundamental theory and applications relating to the generation, distribution, analysis and use of information in engineering and biological systems.

It is not necessary to have a Master's degree to gain entry to the PhD; applicants can apply on the basis of their undergraduate degree (subject to international students meeting the minimum criteria for postgraduate entry to the University). Students applying with a taught Master's degree from Cambridge are expected to have achieved a mark of at least 70% overall on their programme.

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the end of October. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the  Postgraduate Open Day  page for more details.

See further the  Postgraduate Admissions Events  pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.

Key Information

3-4 years full-time, 4-7 years part-time, study mode : research, doctor of philosophy, department of engineering, course - related enquiries, application - related enquiries, course on department website, dates and deadlines:, lent 2024 (closed).

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Michaelmas 2024 (Closed)

Funding deadlines.

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2024, Lent 2025 and Easter 2025.

Similar Courses

• Engineering MPhil
• Construction Engineering MSt
• Nuclear Energy MPhil
• Chemical Engineering PhD
• Healthcare Innovation PGCert

Postgraduate Admissions Office

• Admissions Statistics
• Start an Application
• Applicant Self-Service

At a glance

• Bringing a family
• Current Postgraduates
• Cambridge Students' Union (SU)

University Policy and Guidelines

Privacy Policy

Information compliance

Equality and Diversity

Terms of Study

About this site

About our website

Privacy policy

© 2024 University of Cambridge

• Contact the University
• Accessibility
• Freedom of information
• Privacy policy and cookies
• Statement on Modern Slavery
• University A-Z
• Undergraduate
• Postgraduate
• Research news
• About research at Cambridge
• Spotlight on...

• BE Headquarters
• Open Positions
• Staff Directory
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Restricted Electives
• Concentrations
• Biomedical Engineering
• Toxicology and Environmental Health
• Career Resources
• Undergraduate Thesis
• PhD Course Requirements
• Advisor Selection
• Graduate FAQ
• Meet The Graduate Students
• How Do I Apply?
• Application Assistance Program
• Masters Degree
• Graduate Life
• Biomechanics
• Biomolecular Design
• Cancer Biology
• Chemicals and Materials
• Computational Systems Biology
• Climate, Environment, and Toxicology
• Immunoengineering
• Instrumentation and Measurement
• Microbiome Engineering and Infectious Disease
• Neurobiology
• Plant and Agriculture
• Synthetic Biology
• Tissue Engineering
• Research Centers
• Named Lectureships
• Wishnok Prize
• Student Leadership
• BioMaker Space
• Communication and Data Labs
• Faculty Only
• Thesis Committee
• PhD Oral Exam
• PhD Dissertation Requirements

PhD Program

MIT Biological Engineering’s mission is to generate and communicate new knowledge in the application of engineering principles in biological systems and to educate leaders in our discipline. We focus at the interface of engineering and biology on combining quantitative, physical, and integrative engineering principles with modern life sciences research. MIT BE offers a graduate PhD degree, and only accepts PhD applications through the annual Departmental process for admission fall term of the following year.

PhD-level training in BE prepares students to conduct research that will:

• Explain how biological systems function in terms of biological/chemical/physical mechanisms, and how they respond when perturbed by endogenous, environmental, and therapeutic factors
• Engineer innovative technologies based on this understanding and apply technologies to address societal needs across all sectors including, but not limited to, biomedicine
• Establish new biology-based paradigms for solving problems in areas of science and engineering that have not historically been impacted by biological approaches

In addition, PhD-level training in BE prepares students to translate this research for positive impact in the world by developing skills to:

• Explain technical subject matter clearly, accurately, and in a compelling and contextual manner for a range of audiences
• Engage collaboratively in diverse teams to contribute biological engineering expertise needed for multidisciplinary projects
• Exercise intellectual and operational leadership to advance on goals in technically and organizationally complex scenarios
• Exhibit integrity and ethical judgment in the design of research and the application of research results

Degree Requirements

BE PhD students complete two core courses in the first year, supplemented with four additional electives ( Course Requirements ). Individual students pace their own progress through elective coursework in consultation with their academic advisor.

In addition to the course requirements, students present an oral thesis qualifying exam to be completed by the end of the fall term in their third year.

BE PhD students complete research rotations in the fall and winter of their first year and select a BE Faculty member as a research and thesis advisor. Students carry out thesis research with the guidance and support of their advisor and a thesis committee formed by the student. Technical communication is an important part of the BE PhD curriculum. Students gain and practice scientific communication skills through one or more terms of teaching experience at the graduate or undergraduate level and research-focused activities including poster and oral presentations at Departmental events including our retreat, the Bioengineering and Toxicology Seminar (BATS) seminar series, and culminating in delivery of a written PhD thesis and oral defense of their thesis work.

For More Information

• Graduate application
• Graduate student FAQ
• BE Application Assistance Program
• Graduate student life
• Graduate student handbook
• Meet the graduate students

Please contact the BE Graduate Academic Office for additional information regarding BE educational programs.

Civil and Environmental Engineering

• Graduate programs

Ph.D. programs

• Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Ph.D. in CEE/EPP

Meet with an advisor

Our Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering program offers an unparalleled opportunity to delve into the complexities of our modern world, tackling critical challenges in infrastructure, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. As a pioneer in interdisciplinary research and education, we empower students to become trailblazers in their fields, driving meaningful change on a global scale.

With our Ph.D. programs, students have the unique opportunity to specialize in one of our focus areas :

• Intelligent engineered systems and society (IESS)
• Climate resilient environmental systems and technologies (CREST)
• Sustainable energy and transportation systems (SETS)
• Mechanics, chemistry, and materials (MCM)

During the admission process, you will be paired with a faculty mentor who aligns with your research interests and will serve as your research advisor throughout your doctoral journey. You have the option to indicate a preferred advisor during the application process. 

Welcome to the CEE Ph.D. Program at CMU, where you can be part of redefining the future of engineering.

Ph.D. in CEE     |      Joint Ph.D. programs

• Share on twitter
• Share on facebook

World University Rankings 2024 by subject: computer science

The computer science subject table uses the same trusted and rigorous performance indicators as the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024, but the methodology has been recalibrated to suit the discipline.

This year’s table includes 1,027 universities, up from 974 last year.

View the World University Rankings 2024 by subject: computer science methodology 

The University of Oxford leads the computer science ranking for the sixth consecutive year. Stanford University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) switch places to take the second and third places respectively.

The UK’s Imperial College London and Princeton University in the US move into the top 10 at eighth and ninth position respectively. The National University of Singapore and Germany’s Technical University of Munich fall out of this elite group.

China, Germany and Australia have seven universities each in the top 100. The highest-ranking among these is Tsinghua University in China, in 12th place.

Read our analysis of the subject rankings 2024 results

View the full results of the overall World University Rankings 2024

To raise your university’s global profile with Times Higher Education, contact [email protected]

To unlock the data behind THE’s rankings and access a range of analytical and benchmarking tools,  click here

• Share on linkedin
• Share on mail

Read more about the World University Rankings 2024 by subject: computer science

Student insights.

• Best universities for computer science degrees
• What can you do with a computer science degree?

Academic Insights

• World University Rankings 2024 by subject: results announced

Methodology:

Featured jobs

Featured universities.

MSc by Research in Engineering Science

• Entry requirements
• Funding and Costs

College preference

• How to Apply

About the course

The MSc by Research in Engineering Science provides graduates with the opportunity to develop knowledge, understanding and expertise in their chosen field of engineering research, well beyond the level of a taught master’s degree, but without the requirement to complete as much novel research as a doctoral student. Students develop broad skills in relevant areas of mathematical and computational modelling, in the design and build of apparatus and software, and in data analytics and visualisation.

A key aspect of your research experience in the department will be exposure to the broad sweep of today's engineering research. The department’s research groups cluster into the following fields:

• biomedical engineering
• chemical and process engineering
• civil and offshore engineering
• electrical and opto-electronic engineering
• information, vision and control engineering
• solid mechanics and materials engineering
• thermofluids and turbomachinery.

However, the department is committed to considering engineering as a unified subject, allowing interdisciplinary research to flourish.

In the first year, you will develop research skills in two ways. Firstly, you will read the current literature, often in reading groups, and attend relevant research seminars and lectures to gain insight from world-class experts in your area of investigation, and attend appropriate training courses to develop skills for your project and future career. Secondly, you will design and build apparatus, develop software, or both to address your own research topic. Often there is external involvement and you will develop your work in collaboration with researchers from industry and other research organisations.

Supervision

You will join your supervisor's research group which normally has post-doctoral researchers and other research students working on broadly similar research themes. Typically you would interact daily with members of the group and have weekly contact with your supervisor. Many groups have weekly meetings where members discuss their research or perhaps present other published work.

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Department of Engineering Science and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Department of Engineering Science.

As well as ongoing assessment by your supervisor, you will be required to write a report and give a presentation on your research at the end of the first year, and to present a detailed and coherent plan for the second and final phase in the second year of your master’s.

At the end of the second year, you will be required to submit a thesis which is read and examined viva voce by experts in the field, one from the department and one from elsewhere. The thesis is likely to result in the publication of one or more journal papers.

Graduate destinations

Graduates from the MSc by Research in Engineering Science are well-equipped for careers in engineering in their specialisms and most enjoy engineering-related careers ranging from consulting to R&D, both nationally and internationally.

Others enter the spectrum of professions which value a high ability in mathematical modelling, systems analysis and design.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

Entry requirements for entry in 2024-25

Proven and potential academic excellence.

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

Please be aware that any studentships that are linked to this course may have different or additional requirements and you should read any studentship information carefully before applying. 

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in engineering or a related discipline relevant for the proposed area of research, such as physics, materials science, computer science, applied mathematics or chemistry.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.5 out of 4.0.

If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.

GRE General Test scores

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience

Prior publications may be an advantage when applying for graduate study in engineering science.

English language proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's  higher level . If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. The minimum scores required to meet the University's higher level are detailed in the table below.

*Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) † Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of your course. Our Application Guide provides  further information about the English language test requirement .

Declaring extenuating circumstances

If your ability to meet the entry requirements has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (eg you were awarded an unclassified/ungraded degree) or any other exceptional personal circumstance (eg other illness or bereavement), please refer to the guidance on extenuating circumstances in the Application Guide for information about how to declare this so that your application can be considered appropriately.

You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the types of reference that are required in support of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Supporting documents

You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the supporting documents that are required as part of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Performance at interview

Interviews in person or by other means may form part of the admissions process.

How your application is assessed

Your application will be assessed purely on your proven and potential academic excellence and other entry requirements described under that heading.

References  and  supporting documents  submitted as part of your application, and your performance at interview (if interviews are held) will be considered as part of the assessment process. Whether or not you have secured funding will not be taken into consideration when your application is assessed.

An overview of the shortlisting and selection process is provided below. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide  more information about how applications are assessed . 

Shortlisting and selection

Students are considered for shortlisting and selected for admission without regard to age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief (including lack of belief), sex, sexual orientation, as well as other relevant circumstances including parental or caring responsibilities or social background. However, please note the following:

• socio-economic information may be taken into account in the selection of applicants and award of scholarships for courses that are part of  the University’s pilot selection procedure  and for  scholarships aimed at under-represented groups ;
• country of ordinary residence may be taken into account in the awarding of certain scholarships; and
• protected characteristics may be taken into account during shortlisting for interview or the award of scholarships where the University has approved a positive action case under the Equality Act 2010.

Initiatives to improve access to graduate study

This course is taking part in a continuing pilot programme to improve the selection procedure for graduate applications, in order to ensure that all candidates are evaluated fairly.

For this course, socio-economic data (where it has been provided in the application form) will be used to contextualise applications at the different stages of the selection process.  Further information about how we use your socio-economic data  can be found in our page about initiatives to improve access to graduate study.

Processing your data for shortlisting and selection

Information about  processing special category data for the purposes of positive action  and  using your data to assess your eligibility for funding , can be found in our Postgraduate Applicant Privacy Policy.

Admissions panels and assessors

All recommendations to admit a student involve the judgement of at least two members of the academic staff with relevant experience and expertise, and must also be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies or Admissions Committee (or equivalent within the department).

Admissions panels or committees will always include at least one member of academic staff who has undertaken appropriate training.

Other factors governing whether places can be offered

The following factors will also govern whether candidates can be offered places:

• the ability of the University to provide the appropriate supervision for your studies, as outlined under the 'Supervision' heading in the  About  section of this page;
• the ability of the University to provide appropriate support for your studies (eg through the provision of facilities, resources, teaching and/or research opportunities); and
• minimum and maximum limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted to the University's taught and research programmes.

Offer conditions for successful applications

If you receive an offer of a place at Oxford, your offer will outline any conditions that you need to satisfy and any actions you need to take, together with any associated deadlines. These may include academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course. These conditions will usually depend on your individual academic circumstances and may vary between applicants. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide more information about offers and conditions . 

In addition to any academic conditions which are set, you will also be required to meet the following requirements:

Financial Declaration

If you are offered a place, you will be required to complete a  Financial Declaration  in order to meet your financial condition of admission.

Disclosure of criminal convictions

In accordance with the University’s obligations towards students and staff, we will ask you to declare any  relevant, unspent criminal convictions  before you can take up a place at Oxford.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

Some postgraduate research students in science, engineering and technology subjects will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate prior to applying for a  Student visa (under the Student Route) . For some courses, the requirement to apply for an ATAS certificate may depend on your research area.

Engineering research and teaching at Oxford takes place in a unified Department of Engineering Science with over 100 academic staff who are committed to advanced work in their own specialities while recognising a common engineering foundation. This creates an intellectual space where interdisciplinary work thrives and where expert advice is available to students in areas which though not central to their core research still impinge on it. The department (and the University) host expert speakers from around the world which provides opportunities for students to listen to and interact with leaders in their own fields; but also to learn about other fields of interest as well.

There are strong links too with researchers in other departments in the mathematical and physical sciences and, ever increasingly, with researchers and practitioners in medical science departments and University hospitals.

The eight research clusters in engineering science at Oxford are:

These research clusters are well-supported by experienced teams of technical, computing, and administrative support staff. The department has well-equipped research areas and workshops, which together with offices, lecture theatres, library, common room, stores, reprographics and other facilities, occupies some 16,000 square metres.

The department has around 550 research students and about 200 postdoctoral researchers and research fellows. Direct funding of research grants and contracts, from a variety of sources, amounts to an annual turnover of approximately £25m in addition to general turnover of about £26m.

Engineering Science

The Department of Engineering Science brings together the study of all branches of engineering at Oxford. It has a community of around 550 graduate students at any given time.

The department has a substantial research portfolio, including much that is directly supported by industry. The major theme underlying this research portfolio is the application of cutting-edge science to generate new technology, using a mixture of theory, computation and experiment.

Study and research opportunities in the department include both conventional disciplines of engineering and newer areas of interest, such as information engineering, low-temperature engineering, nanotechnology and experimental plasma physics.

There are no barriers between different branches of engineering. The department is involved in a great deal of multidisciplinary and collaborative research with groups in other departments, from archaeology to zoology. 

The department has an excellent record of engagement with industry and of translating research results into real-world applications. It has generated numerous successful spin-out companies.

The department offers a range of research degrees, including four-year programmes as part of several specialised Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs).

View all courses   View taught courses View research courses

The University expects to be able to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across the collegiate University in 2024-25. You will be automatically considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships , if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential. 

For further details about searching for funding as a graduate student visit our dedicated Funding pages, which contain information about how to apply for Oxford scholarships requiring an additional application, details of external funding, loan schemes and other funding sources.

Please ensure that you visit individual college websites for details of any college-specific funding opportunities using the links provided on our college pages or below:

Please note that not all the colleges listed above may accept students on this course. For details of those which do, please refer to the College preference section of this page.

Further information about funding opportunities for this course can be found on the department's website.

Annual fees for entry in 2024-25

Further details about fee status eligibility can be found on the fee status webpage.

Information about course fees

Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). For courses lasting longer than one year, please be aware that fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on changes to fees and charges .

Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. They also don’t cover any additional costs and charges that are outlined in the additional information below.

Continuation charges

Following the period of fee liability , you may also be required to pay a University continuation charge and a college continuation charge. The University and college continuation charges are shown on the Continuation charges page.

Where can I find further information about fees?

The Fees and Funding  section of this website provides further information about course fees , including information about fee status and eligibility  and your length of fee liability .

Additional information

There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees (or, after fee liability ends, continuation charges) and living costs. However, please note that, depending on your choice of research topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel expenses, research expenses, and field trips. You will need to meet these additional costs, although you may be able to apply for small grants from your department and/or college to help you cover some of these expenses.

Living costs

In addition to your course fees, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.

For the 2024-25 academic year, the range of likely living costs for full-time study is between c. £1,345 and £1,955 for each month spent in Oxford. Full information, including a breakdown of likely living costs in Oxford for items such as food, accommodation and study costs, is available on our living costs page. The current economic climate and high national rate of inflation make it very hard to estimate potential changes to the cost of living over the next few years. When planning your finances for any future years of study in Oxford beyond 2024-25, it is suggested that you allow for potential increases in living expenses of around 5% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation. UK inflationary increases will be kept under review and this page updated.

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. Please note that ‘college’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 43 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as societies and permanent private halls (PPHs). 

If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. Before deciding, we suggest that you read our brief  introduction to the college system at Oxford  and our  advice about expressing a college preference . For some courses, the department may have provided some additional advice below to help you decide.

The following colleges accept students on the MSc by Research in Engineering Science:

• Balliol College
• Christ Church
• Exeter College
• Harris Manchester College
• Hertford College
• Jesus College
• Keble College
• Kellogg College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• Lincoln College
• Magdalen College
• Mansfield College
• New College
• Oriel College
• Pembroke College
• The Queen's College
• Reuben College
• St Anne's College
• St Catherine's College
• St Cross College
• St Edmund Hall
• St Hilda's College
• St Hugh's College
• St Peter's College
• Somerville College
• University College
• Wadham College
• Wolfson College
• Worcester College
• Wycliffe Hall

Before you apply

Our  guide to getting started  provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

If it's important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline – eg under a December or January deadline in order to be considered for Oxford scholarships – we recommend that you aim to complete and submit your application at least two weeks in advance . Check the deadlines on this page and the  information about deadlines and when to apply  in our Application Guide.

Application fee waivers

An application fee of £75 is payable per course application. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:

• applicants from low-income countries;
• refugees and displaced persons; 
• UK applicants from low-income backgrounds; and 
• applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria.

You are encouraged to  check whether you're eligible for an application fee waiver  before you apply.

Readmission for current Oxford graduate taught students

If you're currently studying for an Oxford graduate taught course and apply to this course with no break in your studies, you may be eligible to apply to this course as a readmission applicant. The application fee will be waived for an eligible application of this type. Check whether you're eligible to apply for readmission .

Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?

You are encouraged to communicate with the department in order to refine your application, especially where studentships are involved.

Please ensure that you have researched the specialisms of the department and those of your potential supervisor(s) before making contact. Once you have done this, you can either contact the academic staff member directly or route your enquiry via the Admissions Administrator using the contact details provided on this page.

Completing your application

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents . 

If any document does not meet the specification, including the stipulated word count, your application may be considered incomplete and not assessed by the academic department. Expand each section to show further details.

Proposed field and title of research project

Under the 'Field and title of research project' please enter your proposed field or area of research if this is known. If the department has advertised a specific research project that you would like to be considered for, please enter the project title here instead.

You should not use this field to type out a full research proposal. You will be able to upload your research supporting materials separately if they are required (as described below).

Proposed supervisor

Under 'Proposed supervisor name' enter the name of the academic(s) whom you would like to supervise your research. 

You can enter up to four names and you should list them in order of preference or indicate equal preference.

Referees: Three overall, of which at least one must be academic

Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete. Please note that you may still be required to ensure your third referee supplies a reference for consideration.

Professional references are welcomed, but these must be obtained from your line manager (or equivalent). At least one academic reference must be provided.

Your references will support your intellectual ability, academic achievement and potential, motivation, creativity, and ability to work singly and in a group.

Official transcript(s)

Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.

More information about the transcript requirement is available in the Application Guide.

A CV/résumé is compulsory for this course. Most applicants choose to submit a document of one to two pages highlighting their academic achievements and any relevant professional experience.

Research proposal: A minimum of 1,000 words, up to a maximum of 1,500 words

You should submit an outline of your proposed research, written in English. The overall page count should not include any bibliography.

If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.

This will be assessed for:

• your past commitment to sustained and intense study and your reasons for wishing to undertake research
• evidence of interest in, experience of, and understanding of the proposed area of study
• the originality of the proposed research
• the feasibility of successfully completing the project in the time available
• your ability to present a reasoned and coherent case in English.

Inevitably your ideas will change as you develop your project. You should nevertheless make the best effort you can to describe the extent and ambition of your proposed research using sources and methods from the current literature. Your proposal should focus on your research ambitions in engineering, rather than on personal achievements, interests and aspirations.

Start or continue your application

You can start or return to an application using the relevant link below. As you complete the form, please  refer to the requirements above  and  consult our Application Guide for advice . You'll find the answers to most common queries in our FAQs.

Application Guide   Apply

ADMISSION STATUS

Closed to applications for entry in 2024-25

Register to be notified via email when the next application cycle opens (for entry in 2025-26)

12:00 midday UK time on:

Friday 1 December 2023 Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships

Friday 1 March 2024 Final application deadline for entry in 2024-25

*Three-year average (applications for entry in 2021-22 to 2023-24)

Further information and enquiries

This course is offered by the Department of Engineering Science

• Course page on the department's website
• Funding information from the department
• Academic and research staff
• Departmental research  and  studentships
• Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences
• Residence requirements for full-time courses
• Postgraduate applicant privacy policy

Course-related enquiries

Advice about contacting the department can be found in the How to apply section of this page

✉ [email protected] ☎ +44 (0)1865 283249

Application-process enquiries

See the application guide

PhD Program

Take on the big challenges.

Earning a PhD takes courage. There will be obstacles, uncertainty and ambiguity. But it’s the vision of better patient care that sustains you, drives you. That’s what drives us, too.

The Duke Difference

High-impact research.

Field-defining work in imaging, genetic medicine, biomaterials, light-based technologies and more.

Mentoring, from Day One

Be surrounded by a team invested in your success.

Uniquely Interdisciplinary

Duke BME’s superpower. Experience our innovative learning and research ecosystems.

Comprehensive Mentorship & Support

Mentoring, really, even before Day One. During the Duke BME admission process we’ll begin an immersive discussion about your interests. Based on those discussions, once accepted you’ll be admitted directly to a lab. Your Advising Team will including your program director, a team of faculty members and senior PhD students as well as dedicated resources available through the Graduate School at Duke.

Additional High-Value Resources

• Conference and travel support
• Grant supported traineeship programs
• Graduate certificate programs in tissue engineering, nanoscience and photonics

Entrepreneurship: Duke Design Health

Discover. Design. Deploy.

When you join a Duke Design Health team you identify needs that impact human health, and then create effective, equitable solutions.

Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering

30 Credits of Coursework

• Life Science course—3 credits
• Advanced Mathematics course—3 credits
• Additional courses—24 credits

2 Semesters of Teaching Assistantship (TA)

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)

• Orientation
• 4 RCR forums

Thesis and Defense

Sample Timeline

The minimum required amount of coursework is 30 units.

The program of coursework, including the applicability of any  transfer credits , is determined by the student, their advisor and their committee.

Each committee meeting should include an update on progress towards coursework requirements. The student’s committee retains the power to approve the coursework or request that the student take additional courses.

The advanced math (3 units required) and life science (3 units required) courses, and up to one (1) independent study class may be used toward the 30-credit requirement. See a list of potential life science and advanced math courses . Students are not limited to the courses listed.

Important Notes

• Ungraded seminars do not count toward the 30-unit requirement. Students are encouraged to discuss class selection with their advisor upon matriculation and frequently throughout their course of study
• Students seeking a master’s degree en route to a PhD must satisfy the degree requirements for the master’s degree. These are not necessarily aligned with the PhD coursework requirements, and so special consideration should be taken

Two semesters of BME Seminar are required. New matriculants take BME 702’s (Fall only).

Second-year students take BME 701’s (Spring only).

Teaching Assistantship

Two (2) semesters aare required. Duke BME PhD students typically fulfill their teaching assistant (TA) assignments in years 2 to 5.

Students must:

• Complete a TA training session
• And sign up for a Teaching Assistantship Seminar during the semesters in which they TA

Responsible Conduct of Research

RCR training at Duke challenges students to engage in ethical decision-making through active learning—by using realistic scenarios and current issues.

One (1) orientation session and 4 forums are required.

More about RCR at Duke .

PhD Contacts

Jamel Forbes

Staff Specialist, PhD Program

Danielle Giles

Assistant Director of Graduate Studies

Kathryn Radabaugh Nightingale

Director of Graduate Studies, Theo Pilkington Distinguished Professor of BME

Research Themes

Biomechanics & Mechanobiology, Biomedical Imaging & Biophotonics

Research Interests

Ultrasonic and elasticity imaging; image-guided therapies; biomechanical tissue modeling; ultrasonic bioeffects.

Doctor of Engineering Curriculum

Degree Requirements with the Doctor of Engineering  

The Doctor of Engineering (D. Eng) requires 90 credit hours. Professionals may transfer up to 30 credit hours from a relevant master’s degree and/or other non-degree coursework into the D.Eng. program, subject to faculty review. The program features research methodology and professional development coursework, advanced mathematics and statistics, a wide variety of engineering courses, and a culminating applied research project. See full curriculum below.  

Degree requirements: 

• 12 credit hours of core curriculum and foundational courses  
• 27 minimum credit hours of technical depth courses  
• 12 minimum credit hours of professional and applied courses  
• A minimum 30 credit research thesis and dissertation  

As you complete your first full semester, you will work through a fundamentals  to establish your individual electronic Plan of Study (EPOS). Each student’s plan of study will be unique, designed to meet the needs of their individual background and interests. Advisory committees will work with students to develop a plan of study that best meets their individual academic needs and career goals. All students are required to have an approved Electronic Plan of Study in order to graduate from Purdue.  

The Electronic Plan of Study serves as a contract between you, your faculty advisor, academic advisor, and Purdue University’s Graduate School. Your EPOS is a blueprint for successful completion of your degree requirements. The plan must be approved adhering to department and Graduate School policies. We strongly encourage students to have an approved Plan of Study on file by the end of their second semester.  

CORE REQUIREMENT – 6 CREDIT HOURS

The following courses are required:  

• ENGR 60100: Doctor of Engineering Fundamentals (1 credit)   
• ENGR 60200: Research Fundamentals (3 credits)  
• ENGR 60300: Doctor of Engineering Seminar (1 credit)  

Choose 1 of the following courses:  

• BME 69000 - Seminar in Biomedical Engineering  
• ECE 69400-001 - Electrical and Computer Engineering Seminar  
• ENE 69000 - Seminar In Engineering Education  
• IE 69700 - Graduate Seminar  

Please note Purdue University courses must be taken for Core Course requirements. Transfer credit may not be applied to the Core Course component.  

Foundational Courses - 6 Credit Hours

3 credits of s tatistics and 3 credits of m ath are required . Any statistics or math course available online will fulfill t his requirement. Available courses currently include:  

• MA 51100 - Linear Algebra With Applications  
• MA 52700 - Advanced Mathematics For Engineers And Physicists I  
• MA 52800 - Advanced Mathematics For Engineers And Physicists II  
• STAT 51100 - Statistical Methods  
• STAT 51200 - Applied Regression Analysis  
• STAT 51300 - Statistical Quality Control  
• STAT 51400 - Design Of Experiments  
• STAT 51600 - Basic Probability And Applications  
• STAT 51700 - Statistical Inference  

Technical Depth Courses - 27 Credit Hours

These courses provide the foundational concepts and theories that are applied in a students desired technical field. These courses should equip students to gain significant knowledge, experience, and capability in a particular technology or technical domain directly related to a student’s career goals.   

Students will work with their advisor(s) and during ENGR 60100: Doctor of Engineering Fundamentals to identify a selection of Technical Depth Courses to fulfill this requirement and build an Electronic Plan of Study.  

Professional and Applied Courses - 12 Credit Hours

These courses provide additional training, expertise and practice in areas that are important to student’s professional development, but that might not be specific to one technical area. Examples include technical writing, pedagogical theory and practice, project management, product development, leadership development, grant and technical report writing.    

Students will work with their advisor(s) and during ENGR 60100: Doctor of Engineering Fundamentals to identify a selection of Professional and Applied Courses to fulfill this requirement and build an Electronic Plan of Study.  

Doctor of Engineering Research Course - 3 Credit Hours

Doctor of Engineering students will earn course credit for a multi-semester applied research project in which they work closely with faculty advisor. Measurable outcomes of the research project include a final report/dissertation and demonstration of expertise in the topic area. Other outcomes of research include knowledge dissemination ( i.e. presentations at scientific or trades conference , white papers, internal reports, peer-reviewed manuscripts in archival journals, book chapters).  

ELECTIVE COURSES – REMAINING CREDIT HOURS

Any courses listed on our courses page will fulfill this requirement, including available non-engineering courses.  

All questions regarding courses and transfer credits should be directed to a student’s academic advisor.  

Items of Note:    

• Transfer credits from a student’s Master’s degree will be evaluated and applied to specific components of the degree. Students will utilize ENGR 60100: Doctor of Engineering Fundamentals to propose how a previous master’s degree could be applied to D.Eng. degree requirements.  
• Minimum credit requirements allow for maximum flexibility and the ability to tailor your degree plan to your specific areas of interest and goals. After you begin your studies at Purdue, an academic advisor will provide you with tools to map out a plan of study tailored to align with your specific goals.  

  Dissertation    

The dissertation demonstrates the candidate’s ability to conduct substantial and significant research in the engineering discipline(s) selected. Candidates are expected to demonstrate mastery of the key literature in the field and use this to situate the specific project they propose. Students enroll in a College of Engineering doctoral research course to complete and receive credit for their dissertation research. Students are required to complete a minimum of thirty credit hours of doctoral research, a requirement that will be distributed across multiple semesters. The exact duration of this distribution depends on the individual student's progress in their dissertation research. In most cases, it is expected that a student will use their final one or two years to formulate the research topic, develop the proposal, and conduct self-directed research under the guidance of their faculty advisor and with the hopeful support of an industry partner and advisor—likely the student’s full-time employer.  

At the conclusion of their program, or in the final semester, students will have a final oral defense of their dissertation research before a graduate committee of reviewers.  

Distinction between a PhD and a professional Doctorate degree    

A PhD in Engineering is earned by demonstrating research independence in an engineering-related field of study and generation of new knowledge. A Doctor of Engineering is earned by completion of interdisciplinary professional coursework and demonstration of research independence in an engineering-related field of study, and direct application of the research to engineering practice in real-world, industry, commercial, defense, or other areas of operation and utilization.    

In each program, dissemination of knowledge is key to the training, but may differ depending on the context of each student’s unique context (i.e. presentations at scientific or trades conference, white papers, internal reports, peer-reviewed manuscripts in archival journals, book chapters).