PhD Engineering at Birmingham City University

Programme overview

An engineering PhD can be a pathway to a career in a wide range of related jobs, including in management roles – or in the academic world. If you’re already in such a role, the PhD is a major piece of personal development, developing new knowledge and building skills for your next career step. Your engineering PhD study builds on our expertise and professional and industry networks.

Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment | Department: Engineering | Duration: 3-4 years full-time; 4-7 years part-time; 4-7 years distance learning | Study mode: full-time/online/part-time | Intake: September 2026, February 2027, May 2027 | Location: Birmingham, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

A PhD enables you to follow a programme of self-directed, independent study, supported by experienced supervisors who are themselves experts in their area. We may use industry experts to support some projects, and others may be run in full collaboration with an industry partner. The Postgraduate Certificate in Research Practice prepares you for study at this level, as most find it a very different experience from previous taught courses.

Career pathways

The PhD is a well-established and valued academic qualification within the sector and is highly likely to enhance career prospects. For those wanting to follow a career in teaching and researching in Higher Education, a PhD is highly desirable.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

To apply for our engineering PhD research degree you should have, or expect to be awarded, a Masters degree in a relevant subject area from a British or overseas university. Exceptional candidates without a Masters degree, but holding a first class or upper second class Bachelors degree in a relevant subject area, may be considered. We also welcome enquiries from potential PhD researchers with appropriate levels of professional experience. We find it most effective to work with inquirers to focus their research ideas before a formal application is made. You can contact either individual staff or the Faculty’s Director of Research Degrees, Professor Peter Larkham ([email protected]). Alternatively please send us an initial PhD enquiry containing your brief PhD research proposal (1000-2000 words), and/or any questions or queries you may have. We will review your initial enquiry to ensure that your research proposal compliments one of our PhD research interests and if so we will ask you to make a full application. We are unable to progress any proposals that do not have a clear and close link to our interests.

Domestic applicants: GBP 5,238 a year (2026/27). full-time, 3-4 years; annual tuition for the first year of study Source

International applicants: GBP 15,420 a year (2026/27). full-time, 3-4 years; annual tuition for the first year of study Source

Intake: September 2026, February 2027, May 2027

Duration: 3-4 years full-time; 4-7 years part-time; 4-7 years distance learning

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