PhD Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science at Duke University

Programme overview

MEMS graduate students work with faculty on interdisciplinary research programmes, with a low faculty-to-student ratio, an active Graduate Student Committee providing peer mentorship, and flexible curricula in which students define their own academic path.

Faculty: The Graduate School | Department: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science (MEMS) | Intake: Fall and Spring | Study mode: full-time | Location: Durham, NC, United States

What you will study

Concentrations: Aerospace Engineering; Dynamics, Controls & Robotics; Materials Science & Biomaterials; Mechanics, Design & Computing; Thermal Fluids & Energy.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Graduate School application: Letters of recommendation: 3 Required; Statement of purpose: Required; GRE: GRE General (Optional); GPA: Undergraduate GPA calculated on 4.0 scale required; English test: TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test required for applicants whose first language is not English. Unofficial transcripts required with the application.

Graduate School Ph.D. programmes list application deadlines for students beginning graduate study in fall 2027.

The Occupational Therapy Doctorate starts in August for applicants admitted in both the fall and spring rounds.

Fall 2027 Ph.D. deadlines (11:59 p.m. Eastern): most programmes 12/01/2026 including Biochemistry, Biology, Biostatistics, Cell and Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Classical Studies, Immunology and Physics; Computer Science, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Environmental Policy, History, Mathematics, Philosophy, Religion and Statistical Science 12/15/2026; English 12/08/2026; Economics 01/06/2027; Earth and Climate Sciences and Music 01/07/2027; Nursing 11/19/2026; Business Administration 12/14/2026; Political Science and Sociology 12/17/2026; Romance Studies 12/30/2026. Computational Media, Arts and Cultures and Public Policy Studies are not accepting applications for 2027 enrollment.

Occupational Therapy Doctorate 2026-27 application deadlines: Fall round Thursday, October 8, 2026; Spring round Tuesday, January 12, 2027 (applications through OTCAS). Fall applicants are notified the first week of December 2026 and spring applicants the first week of March 2027.

Apply through the official page: https://gradschool.duke.edu/admissions/

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