Fusion Power (EPSRC CDT) at University of Oxford

Programme overview

A four-year doctoral Centre for Doctoral Training in fusion power, run by a collaboration of six UK universities (Durham, Liverpool, Manchester, Oxford, Sheffield and York) with Culham Centre for Fusion Energy and industry partners. Oxford students focus on materials for fusion power and train alongside the DPhil in Materials cohort.

Duration: 4 years full-time | Intake: 4 October 2027 | Study mode: full-time | Location: Oxford, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

The first eight months are intensive one- and two-week technical fusion modules plus the annual 'Frontiers of Fusion and Interfaces' workshop; the remaining three years are a substantial research project supervised by an experienced member of staff, with most projects expected to collaborate with the wider fusion industry.

Career pathways

Graduates enter universities, national laboratories, high-tech start-ups, engineering consultancies, industry (aerospace, electronics, automotive, steel, medical and household products), technology companies, education, and the financial and business sectors.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Entry for 2027-28. A first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in a suitable science subject such as materials science, chemistry, physics or mathematics (other subjects may be acceptable depending on the research area). For UK bachelor's or integrated master's degrees, normally an overall grade of at least 65%; international equivalents include a US GPA of 3.5-3.6/4.0 and 85% on a four-year Chinese bachelor's from a Double First-Class, Project 985 or Project 211 university. Qualifications must normally be achieved by the research course start date. Helpful to include previous research or technical experience (placement, work experience, research project), publications (not essential) and experience aligned with the proposed supervisors' interests. Three references and supporting documents. No GRE or GMAT. English language (standard level, if first language is not English): IELTS Academic 7.0 overall with at least 6.5 in each component; TOEFL iBT 100 with minimum Listening 22, Reading 24, Speaking 25, Writing 24; C1 Advanced 185 overall and 176 per component; C2 Proficiency 185 overall and 176 per component; Oxford Test of English Advanced 155 overall and 145 per component. Test must have been taken no more than two years before course start. Application deadline: 12:00 midday UK time on 6 January 2027 (final deadline for Oxford scholarships 2 March 2027).

Domestic applicants: GBP 10,940 a year (2027/28). Home fee Source

International applicants: GBP 36,260 a year (2027/28). Overseas fee Source

Intake: 4 October 2027

Duration: 4 years full-time

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