Postgraduate research

Students are welcome to join CEGE to engage in research and gain the award of an MPhil degree (minimum of two years), PhD degree (normally a minimum of three years) or EngD (typically four years in total). Research can be undertaken within the broad range of our current research activities or, in the case of the Engineering Doctorate (EngD), in an area associated with industry.    

New research directions that evolve from our current expertise will always be considered, dependent on an individual student's background and interests. Students can enrol at any time of the year for these programmes, although the academic year starts at the end of September.

Research in the department covers both the development of theory and techniques, and their application. Staff members work closely with companies and organisations involved with CEGE, and are funded through UK Research Councils, European funds and industry.

Degree programme choices

You can pursue three different research degrees: MPhil, PhD or EngD. MPhil and PhD are conventional research degrees. Any student will be first registered as an MPhil, but during the course will have the opportunity to demonstrate their academic capability. An Engineering Doctorate or EngD is a four-year research degree set up in collaboration with an industrial partner; it is suited for students who want a career in industry.

The EngD programme we offer (Centre for Urban Sustainability and Resilience) includes industry involvement whereby each student will have an industry supervisor in addition to an academic supervisor(s), and have opportunities for industry placements. Students can develop a network with people in industry during the study. Note that a typical EngD study lasts four years.

Finances

In recent years our research students have been supported by the following organisations/awards:

• NERC
• EPSRC
• Jackson Environment Institute
• Shell UK
• Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
• British Council
• ORS Scheme
• UCL Doctoral School (includes information about UCL and ORS awards as well as a comprehensive publication about other sources of funding for both home and overseas students).

Our Vacancies page contains links to any PhD studentships available within CEGE. UCL's funded research opportunities website contains further information on studentships and funding across UCL.   

Research money is generally hard won and it is important to be determined in exploring all the obvious routes (particularly in your home country), to use your initiative in investigating alternative avenues and to be alert to new funding opportunities that may arise.