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.

Did you know?

UCL is ranked 8th in the QS World University Rankings (2021).

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.

Urban Sustainability and Resilience MRes + EngD

Urban Sustainability and Resilience MRes + EngD

This programme provides students with the opportunity to tackle a challenging research problem identified by industry as critical to our urban environment.

Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering MPhil/PhD

Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering MPhil/PhD

Students benefit from our extensive links to world-leading industry in London and directly engage with research to tackle global challenges.

Watch

CEGE graduate Dr Ali Parsa, CEO of innovative AI and digital healthcare company Babylon, gives 2019's Postgraduate Engineering Graduation Alumni Address.