Home

Mechanical Engineering MPhil/PhD

London, Bloomsbury

UK students International students

Study mode

UK tuition fees (2024/25)

£6,035

£3,015

Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)

£31,100

£15,550

Duration

3 calendar years

5 calendar years

Programme starts

Research degrees may start at any time of the year, but typically start in September.

Applications accepted

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

Normally a UK Master’s degree, or a minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Relevant professional qualifications and/or appropriate work experience may also be taken into consideration.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

If you are intending to apply for a time-limited visa to complete your UCL studies (e.g., Student visa, Skilled worker visa, PBS dependant visa etc.) you may be required to obtain ATAS clearance. This will be confirmed to you if you obtain an offer of a place. Please note that ATAS processing times can take up to six months, so we recommend you consider these timelines when submitting your application to UCL.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

Doctoral study at UCL's Department of Mechanical Engineering offers the opportunity to become a world-class interdisciplinary researcher at the interface of science and engineering. Our PhD researchers specialise in applying advanced principles of engineering science to generate new knowledge and introduce innovative solutions to a diverse range of challenges. From biomedical systems to the marine environment, from clean and low carbon power systems to pioneering materials and manufacturing, and in many other fields, we propose ground-breaking technologies that change the world.

Who this course is for

This programme is most likely to appeal to students with a background in engineering or another related discipline who wish to produce a significant contribution to the development and understanding of a specific field within mechanical engineering.

Read about what it takes to become a UCL graduate research student

What this course will give you

UCL Mechanical Engineering is the oldest such department in England, based in the centre of London and part of one of the world's best universities. We have a long, proud history of providing a vibrant and stimulating environment for PhD students from around the world.

Our doctoral candidates are engaged in challenging and innovative engineering research, supervised by world-leading academics, in close collaboration with major industrial partners. Candidates receive an extensive range of skills development training programmes and develop unique scientific and engineering competencies that prepare them for careers in academia, industrial research and development, management and many other fields.

Our research projects are often industry sponsored and have direct practical relevance. As we collaborate with other departments and universities and engage in a range of multi-disciplinary research activities, you will often be jointly trained by a range of experts, making you highly attractive to a range of employers.

Research graduates in engineering with good analytical ability are in high demand.

Find out how your research could have an impact

The foundation of your career

Recent graduates have entered professions in a wide variety of leading companies, government agencies and not-for-profit institutions of varying sizes. These include:

BASF
HSBC
Mathworks
McLaren Automotive
HCA Healthcare UK

Our PhD graduates also pursue postdoctoral research and lectureships at UCL and a variety of institutions in the UK and overseas (e.g. Royal Veterinary College, Beijing Institute of Technology, University of Kenya).

Employability

A research degree in Mechanical Engineering opens the door to many rewarding careers, not just in engineering. You are likely to find employment in a wide range of industries and organisations, both at home and abroad, as well as academic careers in postdoctoral research and university lectureships.

Networking

There are ample networking opportunities both within and beyond the UCL research community. For example, the department frequently organises seminars, inviting prominent speakers from industry and other academic institutes, that provide opportunities for students to consult directly with industry.

Our annual PhD Student Conference offers another excellent opportunity for developing contacts. Research students present their work to an audience which includes alumni, members of the department and other invited guests. In our post-conference reception and poster session, students are able to discuss their ideas for research development and gain valuable career insights.

Teaching and learning

Full-time research equates roughly to 36.5 hours per week. We also welcome applications for part-time research.

If a student has external funding, they should also ensure they meet the Terms & Conditions of their funder in this regard.

You will register initially for an MPhil degree, with the expectation of transfer to PhD following successful completion of an upgrade viva after 9-18 months. For a successful upgrade to PhD, you prepare a written report, give an oral presentation and pass an oral examination.

For a PhD award, you will be examined on your submitted thesis. This involves a viva (an oral examination) with two independent examiners.

Research students’ attendance is not formally monitored; however, it is expected that their research time mirrors that of staff engagement as closely as possible. It is therefore recommended that full-time research equates roughly to 36.5 hours per week.

Research areas and structure

Biomechanical engineering: biomaterials, encapsulation; tissue engineering; biofluidics and CFD; biophysics; cardiovascular engineering; medical devices and mechatronics; ultrasonics and non-destructive evaluation
Energy and environment: IC engines and fuel systems; fluid mechanics and microfluidics; refrigeration; turbomachinery, CFD, and environmental and pollution modelling
Marine: naval architecture; marine vehicle applications and design methods; renewable energy; electric propulsion and power systems; electric ship/submarine; computer-aided design; novel ship types and low carbon shipping.
Materials, Structures and Manufacturing: additive manufacturing, advanced processing and manufacturing, aerospace materials, biomaterials, imaging and characterisation of materials, lightweight structures, materials design, mechanical testing, metallurgy, nanotechnology, nondestructive evaluation, sensors & actuators, smart materials, structural analysis, sustainability

Research environment

Outstanding science, strong industrial engagement, and tangible impact are all hallmarks of our PhD programme and of our research culture. Our students work and learn both in UCL's world-class laboratories but also in partnership with a wide range of collaborating institutions & companies worldwide, enhancing knowledge, networking and employment opportunities.

The length of registration for the research degree programme is 3 years for full-time and 5 years for part-time.

Within three months of joining the programme, you are expected to agree with your supervisor the basic structure of your research project, an appropriate research methodology and a realistic plan of work. You will produce and submit a detailed outline of your proposed research to your supervisor for their comments and feedback.

In your second year you will be expected to upgrade from an MPhil to a PhD. To successfully upgrade to a PhD, you are required to submit a piece of writing (this is usually based on one chapter from your thesis and a chapter plan for the remainder). You are also required to present and answer questions about this work to a panel consisting of your subsidiary supervisor and another member of the faculty who acts as an independent assessor.

Upon successful completion of your approved period of registration you may register as a completing research student (CRS) while you write up your thesis.

The length of registration for the research degree programme is 3 years for full-time and 5 years for part-time.

Upon successful completion of your approved period of registration you may register as a completing research student (CRS) while you write up your thesis.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students

Fee description	Full-time	Part-time
Tuition fees (2024/25)	£6,035	£3,015
Tuition fees (2024/25)	£31,100	£15,550

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

In some circumstances, an Additional Fee Element (AFE), also known as a bench fee, may be requested from students' sponsors to cover additional costs for consumables, equipment and materials required for the student's research. As each PhD project is unique in nature, the AFE is calculated on a student by student basis depending on the nature of the specific research project. If an AFE is required for your research project, it will be agreed before you join the PhD programme.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

A number of competitive funded studentships are available each year for suitably qualified research applicants. Funded vacancies are announced on our department website as well as on FindaPhD.com.

Recent research sponsors include:

Self-funded candidates are advised to contact our academic staff to discuss possible research topics.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

: CSC-UCL Joint Research Scholarship

Value: Fees, maintenance and travel (Duration of programme)

Criteria Based on academic merit

Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Next steps

You are encouraged to identify and contact potential supervisors before submitting a formal application. It is important that you find a supervisor who shares the same research interest and expectations and is available to take a new student. Supervisors in our department welcome emails enquiring about your potential MPhil/PhD study. For more information see our How to Apply page. Applications for self-funded PhDs are accepted throughout the year. A number of funded PhD research projects are offered each year and these have specific deadlines and start dates dictated by funding arrangements. See our How to Apply page for details of all current funded PhD studentship opportunities in Mechanical Engineering.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

This programme requires two references. Further information regarding references can be found on this Selecting your references page.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.