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Mechanical Engineering MPhil/PhD

London, Bloomsbury

This is the programme information for 2025 entry

If you require details of the previous year's programme, Mechanical Engineering MPhil/PhD (2024), click here

UK students International students

Study mode

UK tuition fees (2025/26)

£6,215

£3,105

Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)

£33,000

£16,500

Duration

3 calendar years

5 calendar years

Programme starts

October 2025

February 2026

May 2026

Applications accepted

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis but should be submitted at least three months prior to your preferred start date.

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

UCL’s Department of Mechanical Engineering delivers ground-breaking technologies that change the world.

This doctoral study programme is your opportunity to become part of that process. Supervised by leading academics, our PhD students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and simulation techniques. This supports both projects that develop underpinning engineering knowledge, and those that see students inclose collaboration with major industrial partners. You'll make your mark and establish your expertise in your chosen scientific and engineering specialisms.

You’ll work in multidisciplinary research teams to tackle real-world engineering challenges. UCL’s current mechanical engineering researchers are leading the study of sustainable fuel development, biomaterials, and naval architecture.

With research sponsors including the European Space Agency, the UK Ministry of Defence and Siemens Energy, you’ll see how the latest theoretical research gets applied and commercialised by some of the world’s leading organisations and technology companies.

As a UCL doctoral candidate, you’ll help to shape a supportive, collaborative and inclusive research culture – one where talent and hard work are properly rewarded and the research community is celebrated, in line with the aims of our 10-year Research Culture Roadmap.

Who this course is for

This programme is for students with a background in engineering or another related discipline who wish to produce a significant contribution to research within mechanical engineering. This programme will allow you to develop knowledge in your area of specialism.

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

What this course will give you

This doctoral programme offers you the following benefits and opportunities.

Gain a PhD from a top-ranked university. UCL is consistently ranked among the best universities globally (ranked 9th in the latest QS World University Rankings 2025), providing you with a prestigious qualification that is highly regarded by employers and research institutions worldwide.
Study at UCL Mechanical Engineering, the first mechanical engineering department in England and the first in the world to introduce laboratories in engineering education in 1878.
Pursue competitive funded studentship opportunities with research sponsors that have previously included the British Heart Foundation, the European Space Agency, Rolls Royce and the UK Health Security Agency.
Explore biomechanical research topics such as tissue engineering, biophysics and ultrasonics.
Build your expertise in energy systems areas such as fluid mechanics, turbomachinery, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and environmental and pollution modelling.
Specialise in marine engineering, through study of naval architecture, marine vehicle applications and design methods.
Contribute to research in advanced materials sciences, nanotechnology, advanced processing and manufacturing, and sustainability.
Study in the world's best city for university students (QS Best Student Cities 2024). UCL’s Bloomsbury campus is in the heart of a London district famous for its cultural and educational institutions.

Find out how your research could have an impact

Making an impact

UCL Portico building with welcome sign between columns.

Case study: A mechanical simulator is helping to prevent choking

Research by a former Mechanical Engineering PhD student on the mechanics of food has helped healthcare professionals, carers and patients with safe and effective swallowing.

The foundation of your career

The rapid evolution and wider impact and deployment of the technologies you’ll study means that your skills will be sought across many different disciplines, in industry and research.

Employability

Our PhD graduates are in demand across a wide range of leading companies and organisations. Recent graduates have taken exciting roles in such companies as HSBC, BASF, McLaren Automotive and HCA Healthcare UK.

As a UCL PhD graduate, you’ll also be well placed to pursue an academic career in postdoctoral research or university lectureship. Our former students have gone on to positions at the Royal Veterinary College, Beijing Institute of Technology, and University of Kenya, among others.

Networking

As you gain expertise in your field, and begin to publish your work, you’ll enjoy an increasing variety of networking opportunities.

Attend student-led events, such as industry visits or guest lectures from industry experts, with a focus on specific industrial sectors.
Present your work at our annual PhD Student Conference to an audience of alumni, department members and invited guests.
If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, connect with like-minded innovators and successful entrepreneurs through UCL’s innovation hubs and startup incubators.

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 2 independent examiners.

Research students’ attendance is not formally monitored. It is expected that their research time mirrors that of staff engagement, which means that full-time research equates to approximately 36.5 hours per week.

Research areas and structure

UCL Mechanical Engineering conducts broad, interdisciplinary research in collaboration with a range of partners; from industry to clinicians. Research in our Department falls primarily into the following domain areas:

Biomechanical engineering: we aim to enhance healthcare technologies and addressing patient needs defined by clinicians. This includes the areas of biomaterials; encapsulation; tissue engineering; biofluidics and CFD; biophysics; cardiovascular engineering; medical devices and mechatronics; ultrasonics and non-destructive evaluation.

Energy and Environment: we introduce sustainable fuels and energy technologies for 21st century transport and built environment. This includes the areas of IC engines and fuel systems; fluid mechanics and microfluidics; refrigeration; turbomachinery; CFD; environmental and pollution modelling.

Marine, Autonomy and Robotics Systems: we explore cutting-edge offshore energy, sustainable marine transport, and robotics. This includes the areas of naval architecture; marine vehicle applications and design methods; renewable energy; electric propulsion and power systems; electric ships and submarine; computer-aided design; novel ship types; low carbon shipping.

Materials, Structures, and Manufacturing: we pioneer new materials and structures for sustainable growth. This includes the areas of additive manufacturing; advanced processing and manufacturing; aerospace materials; imaging and characterisation of materials; lightweight structures; materials design; mechanical testing; metallurgy; nanotechnology; non-destructive evaluation; sensors and actuators; smart materials; structural analysis; sustainability.

Visit UCL Mechanical Engineering’s research website for more.

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 experimental and simulation laboratories but also in partnership with a wide range of collaborating institutions and companies. This enhances students' knowledge, as well as providing networking and employment opportunities.

The length of registration for the research degree programme is 3 years for full-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 are expected to upgrade from an MPhil to a PhD. To successfully upgrade to a PhD, you are required to submit a piece of writing: 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 5 years for part-time.

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: 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.

Accessibility

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

Where you'll study

Five students in mechanical engineering lab housing multiple computers and technical equipment on tables

UCL Mechanical Engineering’s facilities are fundamental to our students’ studies and research. From a Thermofluids Laboratory focusing on fuels and emissions, and our Fluids Laboratory, to MechSpace, a large, dedicated teaching lab that sees students design and build prototypes, honing practical engineering skills. The Department also offers excellent resources in our Advanced Propulsion Lab (APL), the Advanced Characterisation Laboratories for Materials & Manufacturing (ACLMM), and now UCL East’s state-of-the-art Manufacturing Futures Lab (MFL), where we take a multidisciplinary approach to the creation of next generation sustainable manufacturing technologies, supported by a Precision Fabrication Workshop (PFW).

Find out more

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students

Fee description	Full-time	Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26)	£6,215	£3,105
Tuition fees (2025/26)	£33,000	£16,500

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.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

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.