mechanical engineering phd london

PhD/MPhil Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics

Postgraduate research degree

Conduct research under the supervision of experts in our mechanical engineering research centres. Access leading facilities including microgas turbines, cavitation facilities, transonic wind tunnel and thermal fluid test facilities

Research centres and groups

• Aeronautics and Aerospace
• Thermo-Fluids

Key information

Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics Postgraduate research degrees PhD/MPhil course Overview

You will conduct in-depth research alongside world-leading experts in our two research centres for Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics .

Our Thermofluid Research Centre is a world-leader in microgas turbines and founder of the European Microgas Turbine Forum. We also host the National Institute of Cavitation.

Our Aerodynamics and Flow Control Research Centre focuses on these two fundamental areas, as well as emerging disciplines such as bio-fluid mechanics, renewable energy and micro-fluidics. We are part of the National Wind Tunnel Facility, which recognises research-intensive universities demonstrating best practice in aerodynamics.

Our staff have academic and industry backgrounds and are experts in the industrial application of theory and research. Our graduates go on to impressive careers for businesses like Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems and Dyson.

The Department of Engineering has strong expertise in the area of Fluids Engineering. With its multidisciplinary roles, it has made major impact on engineering systems on land, sea, in the air and in outer space. From nano-scale projects like medical implants to large-scale projects like aero-space stations.

Research students are central to research activity in the department. Our goal is to support talented individuals who wish to develop their research skills.

Research can be performed in topics related to:

• Computational and experimental fluid dynamics and their applications to IC engines
• Compressors and turbines
• Various fluid machinery (injectors, pumps, propellers, fly wheels, marine systems etc)
• Flow control
• Boundary layer drag reduction
• Supersonic flow
• Energy conversion systems.

In the area of CFD expertise exists in:

• The development of numerical methods and physical models for multi-phase flows and cavitation
• Turbulence modelling (LES and DNS)
• Fluid-structure interaction
• Phase-change processes (cavitation and vaporisation)
• Liquid sprays
• Combustion processes.

In the area of experimental fluid dynamics expertise exists in Laser diagnostics (LDV, PDA, PIV, LIF among other) and instrumentation of various sensors for recording the performance of various machines and wind tunnel testing.

There are currently 65 PhD students in the Department doing active research in a wide range of fluid engineering research areas:

• Controllability of Saturating Crossflow Vortices
• Influence of attachment line flow on form drag
• Cavitation Erosion
• Singing Propellers: Understanding the mechanisms and developing design
• The development of a method to estimate ship-produced atmospheric CO2 emissions
• Numerical Investigation of droplet impingement on non-flat surfaces
• Simulation of Flight Dynamics of Bee-Shaped Objects
• Modelling of Cavitation in Diesel Injector Nozzles
• Profiling for optimal application of screw compressor rotors
• Evaluation of multiphase flows at the suction of screw compressor
• Instabilities and Soot Formation in High Pressure Explosion Flames
• The optical characterisation of cavitation flow in diesel fuel injection equipment
• Real time simulation system for floating offshore wind turbine
• Numerical simulations on large ship motions under freak waves
• Internal Flow Characteristics of Multi-hole Injectors for IC engines
• Correlating Liner Oil Film Composition with Engine Oil Consumption
• Control of turbulent boundary layers using flexible filaments
• Design of Electric Vehicle Propulsion Systems Incorporating Flywheel Energy Storage
• An investigation into Electric Supercharging for emission reduction by means of engine downsizing
• Experimental and Numerical Studies on Oil Spillage from Damaged Oil Tanks
• Analytical and experimental investigation of a Micro-gas turbine for concentrated solar power applications
• Development of a 10-30 kWe waste heat recovery-organic rankine cycle
• Advanced design and manufacturing of screw rotor profile
• Increasing effectiveness of investment in aviation safety and quality
• Holistic Risk Management in Commercial Air Transport

For full details about the City PhD programme structure, please see the Guide for Research Students .

Requirements

Entry requirements.

Applicants should have a record of high academic achievement. The minimum requirement is a good first undergraduate MEng degree or MSc in a relevant subject from a UK university, or a recognised equivalent from an overseas institution.

In exceptional cases, we will consider applications from individuals who has a BEng degree in a relevant discipline but with a first class honours and relevant work experience. We will also consider applications from individuals with extensive professional experience in the area of their proposed research.

English requirements

Proof of English language proficiency is required for applicants whose first language is not English. We require a minimum IELTS overall score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each of the four components.

Please note that the UK Border Agency currently requires us to confirm that you are at level B2 or above in all components of English before issuing visa documents.

For more information see our English language proficiency requirements at City.

Visa requirements

If you are not from the European Economic Area / Switzerland and you are coming to study in the UK, you may need to apply for a visa or entry clearance to come to the UK to study.

The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course. There are different rules for:

• Students on courses of more than six months
• Students on courses of less than six months
• Students on a pre-sessional English language course.

For more information see our main Visa page .

Some applicants may require an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) certificate before joining a course. ATAS is a certificate issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), which gives you security clearance to study certain postgraduate programmes at City, University of London.

Non-EEA students who choose to study certain subjects at MSc or MEng or PhD level in the UK have to apply for and receive clearance under the ATAS scheme regardless of if they are required to apply for a Student visa or not.

For more information see Applying for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate .

Fees and funding

Full-time Home/UK: £6,680 per year

Part-time Home/UK: £3,340 per year

Full-time International: £20,060 per year

Part-time International: £10,030 per year

External candidate study of this course costs £2,120 (UK) or £6,630 (Overseas/EU) for full time study and £1,060 (UK) or £3,315 (Overseas/EU) for part-time study.

Fees for doctoral candidates are charged annually and cover registration, supervision and examination.

Fees are subject to review each year and may vary during your period of registration. Where applicable, fees for City's programmes will be subject to inflationary increases in each academic year of study commencing in September . Our policy for these increases is set out in our terms and conditions of study .

Support for PhD study

Prospective students are encouraged to explore doctoral Grants and funding opportunities such as:

• School of Science & Technology Doctoral Studentships
• Research Council studentship awards , if available.

Our bursaries are non-repayable sums of money granted by the University, usually based on need.

Our loans are repayable sums of money granted by the University or other body.

Our scholarships are when the University pays towards your Study fees. You may also be eligible for further funding.

Postgraduate Doctoral Loans

The Government has introduced a new Postgraduate Doctoral Loans scheme which can provide a loan of up to £25,000.

This will be over three years to support study for a doctoral degree.

A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study. It can be used alongside any other forms of support you may be able to receive.

For more information, please see our Postgraduate Doctoral Loans page .

Additional expenses

Some of our degrees may involve additional expenses which are not covered by your tuition fees.  Find out more about additional expenses .

Academic support

City has a well-established structure and processes to support your research .

Supervision

All research students are appointed a supervisory team consisting of at least two supervisors. One of these will be designated as the first point of contact with personal responsibility for ensuring that effective supervision is provided.

The supervisory team will discuss training requirements with the candidate when study is commenced. We may recommend that a candidate takes a number of taught modules. You can benefit from the specialist Masters courses in the Department of Computer Science.

Research Environment

Research students are provided with a desk, PC and bookshelves in a shared office space and have access to shared printing facilities. Specialist facilities, such as the City Interaction Lab , are also available where relevant to the research topic.

All research students are strongly encouraged to contribute to our dynamic research environment and to attend regular research seminars and meetings.

The City Doctoral College can provide more information about graduate degrees.

How to apply

We accept applications on an ongoing basis for entry in October, January and April. Please see the requirements section above for eligibility criteria.

If you are applying for a specific scholarship or studentship, please make this clear within your application. Your scholarship/studentship will then be considered alongside your application. Please note, individual scholarships and studentships may have specific application deadlines.

It is essential that you contact a member of staff in the department you are interested in. Here you can discuss your ideas for research (research proposal). Unfortunately, we will not be able to consider your application without this pre-requisite.

Details of relevant academic staff can be found on our department pages .

You are advised to submit your application at least 12 weeks before your proposed start date in order for us to consider and process your application.

Once you have identified a supervisor who will accept to guide through your research, please submit an application.

Supporting documents

To apply online, an applicant will need to submit the following supporting documents:

• Research proposal. The Research Proposal should be a maximum of 3 sides A4. See guidance on writing your research proposal
• Copies of degree certificates and transcripts – original will be requested before an offer is made
• Official work e-mail addresses (not private ones) for two referees (one of which must be an academic)
• Proof of English language proficiency (if applicable)
• Evidence of sponsorship (if applicable).

Aeronautical Engineering

Select one of the available starting dates to start your application.

Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics

• 1 st Oct 2024
• 1 st Feb 2025
• 1 st Apr 2025
• 1 st Jul 2025

For further application enquiries please contact our PGR enquiries team .

Find a supervisor

Featured profiles professor jamshid m nouri.

Emeritus Professor of Experimental Fluid Mechanics

• Department of Engineering

Professor Gennady Andrienko

Department of Computer Science

Professor Natalia Andrienko

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Contact details

Research enquiries.

+44 (0)20 7040 8116

[email protected]

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Mechanical and Systems Engineering MPhil, PhD

The Mechanical and Systems Engineering MPhil and PhD allow you to deepen your theoretical understanding of your chosen topic but also improve your technical skills and analytical capabilities.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year:

Start date(s):

• September 2024
• January 2025

Research degrees are offered through four research groups:

• bioengineering
• fluid dynamics and thermal systems
• design, manufacture and materials
• future mobility

By pursuing research in the School of Engineering you will join a successful research group. Our mission is to foster, promote and conduct research of international quality. We attract high-quality graduates and researchers and train them to international standards.

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our  Academic experience page , which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.

See our  terms and conditions and student complaints information , which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Related courses

Qualifications explained.

Find out about the different qualification options for this course.

An MPhil is available in all subject areas. You receive research training and undertake original research leading to the completion of a 40,000 - 50,000 word thesis.

Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications

A PhD is a doctorate or doctoral award. It involves original research that should make a significant contribution to the knowledge of a specific subject. To complete the PhD you will produce a substantial piece of work (80,000 – 100,000 words) in the form of a supervised thesis. A PhD usually takes three years full time.

How you'll learn

Off-campus study may be available in some circumstances. This is particularly if you have industrial sponsorship. Our programme includes:

• intensive subject-specific supervision
• training in research methodologies and core skills

You may also have an opportunity to:

• undertake paid laboratory demonstrations
• do tutoring to gain teaching experience

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

We offer a wide range of projects for the thesis. These will be provided by our academics. You can also propose your own topic.

Our mission is to help you:

• stay healthy, positive and feeling well
• overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
• get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
• carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
• understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules

We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.

You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:

• research and professional skills
• careers support
• health and safety
• public engagement
• academic development

Find out more about our postgraduate research student support

The following subject group pages outline our specialist research areas:

Bioengineering

• Design, Manufacture and Materials
• Fluid Dynamics and Thermal Systems

 You'll be able to:

• explore possible research programmes
• find out more about staff working in these research areas
• identify a potential research supervisor

Your development

The School of Engineering runs a postgraduate training programme. It is compulsory for all new students and involves selected taught modules. You'll receive research training from the Science, Agriculture and Engineering Graduate School. This covers professional/key skills, personal development and research techniques.

You may supplement your income by leading laboratory demonstrations and tutorial classes.

Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering (SAgE) researcher development programme 

Each faculty offers a researcher development programme for its postgraduate research students. We have designed your programme to help you:

• perform better as a researcher
• boost your career prospects
• broaden your impact

Through workshops and activities, you'll build your transferable skills and increase your confidence. Here you’ll cover:

• techniques for effective research
• methods for better collaborative working
• essential professional standards and requirements

Your programme is flexible. You can adapt it to meet your changing needs as you progress through your doctorate.

There are opportunities to undertake your PhD at Newcastle within:

• a Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT)
• a Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP)

Being part of a CDT or DTP has many benefits. They combine research expertise and training of many leading universities and academic schools. You’ll study alongside a cohort of other interdisciplinary PhD students.

PhD's are usually funded. You’ll find funding opportunities in the fees and funding section of each PhD course page.

• EPSRC Aura Centre for Doctoral Training in Offshore Wind Energy and the Environment
• IAPETUS2 Doctoral Training Partnership

Your future

Our careers service.

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information .

Depending on your research area you will have access to the following facilities.

You have access to dedicated biomaterials, biotribology and co-ordinate measuring machine labs.

Design, manufacture and materials

You have access to facilities for:

• materials testing and failure analysis
• product development and mechanical testing
• pultrusion, filament winding, resin infusion and vacuum bag moulding
• selective laser sintering and fused deposition modelling
• full-scale rail vehicle and track investigations at NewRail's regional office and working railway centre, Barrow Hill
• dedicated labs for both 3D printing and biofabrication
• micro machining

Fluid dynamics and thermal systems

Facilities include:

• high performance computing facilities
• water tunnel and wind tunnel
• particle image velocimetry (PIV)
• hot wire anemometry facilities
• IC engine test bench
• high pressure and high temperature combustion vessel

Future mobility

A full-scale test site at Barrow Hill in the UK for experimenting and instrumenting. The facility offers:

• a Class 37 loco
• track and testing facilities for wear, fatigue and chemical and bio-chemical analysis of low adhesion leaf films
• a fully equipped workshop

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year), home fees for research degree students.

For 2024-25 entry, we have aligned our standard Home research fees with those set by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) . The standard fee was confirmed in Spring 2024 by UKRI.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here .

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See  our   searchable postgraduate funding page  for more information.  

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section .

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

Entry requirements

The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English language requirements, admissions policy.

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

Download our admissions policy (PDF: 201KB) Other policies related to admissions

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course

• How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages .

Open days and events

Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events

• Get in touch

Questions about this course?

If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:

Postgraduate Research Administrator School of Engineering Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 5634 Email:  [email protected]  

For more general enquiries you could also complete our online enquiry form.

Fill in our enquiry form

Our Ncl chatbot might be able to give you an answer straight away. If not, it’ll direct you to someone who can help.

You'll find our Ncl chatbot in the bottom right of this page.

Keep updated

We regularly send email updates and extra information about the University.

Receive regular updates by email

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Chat online with current students with our Unibuddy platform.

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• How You'll Learn
• Your Development
• Your Future
• Quality and Ranking
• Fees and Funding
• Entry Requirements
• Open days & events

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Research degrees

Our internationally renowned department fosters a vibrant research environment that aims to equip and inspire researchers to address technological and societal challenges. we welcome postgraduate researchers from the uk and all over the world to further their aspirations as part of this goal. .

Our research focuses on both discovery and applied research, leveraging the synergies between conventional engineering and leading-edge technologies to solve the problems of today and tomorrow. Our research supports global challenges and national prosperity, helping to make a better world and to improve people's lives.

We partner with colleagues at King's and other universities nationally and internationally, collaborating across wide-ranging themes across the arts and humanities, law, healthcare, and social sciences, with partners including policy makers, industry and cultural leaders.

Engineering.

Study Engineering PhD in the Department of Engineering at King's College London.

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Tactile Internet for Tele-healthcare, joint PhD with Technische Universität Dresden

Study Tactile Internet for Tele-healthcare, joint PhD,Technische Universität Dresden and King's College London.

Applying for a PhD

The Department of Engineering invites applications for a number of 3.5-year funded as well as self-funded studentships starting in October each year. The deadline for applications is the end of April.

Eligibility

• Applicants should have a bachelors degree with 2:1 honours degree in an Engineering discipline or a closely related subject such as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or Computer Science and a good background in the area of intended research.
• A 2:2 degree may be considered only where applicants also offer a Masters degree with Merit or above.
• The available studentships include studentships for applicants who are UK residents as well as studentships for international applicants from outside the UK.

We offer PhDs on a wide range of different research themes in engineering, as well as funded studentships attached to specific funding grants and offered to home students. Potential applicants can identify and contact appropriate supervisors proposing projects they would be interested in pursuing.

Funded studentships

• Sustainable artwork preservation: understanding and controlling environmentally induced changes to paintings
• Multiphysics and Multiscale Approach to Phase Change Heat Transfer
• Fluid mechanics in bio-inspired flight/swimming and renewable energy systems
• Digital Music Therapeutics for Precision Cardiovascular Medicine
• Engineering Networked Machine Learning via Meta-Free Energy Minimisation
• 6G network intelligence for shared autonomy in teleoperation
• Scrapping communication latency for shared autonomy in remote surgical intervention 

Research themes

Candidates can contact appropriate supervisors proposing projects that align with the following departmental research themes:

• Communication & Information Engineering
• Design & Mechatronics
• Manufacturing, Materials & Systems
• Signals & Control
• Computational Engineering
• Data-Centric Engineering

We have a number of different scholarships every year, for both home and international students. In all cases, we encourage students to apply as early as possible, and to liaise with their selected supervisor prior to application. Projects are listed in the 'projects' tab, but applicants can also check the King's funding opportunities page  as well as FindAPhD.com .

Funding opporunities include:

• Faculty studentships - the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences offers funding in the Departments of Chemistry, Engineering, Informatics, Mathematics and Physics. The Studentship is funded for 3.5-4 years, with a bursary starting at the standard research council rate, and which will cover the full cost of tuition fees for home international students.
• The Centre for Doctoral Training in Digital Twins for Healthcare is an innovative PhD programme that cuts across the Health Faculties and the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences. The programme offers postgraduate researchers fully funded positions with the aim of training the next generation of leaders in healthcare technology to improve healthcare systems using the cutting-edge framework of Digital Twins. Applicants can find out more on the website . 
• The Centre for Doctoral Training on Multiscale Models for Life is a cross disciplinary CDT based in the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Science offers support for 3.5 years including a stipend at the current UKRI rate, home rate tuition fees, research expenses and support for training and career enhancement. Find out more on the website .
• King's-China Scholarship Council PhD Scholarship programme (K-CSC) is open to students from China. Details of this programme can be found on our  website .
• There are a number of other King's wide funding schemes in operation, details of which, along with eligbility criteria can be found on our  website .
• Additional (partial) fundings are available through teaching in the department, and collabotrating on research projects. These cases could be discussed and agreed with your potential supervisor.

For further information on postgraduate research funding and scholarships please visit the  Centre for Doctoral Studies pages .

Prior to application, applicants should contact the potential supervisor to discuss the applicant's suitability for the proposed project. 

Applications need to complete an application for PhD via the  University Admissions Portal , apply for Engineering Research (MPhil/PhD), and indicate their desired supervisor and the project title.

When submitting their application, candidates must include a two-page research statement which should incorporate:

• How the project relates to one of the Department's research themes ,
• Initial ideas on the particular challenges the applicant would be interested in addressing;
• A brief review of the relevant state of the art, identifying limitations or open questions;
• Initial ideas on what research the applicant might carry out towards addressing the challenges of the project, referring to existing research literature where appropriate. 
• In all cases the applicants are strongly advised to discuss their research statement with a potential supervisor. 

Following the review of the full PhD entry applications, shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview for assessment of their research potential and the contributions they can make to the research activities of the departmental hubs and to teaching activities within the department. 

No separate application form is required to apply for a Faculty studentship. The named supervisor will directly nominate a candidate to the departmental panel. 

Any written submissions required by the supervisor/department/research group should be submitted in one document. If you are applying to a specific research group, or if your supervisor belongs to a specific research group, you must include the name of the research group at the top of this document.

If you have a query on the process, please contact the Department PGR Officer ( [email protected] ) 

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