EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership 4/8-yr PhD

Academic Year 2024/25

Programme specification summary

Awarding body

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Programme title

4-year (full-time) or 8-year (part-time) PhD in Aeronautical Engineering; Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering; Automotive Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Chemistry; Civil and Building Engineering (Built Environment); Computer Science; Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering; º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Design School; Materials; Mathematical Sciences; Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering; Physics.

4 years of full-time funding provided by UKRI e.g. EPSRC CASE awards.

Primary award

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

Mode of Study

Full-time and Part-time

Programme length

  • Full-time: 4 years (with a maximum submission time of 4 years)
  • Part-time: 8 years (with a maximum submission time of 8 years)

Owning school/department

  • School of Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering
  • School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering
  • School of Design and Creative Arts
  • School of Science
  • Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering

Campus

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Admissions criteria

/study/postgraduate/research-degrees/

Date at which the programme specification was published

TBC

Accreditation

None

Programme aims

The programme aims to equip Doctoral Researchers with the skills to design and carry out a research project, resulting in a thesis which will provide a contribution to knowledge and contain original work worthy of publication.

The programme will provide training in research methods appropriate to the particular field of study and allow Doctoral Researchers to become well acquainted with the general field of knowledge to which their research project relates.

Benchmarks

Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

  • The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degrees
  • Doctoral Degree Characteristics Statement (QAA)
  • Credit Level Descriptors for Higher Education (SEEC)
  • º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Quality Reviews
  • Research Council Annual Reviews

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, Doctoral Researchers should be able to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of:

  1. subject-specific literature applicable to their area of research
  2. relevant methods and techniques applicable to their area of research.

Skills and other attributes

Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, Doctoral Researchers should be able to:

  1. lead on the creation, development and implementation of a significant programme of research that will lead to new knowledge disseminated through the production of a PhD thesis
  2. demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in their field
  3. critically evaluate current research and research techniques and methodologies.

Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, Doctoral Researchers should be able to:

  1. have knowledge of and be able to apply appropriate methods used in their field.

Key transferable skills:

  1. be able to act autonomously in the planning and implementation of research

  2. clearly present material and arguments orally and in writing, to a range of audiences

  3. have self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems

  4. report research outcomes in an appropriate way for the intended audience

  5. demonstrate time management and organisational skills to plan and implement efficient and effective modes of working

University regulations

University Regulations for Postgraduate Research study are set out in Regulation XXVI (Higher Degrees by Research).

Please see the Terms and Conditions of Study for detailed information on your contract with the University.

Programme structure

All CASE award students are expected to complete a minimum 3-month placement with their Industrial project partner. This can be completed at any time during R1, R2 or R3.

Part R1

Doctoral Researchers will complete the following:

Any training as determined by the Doctoral Training Partnership, including induction training.

Full-time Doctoral Researchers are normally expected to complete 10 days per annum of professional development training, with part-time Doctoral Researchers completing a suitable equivalent.

Submission of a 1000-word research report at 6 months for part-time Doctoral Researchers.

Submission of a 2,000-word research report at the mid-way point of Part R1 and submission of a satisfactory 10,000-word research report (end of Part report) towards the end of Part R1 in accordance with the provisions of Regulation XXVI.

Typically, the timetable for reports in R1 will follow the schedule below.

Time spent in R1 6 months 12 months 24 months
Full-time 2,000-word mid-part report 10,000-word end of part report  
Part-time 1,000-word research report 2.000-word mid-part report. 10,000-word end of part report

 

Part R2

Doctoral Researchers will complete the following:

Full-time Doctoral Researchers are normally expected to complete 10 days per annum of professional development training, with part-time Doctoral Researchers completing a suitable equivalent.

PhD candidates: Submission of a mid-part review for part time Doctoral Researchers, and a satisfactory 10,000-word research report (end of Part report) towards the end of Part R2 in accordance with the provisions of Regulation XXVI.

Typically, the timetable for reports in R2 will follow the schedule below.

Time spent in R2 12 months 24 months
Full-time 10,000-word end of part report  
Part-time Mid-part report 10,000-word end of part report

MPhil candidates: Submission of their formal MPhil thesis for examination in accordance with the provisions of Regulation XXVI at the end of part R2.

Part R3

Doctoral Researchers will complete the following:

Full-time Doctoral Researchers are normally expected to complete 10 days per annum of professional development training, with part-time Doctoral Researchers completing a suitable equivalent.

Mid-part reviews

Submission of a written report detailing the plan for submission (mid-Part report, expected 12 months into R3 for full-time Doctoral Researchers, and at 12 months,24 months and 36 months into R3 for part-time Doctoral Researchers).

Typically, the timetable for reports in R3 will follow the schedule below.

Time spent in R3 12 months 18 months 24 months 36 months
Full-time Mid-part report PhD submission    
Part-time Mid-part report Mid-part report Mid-part report PhD submission

Submission

At the end of R3, submission of a formal PhD thesis for examination in accordance with the provisions of Regulation XXVI.

Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

To progress from Part R0 to R1, Part R1 to Part R2 and from Part R2 to Part R3, and to be eligible for an award, candidates must satisfy the assessment requirements set out in Regulation XXVI.

Candidates must complete all the requirements for each Part outlined above in order to progress to the next Part. If an end of part report does not meet the standards required for progression, candidates may undertake further work and resubmit the report on one occasion only in accordance with the provisions of Regulation XXVI.