Civil Engineering

Entry requirements

First or 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate subject.

Two references are required. At least one of these should be an academic reference from the most recent place of study.

We seek applications from outstanding individuals from anywhere in the world who are strongly committed to and potentially capable of high-quality academic research in any of the disciplinary areas covered by our Research Centres. You can apply for one of our pre-defined research projects or develop your own proposal. Our academic staff are always open to ideas that extend existing work or introduce new topics to their subject areas.

Successful applicants are welcomed very much as junior academic colleagues rather than students, and are expected to play a full and professional role in contributing to the Department’s objective of international academic excellence.

Months of entry

September

Course content

You can carry out your doctoral research in a range of interests in our Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering. Our research expertise is grouped into four centres to which your PhD research topic will be linked. Our centres are:

• Centre for Bioengineering & Biomedical Technologies
• Centre for Climate Adaptation & Environment Research (CAER)
• Centre Digital, Manufacturing & Design (DMADE)
• Centre for Integrated Materials, Processes & Structures (IMPS)
• Centre for Regenerative Design & Engineering for a Net-Positive World (RENEW)
• Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems (SES)

Research Content

We believe in an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to our research. As such, we carry out research with other departments in the university, mostly Mechanical Engineering, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Management, and Computer Science.

We are open to a wide range of ideas and want to hear where you’d like to focus your research. Our academics are especially interested to hear how your research could build on their existing work or about a new topic in their current subject areas.

Professional Development

Professional development is a crucial element of doctoral study, not only in supporting your research but also as part of your longer term career development. Our DoctoralSkills workshops and courses will help you build your skills and help you succeed in your doctorate.

Assessment description

You’ll join the Department as a member of the research centre that best fits your broad research interest and as agreed on acceptance.

Most of our research students register as probationers for the PhD programme to begin with. Your PhD registration is confirmed subject to your passing an assessment process. This normally involves submitting written work and an oral examination. There is also an alternate by paper route which can be discussed with the Faculty.

We expect you to carry out supervised research at the forefront of your chosen subject, which must then be written up as a substantial thesis. Presenting your research findings is an important part of research training so we encourage you to prepare papers for publication throughout your PhD.

The final stage of the PhD programme is the oral or viva voce examination, where you must defend your thesis to a Board of Examiners.

Department specialisms

We offer research programmes in a variety of areas including: Centre for Bioengineering & Biomedical Technologies Centre for Climate Adaptation & Environment Research (CAER) Centre Digital, Manufacturing & Design (DMADE) Centre for Integrated Materials, Processes & Structures (IMPS) Centre for Regenerative Design & Engineering for a Net-Positive World (RENEW) Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems (SES) https://www.bath.ac.uk/topics/department-of-architecture-civil-engineering-research/

Information for international students

International Students

IELTS 6.5 (at least 6.0 in each of the four components).

The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 62 with no less than 59 in any element

TOEFL IBT: 90 overall with a minimum 21 in all 4 components

You will need to get your English language qualification within 24 months prior to starting your course.

See the International students website for details of entry requirements based on qualifications from your country.

Fees and funding

See website for funding information.