phd in electrical engineering in uk

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Electrical and Electronic Engineering PhD

Full-time: 3 to 4 years
Part-time: Not available
Start date: Multiple available
UK fees: £5,100
International fees: £21,500 or £28,600 depending on the nature of your project

Research overview

The Electrical and Electronic Engineering PhD brings innovation in science and technology to applications ranging from the generation and use of electrical energy (including renewable energy) to high-speed information processing and pervasive computing. Areas of research strength include biophysics, imaging and optical science, photonic engineering, power electronics, ultrasonics and electromagnetic simulation.

A Collaboration offering a Dual PhD Award with Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile in Electrical and Electronic Engineering is also available.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.

Meeting our English language requirements

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

For on-campus presessional English courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. For online presessional courses, see our CELE webpages for guidance.

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.

We treat all applicants with alternative qualifications on an individual basis. We may also consider relevant work experience.

If you are unsure whether your qualifications or work experience are relevant, contact us .

Our step-by-step guide contains everything you need to know about applying for postgraduate research.

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

There are many ways to fund your research degree, from scholarships to government loans.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

Researcher training and development

The Researcher Academy is the network for researchers, and staff who support them. We work together to promote a healthy research culture, to cultivate researcher excellence, and develop creative partnerships that enable researchers to flourish.

Postgraduate researchers at Nottingham have access to our online Members’ area, which includes a wealth of resources, access to training courses and award-winning postgraduate placements.

Graduate centres

Our graduate centres are dedicated community spaces on campus for postgraduates.

Each space has areas for:

socialising
computer work
kitchen facilities

Student support

You will have access to a range of support services , including:

academic and disability support
childcare services
counselling service
faith support
financial support
mental health and wellbeing support
visa and immigration advice
welfare support

Students' Union

Our Students' Union represents all students. You can join the Postgraduate Students’ Network or contact the dedicated Postgraduate Officer .

There are also a range of support networks, including groups for:

international students
black and minority ethnic students
students who identify as women
students with disabilities
LGBT+ students

SU Advice provides free, independent and confidential advice on issues such as accommodation, financial and academic difficulties.

Where you will learn

University park campus.

University Park Campus covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities. It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.

Most schools and departments are based here. You will have access to libraries, shops, cafes, the Students’ Union, sports village and a health centre.

You can walk or cycle around campus. Free hopper buses connect you to our other campuses. Nottingham city centre is 15 minutes away by public bus or tram.

Whether you are considering a career in academia, industry or haven't yet decided, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Expert staff will work with you to explore PhD career options and apply for vacancies, develop your interview skills and meet employers. You can book a one-to-one appointment, take an online course or attend a workshop.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route . Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Completing a research degree with us will ensure that you develop transferable skills that will be beneficial in a number of different careers. Graduates within the faculty have gone on to have successful careers as:

researchers
production managers and directors
IT and telecommunication professionals
business, research and administrative professionals
science, engineering and production technicians
natural and social science professionals
teachers, lecturers and educators
various other roles in engineering and architecture

92.6% of postgraduates from the School of Engineering Research secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £33,689.*

*HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022 . The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on data from graduates who completed a full-time postgraduate degree with home fee status and are working full-time within the UK.

Electrical and Electronic Engineering - Postgraduate Research

Discover our research within Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Related courses

Positioning, navigation earth observation phd, environmental engineering phd, power electronics: sustainable electric propulsion phd, research excellence framework.

The University of Nottingham is ranked 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

90%* of our research is classed as 'world-leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*)
100%* of our research is recognised internationally
51% of our research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact**

*According to analysis by Times Higher Education ** According to our own analysis.

This content was last updated on 27 July 2023 . Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.

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How To Apply

The University of Cambridge Department of Engineering is one of the leading centres of engineering in the world, renowned for both its teaching and its research. Since its foundation in 1875, it has grown to become the largest department in the University, and the largest integrated engineering department in the UK, with approximately 150 faculty, 260 contract research staff and research fellows, 900 postgraduate students, and 1,200 undergraduates.

By the end of the PhD, students are expected to have produced original work making a significant contribution to knowledge in the field of engineering. At the same time, the Department expects that students will leave with the wider skills necessary to be successful in either an academic or a non-academic career.

The Department of Engineering offers PhD studies in a wide variety of subjects. The Department is broadly divided into six Research Divisions, the strategic aims of which are broadly described below:

Energy, Fluid Mechanics and Turbomachinery

Building on research in fluid mechanics and thermodynamics to develop a systems view of energy generation and utilisation, particularly in the ground and air transport, to mitigate environmental impact. This Division's research focus includes acoustics, aerodynamics, combustion, energy use and generation, fluid mechanics and turbomachinery.

Electrical Engineering

Pursuing fundamental electrical, electronic and photonic research at the material, device and system levels with a focus on creating integrated solutions in the fields of nanotechnology, sensing, energy generation, energy conversion, displays and communications. The research in this division covers all aspects of electrical engineering from the nano-scale to heavy-duty power applications.

Mechanics, Materials and Design

Extending fundamental and applied research in mechanics, materials, bio-mechanics and design, exploiting cross-disciplinary partnerships across the University; and building on existing strengths to develop excellence in bioengineering and healthcare systems research.

Civil Engineering

Advancing the mechanics of civil and structural engineering systems within the broader context of the design, construction and operation of sustainable infrastructure and the stewardship of Earth's resources and environment.

Manufacturing and Management

Developing a new understanding of manufacturing technology, operations, strategy and policy, in close partnership with industry, in order to improve industrial performance.

Information Engineering

Developing fundamental theory and applications relating to the generation, distribution, analysis and use of information in engineering and biological systems.

It is not necessary to have a Master's degree to gain entry to the PhD; applicants can apply on the basis of their undergraduate degree (subject to international students meeting the minimum criteria for postgraduate entry to the University). Students applying with a taught Master's degree from Cambridge are expected to have achieved a mark of at least 70% overall on their programme.

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the end of October. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the Postgraduate Open Day page for more details.

See further the Postgraduate Admissions Events pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.

Key Information

3-4 years full-time, 4-7 years part-time, study mode : research, doctor of philosophy, department of engineering, course - related enquiries, application - related enquiries, course on department website, dates and deadlines:, lent 2024 (closed).

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Michaelmas 2024 (Closed)

Funding deadlines.

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2024, Lent 2025 and Easter 2025.

Similar Courses

Engineering MPhil
Construction Engineering MSt
Nuclear Energy MPhil
Connected Electronic and Photonic Systems MRes
Biotechnology PhD

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Electrical and Electronic Engineering PhD

The School of Engineering offers postgraduate research degrees at PhD level in all of our major research areas.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year:

Start date(s):

September 2024
January 2025

Our PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering has a mission is to foster, promote and conduct research of international quality. We attract high-quality graduates and researchers and train them to international standards.

Electrification is the backbone of modern society. Transport, energy, and manufacturing are sectors moving towards electrification. Advancement in bioelectronics, communication and microelectronics is only possible with experts. These experts have in-depth knowledge of electrical and electronic engineering. The world needs specialists who take on these challenges. You'll become a specialist and will provide innovative solutions and advancements.

Our research groups cover three areas of expertise:

Electrical Power
Intelligent Sensing and Communications

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 2023-24.

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

How you'll learn.

research methodologies
presenting skills
team work etc
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 either be provided by our academics, or you. 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 Electrical and Electronic Engineering subject group page links to our specialist research areas. 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

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. 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.

Doctoral training and partnerships

There are opportunities to undertake your PhD at Newcastle within a Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) or Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) .

Being part of a CDT or DTP has many benefits. The include:

combining research expertise and training of many leading universities, academic schools and academics
studying alongside a cohort of other interdisciplinary PhD students

PhDs are usually funded. Opportunities in your subject area will be in the fees and funding section of this course.

The following centres/partnerships may have PhD opportunities available in your subject area:

IAPETUS2 Doctoral Training Partnership
Sustainable Electric Propulsion Centre for Doctoral Training
ONE Planet Doctoral Training Partnership
EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Renewable Energy Northeast Universities (ReNU)

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 .

Electrical and Electronic Engineering use specialist equipment housed in a purpose-built research laboratory. We invest in updating our equipment to maintain a world-class facility.

Some of our equipment includes:

10 test beds for electric drives, including a 500kW electric drive test bed
240kW battery emulator
smart grid lab
battery testing facilities
environmental chambers
chiller units
electronic and mechanical workshops able to build bespoke electric circuits and mechanical components

Electrical and electronic engineering facilities

The School of History, Classics and Archaeology has high-quality facilities.

These include museums and archives such as:

the Great North Museum: Hancock
The Gertrude Bell Archive

Computing facilities with access to relevant databases. You can also access outstanding library facilities, on campus and around the city.

Find out more about our School's facilities

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.

If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase 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

You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year including:

campus tours
on-campus open days
virtual open days

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 7340 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

Chat to a student

Chat online with current students with our Unibuddy platform.

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Get in touch with the School of Engineering.

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Your Development
Your Future
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Entry Requirements
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Alternatively, use our A–Z index

Attend an open day

Discover more about postgraduate research

PhD Electrical and Electronic Engineering / Programme details

Year of entry: 2024

View full page

Programme description

The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a research degree awarded for making a significant contribution to knowledge; in our case to the subjects associated with Electrical and Electronic Engineering. The period of research is three to four years.

The Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering is one of the largest electrical and electronic engineering schools in the UK. We have strong links with industry in a number of sectors and are renowned for our theoretical and applied research. We have over 70 academic staff and their research interests cover virtually all aspects of the subject; from the generation and distribution of electrical energy through to photonics and functional materials.

More information about the areas of research interest in the Department can be found on the following web pages:

Research themes
Areas of expertise
Research impact

To find out more about the research interests of a particular member of staff visit the staff profiles:

Staff profiles

Additional programme information

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities.

We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.

We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.

We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles.

We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder), carer support funds for conferences, and peer support networks for parents and carers.

All appointments are made on merit. The University of Manchester and our external partners are fully committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Scholarships and bursaries

In the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering we offer a range of scholarships, studentships and awards to support UK and overseas postgraduate researchers.

Funding is also available at university and faculty level and can be viewed on our funding page . Alternatively, you can use our funding database to find scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.

We'd recommend you discuss potential sources of funding with your supervisor before applying. They can advise what funding may be available to you, and ensure you meet nomination and application deadlines.

Disability support

UCL Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering

Electronic and Electrical Engineering MPhil/PhD

We have a large and vibrant community of doctoral students researching a broad range of topics in electronic and electrical engineering.

The majority of our doctoral students study for a PhD. This is a 3- or 4-year programme focusing on one principal research topic. On this programme the majority of your research will be carried out at UCL under the supervision of a member of academic staff. Alternatively student could apply through our CDT programmes; Connected Electronic and Photonic Systems , Advanced Characterisation of Materials , Delivering Quantum Technologies or an EngD based in industry.

For a PhD students initially register for an MPhil degree and transfer to the PhD programme after a year pending success in a transfer examination . The final examination for a PhD is by the presentation of a thesis, which will be read by both an external examiner (i.e. someone from outside UCL), and an internal examiner (from within UCL). These two examiners will then arrange an oral examination. The usual period taken to complete a PhD is three to four years but the College regulations allow for completion after two years. An MPhil may also be obtained after two years’ research.

In order to apply for our Doctoral Programmes you will need to meet the UCL entry requirements .

We strongly encourage you to contact our supervisors to start to plan for your potential application. To enhance your chances of success we also advise you to look for the different opportunities of funding available to finance your doctoral studies within our department .

Key information

To find out core information about this degree, such as entry requirements, programme length and cost, visit the UCL Graduate Degrees site.

Visit the Graduate Degrees site

PhD Course Tutor

Prof cyril renaud.

E: [email protected]

T: +44 (0)20 7679 3982

PhD Course Administrator

E: [email protected]

T: +44 (0)20 7679 7302

PhD Studentships

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Electronic and Electrical Engineering - PhD

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