Built Environment, MPhil/PhD
Explore new ground in the built environment with a research degree (MPhil/PhD). Enjoy world-class facilities and laboratories for ground-breaking research
The School of Engineering is home to around 50 MPhil and PhD students across seven research groups. We focus on important real-world issues, supported by research funding of around £1.6 million per year. As a research student, you'll receive guidance and support from expert supervisors throughout your registration. You'll normally enrol as an MPhil student and progress to PhD following a review of your first year's work.
Research groups in the faculty focus on areas including product development, infrastructure management, sustainability in civil engineering, internet security, mobile and wireless communications and manufacturing engineering. You'll be able to take advantage of our world-class specialist engineering laboratories, which have recently been refurbished with unique facilities.
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School
Location
Duration
- 3-4 years full-time
- 5-7 years part-time
Start month
We accept applications all year-round.
Home /international fees 2024/25
£4,786 /£17,450
What you should know about this course
What you will study
Your PhD will centre on a specific research area and topic. With guidance from your supervisory team, you will select areas to study that align with your project. You may also attend extra classes or participate in training events to support your research. This can include seminars and workshops provided by the Faculty and your Research Centre. In addition, you will be part of the Postgraduate Researcher Development Programme (PGRDP). The PGRDP offers both mandatory and elective sessions designed to assist research students in enhancing their skills.
About the course team
The School of Engineering has specialist academic and senior research staff, as well as highly skilled technical support staff. Our Research Groups have strong industrial and academic connections to an extended team of experts, which keeps us informed of latest research, standards and industrial practice. You'll also receive comprehensive training from our Research and Enterprise Training Institute (RETI) throughout your studies.
Come and meet us
We are offering virtual events so that you can still experience how Greenwich could be the right university for you.
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To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
An undergraduate (honours) degree with minimum 2:1 (or equivalent), or a Master’s degree with minimum 60% overall (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.
Applicants who don’t meet the above but have significant experience may be considered subject to the approval of the Associate Dean for Research and Knowledge Exchange and the Programme Leader.
For more information, please use our contact form or call us on 020 8331 9000.
You can also read our admissions policy.
Further information about entry
- Suitable applicants will be required to attend an interview.
- Applicants will also be required to:
- Provide a detailed research proposal of approx. 1,500 words (for scholarship applications, please see specific instructions in the advert and include the scholarship reference to the personal statement section).
- Provide a Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Provide 2x academic or professional references.
- Applicants are highly encouraged to identify and contact a potential MPhil/PhD supervisor. They will guide applicants through the application and help shape the research proposal. Where possible, include the name of the potential supervisor(s) contacted in research proposal and personal statement.
FES Research Centres
Application process
Information on available University of Greenwich research studentship and scholarships
For more information, contact FES Research Office: FES-Research-Office@gre.ac.uk
Available to overseas students?
Yes
Can I use Prior Learning?
Find out more on our Recognition of Prior Learning pages.
How you will learn
Teaching
MPhil/PhD students are usually allocated two supervisors to guide you through your research project. Your supervisors are usually research staff from within the faculty, although one may be appointed from another department or from outside the university.
Class sizes
The School of Engineering is home to around 60 MPhil and PhD students across four research groups.
Independent learning
A research degree is a major piece of original work. Most of your study time will be spent working independently, with support from your supervisory team.
You may also wish to factor in other research activity, such as participation at seminars, events and conferences, or working towards publications.
Overall workload
If you are studying full-time, you should expect the workload to be similar to a full-time job over a 3-year period. For part-time students, this will adjust accordingly.
Assessment
The MPhil/PhD Programme is assessed by a written thesis and a viva including an external examiner, an internal examiner and a panel chair. For PhD study, you will register for the MPhil initially and undergo an upgrade review after a year of research to determine your readiness for full PhD registration.
Feedback summary
You receive regular feedback from your supervisory team, which meets formally every two weeks, but informally much more often. A faculty-level committee reviews your progress annually and helps to shape the direction of the project.
The oral examination (or viva) takes place a few weeks after the submission of the thesis and is assessed by an external researcher knowledgeable in the field of study.
Dates and timetables
Enrolment on the PhD/MPhil programme can take place at any time during the academic year.
Fees and funding
University is a great investment in your future. English-domiciled graduate annual salaries were £10,500 more than non-graduates in 2023 - and the UK Government projects that 88% of new jobs by 2035 will be at graduate level.
(Source: DfE Graduate labour market statistics: 2023/DfE Labour market and skills projections: 2020 to 2035).
| Cohort | Full time | Part time | Distance learning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home | £4,786 | £2,393 per year | N/A |
| International | £17,450 | £8,725 per year | N/A |
Accommodation costs
Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. University accommodation is available from £126.35 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost.
Scholarships and bursaries
We offer a wide range of financial help including scholarships and bursaries.
The Greenwich Bursary
This bursary is worth £700 for new undergraduate students with a low household income, entering Year 0 or 1 who meet the eligibility criteria.
EU Bursary
Following the UK's departure from the European Union, we are supporting new EU students by offering a substantial fee-reduction for studying.
Financial support
We want your time at university to be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress, so planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
Careers and placements
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
Graduates from this programme can pursue a wide range of career opportunities in industry, government and academia.
Do you provide employability services?
We have a team dedicated to enhancing student employment outcomes. Our Employer Partnerships Manager develops relationships with companies to provide employment opportunities.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
Each student is assigned to at least two supervisors, of whom one is designated the lead supervisor. The supervisors would have complementary technical knowledge and project management experiences in the student's area of investigation. In addition, all members of related research Group will provide advice and support as required. The Programme Leader will also provide general guidance and support, as will the teaching team. In many cases, industrial supervisors are included in the supervision team to provide timely industrial requirements, trends, knowledge and support.
Support from the department
All students prepare a research proposal identifying a programme of work and the equipment and resources required.
The School of Engineering is fully equipped to support students across a range of disciplines. You also have access to state-of-the-art industrial technologies during projects with our local engineering collaborators including BAE Systems, Cummins Power Generation, Ford, Delphi, Thales, Atlas Copco and 3M.
Advice, guidance and support is available from a range of sources in the Faculty of Engineering and Science and across the University.
Not quite what you were looking for?
We've got plenty of other courses for you to choose from. Browse our postgraduate courses or check our related courses below.....
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