Sustainable Energy PhD
By pursuing our PhD in Sustainable Energy, you will join the School of Engineering and work with leading academics and researchers who will support you to broaden your understanding of the issues and solutions for sustainable and resilient energy and develop your professional practice.
Key course information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- April 2027
- Attendance
- Full-time
- Duration
- 4 years
- UK fees
- £5,238*
- Overseas fees
- £28,300
- Subject area
- Mechanical engineering sciences
- Funding
- Funding information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- April 2027
- Attendance
- Part-time
- Duration
- 8 years
- UK fees
- £2,619*
- Overseas fees
- £14,200
- Subject area
- Mechanical engineering sciences
- Funding
- Funding information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- July 2027
- Attendance
- Full-time
- Duration
- 4 years
- UK fees
- £5,238*
- Overseas fees
- £28,300
- Subject area
- Mechanical engineering sciences
- Funding
- Funding information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- July 2027
- Attendance
- Part-time
- Duration
- 8 years
- UK fees
- £2,619*
- Overseas fees
- £14,200
- Subject area
- Mechanical engineering sciences
- Funding
- Funding information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- September 2027
- Attendance
- Full-time
- Duration
- 4 years
- UK fees
- To be confirmed*
- Overseas fees
- £29,400
- Subject area
- Mechanical engineering sciences
- Funding
- Funding information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- September 2027
- Attendance
- Part-time
- Duration
- 8 years
- UK fees
- To be confirmed*
- Overseas fees
- £14,700
- Subject area
- Mechanical engineering sciences
- Funding
- Funding information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- January 2028
- Attendance
- Full-time
- Duration
- 4 years
- UK fees
- To be confirmed*
- Overseas fees
- £29,400
- Subject area
- Mechanical engineering sciences
- Funding
- Funding information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- January 2028
- Attendance
- Part-time
- Duration
- 8 years
- UK fees
- To be confirmed*
- Overseas fees
- £14,700
- Subject area
- Mechanical engineering sciences
- Funding
- Funding information
Why choose this programme?
In recent years, many modern energy systems based on renewable energy sources and high energy efficiency have been proposed to support reliable, affordable, and clean energy production.
Our Sustainable Energy PhD programme will allow you to undertake in-depth research into new energy generation technologies and the complex issues facing low-carbon energy systems and technologies such as:
- Offshore wind turbines
- Green hydrogen production and refuelling infrastructure
- Thermal energy technologies (e.g., heat-mechanical energy conversion), as well as the related environmental and safety issues.
Along with net zero commitments, maintaining the ’always-on’ status of energy systems (i.e., their resilience) is of utmost importance for governmental bodies and the private sector. The scope of ‘energy resilience’ as an area of multidisciplinary research requires diverse skills from various engineering and physical sciences disciplines such as:
- Design
- Material selection
- Energy conversion and storage
- Thermodynamic and heat transfer
- Structural integrity
- Maintenance and repair, together with state-of-the-art sensors and instruments
- Artificial intelligence algorithms
- Digital twin technologies for energy control and monitoring systems.
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.
Statistics
15th in the UK
For research power in our engineering research (Research Excellence Framework 2021)
Course details
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What you will study
Our Sustainable Energy PhD will give you the knowledge, skills and expertise needed for a career in engineering, research, or academia. You’ll be intellectually challenged, develop research and management skills, and become an expert in your chosen field of study.
It normally takes around three and a half years to complete a full-time PhD. You will be assigned a minimum of two supervisors, who will guide you through your studies.
You will learn how to conduct literature reviews, develop your ideas, and verify them with experiments, and collaborate and perform interdisciplinary research. Over time, we will develop your skills and transform you into an independent researcher.
Assessment
Your final assessment will be based on the presentation of your research in a written thesis, which will be discussed in a viva examination with at least two examiners.
You have the option of preparing your thesis as a monograph (one large volume in chapter form) or in publication format (including chapters written for publication), subject to the approval of your supervisors.
Location
This course is based at Stag Hill campus. Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
Research areas
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Research themes
- Offshore renewable energy systems (e.g., offshore wind, floating solar, wave and tidal)
- Distributed energy generation
- Hydrogen production, distribution, and end-use
- Novel materials for energy production and storage
- Renewable fuel combustion and heat transfer
- Resilience and security of energy systems and infrastructure
- Structural integrity of energy assets
- Dynamics of energy structures
- Inspection and repair of energy infrastructure
- Sensors and instrumentation for energy monitoring
- Life prediction and extension of energy systems
- AI and digital twin for energy optimisation.
Academic staff
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Dr Tan Sui and Dr Dan Bompa are your programme supervisors. See a full list of all our academic staff within the School of Engineering.
Support and facilities
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Research support
The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College, which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate careers and employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.
Facilities
As a PhD student within the School of Engineering, you will have access to all our research facilities.
Entry requirements
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UK qualifications
Applicants are expected to hold either:
- A first or upper second-class (2:1) UK degree in a relevant discipline (or equivalent overseas qualification).
- A lower-second (2:2) UK degree plus a good UK masters degree - distinction normally required (or equivalent overseas qualification).
Country-specific qualifications
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 or above (or equivalent) with 6.0 in each individual category.
These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Selection process
Selection is based on applicants:
- Meeting the expected entry requirements and providing all relevant documents including a satisfactory research proposal
- Being shortlisted through the application screening process
- Completing a successful interview
- Providing suitable references.
Fees and funding
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Fees per year
Explore website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all postgraduate research courses.
* Please note: any start date other than September will attract a pro-rata fee for that year of entry (75 per cent for January, 50 per cent for April and 25 per cent for July).
Fee options
- UK
- £5,238
- Overseas
- £28,300
- UK
- £2,619
- Overseas
- £14,200
- UK
- £5,238
- Overseas
- £28,300
- UK
- £2,619
- Overseas
- £14,200
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- £29,400
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- £14,700
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- £29,400
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- £14,700
- Annual fees will increase by 4% for each year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100 (subject to legal requirements).
Additional costs
There are additional costs that you can expect to incur when studying at ºÚÁÏÉç.
Funding
A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.
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Apply
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Application process
Applicants should contact potential supervisors before submitting an application via the website. Please refer to section two of our application guidance.
Apply online
To apply online first select the course you'd like to apply for then log in.
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Choose the course option you wish to apply for.
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Sustainable Energy PhD
Full-time, April 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 17 January 2027
Select
Sustainable Energy PhD
Full-time, April 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 17 January 2027
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
Sustainable Energy PhD
Part-time, April 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 17 January 2027
Select
Sustainable Energy PhD
Part-time, April 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 17 January 2027
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
Sustainable Energy PhD
Full-time, July 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Friday 16 April 2027
Select
Sustainable Energy PhD
Full-time, July 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Friday 16 April 2027
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
Sustainable Energy PhD
Part-time, July 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Friday 16 April 2027
Select
Sustainable Energy PhD
Part-time, July 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Friday 16 April 2027
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
Sustainable Energy PhD
Full-time, September 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 11 July 2027
Select
Sustainable Energy PhD
Full-time, September 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 11 July 2027
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
Sustainable Energy PhD
Part-time, September 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 11 July 2027
Select
Sustainable Energy PhD
Part-time, September 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 11 July 2027
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
Sustainable Energy PhD
Full-time, January 2028
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 10 October 2027
Select
Sustainable Energy PhD
Full-time, January 2028
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 10 October 2027
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
Sustainable Energy PhD
Part-time, January 2028
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 10 October 2027
Select
Sustainable Energy PhD
Part-time, January 2028
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 10 October 2027
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
After registration
Students are initially registered for a PhD with probationary status and, subject to satisfactory progress, subsequently confirmed as having PhD status.
ºÚÁÏÉç the ºÚÁÏÉç
Need more information?
Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current ºÚÁÏÉç student online.
Code of practice for research degrees
ºÚÁÏÉç’s postgraduate research code of practice sets out the University's policy and procedural framework relating to research degrees. The code defines a set of standard procedures and specific responsibilities covering the academic supervision, administration and assessment of research degrees for all faculties within the University.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the ºÚÁÏÉç, you will be agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.
We provide these terms and conditions at the offer stage. You will be asked to accept these when you accept the offer made to you. You will be provided with these terms and conditions again at registration by way of reminder.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate; some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.