Triangle

 

We believe that great minds don’t think alike. We welcome students from across the world to become our next PhD pioneers. 

This is the place where you get the space, support, skills and connections to solve real world challenges. Whether you are designing the places of tomorrow, creating cutting-edge tools and technologies, or helping make a greener planet spin a little smoother – you’ll be part of our friendly research community. 

Get ready to shape the real world.

 

Our research strengths

The University of Nottingham is the ideal place to study for your PhD in engineering, architecture or design. 

Explore our research

 

 

PhD research themes

Find your PhD programme in one of our six themes.

Three PhD students working in the architecture studio

Architecture, People and Design

A female technician and female engineering PhD student using an inclinable rig

Building and Sustainable Energy Technology

An engineering PhD student using a pilot scale bioreactor suite

Chemical, Environmental and Biotechnology

 
Two engineering PhD students using the Instron 8801 load frame

Civil and Surveying Engineering

An engineering PhD student using an optical fibre imaging system

Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Assistant Professor Ming Li working with a Spark Plasma Sintering System in the Innovative Technology Research Centre

Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing

 

 

Research groups, centres and institutes

Discover how our research groups, centres and institutes tackle everyday problems, industrial challenges and global issues.

Technician working with 3D printers

Research groups

Researchers examining a 3d printed nose

Centres

Female technician working machinery

Institutes

 

 

Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs)

Please see the links below to view individual CDTs, details of their research and how to apply for a PhD hosted by them. Please note that not all CDTs may be currently recruiting new postgraduate researchers. 

Engineering CDTs

We lead on three University of Nottingham CDTs.

A male researcher working in a lab

Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing

Biomass alternative for fuel

Resilient Decarbonised Fuel Energy Systems

Researchers in a lab looking at results

Sustainable Hydrogen

 

 

Cross-faculty CDTs 

We have links to three CDTs led by other schools within the University of Nottingham.

Female researcher looking at petri dishes in a lab

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences

Two females leaving the Horizon Digital Economy Research CDT

Horizon Digital Economy Research

A female researcher testing a liquid in a test tube

Sustainable Chemistry

 

 

Partner CDTs

We have partnered with five CDTs led by other universities. 

female researcher showing composites material

CIMComp (Composites Manufacturing)

SRAS - a non destructive evaluation technique

FIND (Non-Destructive Evaluation)

A hand pointing to a GIS map

Geospatial Systems

Metal equipment

IMPaCT (Innovative Metal Processing)

Electric motorbike

Sustainable Electric Propulsion

 

  

 

Take a closer look

Find a supervisor

Search for a supervisor in engineering or architecture

Find a supervisor
How to apply

Our guide to the postgraduate application process

Read our guide
Funding your PhD

Funding opportunities for engineering and architecture students

Check your options
Available studentships

Explore engineering and architecture studentships

Explore studentships