Join over 500 PhD students in one of the largest and most diverse engineering, environmental science and audiology faculties in the UK. We develop solutions in areas including sustainable energy, green transport, resource efficiency and resilient infrastructure.
Engineering at the University of Southampton has subjects ranked within the global top 100 and the UK’s top ten in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022.
You'll be supported by a team of academic supervisors who'll be on hand to guide your research and provide advice. Working alongside our world-class team of researchers means you'll be working on cutting-edge research and pioneering solutions.
We'll provide you with the grounding you need to become a successful researcher. You'll benefit from both technical and personal training. You'll also be able to develop your skills further through placements in industry, mentoring, attending conferences and presenting your work.
Most of our research projects have strong links with industry so you'll be able to conduct experiments at a variety of facilities to ensure your research has real world impact.
If you've completed your undergraduate and masters degrees and want to continue in the same field, then the standard research PhD is probably the right option.
Contribute to the field of research in computer science and software, either in person or through distance learning, by completing a PhD with us.
Our research areas include:
The University of Southampton is pleased to announce that PGR students from EU and Horizon associated countries joining us in 2024-25 will pay the same as UK PGRs for their PhD.
You can either apply for a structured studentship or propose your own PhD idea.
Taking a structured studentship will give you access to additional training, conferences and secondments. Full studentships typically cover tuition fees (at EU/UK level) and provide a tax-free bursary which varies depending on the programme.
We offer our structured studentships in partnership with our Centres of Doctoral Training (CDT).
This PhD project will use Resolvent Analysis (RA) to tackle turbulent flow modelling without the need for expensive, scale-resolving simulations. By developing algorithms that dynamically balance RA structures, the project aims to synthesize an approximate turbulent velocity field, enabling detailed yet computationally efficient analysis of complex flows.
Electrochemical CO2 capture requires less energy compared to existing technology, and is flexible and versatile. It can be integrated with electrochemical CO2 conversion to directly convert CO2 to chemicals and fuels. This project will aim to develop an integrated process to Electrochemically capture and conversion of CO2.
The project will explore new techniques in computer vision to enable AI on the “edge” i.e. within AUVs, as well AI-enabled scheduling on-board the robot.
Are you interested in AI, acoustics, and active sound control? This PhD project offers a unique opportunity to merge these fields and develop groundbreaking AI-based technology that predicts the sound at the ears of car occupants using signals from microphones placed elsewhere in the vehicle, ultimately enabling localized active sound control within the car interior.
Quantum computing is a rapidly emerging technology that fundamentally changes the way we model materials, demands a re-thinking of algorithm design, and is poised to advance simulations in chemistry, physics and biology. The novel and interdisciplinary field of material simulations on quantum computers is not just a hot academic topic but is also addressed by start-ups, traditional industry, and policymakers, with a growing demand for talent from academia.
This PhD project focuses on characterizing and predicting noise in short intake ducted propeller systems for eVTOL aircraft, critical for Urban Air Mobility noise reduction. Using advanced techniques like Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and acoustic measurements, this research will inform models and explore acoustic liners to reduce noise emissions.
This project focuses on experimentally characterizing and predicting noise from tip vortex-blade interactions in eVTOL aircraft, addressing a key challenge in reducing noise for urban air mobility. Using advanced techniques like Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and hotwire measurements, this study will inform noise reduction strategies in next-generation urban air mobility systems.
This PhD project focuses on developing nanoporous membranes using porous organic frameworks for efficient molecule-level separations.
It is the aim of this project to enable heterogeneous integration of our high-resistivity substrate with RF MEMS which will enable the resulting system to power the next generation of 6G communications as well as many other applications.
The aim of this research project is to investigate how airfoil self-noise is generated through the interaction between an airfoil blade and the turbulent boundary layers that form over it, and how these structures can be manipulated for flow and noise control.
With the electrification of transportation happening at breakneck speed for both ground and air vehicles, it is important to be able to measure temperatures of key components. This is particularly important for batteries as these are vital components in any transport system and this project will address this using a novel ultrasonic technique.
As a research project within the Doctoral Centre for Advanced Electrical Power Engineering this project will investigate the impact of heterogeneous burial environments on the power flow capacity of high voltage submarine cables.
As a research project within the Doctoral Centre for Advanced Electrical Power Engineering this thesis will consider the potential use of thermosyphon technology to passively reduce high voltage cable temperatures at know hotspots in a cable circuit (such a cable tunnel risers or shafts).
This project focuses in the development of an electrospray ion thruster for micro spacecraft propulsion, and investigating it as an etching tool. We will develop such a system specifically for etching processes within focused ion beam columns.
You will design control policies for autonomous systems combining control, optimization, and machine learning tools. The challenges include limited computing resources to run for example complex neural networks models, or limited communication resources for example in networks of robots, and the safety and robustness analysis of the learned policies.
The project focuses on understanding cerebral blood flow and its physiological control, to improve diagnosis and treatment of brain injuries. The project will adopt a control and system identification approach, and will benefit from the use of real data, clinical collaborations, and links with the international research network CARNet.
This project will develop a novel memristor device using nanoporous materials for the new generation of time and power efficient neuromorphic computing and AI.
Chaotic systems are abundant in both natural and man-made systems. This project is about developing new methods for predicting chaotic system dynamics, inspired by novel machine learning technologies, and is developed alongside a University consortium project attempting to model financial risk.
This project aims to rationally design sustainable and cost-effective heterogeneous catalysts for fine chemical manufacturing by combining experimental and computational methods. Objectives include analysing catalyst surface chemistry, building predictive microkinetic models, and synthesizing new catalyst architectures. The project addresses environmental and economic challenges associated with industrially relevant heterogeneous catalysis.
In this project, we will carry out a detailed threat analysis of quantum-computer attacks on cyber-physical systems, which takes into consideration system configurations, data criticality, and the likelihood of the attack.
Mobile and embedded systems are becoming increasingly intelligent, supported by advances in efficient machine learning (ML) models and specialised processing cores to accelerate efficient operation. In this project, you will develop software, and possibly hardware, to explore approaches for self-adaptive artificial intelligence (AI) at the edge, supporting improved system autonomy and sustainability.
MXenes are a promising new family of nanomaterials. They have unique properties and show great promise in many applications fundamental to the net-zero transition (e.g. gas storage, energy storage). This project aims to develop environmentally-friendly, safe, and scalable methods to enable large-scale manufacture of MXenes to meet future industrial needs.
In this project, you will design, fabricate, and test atom and ion trap systems while working with experimentalists to demonstrate quantum sensing and computing.
We offer a wide range of fully funded studentships. We run several of our PhD studentships in partnership with doctoral training centres, meaning you'll benefit from enhanced training and guaranteed funding.
These studentships:
Doctoral training centres offer fully funded studentships which include:
We offer funded iPhD through our CDTs in:
In association with the UK joining the EU Horizon Programme, the University of Southampton will be introducing and applying an EU fee waiver for students joining us from EU and Horizon associated countries. This means that PGR students joining us from 2024-25 will pay the same fees as UK PGR students.
See here for full information terms and conditions
We offer scholarships and teaching bursaries ourselves. Your potential supervisor can guide you on what is available.
If you’re an international student you may be able to apply for a scholarship from your country.
Find out more about scholarships
Once you've found a supervisor, they can help you with potential funding sources. We offer match funding in some cases.
You'll need to state how you intend to pay for your tuition fees when you submit your application.
Find out more about funding your PhD
You may be able to fund your postgraduate research with funding from your current employer or from industry.
You can borrow up to £29,390 for a PhD starting on or after 1 August 2024. Doctoral loans are not means tested and you can decide how much you want to borrow.
Find out about PhD loans on GOV.UK
You may be able to win funding from one or more charities to help fund your PhD.
We charge tuition fees for every year of study. If you're applying for a fully funded project, your fees will be paid for you.
EU Fee Waiver: If your country is part of the Horizon Europe Programme, you will pay the same fees as UK students.
Find out if your country is part of the Horizon Europe programme
2023 to 2024 entry:
| Subject | UK fees and Horizon Programme applicants | International fees |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering and the environment full time | tbc | £25,500 |
| Engineering and the environment part time | tbc | £12,750 |
| Engineering and the environment (energy storage and applications) full time | tbc | £25,500 |
| Engineering and the environment (next generation computational modelling) full time | tbc | £25,500 |
| Engineering and the environment (sustainable infrastructure systems) full time | tbc | £25,500 |
2024 to 2025 entry:
| Subject | UK fees and Horizon Programme applicants | International fees |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering and the environment full time | £4,786 | £26,100 |
| Engineering and the environment part time | £2,393 | £13,050 |
| Engineering and the environment (energy storage and applications) full time | £4,786 | £26,100 |
| Engineering and the environment (next generation computational modelling) full time | £4,786 | £26,100 |
| Engineering and the environment (sustainable infrastructure systems) full time | £4,786 | £26,100 |
2023 to 2024 entry:
| Subject | UK fees and Horizon Programme applicants | International fees |
|---|---|---|
| Energy storage applications full time | tbc | £25,500 |
| Next generation computational modelling full time | tbc | £25,500 |
| Sustainable infrastructure systems full time | tbc | £25,500 |
| Defence and security mobility full time | tbc | £25,500 |
| Defence and security mobility part time | tbc | £12,750 |
2024 to 2025 entry:
| Subject | UK fees and Horizon Programme applicants | International fees |
|---|---|---|
| Energy storage applications full time | £4,786 | £26,100 |
| Next generation computational modelling full time | £4,786 | £26,100 |
| Sustainable infrastructure systems full time | £4,786 | £26,100 |
| Defence and security mobility full time | £4,786 | £26,100 |
| Defence and security mobility part time | £2,393 | £13,050 |
Precise topics each year are determined by the research interests of the sponsoring companies, and may be aligned with our current CDTs in
2023 to 2024 entry:
| Subject | UK fees and Horizon Programme applicants | International fees |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering and the environment full time | tbc | £25,500 |
| Engineering and the environment (sustainable infrastructure systems) full time | tbc | £25,500 |
| Transport and the environment full time | tbc | £25,500 |
2024 to 2025 entry:
| Subject | UK fees and Horizon Programme applicants | International fees |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering and the environment full time | £4,786 | £26,100 |
| Engineering and the environment (sustainable infrastructure systems) full time | £4,786 | £26,100 |
| Transport and the environment full time | £4,786 | £26,100 |
2025 to 2026 entry:
| Subject | UK fees and Horizon Programme applicants | International fees |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering and the environment full time | To be confirmed Spring 2025 | £26,700 |
| Engineering and the environment part time | To be confirmed Spring 2025 | £13,350 |
| Engineering and the environment (energy storage and applications) full time | To be confirmed Spring 2025 | £26,700 |
| Engineering and the environment (next generation computational modelling) full time | To be confirmed Spring 2025 | £26,700 |
| Engineering and the environment (sustainable infrastructure systems) full time | To be confirmed Spring 2025 | £26,700 |
2025 to 2026 entry:
| Subject | UK fees and Horizon Programme applicants | International fees |
|---|---|---|
| Energy storage applications full time | To be confirmed Spring 2025 | £26,700 |
| Next generation computational modelling full time | To be confirmed Spring 2025 | £26,700 |
| Sustainable infrastructure systems full time | To be confirmed Spring 2025 | £26,700 |
| Defence and security mobility full time | To be confirmed Spring 2025 | £26,700 |
| Defence and security mobility part time | To be confirmed Spring 2025 | £13,350 |
| Engineering and the Environment part-time | To be confirmed Spring 2025 | £13,350 |
Precise topics each year are determined by the research interests of the sponsoring companies, and may be aligned with our current CDTs in
2023 to 2024 entry:
| Subject | UK fees and Horizon Programme applicants | International fees |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering and the environment full time | To be confirmed Spring 2025 | £26,700 |
| Engineering and the environment (sustainable infrastructure systems) full time | To be confirmed Spring 2025 | £26,700 |
| Transport and the environment full time | To be confirmed Spring 2025 | £26,700 |
You're eligible for a 10% alumni discount on a self-funded PhD if you're a current student or graduate from the University of Southampton.
Several national centres, industrial units, interdisciplinary research centres and spin-off companies operate under the umbrella of the School of Engineering.
Our research groups are aligned with recent UK Government priority areas, as set out in the UK Industrial Strategy.
We offer 1 programme:
PhD
If you choose a standard research PhD, decide whether to apply to an advertised research project or create your own proposal.
Whichever programme you choose, you'll need to identify potential supervisors. Therefore, it's a good idea to email potential supervisors working within your field of interest to discuss potential PhD projects. It's best to do this well ahead of the application deadline.
You’ll find supervisors’ contact details listed with the advertised project, or you can search for supervisors in the staff directory.
As part of your online application, you’ll need to send us:
The application process is the same whether you're applying for a funded project, or have created a research proposal.
You should have a 2:1 honours undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification.
If English is not your first language, you'll need an IELTS minimum level of 6.5 with a 6.0 in writing, reading, speaking and listening.
Your awarded certificate needs to be dated within the last 2 years.
If you need further English language tuition before starting your degree, you can apply for one of our pre-sessional English language courses.
Check the specific entry requirements listed on the project you’re interested in before you apply.
Research degrees have a minimum and maximum duration, known as the candidature. Your candidature ends when you submit your thesis.
Most candidatures are longer than the minimum period.
| Programme | Full time | Part time |
| Engineering and the environment | 2 to 4 years | 3 to 7 years |
| Engineering and the environment (energy storage and applications) | 2 to 4 years | Not available |
| Engineering and the environment (next generation computational modelling) | 2 to 4 years | Not available |
| Engineering and the environment (sustainable infrastructure systems) | 2 to 4 years | Not available |
| Programme | Full time | Part time |
| Energy storage applications | 3 to 5 years | Not available |
| Next generation computational modelling | 3 to 5 years | Not available |
| Sustainable infrastructure systems | 3 to 5 years | Not available |
| Defence and security mobility | 3 to 5 years | 4 to 8 years |
Our engineering doctorates are only available to study full time.
| Programme | Full time |
| Engineering and the environment | 3 to 5 years |
| Engineering and the environment (sustainable infrastructure systems) | 3 to 5 years |
| Transport and the environment | 3 to 5 years |
