Postgraduate research

Engineering

A mechanical engineering researcher

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.

About

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. 

PhD

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.

Main areas of research

Our research areas include:

  • acoustics
  • autonomous systems
  • bio-engineering
  • computational engineering
  • energy and climate change
  • fluid dynamics
  • infrastructure
  • materials, solid mechanics and surface engineering
  • transportation
  • water and environmental engineering

Similar research degree topics

Horizon Europe Programme

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.