Systems Power & Energy PhD/EngD/MPhil/MSc (Research)
Systems, Power & Energy PhD opportunities
Systems, Power and Energy research within the School of Engineering is tackling many strategic and challenging areas of research in energy, ultrasonics, material and manufacture, space systems and science and music.
- PhD: 3-4 years full-time; 6-8 years part-time; Thesis of Max 80,000 words
- MSc (Research): 1-2 years full-time; 2-3 years part-time;
- MPhil: 2-3 years full-time; 3-4 years part-time;
- EngD: 4-5 years full-time; 8 years part-time;
Overview
Our research is interdisciplinary, pulling together experts across a range of different fields to collaborate on industrial-focussed challenges.
We have collaborations in energy, space systems, healthcare, bioengineering, nanotechnologies and automotive engineering.
Research areas
Communications, Sensing and Imaging
- Antenna design and channel modelling
- Physical layer design and signal processing, new waveforms for 5G
- Radio resource allocation and MAC design
- Networking and joint design of RAN and backhaul
- Self Organisation of Cellular Networks
- Use of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analysis for Self Organisation
- Use cases of 5G technology (example areas include): Smart Transport, Smart Agriculture, Connected Health, Body area networks, Environment monitoring, Connected buildings.
More information: Communications, Sensing and Imaging
Energy
- Renewables of high thermal efficiency
- Decarbonised fossil fuels
- High efficiency energy conversion processes
- Safe and clean nuclear energy
- Sensing and simulation of energy systems
More information: Energy
Medical and Industrial Ultrasonics
- Ultrasonics in Medicine and Surgery
- Power Ultrasonics Applications
- Ultrasonic Transducer Materials and Devices
- Cavitation and Microbubbles
- Ultrasound Electronics and Systems
- Beamforming and Signal Processing
- Multimodal Systems with Ultrasound
- Tools for Space and Hazardous Environments
- Micromanipulation with Ultrasonics
More information: Medical and Industrial Ultrasonics
Materials, Design and Manufacturing
- Composite Materials
- Advanced Manufacture
- Computer-Automated Design (CAutoD)
More information: Materials, Design and Manufacturing
Space Systems
- Planetary exploration and science
- Debris mitigation
- Space power systems
- Orbital dynamics, control and formation flight
More information: Space Systems
Science & Music
- Empirical Musicology: Gesture and Structure
- Rehearsal and Analysis Tools for Microtonal Performance
- Computer Representations of Musical Performances
More information: Science and Music
Study options
| full-time (years) |
part-time (years) |
|
| Phd | 3-4 | 6-8 |
| EngD | 4-5 | 8 |
| MSc (Res) | 1-2 | 2-3 |
| MPhil | 2-3 | 3-4 |
Entry requirements
2.1 Honours degree or equivalent
Required documentation
Applicants should submit:
- Transcripts/degree certificate
- Two references
- A one-page research proposal
- CV
- Name of potential Supervisor
Research proposal
Candidates are required to provide a single page outline of the research subject proposed (approximately 1000 words). This need not be a final thesis proposal but should include:
- a straightforward, descriptive, and informative title
- the question that your research will address
- an account of why this question is important and worth investigating
- an assessment of how your own research will engage with recent study in the subject
- a brief account of the methodology and approach you will take
- a discussion of the primary sources that your research will draw upon, including printed books, manuscripts, archives, libraries, or museums
- an indicative bibliography of secondary sources that you have already consulted and/or are planning to consult
English language requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
- 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test
- IELTS One Skill Retake accepted.
Common equivalent English language qualifications accepted for entry to this programme:
TOEFL (ibt, my best or athome)
- 79; with Reading 13; Listening 12; Speaking 18;Writing 21
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements , this includes TOEFL mybest.
Pearsons PTE Academic
- 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
- 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Oxford English Test
- Oxford ELLT 7
- R&L: OIDI level no less than 6 with Reading: 21-24 Listening: 15-17
- W&S: OIDI level no less than 6
Trinity College Tests
Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.
Alternatives to English Language qualification
- Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have complete their degree in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
- Undergraduate 2+2 degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:
Fees and funding
Fees
2025/26
- UK: To be confirmed [24/25 fee was £4,786]
- International & EU: £31,800
Prices are based on the annual fee for full-time study. Fees for part-time study are half the full-time fee.
Irish nationals who are living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status, and Internationals with Indefinite Leave to remain status can also qualify for home fee status.
Alumni discount
We offer a 20% discount to our alumni on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed Junior Year Abroad, Exchange programme or International Summer School with us. The discount is applied at registration for students who are not in receipt of another discount or scholarship funded by the University. No additional application is required.
Possible additional fees
- Re-submission by a research student £540
- Submission for a higher degree by published work £1,355
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed £350
- Submission by staff in receipt of staff scholarship £790
Depending on the nature of the research project, some students will be expected to pay a bench fee (also known as research support costs) to cover additional costs. The exact amount will be provided in the offer letter.
Funding
- View a full list of our current scholarships
- Download the College of Science & Engineering: postgraduate research funding flyer 2019-20
Support
You will be part of a Graduate School which provides the highest level of support to its students.
The overall aim of our Graduate School is to provide a world-leading environment for students which is intellectually stimulating, encourages them to contribute to culture, society and the economy and enables them to become leaders in a global environment.
We have a diverse community of over 750 students from more than 50 countries who work in innovative and transformative disciplinary and interdisciplinary fields. An important part of our work is to bring our students together and to ensure they consider themselves an important part of the University’s academic community.
Being part of our Graduate School community will be of huge advantage to you in your studies and beyond and we offer students a number of benefits in addition to exceptional teaching and supervision, including:
- A wide-ranging and responsive research student training programme which enables you to enhance your skills and successfully complete your studies.
- Mobility scholarships of up to £4000 to enable you to undertake work in collaboration with an international partner.
- A diverse programme of activities which will ensure you feel part of the wider-research community (including our biannual science slam event).
- A residential trip for all new research students.
- The opportunity to engage with industry-partners through training, placements and events.
- Professionally accredited programmes.
- Unique Masters programmes run in collaboration with other organisations.
- State-of-the-art facilities including the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre and the Kelvin Nanocharacterisation Centre.
- Highly-rated support for international students.
Over the last five years, we have helped over 600 students to complete their research studies and our students have gone on to take up prestigious posts in industries across the world.
Email: scieng-gradschool@glasgow.ac.uk
Resources
Our outstanding facilities include an environmental lab, wind tunnels, structural testing apparatus and high-performance computing facilities for modelling and simulation.
How to apply
Identify potential supervisors
All Postgraduate Research Students are allocated a supervisor who will act as the main source of academic support and research mentoring. You may want to identify a potential supervisor and contact them to discuss your research proposal before you apply. Please note, even if you have spoken to an academic staff member about your proposal you still need to submit an online application form.
You can find relevant academic staff members with our staff research interests search.
Gather your documents
Before applying please make sure you gather the following supporting documentation:
- Final or current degree transcripts including grades (and an official translation, if needed) – scanned copy in colour of the original document.
- Degree certificates (and an official translation, if needed): scanned copy in colour of the original document.
- Two references on headed paper and signed by the referee. One must be academic, the other can be academic or professional. References may be uploaded as part of the application form or you may enter your referees contact details on the application form. We will then email your referee and notify you when we receive the reference. We can also accept confidential references direct to rio-researchadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk, from the referee’s university or business email account.
- Research proposal, CV, samples of written work as per requirements for each subject area.
Contact us
- If you have any questions about your application before you apply: email scieng-gradschool@glasgow.ac.uk
- If you have any questions after you have submitted your application: contact our Admissions team
- Any references may be submitted by email to: rio-researchadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk
International Students
- Advice on visa, immigrations and the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) can be found at Applying for a student visa outside the UK
Our research environment
Induction
- Getting started with PGR development: how postgraduate researchers are welcomed into our community