Autonomous Systems and Connectivity PhD/MPhil/MSc (Research)
Autonomous Systems and Connectivity PhD opportunities
Our reputation for excellent research has been built over 60 years in the areas of Intelligent & Autonomous Systems, Aerodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Flight & Flow Control Dynamics, Avionics Navigation & Control, Space Sciences Engineering and Modelling & Simulation.
- PhD: 3-4 years full-time; 6-8 years part-time; Thesis of Max 80,000 words
- MPhil: 2-3 years full-time; 3-4 years part-time;
- MSc (Research): 1-2 years full-time; 2-3 years part-time;
Overview
Research areas
- Intelligent and Autonomous Systems
- Aerodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Flight and Flow Control
- Dynamics, Avionics, Navigation and Control
- Modelling and Simulation
- Communications, Sensing and Imaging
- Space and Exploration Technology
Study options
| full-time (years) |
part-time (years) |
|
| Phd | 3-4 | 6-8 |
| MSc (Res) | 1-2 | 2-3 |
| MPhil | 2-3 | 3-4 |
Entry requirements
Our regular standard of admission is usually a 2.1 honours degree, with a significant component in Mechanical Engineering.
Required documents
Applicants should submit:- Academic Transcripts and Degree Certificates
- CV
- Research Proposal
- Two References
- Named Supervisor Information
English language requirements
For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English language proficiency level.
Accepted English language tests
We accept a wide range of English language tests for entry to this programme. Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date, and requirements must be met using a single test.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)
- 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
- IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
- We do not accept General Training
TOEFL iBT (including MyBest and Home Edition)
Tests taken up to 20 January 2026
- 90 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
Tests taken from 21 January 2026
- 92 Overall, no subtest lower than 4.5
Pearsons PTE Academic (test centre only)
- 65 overall with no subtest less than Reading 60; Listening 60; Speaking 65; Writing 60
Cambridge C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency
- 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
Oxford ELLT
- 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
LanguageCert Academic SELT/Academic/Academic Online
- 70 overall with no subtest less than 60
Password Skills Plus
- 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
Trinity College Integrated Skills in English II
- 96 overall with no subtest less than 90
Kaplan Test of English
- Any two subtests at 480 or higher, and any two subtests at 450 or higher
PSI Skills for English
- B2 Pass with Merit
Duolingo English Test
- 120 overall with Writing at 120 and no subtest less than 110
Oxford Test of English Advanced
- 140 Overall with any two subtests at 126 or higher, and any two subtests at 136 or higher
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 their final year at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within 6 years of programme start.
TNE degree for UK University taught at a campus outside of the UK.
- Students must be awarded the degree by the UK university and must have completed the degree within 6 years of programme start.
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 would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:
- direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
- essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
- flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.
For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:
We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:
- Heriot Watt
- Kingston Upon Thames
- Middlesex University
- Manchester University
- Reading University
- Edinburgh University
- ST Andrews University
- UCL
- Durham
Fees and funding
Fees
2027/28
- UK: To be confirmed [26/27 fee was £5,238]
- International & EU: £33,708
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 15% tuition fee discount to eligible self-funded alumni starting a Postgraduate Taught (PGT) Masters or Postgraduate Research (PGR) programme in the 2027/28 academic year.
This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed a Study Abroad programme, Exchange programme, International Summer School or Erasmus programme with us. This discount can be awarded alongside most University scholarships. 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
Support
Facilities
Graduate School
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
Collaborations
Our world class research involves collaboration with major national and international organisations within the aerospace sector and beyond. For example we have very strong links with industry and government labs including:
- BAE Systems
- SELEX
- Lockheed Martin
- U.S. Navy (ONR)
- Dowty
- Thales
- DSTL
- Woodward
The interaction with our industrial partners complements our research goals and drives our activities in industrially relevant directions.
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.
Required documents
Applicants should submit:
- Academic Transcripts and Degree Certificates
- CV
- Research Proposal
- Two References
- Named Supervisor Information
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: pg-research-admissions@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
Induction
- Getting started with PGR development: how postgraduate researchers are welcomed into our community