Postgraduate research study
The James Watt School of Engineering at the University of Glasgow is looking for applications for PhD study from high quality applicants who wish to contribute to our vibrant research environment and interact with one or more of our research groups. Candidates with a good first degree or equivalent qualifications in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medical disciplines are especially welcome.
The School has five research divisions each of which recruits well qualified students in a broad range of subject areas. These are listed below with incoming Higher Education CAH codes and will help you identify which division would suit you best. Of course you may want to try something different from your undergraduate or masters-level studies, so please do explore our project lists linked under each divisional heading.
If you satisfy our conditions of admission, you will be enrolled on an engineering only CAH code to ensure you graduate with an engineering doctorate.
Autonomous Systems and Connectivity
This division recruits applicants with a good first degree or equivalent in:
CAH10-01-01 - Engineering
CAH10-01-02 - Mechanical Engineering
CAH10-01-04 - Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
CAH10-01-08 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering
CAH10-03-02 - Materials Technology
CAH11-01-02 - Information Technology
CAH11-01-03 - Information Systems
CAH11-01-04 - Software Engineering
CAH11-01-05 - Artificial Intelligence
See Autonomous Systems and Connectivity for information on possible research topics and projects.
Biomedical Engineering
This division recruits applicants with a good first degree or equivalent in:
CAH10-01-01 - Engineering
CAH10-01-06 - Bioengineering, Medical and Biomedical Engineering
CAH10-01-02 - Mechanical Engineering
CAH10-01-08 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering
CAH10-01-09 - Chemical, Process and Energy Engineering
CAH10-03-02 - Materials Technology
CAH07-01-01 - Physics
CAH07-02-01 - Chemistry
See Biomedical Engineering for information on possible research topics and projects.
Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
This division recruits applicants with a good first degree or equivalent in:
CAH10-01-01 - Engineering
CAH10-01-08 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering
CAH10-03-02 - Materials Technology
CAH11-01-02 - Information Technology
CAH11-01-04 - Software Engineering
CAH07-01-01 - Physics
See Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering for information on possible research topics and projects.
Infrastructure and Environment
This division recruits applicants with a good first degree or equivalent in:
CAH10-01-01 - Engineering
CAH10-01-07 - Civil Engineering
CAH10-03-02 - Materials Technology
CAH11-01-04 - Software Engineering
CAH11-01-05 - Artificial Intelligence
CAH03-01-03 - Ecology and Environmental Biology
CAH07-01-01 - Physics
CAH07-02-01 - Chemistry
CAH09-01-01 - Mathematics
See Infrastructure and Environment for information on possible research topics and projects.
Systems Power and Energy
This division recruits applicants with a good first degree or equivalent in:
CAH10-01-01 - Engineering
CAH10-01-02 - Mechanical Engineering
CAH10-01-04 - Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
CAH10-01-06 - Bioengineering, Medical and Biomedical Engineering
CAH10-01-08 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering
CAH10-01-09 - Chemical, Process and Energy Engineering
CAH10-03-02 - Materials Technology
CAH11-01-04 - Software Engineering
See Systems Power and Energy for information on possible research topics and projects
It is the University of Glasgow’s mission to foster an inclusive climate, which ensures equality in our working, learning, research and teaching environment. We strongly endorse the principles of Athena SWAN, including a supportive and flexible working environment, with commitment from all levels of the organisation in promoting gender equality. As an Athena SWAN Silver Award holder, the School of Engineering has equality, diversity and inclusion at its heart, and actively supports applications from all sections of society.
Academic Application Procedure
- Identify a potential research project/topic by looking through the information provided on our research division web pages, individual staff pages and potential projects/research areas.
- Contact the project supervisors to discuss your interest in the project. It is very important that you make contact with a potential supervisor in advance of applying to undertake the project.
- Submit your application through the relevant Research Division on the main University webpage. University of Glasgow - Postgraduate study - Research opportunities A-Z
This application is for admission to study only and the decision and offer is based on your academic achievements. If you are interested in being considered for a scholarship you will also need to complete and submit a Scholarship Application Form - see details below.
Scholarship information and scholarship application procedure
We have a limited number of Scholarships (both EPSRC and School funded) to offer to excellent home and international candidates. The next Scholarship closing date for a start date in the academic year 2024/25 will be 31 January 2024.
To be considered for a Scholarship applicants must:
1. Complete an academic application stating a 2024/25 start AND,
2. Complete a Scholarship Application via the Scholarship Portal at the following link: University of Glasgow | The Scholarships Application Portal Please note that as this process also requires your proposed supervisor to upload a supporting letter, you should allow sufficient time to complete the application in advance of the closing date. Your proposed supervisor will receive an automated email asking them to upload a supporting statement for you and, once they do this, you will be notified and can then SUBMIT your application. The Portal will activated to receive applications from the start of November 2023.
Doctoral Training Awards (DTAs)
The majority of funding available in the School comes from EPSRC Doctoral Training Awards (DTA's). Please see the UKRI website for further information on eligibility for studentship funding.
CSC Scholarship
If you wish to apply for a CSC Scholarship you must indicate this on your academic application form and follow the instructions at the following page: https://www.gla.ac.uk/scholarships/thechinascholarshipcouncil/ The next round of applications will be advertised in Autumn 2023 so please watch this page for updates. Applications can take up to two weeks to go live on the admission system so we advise that you apply in advance of the closing date. No separate Scholarship application form is required.
Currently available PhD Projects
Fully funded opportunities are posted on the Find-A-PhD website and will be listed here soon.
Additional PhD opportunities are also listed under each division webpage. See links above to the divison pages.