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Civil Engineering PhD/MPhil/MSc by research

Start date
Research degrees can start at any time by agreement with the supervisor
Duration
PhD: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time; MPhil: 2 years full-time
Course Type
Postgraduate, Doctoral research
Fees

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2024/25:
£4,778 (UK)
£27,360 (International Students)
Further fee information is available.

Our research tackles the problems faced by society today and develops the knowledge and tools to build the communities of the future. Many of our projects have already had a significant impact on society; the impact of others will be felt by generations to come.

Our research supports core themes of Transport, and Resilience and Sustainability. It benefits from being funded by industry, charities and research councils, which encourages innovative thinking and creates internationally recognised research. We pride ourselves in offering a stimulating research environment and are always keen to discuss research opportunities with individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds.

We tackle the problems faced by society today: we aim to develop the knowledge and tools to build the communities of the future. Many of our projects have already had a significant impact on society; the impact of others will be felt by generations to come.

During your pure research degree you will be supported and guided by a supervisor, producing a thesis of original quality, worthy of publication in a learned journal. Our research tackles the problems faced by society today and develops the knowledge and tools to build the communities of the future. Many of our projects have already had a significant impact
on society; the impact of others will be felt by generations to come.

Why study Civil Engineering PhD/MPhil/MSc by research at Birmingham?

  • We have extensive laboratories and facilities both on and off our campus for undertaking research in geotechnical engineering, water engineering, wind engineering and structural engineering.
  • Advanced computer systems are provided for research into numerical modelling of complex systems and issues associated with resilience. The Department has a long tradition of distinguished research that benefits from being funded by industry, charities and research councils. This encourages innovative thinking and creates internationally recognised results.

Ashely talks about his PhD at Birmingham

I decided to study here at the University of Birmingham because the research community here in this department has been second to none. When I came here on the open day nearly two and a half years ago, everyone I spoke to, whether it was a student member or a staff member seemed friendly, easy to get along with.

Ashley Hayden, PhD Civil Engineering

Fees

Annual Tuition Fees 2024/25 academic year

  • £4,778 UK students, full-time
  • £27,360 International students, full-time

Learn more about fees and funding.

Postgraduate Doctoral Loan

A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course, such as a PhD.

Scholarships

We offer a range of postgraduate scholarships for taught programmes and research opportunities to ensure the very best talent is nurtured and supported at postgraduate level.

 

How To Apply

It is recommended to contact the research theme leader before making any application for PhD study to discuss your project and funding. Thereafter, applications for PhD study can be submitted on-line.

Professor Miles Tight talks about admissions onto research degrees in Civil Engineering.

Learn more about applying. 

International students applying for this programme will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office before the University can issue you with a Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (CAS). We recommend that you apply for your ATAS certificate as soon as you receive an offer from us.

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate research programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online. We have put together some helpful information on the research programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Apply now

Our Standard Requirements

2:1 Honours degree, or a first degree of a lower classification, along with an MSc/MRes, or evidence of substantial relevant industrial experience. Learn more about entry requirements.

International Requirements



International Students

English language

For students whose first language is not English, one of the following English language qualifications is required:

 
  • IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band
  • TOEFL: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) including online: Academic 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills
  • Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015): Advanced – minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component
 

International students applying for this programme will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office before the University can issue you with a Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (CAS). We recommend that you apply for your ATAS certificate as soon as you receive an offer from us.

Civil Engineering research programmes are degrees by research alone with a high level of research training, and we are always keen to discuss research opportunities with individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds. 

Our research supports core themes of Transport, and Resilience and Sustainability. These are clustered into four research groups:

  • Environmental Engineering

    Environmental Engineering at Birmingham embraces the key topics of water engineering (its purification, energy generation from waste water through anaerobic digestion and how we manage the natural water cycle to serve our needs), geotechnical engineering (engineering in harmony with the ground) infrastructure monitoring and assessment and, more generally, urban living (managing and designing effective cities which will serve us in the future).

  • Fluid Mechanics

    This research builds on a fundamental understanding of the motion of fluids – water, air, slurries, waves and weather – in order to address a variety of real-world problems. This allows us to study diverse topics such as wind-induced forces on buildings, vehicle aerodynamics, non-Newtonian fluids in water treatment works, and the behaviour of waves on a beach.

  • Structural Engineering
    Structural engineering is vital to an efficient and effective development built environment. As urban development and global urbanisation take place, the Structural Engineering group has focussed its efforts on structural integrity and serviceability, sustainable design, disaster resilience, structural robustness and innovative structural materials. Working collaboratively with colleagues from academia and industry, we have looked at novel structural materials, energy-producing structures, renewable energy structures and zero-CO2.
  • Transport Engineering
    From materials, road usage and highway design through to sustainable transport (walking, cycling), railway engineering, energy efficiency and risk management, this research theme is broad and encompasses most transport systems. 

Find a PhD

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Our unique careers guidance service is tailored to your academic subject area, offering a specialised team (in each of the five academic colleges) who can give you expert advice. Our team source exclusive work experience opportunities to help you stand out amongst the competition, with mentoring, global internships and placements available to you. Once you have a career in your sights, one-to-one support with CVs and job applications will help give you the edge.

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