Engineering with Integrated Study PhD with Integrated Study
Awards: PhD with Integrated Study
Study modes: Full-time, Part-time
Funding opportunities
Programme website: Engineering with Integrated Study
This PhD programme with Integrated Studies is designed to formalise initial research training, with a structure that is flexible enough to accommodate a set of training and learning needs bespoke to each student. It is designed to create a pathway into PhD research for students of excellent potential to succeed at doctoral level but who have not yet benefited from initial training in and experience of research in their undergraduate degree, those with a non-Engineering first degree or those returning to study following time in industry.
The graduates of this programme will
- Acquire state of the art knowledge of the research field through taught courses and independent study.
- Demonstrate the ability to undertake original research, leading to a doctoral thesis, utilising excellent analytical skills and contribute to the state of the art.
- Be motivated lifelong learners, excellent problem solvers, instinctive critical thinkers and form a reasoned perspective.
- Communicate and disseminate research findings to peers and a wider audience using a variety of media, through international peer reviewed publications, conferences or otherwise.
- Be effective and proactive individuals, skilled in influencing positively and adapting to new situations with sensitivity and integrity.
- Acquire and apply appropriate research methods and gain theoretical, numerical and laboratory competence.
The first, integrated study year will include a mix of compulsory and optional level 10 and 11 courses:
- Research methods (10 credits)
- Group design project (20 credits)
- Dissertation (60 credits)
- Preparation for PhD research (portfolio) (40 credits)
- Other courses (50 credits)
Progression to the second year of study (beginning the PhD research phase) will be on the basis of the achievement of 180 credits during the first integrated study year, as well as agreement of the PhD research proposal and supervision team.
Find out more about compulsory and optional courses
We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.
| Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PhD with Integrated Study | Engineering with Integrated Studies | 4 Years | Full-time | Programme structure 2024/25 |
| PhD with Integrated Study | Engineering with Integrated Studies | 8 Years | Part-time | Programme structure 2024/25 |
During the first, integrated study year, you will draw upon the wealth of taught material from across the School and the wider University, developing research and associated skills such as software tools and data analytics.
Once in the PhD phase of your programme, you will carry out independent research resulting in an original contribution to knowledge in your chosen area, guided by your supervisor. You will submit a thesis and defend it in an assessed oral exam.
Alongside this research, all our researchers are offered training that is an integral part of our research degrees. You will gain skills that will serve you for the rest of your life, making you a more confident and knowledgeable person, and equipping you in both technical and soft skills.
This training includes our induction days, annual research conference, and a residential training in the Scottish Highlands. These are combined with a range of targeted training on topics such as research methods, analytical skills, technical writing, communication, project management, and networking. Our PhD researchers are expected to present their research at conferences and in international journal papers during the course of their programme.
We have an active research community. PhD, MPhil and MScR students present at and attend research seminars in their research institutes, alongside talks by visiting speakers. Our Engineering Graduate Society organises networking and training events across the School.
We have a very wide range of high-quality engineering facilities, including specialised test laboratories, fabrication workshops, and computing resources. Information on these facilities can be found on our research web pages:
Our graduates are amongst the most highly sought-after candidates for academic, commercial or consulting positions, entering careers around the world.
The majority of our research graduates enter the engineering profession in a wide range of fields, including automotive, bioengineering, communications, medical imaging, engineering consultancy, fire safety, renewable energy, chemical processing, oil and gas, fast moving consumable goods, high-technology and the semiconductor industry.
Other graduates from our PhD programme continue to further research including postdoctoral fellowships, lecturing roles and research contracts in universities and research institutes.
Please also read this additional information on a research degree in Engineering:
These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.
A UK 2:1 Honours degree, or its international equivalent, in an appropriate subject, or relevant qualifications and experience.
International qualifications
Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:
English language requirements
Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.
English language tests
We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
- IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
- TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
- C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
- Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
- PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
- Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 6 in each component.
Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
Degrees taught and assessed in English
We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:
We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).
If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.
Find out more about our language requirements:
Academic Technology Approval Scheme
If you are not an EU, EEA or Swiss national, you may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance certificate in order to study this programme.
In addition to tuition fees, your programme may be subject to additional programme costs.
These are typically £1200 per annum for a full-time desk-based research project and £600 for part-time, however for lab-based projects or those that require specialized equipment or software these may be higher.
This should be discussed with the Graduate School on application.
| Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PhD with Integrated Study | Engineering with Integrated Studies | 4 Years | Full-time | Tuition fees |
| PhD with Integrated Study | Engineering with Integrated Studies | 8 Years | Part-time | Tuition fees |
Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.
Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:
- borrowing money
- taking out a loan
- family support
- personal savings
- income from work
- employer sponsorship
- scholarships
Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study
The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:
- your programme
- the duration of your studies
- your tuition fee status
Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.
- Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarship
- China Scholarships Council/University of Edinburgh Scholarships
- Carnegie PhD Scholarships
UK government postgraduate loans
If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.
Other funding opportunities
Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:
- Graduate School Administrator
- Phone: +44 (0)131 440 1316
- Contact: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
- Graduate School of Engineering
- Sanderson Building
- The King's Buildings Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH9 3FB
- Programme: Engineering with Integrated Study
- School: Engineering
- College: Science & Engineering
Applying
Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.
PhD with Integrated Study Engineering - 4 Years (Full-time)
PhD with Integrated Study Engineering - 8 Years (Part-time)
We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible. We may consider late applications if we have places available, but you should contact the relevant Admissions Office for advice first.
You must submit two references with your application.
Number of references required: 2
Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:
Further information
- Graduate School Administrator
- Phone: +44 (0)131 440 1316
- Contact: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
- Graduate School of Engineering
- Sanderson Building
- The King's Buildings Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH9 3FB
- Programme: Engineering with Integrated Study
- School: Engineering
- College: Science & Engineering