Design Engineering
Our academics and researchers have strong links with industrial, government and charity sectors with expertise and interests ranging from the design of complex systems to that of platforms, artefacts, consumer products and experiences.
Course key facts
Qualification
PhD
Duration
4 years, 6 years
Study mode
Full-time, Part-time
Delivered by
Location
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South Kensington
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Academic requirements
First Class (Distinction) Degree or equivalent at Master's level in a relevant engineering, design or scientific discipline.
Course overview
The Dyson School of Design Engineering at 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ College draws together teaching and research in the field, building on decades of design engineering successes across 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ College and through its collaboration with the Royal College of Art.
Our academics and researchers have strong links with industrial, government and charity sectors with expertise and interests ranging from the design of complex systems to that of platforms, artefacts, consumer products and experiences. 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ is a great place to work, being in the heart of London, surrounded by commercial organisations, innovation hubs and industry, museums, concert halls, places to eat and drink: an exciting meeting place for people from around the world.
We have several research groups within the department covering a wide range of multidisciplinary themes.
Structure
Milestones for the first year of study include:
Within 3 months of starting:
Submit a short research plan , summarising the problem they have been set, and their proposed plan to work on it.
Within 12 months of starting (24 months for part-time):
Your Early Stage Assessment (ESA) needs to be completed. All students must undergo an assessment of their research potential to determine whether registration for the PhD can continue.
Submit a report summarising the first year’s work. There is a short oral examination to assess this.
Within 24 months of starting (48 months for part-time):
Late Stage Review: Submit a report describing progress so far, and a work plan for completing the thesis. Assessed with a short oral examination.
Following 36 months of full-time study (72 months of part-time study), all research students must discuss their progress with their supervisor and complete a formal progress report (Year 3 Progress Review).
You will also be asked to provide a timeline for your planned thesis submission and to confirm your student registration plans for your final year.
At 48 months (72 for part-time) you need to submit your thesis for examination.
Entry requirements
Supervisors
You need to choose a potential supervisor before submitting an application. Look through our current academic and teaching staff to identify topics of interest and an appropriate supervisor in the department. Contact your proposed supervisor to devise and discuss your potential PhD project before making your application.
You can view a full list of available projects and the supervisors associated with each project.
How to apply
Apply online
We accept applications throughout the year. However, we encourage you to apply as early as possible if applying for scholarships.
Deadlines:
Applications can be made at any time during the year.
As part of the application, you will need to upload the following supporting documents:
- Degree transcripts
- 2 references
- Evidence of your English language qualifications (where applicable)
- Your CV
- A short personal statement and/or a research proposal (maximum 1-2 pages)
Find out more about applying to 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ.
Apply online through .
Please keep in mind the following:
- Enter ‘Design Engineering Research’ in the programme title field on the application form
- Start your application as early as possible
- Many studentships have application deadlines well ahead of your planned start date
- Sponsors will be more impressed if you can show you already meet our requirements
General information relating to applying to Postgraduate Taught and Postgraduate Research programmes can be found on our Postgraduate Doctoral pages.
Interviews
All applicants must be interviewed before a formal offer of admission can be made. This interview will be conducted by at least two members of academic staff; on occasions the Director of Postgraduate Research or the Head of Department may be present. The interview should be carried out in English.
Fees and funding
The College has a number of scholarships available for you to apply for including the President's Scholarship Scheme. We would recommend you look at the available scholarships to help you find all available sources of funding. We recommend you apply early if applying for a scholarship as scholarship applications can take some time to process.
We have a range of grants and scholarships which you don't need to pay back.
For further information about possible sources of funding please visit our Scholarships page.
Home fee
2023 entry
£7,030 per year
2024 entry
£7,340per year
Please note that fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.
Tuition fees are set for the academic year which runs from 1 September to 31 August. You will pay the fees for the full 12 months of the academic year that your start date falls in.
Please refer to our tuition fees pages for more details of fees are charged and billed.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you are a Home student, you can apply for Postgraduate Doctoral Loan from the UK government to help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course, such as a PhD.
See an estimate of costs for living in London as an 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ student.
There’s different funding if you normally live in Wales.
Fees shown relate to the year of entry advertised only. You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Overseas fee
2023 entry
£28,600 per year
2024 entry
£29,900per year
Please note that fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.
Tuition fees are set for the academic year which runs from 1 September to 31 August. You will pay the fees for the full 12 months of the academic year that your start date falls in.
Please refer to our for more details of fees are charged and billed.
Fees shown relate to the year of entry advertised only. You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out how we assess your fee status.
Scholarships
Further links
Success Guide
The Success Guide for postgraduate students offers you advice and resources to excel at 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ.
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Support for International Students
We provide specialist immigration advice and run a programme of webinars, trips and events to foster integration, friendship and community.
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Centre for Academic English
Throughout your degree, you can take advantage of a range of CfAE courses and resources designed to help you communicate your STEMM research effectively.
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Library services
Your subject librarian can help you find books and access online resources
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Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.