Civil Engineering Research (MPhil/PhD)
Conduct impactful civil engineering research that addresses climate change, sustainability, and environmental resilience
Key information
PhD
Duration: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
Fees (UK / Overseas): Annual tuition fees apply and vary by student status and study mode.
See fees and funding
Start date: April 2026 / October 2026 / February 2027
Other research degree routes
MPhil:
A shorter research degree, often a pathway to PhD
PhD by Publication:
For researchers with an existing body of published work
Course summary
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Undertake independent civil engineering research addressing major environmental and infrastructure challenges.
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Investigate themes such as sustainable structures and materials, geotechnical and foundation engineering and water, pollution caused by increased urbanisation, and environmental and coastal engineering.
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Explore emerging solutions for managing new contaminants, including pharmaceuticals and microplastics in the environment.
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Develop original research that contributes practical solutions to climate change, sustainability and environmental resilience.
Find a supervisor
Why choose Civil Engineering at 海角视频 for research?
Specialist research facilities and expertise
Access laboratories on campus and the Environmental Technology Field Station at Petersfield, featuring pilot-scale testbeds at a working sewage treatment site.
A connected research community
You鈥檒l join a community of researchers across disciplines, with seminars and opportunities to collaborate; it鈥檚 a place where you can think deeply, get honest feedback and build networks that last beyond your doctorate.
Expert support, every step
You'll work closely with your supervisory team and have access to our training that will help you plan your project, sharpen your methods and build your researcher confidence.
What our PhD students say
I applied for the advertised and paid research position, which is very good, and the project is excellent.
I really enjoy working using future scenarios, foresight, for something useful like trying to improve the increasing energy demand in buildings."
Research areas
Explore the work we're doing across the two areas of expertise in Civil Engineering. Including funded and self-proposed research opportunities.
View available PhD projects and see funded opportunities.
Building Design, Construction Management and Surveying
We're working to understand the increasingly complex and pressurised nature of modern construction, and developing new approaches to project management that take these new challenges into account.
Environmental Technology and Management
We're finding sustainable ways of tackling pollution, developing the technology needed to deal with new pollutants, and finding ways to build sustainable, environmentally-friendly urban landscapes.
Research degree options in Civil Engineering
We offer several postgraduate research routes in Civil Engineering including PhD, MPhil and PhD by Publication. Find out about our research degree opportunities below, including how to apply, entry requirements and funding your degree. You can apply for an existing project or propose your own research idea. For more detailed information about the application process, visit our How to Apply pages.
Available PhD and MPhil projects
You can apply for a pre-approved PhD or MPhil project, or develop your own research proposal.
- Advanced engineering analysis of chalk in construction
- An artificially intelligent camera imaging algorithm for monitoring multi-scale damage
- Blast resistant cladding systems: Novel material characterisation development
- Blast resistant cladding systems: Secondary structural elements
- Cement Replacement Strategies for High Density Concrete Radiation Shielding under Thermal and Impact Loads
- Characterisation and applications of trommel fines derived from recycling of construction, demolition and excavation wastes
- Combined Thermal and Impact Effects on Main Gas and Oil Pipelines
- Community-focused heritage regeneration: Developing a sustainable regeneration framework for historic industrial-military and associated residential heritage in southern England
- Development of non-sewered sanitation for developed countries
- Developing a sustainable mixed-use regeneration strategy for historic industrial-military heritage in southern England
- Development of the prefabricated incremental adaptable modular housing units with the support of the digital twinning technology
- Dynamic soil-structure interaction of offshore wind turbine foundations
- Exploiting Smart Contracts and Blockchain Technology: Blueprint for a new AEC Industry
- Forecasting natural and engineering slope failure under heavy rainfall
- Incorporating water leakage reduction in the automatic creation of water supply zones
- Numerical simulation of natural stabiliser compressed earth blocks
- Predicting building performance in future climate change scenarios: a comparative study of actual and simulated data
- Soil reinforcement interaction mechanics
- Sustainable soil strengthening technique using natural fibres
- The Combined Effect of Blast and Thermal Loading on Structural Connections
- The use of 3-D modelling of flow patterns and pollutant retention to optimize the layout of vegetated detention ponds
- Transparent soil modelling of soil-structure interaction under dynamic conditions
- Use of Iterative multi-parametric design enabling tools for the optimisation of structural response and seismic behaviour
- Using simulation to design comfortable housing for the poor in the low income tropics
- Water Management System for Mineral Handling Operations
If you already have a research idea, find a supervisor whose research interests match yours by searching our Find a PhD Supervisor page. Once you've identified someone suitable, contact them to discuss your idea.
PhD by Publication
A PhD by publication is a postgraduate research degree based on research you've already undertaken and had published (excluding self-publishing) before registering with us.
Eligible research outputs include peer-reviewed academic papers, complete books or chapters in anthologies, and other materials accepted for publication, exhibited or performed. You'll have to submit these materials for examination between 6鈥12 months after registering with us.
From October 2026, all PhD by Publications will be completed by distance learning. However, there is no expectation that any student applying for a start date before this should be on campus.
Entry requirements
The entry requirements for a PhD, MPhil or Professional Doctorate include an upper second class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject, or a master鈥檚 degree in an appropriate subject.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications may be considered. All applicants are subject to interview.
If English is not your first language, you'll need English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Fees and funding
April 2026
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Full-time and full-time distance learning: 拢5,006 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time and part-time distance learning: 拢2,503 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
(Including EU Scholarship)
- Full-time and full-time distance learning: 拢5,006 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time and part-time distance learning: 拢2,503 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Full-time and full-time distance learning: 拢19,200 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time and part-time distance learning: 拢9,600 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- External candidates: 拢5,006
- Members of staff: 拢2,000
- All fees are subject to annual increase. If you are an EU student starting a programme in 2025/26 please visit this page.
October 2026 and February 2027
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Full-time and full-time distance learning: 拢5,238 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time and part-time distance learning: 拢2,619 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Full-time and full-time distance learning: 拢19,950 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time and part-time distance learning: 拢9,975 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
EU students may be eligible to receive our EU Scholarship.
- Full-time and full-time distance learning: 拢19,950 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time and part-time distance learning: 拢9,975 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- External candidates: 拢5,238
- Members of staff: 拢2,100
- Tuition fees terms and conditions
Additional fees
Some PhD projects may include additional bench fees for equipment and other consumables. These will be added to your standard tuition fee. Speak to the supervisory team during your interview about any additional fees you may have to pay. Please note, bench fees are not eligible for discounts and are non-refundable.
Funding support
Government Postgraduate Loan
Eligible for MPhil full-time and part-time courses (UK/EU students).
Government Doctoral Loan
Eligible for PhD full-time and part-time courses.
Other funding options
For information on other sources of funding, visit our funding your postgraduate research degree page.
What do my tuition fees cover?
If you are self-funding your PhD, your tuition fees cover the full cost of your postgraduate research programme and access to a wide range of academic, professional and support services, including:
Research training and development
Bespoke training, professional development courses, seminars, workshops and researcher-led events delivered through The Doctoral College.
Research community and support
Access to our research environment, Research and Innovation services, and researcher networking (77% of our research is world-leading or internationally excellent, REF 2021).
Facilities, equipment and resources
Libraries, laboratories, computer rooms, laptops, electronic journals, specialist software (Microsoft Office, SPSS and Adobe Creative Suite), funding guidance and LinkedIn Learning. Explore our facilities.
Student support services
Including academic, financial, careers and wellbeing support, including access to personal tutors. Read more on our guidance support.
Your PhD programme
Registration, tuition, supervision, examinations and viva administration.
Conference and development support
A contribution towards attending conferences or research-related development activities.
Students' Union membership
Giving you the right to vote in elections, join clubs and societies, and get free independent advice.
Graduation
Your graduation ceremony will recognise the significant contribution your research has made to your discipline.
Support and facilities
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Support from our Doctoral College, helping you become part of a thriving, collaborative research community
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Guidance from a dedicated supervisory team throughout your research degree
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Access to the , offering specialist training, workshops and research events to develop your skills as a researcher
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Access labs and testbeds for pilot plants at our key facility - the Environmental Technology Field Station at Petersfield sewage works
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Use environmental engineering and hydraulics laboratories at the main campus.
What can a postgraduate research degree do for my career?
A postgraduate research degree develops advanced expertise and transferable skills valued across academia, industry and the public sector.
You鈥檒l graduate with:
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Advanced research and analytical expertise
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Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
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Experience managing complex, independent projects
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Strong communication and presentation skills
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Leadership and research management capability
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Deep subject knowledge in your chosen field
How to apply
You can apply for a research degree in Civil Engineering by completing our online application form. For more detailed information about the application process, visit our How to Apply pages.
Not ready to apply just yet?
Get in touch
We're here to help. Feel free to ask us a question.
Come to an Open Evening
Why not come to our next open evening? Open evenings are the perfect place to talk to staff and students, visit our campus and get all the information you need.
- MPhil: 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time
- PhD: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
- PhD by Publication: 1 year part-time
We recommend you get in touch with the relevant subject area supervisor using our 鈥Find a Supervisor鈥 tool ahead of applying. You can discuss your research ideas with them and ensure we have supervisory expertise to support you.
Yes. You can apply with your own research proposal, or apply for one of our advertised funded projects.
Where next?
Find out more about 海角视频's postgraduate opportunities and community.
Postgrad Research Degrees Webinar series
From applications to flexible study 鈥 get the insights you need to plan your research degree.
Find a PhD Supervisor
If you've already got your own research idea, start looking for a supervisor whose research interests match yours.
How to apply for postgraduate research
Read our guide on how to complete and submit your postgraduate research application. Take the next step in your academic career today.
