Overview
- Degree awarded
- Professional Doctorate in Reliability Engineering
- Duration
- 72 months Part Time
- Entry requirements
-
The minimum academic entry requirements for a Doctorate programme are either i) a First class UK Honours degree in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD, ii) an undergraduate degree at 2:1 or above and Masters award at Merit level in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD or iii) equivalent international qualifications.
- How to apply
- Apply online
You should include details of your previous study, your research project title and the name of the academic member of staff you would like to supervise your research.
We strongly recommend that you make contact with your proposed supervisor before submitting an application.
The following information sources may also be of use:
- MACE Virtual Open Day
- Types of research degrees available in the Department of MACE
- Research themes and staff expertise in the Department of MACE
- Overview of the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering
- Information regarding funding opportunities
- Alternative funding sources
- Overview of The University of Manchester
- Information for international students
Programme options
| Full-time | Part-time | Full-time distance learning | Part-time distance learning | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N | Y | N | N |
Programme description
The Professional Doctorate (DProf) Programme is a unique opportunity for practising engineers and professionals already working in industry to do applied research in the area of plant maintenance, reliability and asset management. As this is a distance learning programme, candidates can study the DProf from outside the UK while continuing their employment.
At the end of the programme, candidates will make a significant and original contribution to knowledge in general, and to their workplace specifically. The results of this research shall then be published in high standard/quality journals and finally needs to be submitted in the thesis form for the final examination.
The research project is intended to address a real plant issues in maintenance (reliability) engineering and asset management. The research outcome must be innovative work e.g. development of new method(s) in the plant maintenance and reliability engineering, novel industrial application of different methods, innovative field trials to reduce plant maintenance overhead and enhance plant reliability etc. To achieve this aim, candidates will demonstrate an ability to meet the intended learning outcomes:
- To discover, interpret and communicate new knowledge through original applied industrial research in maintenance, reliability and asset management.
- To produce research outputs that are publishable in high quality journals.
- To present and defend research outcomes which extend the forefront of a discipline or relevant area of professional practice.
- To systematically demonstrate extensive knowledge of the subject area and expertise in generic and subject/professional skills.
- To independently and proactively formulate ideas and hypotheses to design, develop and implement plans by which to evaluate these.
- To critically and creatively evaluate current plant issues, research and professional practice.
- To develop advanced levels of interests and informed decisions about a discipline and/or professional practice.
- To clearly communicate research findings and conclusions.
- To make an original contribution to their chosen field.
Open days
Fees
Fees for entry in 2023 have not yet been set. For reference, the fees for the academic year beginning September 2022 were as follows:
-
(part-time)
UK students (per annum): Band A: TBC; Band B £3,000; Band C £4,500; Band D £5,500
International, including EU, students (per annum): Band A £12,750; Band B £13,500; Band C £15,000; Band D £16,000
Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.
Please note that higher fee bands will apply for the majority of projects where experimentation requires additional resources above the base rate for supervision, administration and computational costs. The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive and, therefore, you will not be required to pay any additional bench fees or administration costs.
All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises are likely over the duration of the course for Home students. Fees for International students are typically fixed for the duration of the PhD at the point of entry. For general fees information please visit: postgraduate fees or contact the department if you are unsure which fee applies to your project.
Contact details
- Department
- Department of Mechanical, Aerospace & Civil Engineering
- Contact name
- Postgraduate Research Admissions Team
- Telephone
- +44 (0)161 543 4025
- fse.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- https://www.mace.manchester.ac.uk/
- School/Faculty
-
The School of Engineering creates a world of possibilities for students pursuing skills and understanding. Through dynamic research and teaching we develop engineering solutions that make a difference to society in an ethical and sustainable way. Science-based engineering is at the heart of what we do, and through collaboration we support the engineers and scientists of tomorrow to become technically strong, analytically innovative and creative. Find out more about Science and Engineering at Manchester .
Programmes in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.
Entry requirements
Academic entry qualification overview
English language
All applicants will need to demonstrate competency in English language. Applicants who do not already possess an acceptable English Language qualification will need to take a recognised test and attain the required English Language score:
IELTS: At least 7.0 overall with no sub-test below 6.0.
TOEFL iBT: At least 100 overall with no sub-test below 20. We do not accept 'MyBestScore'.
Pearson Test of English (PTE): At least 76 overall with no sub-test below 65.
Further information on language requirements can be found on our website .
Pre-sessional English: We also accept successful completion of a pre-sessional English course run by the University Language Centre to meet our English language requirements.
English language test validity
Relevant work experience
Applicants must have at least 5-6 years of industrial experience in maintenance and reliability and already be working in industry.
Application and selection
How to apply
You should include details of your previous study, your research project title and the name of the academic member of staff you would like to supervise your research.
We strongly recommend that you make contact with your proposed supervisor before submitting an application.
The following information sources may also be of use:
- MACE Virtual Open Day
- Types of research degrees available in the Department of MACE
- Research themes and staff expertise in the Department of MACE
- Overview of the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering
- Information regarding funding opportunities
- Alternative funding sources
- Overview of The University of Manchester
- Information for international students
Advice to applicants
We require the following documents before we can consider your application.
- Research Proposal - you must consider the following:
- Research problem: this should clearly identify the research context, emphasising the currency and industrial relevance of the problem. This should also contain a high-level research aim.
- Literature review: this is a salient review of the literature that clearly makes an argument that justifies the need to examine your chosen research problem. The review should draw upon key sources that inspire your thinking and identify which seminal work you will be building on for the research project. The review should also identify a set of objectives that would help deliver your high-level aim in (1), as well as the key research questions.
- Indicative methods: how will you go about answering the key research questions? What kinds of data sources will you rely on? What will be your data collection and analytical strategy?
- Possible outcomes and impacts: who are the intended beneficiaries, in terms of research, policy and practice? How will you go about ensuring the impacts of research throughout your project? You can think of the following: high-impact publications, engagement activities with policy and practice stakeholders, interventions in practice, dissemination workshops etc.
- Bachelor's transcripts and certificates.
- Master's transcripts and certificates (where available).
- CV
Further documentation may be required relating to funding applications. The stages and documentation differ between funding schemes and so this information will be provided following consideration of your application.
If English is not your first language, we also require proof of your English language ability. If you have already taken an English language qualification, please include your certificate with your application. We may be willing to consider your application without this document but if successful, any offer of study will be conditional on providing a recognised qualification (like IELTS) that meets the English language entry requirement for this programme.
How your application is considered
We consider your full academic history including which course units you have taken and the marks obtained. Even if you have met our minimum entry requirements, we will take into account your marks in relevant undergraduate and postgraduate taught course units in our final decision making.
We will also consider the information contained on your CV to see if you have sufficient relevant work experience to able to fulfil the entry criteria.
Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities.We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.
We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.
We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles. We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder), carer support funds for conferences, and peer support networks for parents and carers.
All appointments are made on merit.
The University of Manchester and our external partners are fully committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Interview requirements
Overseas (non-UK) applicants
Please upload a copy of your current valid passport with your application showing the photograph page with your application. For CAS purposes, this must show your full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number and the date the passport is valid until, which must be later than the date of your planned arrival in the UK, and the start date of your course.
If you have previously studied in the UK on a Tier 4 visa as an undergraduate or postgraduate student, please send a copy of your previous CAS statement to us as it will assist with the issue of your new CAS statement. This includes study in the UK on study abroad programmes and any study that you did not complete.
You cannot use your CAS to apply for a visa more than three months before the start date of your course. The Admissions Team will contact you at the appropriate time.
Your CAS number is only valid for one Tier 4 application.
Deferrals
Re-applications
Programme details
Programme description
The Professional Doctorate (DProf) Programme is a unique opportunity for practising engineers and professionals already working in industry to do applied research in the area of plant maintenance, reliability and asset management. As this is a distance learning programme, candidates can study the DProf from outside the UK while continuing their employment.
At the end of the programme, candidates will make a significant and original contribution to knowledge in general, and to their workplace specifically. The results of this research shall then be published in high standard/quality journals and finally needs to be submitted in the thesis form for the final examination.
The research project is intended to address a real plant issues in maintenance (reliability) engineering and asset management. The research outcome must be innovative work e.g. development of new method(s) in the plant maintenance and reliability engineering, novel industrial application of different methods, innovative field trials to reduce plant maintenance overhead and enhance plant reliability etc. To achieve this aim, candidates will demonstrate an ability to meet the intended learning outcomes:
- To discover, interpret and communicate new knowledge through original applied industrial research in maintenance, reliability and asset management.
- To produce research outputs that are publishable in high quality journals.
- To present and defend research outcomes which extend the forefront of a discipline or relevant area of professional practice.
- To systematically demonstrate extensive knowledge of the subject area and expertise in generic and subject/professional skills.
- To independently and proactively formulate ideas and hypotheses to design, develop and implement plans by which to evaluate these.
- To critically and creatively evaluate current plant issues, research and professional practice.
- To develop advanced levels of interests and informed decisions about a discipline and/or professional practice.
- To clearly communicate research findings and conclusions.
- To make an original contribution to their chosen field.
Teaching and learning
Candidates will be assigned a supervisory team comprising at least two members of staff in the chosen field of reliability engineering and asset management (REAM). Candidates will also be assigned an industrial supervisor. Since the research topic is likely to be related to the candidate's organisation, the industrial supervisor will be identified once candidates are registered on the course. The industrial supervisor will act as a sounding board for advice on the ongoing relevance of the research within the organisation. The involvement of the industrial supervisor will also provide opportunities for early dissemination of ongoing findings and for delivering impacts from the research project.
The candidate will meet the supervisory team formally at least once every two months through video conferencing. The purpose of these meetings is to provide on-going feedback to the candidate on his/her progress.
Assessment of research progress is made formally towards the end of each year, in accordance with the University policy. There are no formal taught lectures, but candidates will be supported by eight residential sessions, which they choose to attend when appropriate. There is no summative assessment of the residential sessions, but candidates will receive feedback on their performance and must complete the eight residential sessions before they can submit the final thesis. The residential sessions are designed to provide guidance on a range of matters concerning academic research (e.g. the role of the literature, methods, and academic writing) as the candidate makes progress in the research project.
An annual conference will also be organised, and this conference will coincide with the running of the residential sessions where possible. The conferences will provide a useful forum for candidates to present their DProf research outputs and network with one another.