EngD Computer Systems Engineering

Year of entry: 2024

Overview

Degree awarded
EngD
Duration
48 months Full-time
Entry requirements
We have the following pathways with varying entry requirements:

Standard: 2.1 Honours degree in a relevant subject.

Experienced: As per 'Standard' with evidence of Accredited Prior Learning (APL) in research training already undertaken.

Full entry requirements

How to apply

Apply online

In your application you’ll need to include:

  • The name of this programme
  • Your research project title (i.e. the advertised project name or proposed project name) or area of research
  • Your proposed supervisor’s name
  • If you already have funding or you wish to be considered for any of the available funding
  • A supporting statement (see 'Advice to Applicants' for what to include)
  • Details of your previous university level study
  • Names and contact details of your two referees.
Before applying we recommend that you read the 'Advice to Applicants' section.
Sustainable Development Goals

Find out how this programme aligns to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including learning which relates to:

  • Goal 4: Quality education
  • Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
  • Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
  • Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals

Programme options

Full-time Part-time Full-time distance learning Part-time distance learning
EngD Y N N N

Programme overview

The EngD is a 3, 3.5 or 4 year degree resulting in a substantial thesis.

As one of the largest Departments of Computer Science in the UK we cover a huge spectrum of research. We currently have ten individual research groups ranging from Advanced Processor Technologies to Text Mining. Our core Computer Science research is augmented by interdisciplinary research taking place at the interface with discipline areas including mathematics, physics, medicine and biology. A detailed overview of the Department's research groups and core and interdisciplinary research themes can be found in the research section of our website.    

Open days

Visit our Faculty of Science and Engineering Postgraduate Research page to find out about upcoming open days and webinars.

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:

  • EngD (full-time)
    UK students (per annum): Band A £4,786; Band B £7,000; Band C £10,000; Band D £14,500; Band E £24,500
    International, including EU, students (per annum): Band A £28,000; Band B £30,000; Band C £35,500; Band D £43,000; Band E £57,000

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

The programme fee will vary depending on the cost of running the project. Fees quoted are 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 per annum are also likely over the duration of the course for Home students (fees are typically fixed for International students, for the course duration at the year of entry). For general fees information please visit the postgraduate fees page .

Always contact the Admissions team if you are unsure which fees apply to your project.

Scholarships/sponsorships

There are a range of scholarships, studentships and awards at university, faculty and department level to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers.

To be considered for many of our scholarships, you’ll need to be nominated by your proposed supervisor. Therefore, we’d highly recommend you discuss potential sources of funding with your supervisor first, so they can advise on your suitability and make sure you meet nomination deadlines.

For more information about our scholarships, visit our funding page or use our funding database to search for scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the world's call to action on the most pressing challenges facing humanity. At The University of Manchester, we address the SDGs through our research and particularly in partnership with our students.

Led by our innovative research, our teaching ensures that all our graduates are empowered, inspired and equipped to address the key socio-political and environmental challenges facing the world.

To illustrate how our teaching will empower you as a change maker, we've highlighted the key SDGs that our programmes address.

  • Goal 4: Quality education

    Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

  • Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth

    Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

  • Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

    Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

  • Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals

    Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

Contact details

Department
Department of Computer Science
Contact name
Postgraduate Research Admissions Team
Telephone
+44 (0) 161 529 3049
Email
Website
https://www.cs.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

We have the following pathways with varying entry requirements:

Standard: 2.1 Honours degree in a relevant subject.

Experienced: As per 'Standard' with evidence of Accredited Prior Learning (APL) in research training already undertaken.

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 a minimum IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6 in writing and listening, and 5.5. in all other sub-tests.

TOEFL iBT:  At least 90 overall with no subtest below 20. We do not accept 'MyBestScore'.

Pearson Test of English (PTE): At least 70 overall with no subtest below 59. 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

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Other international entry requirements

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries.  For these and general  requirements including English language see entry requirements for your country .

Professional entry qualification

Please note that applicants must already be in employment and have the support of their employer before they apply. You will be supervised by two supervisors (one academic supervisor from The University of Manchester and one industrial supervisor from your company). We advise that you discuss your application for this programme with your employer before you apply to ensure that they support your application.

Other entry requirements

 

Application and selection

How to apply

Apply online

In your application you’ll need to include:

  • The name of this programme
  • Your research project title (i.e. the advertised project name or proposed project name) or area of research
  • Your proposed supervisor’s name
  • If you already have funding or you wish to be considered for any of the available funding
  • A supporting statement (see 'Advice to Applicants' for what to include)
  • Details of your previous university level study
  • Names and contact details of your two referees.
Before applying we recommend that you read the 'Advice to Applicants' section.

Advice to applicants

Before you start your application, you should have:  You'll also need to make sure you have the following: 
  • Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research, the area(s) of research you’re interested in, why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed. 
  • Certificates and transcripts: Certificates and final transcripts of any completed university-level qualifications and interim transcripts for qualifications in progress. If your transcripts are in a language other than English, you must provide an official English translation. If your current weighted average mark or GPA is not included on these documents, please also include an official document from your university verifying this information.
  • CV: Summarising your academic record and highlighting experience that demonstrates your potential to conduct research.  
  • English language proof: A certificate or evidence demonstrating your English language ability and proficiency. Applications can be considered without this evidence but any offer would be conditional on meeting minimum requirements.  
  • Referees: Names and contact details of two academic referees who we can get in contact with and will support your application.

Interview requirements

An interview is required for entry to this programme of study.

Deferrals

It is normally possible to defer entry to another entry point within the academic year, with the approval of your supervisory team and funder (if applicable).

You can request a deferral by contacting the Doctoral Academy Admissions Team by emailing fse.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk .  If you request deferral for entry in a subsequent academic year you may be required to re-apply.

Programme details

Programme description

Are you a hardware or embedded systems engineer? Are you looking to undertake a research level qualification whilst still doing your job?

The EngD in Computer Systems Engineering is tied into advanced processor technologies and embedded systems development in as well as advanced FPGA systems development. We work with a range of stake holders in cutting edge and industry relevant research that addresses real world challenges. If you already work on computer hardware or in embedded systems, or need training to make the move into this area of engineering then this EngD is for you. You'll spend 75-80% of your time with your company, working on 4-6 flexible but research level projects. The remainder you'll spend with us training in Advanced processor topics, while being guided by your academic supervisor building on your industrial work and solving it's associated research problems.

An EngD gives you a solid industry application focus and offers a range of flexible pathways of differing duration to suit your individual needs. The research conducted as part of the EngD is applied to specific problems faced by the industrial partner, each problem couched as a research challenge.

Throughout the programme, students can undertake a tailored range of Advanced Masters courses that supplement the in-built research skills training and development provided as standard in the EngD programme.

Academia and industry work together in mentoring and training the student, who will graduate with the academic rigour necessary to undertake applied research, with skills and experience to apply that research capability directly within industry.

The Department of Computer Science is one of the largest in the UK covering a huge spectrum of Computer Science topics. We currently have research groups ranging from Advanced Processor Technologies to Text Mining.

Our core Computer Science research is augmented by interdisciplinary research taking place at the interface with discipline areas including mathematics, physics, medicine and biology.

A detailed overview of the Department's research groups and core and interdisciplinary research themes is available in the 'research' area of our website and you can identify a possible project from our list of available projects .

Aims

The Engineering Doctorate (EngD) is awarded by the University in recognition of the successful completion of a course of supervised research, the results of which show evidence of originality and independent critical judgement and constitute an addition to knowledge.

Our research students have the opportunity to develop their skills through robust and flexible training that is designed to:

  • Develop the research skills needed to plan and conduct research, write a thesis and disseminate research findings to stakeholders and the international research community;
  • Develop competencies which will equip you for a diverse range of roles in industry whilst also contributing to the body of knowledge of a particular technical discipline, industrial sector or multi-disciplinary theme.
  • Equip each student with the broader skills to become world leading industry professionals and researchers in the next generation.

All of our research degree programmes are based on supportive supervision in our outstanding research environment. You will carry out a programme of research in a particular area under the supervision of a primary supervisor and one or more co-supervisors. Your primary supervisor would be a research active member of academic staff in the School of Computer Science with a co-supervisor from the industrial partner, selected to suit the project scope and specific skills required.

Additional programme information

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.

Coursework and assessment

As a research student you will be offered a study space in our new student study facility. You will be encouraged to present papers at conferences and publish your results in academic journals. We run several research training course-units and you can take course-units on a number of our Masters programmes.

Scholarships and bursaries

In the Department of Computer Science we offer a range of scholarships, studentships and awards to support UK and overseas postgraduate researchers.

Funding is also available at university and faculty level and can be viewed on our funding page . Alternatively, you can use our funding database to find scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.

We'd recommend you discuss potential sources of funding with your supervisor before applying. They can advise what funding may be available to you, and ensure you meet nomination and application deadlines.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk .

Careers

Career opportunities

The EngD is a collaborative programme supported by industry and the School of Computer Science. You will gain the skills to enhance your career prospects within your chosen career and deliver solutions to on-going challenges within your company.

Opportunities exist in a diverse range of areas such as finance, films and games, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, consumer products, and public services.

The University of Manchester Careers Service can offer support and guidance.