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Overview

Join a globally recognised research community in Structural Engineering at Â鶹´«Ã½. As a postgraduate researcher, you'll work alongside leading academics to deliver high-quality research that advances the analysis, design, and performance of structures and infrastructure systems.

Our PhD and MPhil programmes are designed to foster, promote, and deliver research of international excellence. We attract high-calibre graduates, supporting them to develop advanced expertise and produce impactful research in structural engineering.

Our work focuses on understanding and improving the behaviour of structures under complex loading and environmental conditions. Our research contributes directly to major global priorities, including resilient infrastructure and low-carbon design.

We offer a range of research areas, including:

• Advanced computational structural mechanics and non-linear analysis
• Structural optimisation and performance-based design
• Behaviour and modelling of conventional and emerging structural materials
• Structural integrity, durability, and lifecycle performance
• Sustainable solutions for concrete under extreme conditions
• Seismic analysis and design of structures under extreme loading
• Resilience and risk assessment of complex infrastructure systems
• Digital construction, including Building Information Modelling (BIM), digital twins, and AI-enabled project delivery
• Sustainable structural systems, including timber and other bio-based materials
• Structural dynamics, including vibration analysis, control, and serviceability of lightweight structures

We work closely with industry, government, and international partners to ensure that our research translates into practical solution and improved design practices.

You'll join a vibrant research environment within the School of Engineering, benefiting from access to world-class facilities, collaborative research opportunities, and a strong culture of innovation and support.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation review and recognition of professional qualifications in Europe

Professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by professional bodies to ensure they meet the latest industry practices and regulatory standards. This keeps your degree rigorous, relevant, and highly valued by employers, providing a clear pathway into your chosen career.

If you are studying an accredited degree and considering a career in Europe after graduation, it is important to stay informed about international standards. The best resource for current information is the .

This official resource provides essential details on:

• whether your profession is regulated in another country.
• the specific steps you need to take to practice abroad.
• which organisations you should contact to begin the process.

What you'll learn

Examples of MPhil and PhD supervision in our research areas include:

• analysis of concrete at elevated temperatures
• structural optimisation and reliability
• structural textiles and polymeric composites
• seismic engineering and extreme loadings
• the effects of transient loads on structures
• numerical methods
• computational mechanics
• analysis of lightweight fabric and pneumatic structures
• resilience of complex infrastructure networks

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

Off-campus study may be available in some circumstances. This may be particularly if you have industrial sponsorship. Our programme includes:

• intensive subject-specific supervision
• training in research methodologies
• core skills

You may also have an opportunity to:

• undertake paid laboratory demonstrations
• tutor, to gain teaching experience

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Thesis
• Viva

Additional assessment information

We offer a wide range of projects for the thesis. These will either be provided by our academics, or you can propose your own topic.

Postgraduate research student support

Our mission is to help you:

• stay healthy, positive and feeling well
• overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
• get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
• carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
• understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules

We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.

You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:

• research and professional skills
• careers support
• wellbeing
• health and safety
• public engagement
• academic development

Find out more about our postgraduate research student support

Our staff

The Geotechnical and Structural Engineering subject group page links to our specialist research areas. You'll be able to:

• explore possible research programmes
• find out more about staff working in these research areas
• identify a potential research supervisor

Your development

Placement opportunities

We have extensive UK and international contacts. This enables research to be carried out in collaboration with industry and government agencies. Research projects are supervised by staff with a wide range of industrial and academic experience.

Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering (SAgE) researcher development programme

Each faculty offers a researcher development programme for its postgraduate research students. We have designed your programme to help you:

• perform better as a researcher
• boost your career prospects
• broaden your impact

Through workshops and activities, it will build your transferable skills and increase your confidence.

You’ll cover:

• techniques for effective research
• methods for better collaborative working
• essential professional standards and requirements

Your programme is flexible. You can adapt it to meet your changing needs as you progress through your doctorate.

Doctoral training and partnerships

There are opportunities to undertake your PhD at Â鶹´«Ã½ within a:

• Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT)
• Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) / Doctoral Landscape Award (DLA)

Being part of a CDT or DTP/DLA has many benefits:

• They combine research expertise and training of a number of leading universities, academic schools and academics.
• You’ll study alongside a cohort of other PhD students.
• They’re often interdisciplinary.
• Your PhD may be funded.

If there are currently opportunities available in your subject area you’ll find them when you search for funding in the fees and funding section on this course.

The following centres/partnerships below may have PhD opportunities available in your subject area in the future:

Your future

Our Careers Service

Our expert Careers Service is here to help you take the next steps in your professional life. We will support you while you’re studying with us and for up to three years after you graduate.

You will have access to expert one-to-one advice and guidance through our campus careers centre and online, along with digital resources, workshops, networking opportunities, and careers and recruitment events.

We’ve been awarded 5 QS Stars for Student Employability (2025). Many of our degrees are shaped by strong links with national and international businesses. We are committed to helping you access real-world experience opportunities and develop key skills through paid work placements and internships.

Visit our Careers Service website

Facilities

The School of Engineering has an exceptional range of laboratories. They are equipped with a wide range of analytical instrumentation.

Fees, Funding and Scholarships

Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year)

Why is this fee shown as a range?

We are unable to give an exact fee, this is why the fee is shown as a range. This fee range takes into account your research topic and resource requirements.

Your research topic is unique so it will have unique resource requirements. Resources could include specialist equipment, such as laboratory/workshop access, or technical staff.

If your research involves accessing specialist resources then you're likely to pay a higher fee. You'll discuss the exact nature of your research project with your supervisor(s). You'll find out the fee in your offer letter.

Home fees for research degree students

For 2026-27 entry, we've aligned our standard Home research fees with those set by .  For 2027-28 entry, we will again be aligning our standard Home research fees with UKRI. They will announce their fees in Spring 2027.

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database. 

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

Search for funding and scholarships

Find funding available for your course

Select your country

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

How to apply

Open days and events

Find out about how you can visit Â鶹´«Ã½ in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Â鶹´«Ã½.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events