PhDs in Engineering and Physical Sciences

Why the University of Southampton?

We are ranked 11^th in the UK’s Best University Guide by Times Higher Education, one of the UK’s top 20 universities by the Complete University Guide 2024, and a top 100 university globally. We are a founding member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-focused institutions.

As a University of Southampton PhD student you’ll be an important member of a vibrant research environment with access to cutting-edge facilities and staff who are leaders in their fields. You’ll be supported by a dedicated Doctoral College team throughout your PhD journey with a range of opportunities to enhance your professional development and transferable skills.

The Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences covers diverse topics in the areas of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Physics and Astronomy, Photonics and Optoelectronics, Electronics and Computer Science, and Engineering.

We invest millions of pounds in our research facilities to ensure you have the tools you need to achieve your goals. Our extensive facilities include clean rooms, unique flight simulators funded by Boeing, anechoic chambers, and the largest towing tank in the UK. Many of our faculties are also used in commercial testing and consultancy. The University makes a global impact by working extensively with industry, governments and research funders and these links in turn benefit the work of our students and staff.

“The research facilities and professional supervisory team, with their wide international connections, have eased my PhD journey and opened doors for a promising future career.” Noor Laham (she/her/hers) PhD Offshore Geotechnical Engineering, second year

The Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences counts 12 Fellows of the Royal Society, 20 Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering, 3 Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education, and several Faculty members have received Queen’s honours. Alums include business and industry leaders, eminent scientists and engineers, and government advisors. The Faculty has a diverse community of nearly 5,600 undergraduate and over 1,000 postgraduate research students from around the globe, representing over 30 different nationalities.

Financial support for PhD study at Southampton

Your doctoral research at the University of Southampton will change your career – and potentially the world. We’ve made a range of financial support available to help you begin your PhD journey.

You may qualify for one of our postgraduate scholarships or fee waivers that cover your tuition fees and more:

Black Futures scholarship is aimed at talented UK-domiciled Black and mixed-Black heritage students. 

Innovation and Social Impact scholarships for researchers looking to drive social impact through their work. Deadline for Black Futures Scholarship applications to be received is Friday 23 February 2024.

Horizon Europe fee waivers introducing a new programme to support the reassociation of the UK with the Horizon Europe programme, and the University strategy to grow the international diversity of its doctoral cohort.

The University will apply a fee waiver - equivalent to the difference between overseas and UK fees - for eligible postgraduate research students commencing their doctoral studies in the 2024-25 academic year.

Presidential Bursaries for overseas postgraduate researchers, cover the fee difference between UK and overseas fees.

For more information on Postgraduate fees visit here.

To join our world-leading researchers, click on the apply button above.