PhD Civil Engineering

Brunel’s PhD in Civil Engineering is a three-year full-time or six-year part-time research degree, with entry points in January, April, or October. The programme covers research areas such as urban waste management, bio-based construction materials, structural behaviour under extreme conditions, coastal resilience, and sustainable engineering solutions.

Learning is carried out through independent, supervised research, supported by the Graduate School’s Researcher Development Programme. Students are assessed through regular progress reviews, submission of a written thesis, and a viva voce examination. Access is provided to specialist laboratories, training workshops, online resources, and career development services.

Brunel University London was founded in 1966 and is located in Uxbridge, West London. It is a public research university with around 16,000 students and a modern, single-site campus. The university offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in a wide range of fields, including Medicine, Law, Engineering, Business, the Arts, and more. Brunel ranks among the top 350 universities globally, with strong subject rankings in civil engineering, computing, and law.

Applicants for PhD Civil Engineering at Brunel University London must submit a personal statement explaining their reason for applying for the course, with a reference from an academic or employer and an option to attach their CV to show work experience.

Grade Requirements:

• Applicants must hold at least a second-class undergraduate degree (2:1 or 2:2 with merit at master’s level) in civil engineering or a closely related field.
• A lower degree may be accepted if the applicant has substantial research or relevant industry experience.

English Proficiency:

• Applicants from non-English-speaking backgrounds must achieve an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in each section.
• Equivalent qualifications such as TOEFL, Pearson PTE, or BrunELT are accepted.

International students for PhD Civil Engineering at Brunel University London pay £24,795 per year for their tuition fee.

Brunel offers several doctoral funding options for research students. One of these is the Dean’s International PhD Scholarship (Engineering), which is for full-time international students in the College of Engineering, Design & Physical Sciences. It awards a £2,000 tuition fee waiver per academic year and is automatically applied upon acceptance into an eligible PhD programme.

Graduates of the PhD in Civil Engineering from Brunel University London are well-equipped to work in roles such as:

• Research Engineer
• University Lecturer
• Structural Consultant
• Coastal / Flood Engineer
• Environmental Engineer

Applicants for a PhD in Civil Engineering at Brunel University London should visit the school's application portal to apply. You can speak to one of our trained counsellors for guidance.