PhD Structural Integrity

The Brunel University London Structural Integrity programme gives students a chance for deep study into making sure structures and components are safe and last a long time. This programme focuses on how materials and structures act under different conditions, including stopping breakdowns, looking after older assets, and checking the health of structures. 

Study areas can include material and structural failure, computer-based analysis (finite element analysis), ways to test without causing damage (non-destructive testing), and stopping rust (corrosion control).

Students doing this PhD will study on their own, guided by experienced university staff. The usual study time is three years for full-time students or up to six years for part-time students. The learning involves making a clear study plan, doing tests or computer models, carefully checking information, and then writing a full dissertation. 

The final degree is given based on the written work submitted and an oral test (viva voce) about the research. Students will get to use modern places and tools for looking at materials, advanced testing, and computer simulations, with many projects having direct links to companies.

Brunel University London is a central place for learning, working to produce graduates ready for future challenges. Its way of teaching puts together careful academic study with hands-on practice. This makes sure students gain both a deep understanding and useful skills. Located in the busy city of London, the university provides a safe and supportive campus feeling.

This setting gives simple access to London's many resources, from cultural sites to leading companies. The university offers a wide range of courses, covering many areas from advanced engineering to the creative arts. It is proud of building strong connections between students and professional groups, preparing them fully for their chosen paths.

Applicants need to provide a personal statement, a suitable reference from a teacher or an employer, and also include their CVs to show their work history. They need to provide a clear and full research statement, which outlines the proposed PhD topic.

Applicants will be interviewed. This interview will be done by at least two university staff members and can happen online using tools like MS Teams or Zoom, or in person.

Grade Requirements:

• Applicants joining this research degree need a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree, or a similar qualification recognised internationally. 
• This degree should be in a relevant engineering or science subject, such as Mechanical, Electrical/Electronics or Civil/Structural Engineering, Material Science, Metallurgy or Physics. 
• Applicants with good work experience and strong skills in computer modelling and practical testing are also welcome.

English Proficiency:

• If English is not your main language, you will need an IELTS overall score of 6.5, with no individual part of the test scoring below 6.0. 
• The university also accepts similar scores from other approved English language tests, like PTE and TOEFL.

The full-time tuition fee for the PhD in Structural Integrity at Brunel University London is £24,795 for international students.

Brunel University London provides various ways for PhD students in Structural Integrity to find financial help. Many PhD places have funding, which means they cover tuition costs and offer money to help with living expenses. These funded positions are often connected to specific research projects, sometimes working with companies like the National Structural Integrity Research Centre (NSIRC).

Beyond these project-specific funds, the university also has general scholarships for postgraduate research students, such as the Vice-Chancellor's Postgraduate International Excellence Award. Brunel graduates looking to do a PhD can also get a reduction on their fees. It is always a good idea to check the university's research degree pages and the NSIRC website for the most up-to-date information on available opportunities.

Graduates of this course move into jobs such as:

• Structural Integrity Engineer
• Research Scientist (Materials/Structures)
• Corrosion Engineer
• Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Specialist
• Academic Researcher/Teacher
• Asset Reliability Manager

Applications for this course are sent through the university's online application form. Please speak to our experienced advisors for help.