PhD Aerospace Engineering: The University of Manchester

Course description

Aerospace Research Group undertakes research directly relevant to the aerospace industry and also of a quite fundamental nature.

Manchester has a distinguished history in turbulence modelling  (from Osborne Reynolds to Brian Launder) and also in Fluids (e.g. Lamb and Goldstein), reflected in aerodynamics and heat transfer research today coupled with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) allied to interests in Dynamics, Composite Structures and Aeroelasticity.

There is strong industrial linkage with EADS, Airbus and the Group is a preferred academic partner for BAE Systems in experimental aerodynamics and dynamic loads. EU collaboration is particularly strong. There are excellent test facilities for dynamics and aerodynamics with large wind tunnels at the Goldstein Laboratory.

Course aims

A PhD is the target of most postgraduate students who relish the opportunity to undertake a research project with intellectual, scientific, industrial or commercial challenges. Those from industrial backgrounds may also find it possible to partake in this level of graduate work, which is of particular value to the individuals training and development.

Depending on your education and work experience you may register directly for a PhD Degree, however some students will initially register for an MPhil degree, where after one year if satisfactory progress is made you will progress onto the second year of a PhD.

For both a direct PhD and MPhil-PhD degree the period of study would be three years full-time or the part-time equivalent. Students would also be permitted to register as a writing-up student for 12 months at the end of the degree to complete your dissertation.

This programme route is also available as a split-site option, which enables overseas students to split their studies between the UK and their home country. If a student would like to take this route a supervisor must be appointed in the UK and overseas, and confirmation of free time and study plan must be approved by both supervisors.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview:

A student may be admitted to a PhD degree only if an appropriate research environment is available for the duration of the degree. This should include the availability of appropriate academic staff to provide supervision and training, other research-support staff, research facilities and learning resources.

Applicants for admission will normally hold a Bachelors degree or equivalent qualification, a Masters Degree or equivalent qualification, or both. The level of attainment for the Bachelor's degree will normally be equivalent to that of a First Class or Upper Second Class Honours UK Bachelor's degree. Some areas of study may require a Master's level qualification in a relevant discipline for admission to a PhD. Professional qualifications other than a Bachelor's Degree and/or relevant and appropriate experience may be taken into account for entry to a PhD degree.

English language: All applicants will need to demonstrate competency in the English language. Applicants who do not already posses a recognised English Language qualification will need to take a recognised test such as IELTS or TOEFL and attain a minimum of IELTS 6.5 ( with no sub test less than 5.5), TOEFL 570 with 5.0 in the TWE (Computer-based 230 or above or Internet-based 88-89 or above).