Programme description

Are you a software systems engineer? Are you looking to undertake a research level qualification whilst still doing your job?

The EngD in Software Systems Engineering is a practical research programme for those with an interest in software engineering projects or who may already be working as a software developer, but recognises career progression may necessitate research level training. You'll spend 75-80% of your time with your company, working on 4-6 flexible but research level projects. The remainder you'll spend with us training in Advanced Software Engineering topics, while being guided by your academic supervisor building on your industrial work and solving it's associated research problems.

An EngD gives you a solid industry application focus and offers a range of flexible pathways of differing duration to suit your individual needs. The research conducted as part of the EngD is applied to specific problems faced by the industrial partner, each problem couched as a research challenge.

Throughout the programme, students can undertake a tailored range of Advanced Masters courses that supplement the in-built research skills training and development provided as standard in the EngD programme.

Academia and industry work together in mentoring and training the student, who will graduate with the academic rigour necessary to undertake applied research, with skills and experience to apply that research capability directly within industry.

Aims

The Engineering Doctorate (EngD) is awarded by the University in recognition of the successful completion of a course of supervised research, the results of which show evidence of originality and independent critical judgement and constitute an addition to knowledge.

Our research students have the opportunity to develop their skills through robust and flexible training that is designed to:

Develop the research skills needed to plan and conduct research, write a thesis and disseminate research findings to stakeholders and the international research community;
Develop competencies which will equip you for a diverse range of roles in industry whilst also contributing to the body of knowledge of a particular technical discipline, industrial sector or multi-disciplinary theme.
Equip each student with the broader skills to become world leading industry professionals and researchers in the next generation.

All of our research degree programmes are based on supportive supervision in our outstanding research environment. You will carry out a programme of research in a particular area under the supervision of a primary supervisor and one or more co-supervisors. Your primary supervisor would be a research active member of academic staff in the Department of Computer Science with a co-supervisor from the industrial partner, selected to suit the project scope and specific skills required.

Career opportunities

The EngD is a collaborative programme supported by industry and the Department of Computer Science. You will gain the skills to enhance your career prospects within your chosen career and deliver solutions to on-going challenges within your company.

Opportunities exist in a diverse range of areas such as finance, films and games, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, consumer products, and public services.