Programme description

Our postgraduate research programmes in Environmental Engineering offer the opportunity to study in a multi-disciplinary team alongside leading academics in the field. Drawing on our expertise in Bioenergy and biomass, sustainable nuclear energy, low carbon transport, renewable energy socio-economics and carbon capture and storage we develop practical solutions to some of society's most pressing environmental challenges.

Your research will be supported by state-of-the-art computational and experimental facilities. We have strong links with industry and excellent employability.

Aims

The Degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) 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 MPhil students relish the opportunity to undertake a research project with intellectual, scientific, industrial or commercial challenges. Individuals with relevant industrial experience are also encouraged to apply for this level of graduate work, which is of particular value for personal and professional development. If satisfactory progress is made by the end of the first year you may be considered for progression onto the second year of a PhD programme. This is decided on a case by case basis.

Teaching and learning

All candidates for the degree of MPhil must undertake a skills review at the beginning of their degree to determine their research, transferable and generic skills requirements. The review will provide the basis for a planned programme of skills training and development. The outcomes of the review and programme of skills development must be discussed and agreed by the student and the supervisory team. The supervisory team will be responsible for ensuring that the student has access to the required skills training and development opportunities.

Career opportunities

Undertaking an MPhil in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering is both challenging and rewarding. Not only does it provide you with the opportunity to strengthen your research ability but it will also help you to develop a much wider range of skills, required to develop your career in business and industry or in research and an academic environment.

Graduates from the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering leave with a breadth of strong technical and inter-personal skills and expertise far beyond their particular degree specialism. They progress into a wide variety of careers within engineering (e.g. consulting engineers, R&D companies, construction sector) academia, public services (e.g. civil service, policy change) and commerce (e.g. IT, finance). The acquisition of an MPhil degree provides a significant career acceleration and facilitates entry into positions with greater responsibility and diverse opportunities. Furthermore, it increasingly provides entrepreneurial opportunities, exploiting skills and knowledge acquired during the programme.