EngD in Sustainability for Engineering and Energy Systems (SEES)

The SEES Engineering Doctorate is a four-year programme for researchers who aspire to key leadership positions in industry. The programme is academically equivalent to a PhD, but has one major difference – the student spends the majority of their time at a sponsor organisation’s premises working on their commercial research priorities. They return to the University for modules designed to develop specialist technical knowledge and exceptional business skills.

Our Engineering Doctorate (EngD) students, or ‘research engineers’ as they are known, are part of the SEES Industrial Doctorate Centre (IDC) and will spend four years based with their industrial sponsor organisation. The research element of the programme is designed by the industrial sponsor and is unique to each research engineer. The research project will be undertaken on the sponsor’s premises with the aim of addressing their key priorities, and driving change in the transition to a more sustainable, lower carbon economy.

One of the key distinguishing features of the EngD is the programme of modules. These are designed with two aims in mind; to develop specialist engineering/sustainability knowledge and to provide professional development in non-scientific areas such as project management, leadership and communication skills. The modules are normally a week in duration and take place at the University of Surrey.

Each research engineer is supported by a team of supervisors based both within the sponsor organisation and at the University, along with staff at the IDC.

Research engineers emerge from the programme as highly employable experts in their field, with valuable industrial experience along with academic and commercial knowledge and skills.

A First or Upper Second class degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent overseas qualification, or a Lower Second plus a good Masters degree.  Postgraduate qualifications and industrial experience are looked upon favourably. Non-UK applicants must meet EPSRC’s eligibility criteria. 

English language requirements

IELTS minimum overall: 6.5

Fees

Funding

The EngD programme is funded principally by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, the University of Surrey and our sponsoring organisations. Research engineers receive a stipend of around £19,600 per annum, normally taxfree. Academic fees, expenses and conference fees are covered by the IDC, in addition to the stipend.