Advanced Technology Institute PhD
The Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) is one of the University’s world-leading research centres. As a PhD student, you’ll work alongside other ATI researchers in areas including quantum information, nanotechnology, energy, microwave engineering and advanced materials.
Key course information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- January 2027
- Attendance
- Full-time
- Duration
- 4 years
- UK fees
- £5,238*
- Overseas fees
- £28,300
- Subject area
- Funding
- Funding information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- January 2027
- Attendance
- Part-time
- Duration
- 8 years
- UK fees
- £2,619*
- Overseas fees
- £14,200
- Subject area
- Funding
- Funding information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- April 2027
- Attendance
- Full-time
- Duration
- 4 years
- UK fees
- £5,238*
- Overseas fees
- £28,300
- Subject area
- Funding
- Funding information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- April 2027
- Attendance
- Part-time
- Duration
- 8 years
- UK fees
- £2,619*
- Overseas fees
- £14,200
- Subject area
- Funding
- Funding information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- July 2027
- Attendance
- Full-time
- Duration
- 4 years
- UK fees
- £5,238*
- Overseas fees
- £28,300
- Subject area
- Funding
- Funding information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- July 2027
- Attendance
- Part-time
- Duration
- 8 years
- UK fees
- £2,619*
- Overseas fees
- £14,200
- Subject area
- Funding
- Funding information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- October 2027
- Attendance
- Full-time
- Duration
- 4 years
- UK fees
- To be confirmed
- Overseas fees
- £29,400
- Subject area
- Funding
- Funding information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- October 2027
- Attendance
- Part-time
- Duration
- 8 years
- UK fees
- To be confirmed
- Overseas fees
- £14,700
- Subject area
- Funding
- Funding information
Why choose this programme?
The Advanced Technology Institute houses 160 researchers, including engineers, physicists, materials scientists, biologists and chemists. Approximately half of these researchers are PhD students, allowing you to pursue truly multidisciplinary research.
It’s likely you’ll also have the opportunity to collaborate with scientists around the world, which will enhance your international outlook. As part of the larger Doctoral College community, you’ll receive the training you need to become a fully-fledged researcher and drive the next generation of technology and innovation.
You’ll have access to the Institute’s extensive facilities and equipment – which have benefitted from more than £40 million of investment – to fabricate, characterise, analyse and simulate. This means you can push the frontiers of physics and engineering, while also working closely with local, national and international companies.
Additionally, you’ll be able to join the most appropriate professional institution based on your degree. This is nominally the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) and/or the Institute of Physics (IOP) as an associate member, and you’ll be entitled to apply for full membership after three years of postgraduate studies.
Statistics
100%
Of our electrical and electronic engineering research graduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes 2026, HESA)
Top 20 in the UK
Surrey is ranked 19th in the UK for the quality of our research outputs (Research Excellence Framework 2021)
Course details
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What you will study
Your research will sit in one of the Advanced Technology Institute's research groups: Nanoelectronics, Quantum Sciences, and Ion Beams. These are united by cross-cutting themes, such as science and technology on the nanoscale, technological applications of quantum science and engineering, and conversion of energy.
Your proposal for a new PhD topic will be examined with a holistic view of the field and its technical content, the excellence in the proposed research, its potential to provide new and fundamental insight to technical problems, and the ability of the Institute to provide the best environment to facilitate the research.
A PhD normally lasts for three-and-a-half years. During this time, you’ll be supported by two academics, who you’ll meet with on a regular basis. Postdoctoral researchers in the group also help with project steering, especially when the PhD work is part of a multinational or industry-focused programme.
The location of your research will depend on the needs of your project. You’ll be allocated office space in the Advanced Technology Institute building, typically alongside researchers with related research interests.
Depending on the specifics of your project, your time will be spent differently around the facility. Modelling projects are predominantly computer-based, while experimental projects involve work in the Clean Room and an assortment of labs. Like many PhD projects, yours may be collaborative and require travel for meetings with associates and to access specialised facilities.
Assessment
You’ll be registered for a maximum four-year period of full-time study. After 12 months, you’ll write a confirmation report, which will be assessed by independent examiners. A detailed evaluation of progress and future research plans will be made every six months to ensure that progress towards completion of the PhD remains satisfactory.
You’ll submit a written PhD thesis after a minimum three years of full-time study, which will be examined in a viva by a combination of external and internal examiners, selected for their knowledge of the research field. A PhD will be awarded if the content, rigour, originality and relevance of the research are sufficient for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
Location
This course is based at Stag Hill campus. Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
Research areas
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Research themes
- Photonics
- Quantum science and technology
- Nanomaterials
- Nanoscience and nanotechnology
- Advanced energy materials
- Flexible and printed electronics
- Sensors and smart environments
- Ion beams
- RF and microwave devices
- Micro- and nanofabrication
- Microscopy and surface science
- Modelling and simulation
- Semiconductor devices
- Renewable energy systems.
Research centres and groups
Academic staff
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Dr Maxim Shkunov is your programme supervisor. See a full list of all our academic staff within the Advanced Technology Institute.
Support and facilities
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Research support
The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College, which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate careers and employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.
Facilities
Nanoelectronics Centre
This centre has laboratories for plasma, energy and printed electronics all supported by a dedicated Clean Room.
Ion Beam Centre
The Nanofabrication Laboratory, which sits within the Ion Beam Centre, contains two electron microscopes and a dual-beam electron/ion microscope.
Hydrostatic Pressure Laboratory
This laboratory is used to vary the lattice constant of crystals in a controlled manner, mimicking the effect of changing composition.
Laser laboratories
These laboratories include pulsed lasers for material deposition, patterning and characterisation of materials.
Multiphysics characterisation
For thermal, electromagnetic and device characterisation for microwave transistors.
Extensive computational facilities
These facilities are used for electronic, quantum and photonic device simulations.
Entry requirements
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UK qualifications
Applicants are expected to hold a first or upper second-class (2:1) UK degree in a relevant discipline (or equivalent overseas qualification), or a lower-second (2:2) UK degree plus a good UK masters degree - distinction normally required (or equivalent overseas qualification).
Country-specific qualifications
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 or above (or equivalent) with 6.0 in each individual category.
These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Selection process
Selection is based on applicants:
- Meeting the expected entry requirements and providing all relevant documents including a satisfactory research proposal
- Being shortlisted through the application screening process
- Completing a successful interview
- Providing suitable references.
Fees and funding
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Fees per year
Explore UKCISA's website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all postgraduate research courses.
* Please note: any start date other than September will attract a pro-rata fee for that year of entry (75 per cent for January, 50 per cent for April and 25 per cent for July).
Fee options
- UK
- £5,238
- Overseas
- £28,300
- UK
- £2,619
- Overseas
- £14,200
- UK
- £5,238
- Overseas
- £28,300
- UK
- £2,619
- Overseas
- £14,200
- UK
- £5,238
- Overseas
- £28,300
- UK
- £2,619
- Overseas
- £14,200
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- £29,400
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- £14,700
- Annual fees will increase by 4% for each year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100 (subject to legal requirements).
Additional costs
There are additional costs that you can expect to incur when studying at Surrey.
Funding
A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.
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Apply
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Application process
Applicants should contact potential supervisors before submitting an application via the website. Please refer to section two of our application guidance.
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Advanced Technology Institute PhD
Full-time, January 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 11 October 2026
Select
Advanced Technology Institute PhD
Full-time, January 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 11 October 2026
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
Advanced Technology Institute PhD
Part-time, January 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 11 October 2026
Select
Advanced Technology Institute PhD
Part-time, January 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 11 October 2026
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
Advanced Technology Institute PhD
Full-time, April 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 17 January 2027
Select
Advanced Technology Institute PhD
Full-time, April 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 17 January 2027
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
Advanced Technology Institute PhD
Part-time, April 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 17 January 2027
Select
Advanced Technology Institute PhD
Part-time, April 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 17 January 2027
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
Advanced Technology Institute PhD
Full-time, July 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Friday 16 April 2027
Select
Advanced Technology Institute PhD
Full-time, July 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Friday 16 April 2027
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
Advanced Technology Institute PhD
Part-time, July 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Friday 16 April 2027
Select
Advanced Technology Institute PhD
Part-time, July 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Friday 16 April 2027
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
Advanced Technology Institute PhD
Full-time, October 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 11 July 2027
Select
Advanced Technology Institute PhD
Full-time, October 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 11 July 2027
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
Advanced Technology Institute PhD
Part-time, October 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 11 July 2027
Select
Advanced Technology Institute PhD
Part-time, October 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 11 July 2027
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
After registration
Students are initially registered for a PhD with probationary status and, subject to satisfactory progress, subsequently confirmed as having PhD status.
About the University of Surrey
Need more information?
Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current University of Surrey student online.
Code of practice for research degrees
Surrey’s postgraduate research code of practice sets out the University's policy and procedural framework relating to research degrees. The code defines a set of standard procedures and specific responsibilities covering the academic supervision, administration and assessment of research degrees for all faculties within the University.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you will be agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.
We provide these terms and conditions at the offer stage. You will be asked to accept these when you accept the offer made to you. You will be provided with these terms and conditions again at registration by way of reminder.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate; some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.