Mechanical engineering sciences research courses

We have a strong focus on research and our postgraduate research students have access to leading technologies and the opportunity to gain industry experience within our related research centres.

What we are researching

Aerodynamics and environmental flow

Automotive engineering

Biomedical engineering

Engineering materials

Functional nanomaterials

Surface and interfaces reactions

Studentships

Effect of chemical degradation and formulation stability on viscoelastic relaxation processes

Funding information:

Fully funded for UK fees. Stipend of £17,000 and University of Surrey fees met for duration of studentship.

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Multiscale modelling of lithium-sulfur batteries

Funding information:

The Surrey’s Centre for Automotive Engineering in the School of Mechanical Engineering Sciences, is offering a PhD studentship which will cover home fees and normal EPSRC stipend (currently £14, 553 a year).

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Reinforcement learning control for autonomous systems

Funding information:

Funded EU and UK students only. Covers home fees and normal EPSRC stipend (currently £14553/year). All students may apply for this research project, but the full funding is guaranteed for UK and EU students.

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Facilities

The University invested over £6.5m in new and upgraded facilitates in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences.

This video showcases some of the mechanical engineering facilities that have benefitted from upgrades.

Explore our facilities

Expert support

Doctoral College

The Doctoral College supports the academic and professional development of postgraduate researchers to ensure our world-leading research continues to grow.

Researcher Development Programme

There is an extensive Researcher Development Programme that provides training and development opportunities.

What our students say

Simon Noel

Aerodynamic and Environmental Flow PhD

My supervisors have been very supportive throughout my research. Furthermore, the range of facilities available will be invaluable for the implementation of my techniques.

Victor Mazzilli

Automotive Engineering PhD

It’s a friendly and collaborative environment in the Department. We work mostly in a wide and comfortable office and, occasionally, we have the opportunity to run experiments with real cars or in the test rig lab.

Maryamolsadat Mirhadizadeh

Biomedical Engineering PhD

My supervisors have provided me with continuous support, encouragement and endless patience since I started my PhD.

Tommy Chamberlain

Engineering Materials PhD

I’ve had many other proud moments from teaching. It’s a wonderful feeling when you help someone understand a concept that they have struggled with, or help someone adjust to studying at university.

Jacob Pimenta-Richardson

Micro- and NanoMaterials and Technologies EngD

The support I’ve received from my department, my University supervisors and my sponsors at Thames Water Utilities Limited has been excellent. They’ve helped guide my research so that it’s both novel and useful.

Student achievements

Medical devices

PhD student, David P Harvey, selected for Conception X, a deeptech incubator programme, for creation of a portable pressure sensor to measure human breath

Exciting careers

Dr Nick Brown, who studied for an Engineering Doctorate at Surrey, has a lead engineering role in McLaren’s Formula 1 team

Industrial fellowships

The highly prestigious Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 has awarded two talented young researchers from the University of Surrey Industrial Fellowships worth up to £100,000 each

Research news

Three scientists stand in front of an image of a nuclear reactor

22 FEB 2022

Surrey research is helping to usher in safe, low-carbon electricity generated by nuclear fusion

12 JAN 2022

EnFlo lab is part of £2.5m project to develop next generation weather models

An aerial picture of the round building of Diamond Light Source

23 NOV 2021

Synchrotron analysis helps scientists identify how to improve tissue engineering, paving the way for more effective pancreatic cancer research

See our latest news

Find a PhD course

If you are interested in doing a PhD with us, please look at the interests of our Department's research groups and get in contact with an academic.

Aerodynamic and Environmental Flow PhD

Automotive Engineering PhD

Biomedical Engineering PhD

Engineering Materials PhD

Robotics and Autonomous Systems PhD

Study in industry

Our students have the opportunity to spend four years in industry via our unique engineering doctorate programme hosted through our prestigious EPSRC funded Centre for Doctoral Training in Micro- and NanoMaterials and Technologies (MiNMaT). This programme combines working on research with an industrial partner and taught courses on our campus.