Research Degrees 

Completing a PhD through the DECIDE programme with us is an exciting and fulfilling experience, and will become a defining period of your life. 

The DECIDE programme is designed specifically to support the through life learning of the world class engineers working within local companies and is linked to the: Advanced Materials research node. You will be supported to develop your existing work and ideas into world leading research concepts that advance the research field in collaboration with our World leading academic colleagues from the Department of Engineering. 

You will be part of the Advanced Materials and Electronic Devices Research Node, which is a thematic grouping of academics, researchers and PGR students providing critical research mass in the electronic engineering sector. Further information regarding Research Nodes in the Department of Engineering can be found at : https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/engineering/research/nodes/ 

To develop a breadth of understanding within a General Engineering department, you will contribute to Departmental research activities, including seminar programmes and discussions.  As part of the technical skills development within the PhD programme, each enrolled student will be expected to provide a master class in a specialist technical area linked to their own work that is suitable for cohort based training.  This training will be undertaken on the site of your employer. All students registered on the DECIDE programme will present their work at the annual PGR Conference, providing excellent experience of presenting to an audience of peers and academics. You will also receive opportunities to contribute to teaching in the Department and develop skills of use beyond your research focus. 

Our Programmes 

PhD Course Code H1A202: Typically six years of part-time research and writing, at the end of which students produce a thesis of up to 100,000 words. This programme is only available to UK based students that are fully employed in an engineering focussed company that directly support the proposed activity and the time requirements for the academic aspects of the PhD. The cost of the fees will be covered by the company during the PhD. This programme is not suitable for potential students that are seeking studentships or conventional part-time PhD study, these are covered by the conventional PhD coursecode H1A201. 

How to apply and entry requirements 

Admissions decisions are based on the candidates suitability for postgraduate research, the support of the employing company, alignment of the engineering activity with the wider research agenda and meeting the necessary entry requirements.  

The normal minimum entry requirements for PhD study are masters-level qualification at 60% or higher, from a UK university or an equivalent degree qualification from an overseas university.  Because of the nature of the programme, industrial experience and aptitude will be considered to support the degree classification where appropriate and the ability to achieve professional membership, such as MIET, will be considered in place of the 60% requirement. 

A formal application to study for a Postgraduate Research Degree should be submitted through our online application process, using this link https://apps.dur.ac.uk/coursedata/sits/pgr/H1A202  

You will need to provide the following documentation: 

• A research proposal, which is no longer than 800 words in length.  This is expected to specify the topic of study, the overall aims and objectives and any facilities within the company that will be utilised in the project. 
• A current Curriculum Vitae/Resumé. 
• Transcripts of previous degree(s) or confirmation of professional membership 

• A letter of reference from a senior member of the company, that outlines the candidates suitability, how the candidate will be supported and confirmation that the company will pay the student fees for the duration of the project