Program start date | Application deadline |
2023-04-24 | - |
2023-09-19 | - |
2024-01-09 | - |
Program Overview
Research profile
Brunel University London is very pleased to have a close partnership with Ahlia University, which allows students in the Gulf region to undertake a Brunel PhD with supervision and training given by our academic members of staff. We are glad that this gives students the ability to study and research for a UK degree, while based in Bahrain and proud of the success of the graduates from the programme. Ahlia University is the first private university licensed by the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain under the Cabinet decision no. 03-1626, dated 25th March 2001.
Our expertise in Computing
Research in Computer Science at Brunel is internationally recognised, ranked 5th in the UK in the Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers for World Universities and 1st in the UK for H-index (source NTU 2018). We have particular strengths in research into computing methodologies (Intelligent data analysis, artificial intelligence, simulation and modelling), software engineering, human-centred computing (HCI and interactive multimedia systems) and digital economy (including IoT, trust, privacy and cybersecurity). Our research delivers creative computing solutions to industrial and societal challenges, with applications including healthcare, overseas development, education, ecology, finance and manufacturing.
Learn more about research in this area.
Our expertise in Business Management
Research activities within the Business School at Brunel cover a wide-ranging and diverse field of topics from accounting, through HR, to strategy. Academic staff involved within these programmes investigate corporate governance and social responsibility, employment relations, information systems, corporate brands, marketplace cultures, international business and entrepreneurship and much more. Our research drives forward global business and societal transformation and is applied to many areas, such as NASA’s mission to Mars, humanitarian relief in Iran, biobank network across Europe, British Monarchy brand in the UK, to innovating the public sector in Saudi Arabia.
Learn more about research in this area.
Browse the work of subject-relevant research groups
You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.
Program Outline
Research journey
Read the course brochure here
How does it work?
What are the main benefits of this research degree programme?
Your research proposal
To support your application you should include a research proposal. This should detail the proposed area and structure of your research and should extend to about 1,000 words. Your proposal will be used to assess how consistent your research interests are with the School's current research activities, to judge whether the research is possible, necessary and timely and to decide whether you have the appropriate skills to carry out your proposed study.
Please describe your research area and research issues of interest and also the rationale for your research. You should also identify the relationship between the literature and your proposed research and discuss the importance of your research interest: is it something that is absent from the current literature or something that needs further development? Please also provide information about your proposed methodology and specify any conceptual or technical limitations.
Please send your initial queries to phdwr@ahlia.edu.bh. Please upload the completed application form and supporting documents in the links provided on the right-hand side.
Please take particular care to ensure that your personal statement (Section 19) fully explains why you are interested in studying for a PhD, how a PhD will contribute to your future career plans and why you have chosen Brunel’s PhD without residence programme at Ahlia University.
Supporting documents
Contact in Bahrain
Address: Kingdom Tower Building 8, Road 1901, block 319 Horra, flat36 – Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
Tel: +973 1731 3524, +973 17 298999.
Mobile:+973 3399 7734, +973 3988 7612
Email: phdwr@ahlia.edu.bh
You can also find more information at www.ahlia.edu.bh/brunel-phd
This course can be studied 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time, starting in January. Or this course can be studied 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time, starting in October.
Find out about what progress might look like at each stage of study here: Research degree progress structure.
Careers and your future
You will receive tailored careers support during your PhD and for up to three years after you complete your research at Brunel. We encourage you to actively engage in career planning and managing your personal development right from the start of your research, even (or perhaps especially) if you don't yet have a career path in mind. Our careers provision includes online information and advice, one-to-one consultations and a range of events and workshops. The Professional Development Centre runs a varied programme of careers events throughout the academic year. These include industry insight sessions, recruitment fairs, employer pop-ups and skills workshops.
In addition, where available, you may be able to undertake some paid work as we recognise that teaching and learning support duties represent an important professional and career development opportunity.
Find out more.
Find a supervisor
Our researchers create knowledge and advance understanding, and equip versatile doctoral researchers with the confidence to apply what they have learnt for the benefit of society. Find out more about working with the Supervisory Team.
You are welcome to approach your potential supervisor directly to discuss your research interests. Search for expert supervisors for your chosen field of research.
To support you in your research you will be assigned two research-active supervisors. One of your supervisors will be an academic from Ahlia University; the other will be an academic from Brunel. PhD students are expected to work independently, with guidance from your supervisors. Your Ahlia supervisor will be on hand for regular face-to-face meetings and you will have regular contact with your Brunel supervisor by email, Skype or telephone. In addition, your supervisory team will include a Research Development Advisor who will assist you in determining appropriate research and professional development training opportunities.
To encourage critical analysis and independence of thought, staff from Brunel University London regularly organise and deliver innovative workshops and seminars. All of these take place at Ahlia University. Whilst many students take the opportunity to visit Brunel University and meet their supervisor face-to-face, this is not strictly necessary. The only time you are required to come to Brunel is for your viva defence once you have submitted your thesis.
PhD topics
While we welcome applications from student with a clear direction for their research, we are providing you with some ideas for your chosen field of research:
The general University entrance requirement for registration for a research degree is normally a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree (1st or 2:1).
An interview will be required as part of the admissions process and will be conducted by at least two academic staff members remotely via MS Teams, Zoom, or face to face.
Applicants will be required to submit a personal statement and a research statement.
Please contact your proposed supervisor, where possible, to receive feedback and guidance on your research statement before submitting it. Learn how to prepare a research statement here.
English Language Requirements
All courses at Brunel have an English language requirement. This is listed on your
course page
under 'entry criteria'.If you need an English test, we recommend booking one early
as there can be a long wait in some areas. You can also take our Brunel English Language Test (
BrunELT
).What level of English do I need?
In general, our courses ask for an English level of between IELTS 6.0 and 7.0 or equivalent. Some courses will have higher requirements (and will require you to also reach minimum sub-scores), so please
check your course page
for the exact level.
If you do not meet the required level of English, you can take one of ourpre-sessional courses
.What English qualifications does Brunel accept?
English qualifications we currently accept for degree level study include those listed below. We accept a wide range of other qualifications, so if you are unsure please get in touch with us on
What English qualifications do I need if I wish to study English at Brunel before my degree course?
If you need to study English before starting your degree, you should take one of the following tests at
an approved test centre
in order to apply for a Student visa:
Find out more about exams you can take to obtain a Student visa:
IELTS (Academic) for UKVI,
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT
,Trinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE)
, andPearson PTE Academic
. For further details,contact us
.I don't need to study English before I start my degree. Do I still need to provide proof of English language?
All international students must show evidence that they meet the English requirement for their course of study. This applies even if English is the native language of your home country. If this is the case, a pass at high school level which is equivalent to GCSE Grade C or above is sometimes acceptable. Please see your
country page
for more information.If you don't need to study English before your degree and don't have relevant high school qualifications, we can still accept a non-UKVI-approved IELTS from an official test centre with the required scores. However, should you not achieve the required scores for your degree course, you will not be able to use this IELTS to apply for a Tier 4 visa for a pre-sessional English course in the UK. In some circumstances, if you don't have a UKVI IELTS, you may be able to attend an English course with a Short Term Study visa.
Contact us
for more information.
English language qualifications we accept
(Click to expand and see specific requirements):
IELTS for UKVI (UKVI approved for Student Visa)
Pre-sessional English only |
|
---|---|
4.0 to 5.0 |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (PBC) |
5.5 |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (PBC) /Brunel degree programmes |
6.0 |
6.5 |
|
7.0 |
|
(Minimum 4 in all subscores) |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (PBC) |
(Minimum 5.5 in all subscores) |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (PBC) /Brunel degree programmes |
(Minimum 5.5 in all subscores) |
(Minimum 5.5 to 6.0 in all subscores, depending on course) |
|
(Minimum 5.5 to 7.0 in all subscores, depending on course) |
Pre-sessional English only |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (PBC) |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (PBC) /Brunel degree programmes |
||
4.0 to 5.0 |
5.5 |
6.0 |
6.5 |
7.0 |
(Minimum 4 in all subscores) |
(Minimum 5.5 in all subscores) |
(Minimum 5.5 in all subscores) |
(Minimum 5.5 to 6.0 in all subscores, depending on course) |
(Minimum 5.5 to 7.0 in all subscores, depending on course) |
English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course.
View your course page
for more information.Please contact
for more information.
Trinity College London: Secure English Language Tests for UKVI - Integrated Skills in English (ISE) (UKVI approved for Student Visa)
|
|
---|---|
IELTS |
|
Pre-sessional English only |
4.0+ |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
5.5 |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes |
6.0 |
6.5 |
|
7.0 |
|
Trinity ISE |
|
Pre-sessional English only |
ISE I with pass or higher in all parts |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
ISE II with pass in all parts |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes |
ISE III with pass in all parts |
ISE III with pass in all parts |
|
ISE IV with pass in all parts |
|
Pre-sessional English only |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes |
||
IELTS |
4.0+ |
5.5 |
6.0 |
6.5 |
7.0 |
Trinity ISE |
ISE I with pass or higher in all parts |
ISE II with pass in all parts |
ISE III with pass in all parts |
ISE III with pass in all parts |
ISE IV with pass in all parts |
English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course.
View your course page
for more information.Please contact
for more information.
BrunELT (Brunel English Language Test)
IELTS |
|
---|---|
Pre-sessional English Only |
4.0+ |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
5.5 |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/
Brunel degree programmes |
6.0 |
6.5 |
|
7.0 |
|
7.5 |
|
BrunELT |
|
Pre-sessional English Only |
40%+ (a minimum of 40% in all parts) |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
55% (a minimum of 55% in all parts) |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/
Brunel degree programmes |
58% (a minimum of 55% in all parts) |
63% (a minimum of 55% or 58% in all parts, depending on course) |
|
68% (a minimum of 58%, 63% or 68% in all parts, depending on course) |
|
73% (a minimum of 58%, 63% or 68% in all parts, depending on course) |
Pre-sessional English Only | Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/
Brunel degree programmes |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IELTS |
4.0+ |
5.5 |
6.0 |
6.5 |
7.0 |
7.5 |
BrunELT |
40%+ (a minimum of 40% in all parts) |
55% (a minimum of 55% in all parts) |
58% (a minimum of 55% in all parts) |
63% (a minimum of 55% or 58% in all parts, depending on course) |
68% (a minimum of 58%, 63% or 68% in all parts, depending on course) |
73% (a minimum of 58%, 63% or 68% in all parts, depending on course) |
English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course.
View your course page
for more information.Please contact
for more information.
Pearson Academic (UKVI approved for Student Visa)
IELTS |
|
---|---|
Pre-sessional English only |
4.0+ |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
5.5 |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/
Brunel degree programmes |
6.0 |
6.5 |
|
7.0 |
|
PTE Academic UKVI |
|
Pre-sessional English only |
43+ (a minimum of 43 for each part) |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
59 (a minimum of 59 for each part) |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/
Brunel degree programmes |
59 (a minimum of 59 for each part) |
59 (a minimum of 59 for each part) |
|
64 (a minimum of 59 or 64 for each part, depending on course) |
Pre-sessional English only | Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/
Brunel degree programmes |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
IELTS |
4.0+ |
5.5 |
6.0 |
6.5 |
7.0 |
PTE Academic UKVI |
43+ (a minimum of 43 for each part) |
59 (a minimum of 59 for each part) |
59 (a minimum of 59 for each part) |
59 (a minimum of 59 for each part) |
64 (a minimum of 59 or 64 for each part, depending on course) |
English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course.
View your course page
for more information.Please contact
for more information.
Cambridge
IELTS |
|
---|---|
Pre-sessional English only |
4.0+ |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
5.5 |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
6.0 |
6.5 |
|
7.0 |
|
Cambridge English: Business Certificates (BEC) suite of exams |
|
Pre-sessional English only |
140-159 (a minimum of 140 for each part) (previously BEC Preliminary pass/pass with merit) |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
160 (minimum of 160 for each part) or BEC Vantage (Grade C) |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
169 (minimum of 160 for each part) or BEC Vantage (Grade B) |
180 (minimum of 160 or 169 for each part, depending on course) or BEC Higher (Grade C) or Vantage (Grade A) |
|
185 (minimum of 169 or 180 for each part, depending on course) or BEC Higher (Grade B) |
|
IGCSE EFL (English as a first language) |
|
Pre-sessional English only |
D |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
C/4 |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
C/4 |
C/4 |
|
C/4 |
|
IGCSE ESL (English as a second language) |
|
Pre-sessional English only |
D |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
C/4 |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
C/4 |
C/4 |
|
C/4 |
|
B2 First (formerly FCE) |
|
Pre-sessional English only |
140-159 (a minimum of 140 for each sub-score) (Pass/Pass for previous BEC Preliminary) |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) (C old test) |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course) (B old test) |
180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course) (A old test) |
|
|
|
C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) |
|
Pre-sessional English only |
N/A |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) (D old test) |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course) |
180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course) (C old test) |
|
185 (a minimum of 169 or 180 for each sub-score, depending on course) |
|
C2 Proficiency (CPE) |
|
Pre-sessional English only |
N/A |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course) |
180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course) |
|
185 (a minimum of 169 or 180 for each sub-score, depending on course) |
|
International Legal English Certificate - ILEC/ International Certificate of Financial English - ICFE |
|
Pre-sessional English only |
N/A |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) (B2 Pass) |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course)(C1 Pass) |
180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course)(C1 Pass) |
|
185 (a minimum of 169 or 180 for each sub-score, depending on course) (C1 Pass with Merit) |
|
International Education English O'level |
|
Pre-sessional English only |
D |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
C |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
C |
C |
|
C |
|
Cambridge International Level 1/Level 2 Certificate in First Language English |
|
Pre-sessional English only |
D |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
C |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
C |
C |
|
C |
Pre-sessional English only | Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
IELTS |
4.0+ |
5.5 |
6.0 |
6.5 |
7.0 |
Cambridge English: Business Certificates (BEC) suite of exams |
140-159 (a minimum of 140 for each part) (previously BEC Preliminary pass/pass with merit) |
160 (minimum of 160 for each part) or BEC Vantage (Grade C) |
169 (minimum of 160 for each part) or BEC Vantage (Grade B) |
180 (minimum of 160 or 169 for each part, depending on course) or BEC Higher (Grade C) or Vantage (Grade A) |
185 (minimum of 169 or 180 for each part, depending on course) or BEC Higher (Grade B) |
IGCSE EFL (English as a first language) |
D |
C/4 |
C/4 |
C/4 |
C/4 |
IGCSE ESL (English as a second language) |
D |
C/4 |
C/4 |
C/4 |
C/4 |
B2 First (formerly FCE) |
140-159 (a minimum of 140 for each sub-score) (Pass/Pass for previous BEC Preliminary) |
160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) (C old test) |
169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course) (B old test) |
180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course) (A old test) |
|
C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) |
N/A |
160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) (D old test) |
169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course) |
180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course) (C old test) |
185 (a minimum of 169 or 180 for each sub-score, depending on course) |
C2 Proficiency (CPE) |
N/A |
160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) |
169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course) |
180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course) |
185 (a minimum of 169 or 180 for each sub-score, depending on course) |
International Legal English Certificate - ILEC/ International Certificate of Financial English - ICFE |
N/A |
160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) (B2 Pass) |
169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course)(C1 Pass) |
180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course)(C1 Pass) |
185 (a minimum of 169 or 180 for |