Program Overview

Overview

The School of Engineering at Newcastle University has a successful research group that focuses on water. The group is striving to make catchments, cities, and infrastructure more productive, safer, and sustainable. The mission is to foster, promote, and conduct research of international quality, attracting high-quality graduates and researchers and training them to international standards.

Research Themes

The research themes include:

• Flow and transport processes in surface and subsurface systems
• Planning and control of hydraulic networks
• Sustainable management of the water environment, including urban, rural agricultural, and forestry environments
• Climate change impact assessment, including flood risk
• Environmental hazard assessment and mitigation, including landslide hazard
• Integrated surface and groundwater pollution controls
• Integrated assessment of coupled natural, technological, and human systems

Qualifications Explained

• MPhil: A Master of Philosophy is available in all subject areas, receiving research training and undertaking original research leading to the completion of a 40,000 - 50,000 word thesis.
• PhD: A Doctor of Philosophy is a doctorate or doctoral award, involving original research that should make a significant contribution to the knowledge of a specific subject, producing a substantial piece of work (80,000 – 100,000 words) in the form of a supervised thesis.

How You'll Learn

• Delivery and teaching methods: Off-campus study may be available in some circumstances, particularly if you have industrial sponsorship. The programme includes intensive subject-specific supervision training in research methodologies and core skills.
• Assessment methods: Depending on the modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of thesis and viva.

Your Development

• Placement opportunities: The School has extensive UK and international contacts, and research can be carried out in collaboration with industry and government agencies.
• Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering (SAgE) researcher development programme: Designed to help you perform better as a researcher, boost your career prospects, and broaden your impact.

Your Future

• Our Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers.
• The School of Engineering has an exceptional range of laboratories equipped with a wide range of analytical instrumentation.

Quality and Ranking

• 42% of the research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• Global Top 140 University – QS World University Rankings 2026
• Global Top 160 University - Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025

Facilities

The School of Engineering has an exceptional range of laboratories equipped with a wide range of analytical instrumentation.

Fees and Funding

• Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year):
  • MPhil Full time: Home students - Not set, International students - £33,500-£43,700
  • MPhil Part time: Home students - Not set
  • PhD Full time: Home students - Not set, International students - £33,500-£43,700
  • PhD Part time: Home students - Not set
• Scholarships: The University supports EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships.

Entry Requirements

• Academic entry requirements: A 2:1 Honours degree, or international equivalent, in a relevant subject.
• English Language requirements: IELTS, Pearson, Duolingo English Test, TOEFL, or other qualifications.

How to Apply

• Before you start: Find and contact a research supervisor from the School of Engineering to discuss your proposed research.
• Programme codes:
  • MPhil Full time: 7040F
  • MPhil Part time: 7040P
  • PhD Full time: 8040F
  • PhD Part time: 8040P
• Using the application portal: The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application, telling you what documents you need and how to upload them.