Program Overview

Introduction to the EPSRC CDT MRes + PhD in Photonic and Electronic Systems

The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Photonic and Electronic Systems offers a four-year MRes + PhD (1+3) course in collaboration with University College London (UCL). The four-year course comprises an initial year undertaking the Photonic and Electronic Systems MRes programme, followed by a three-year PhD programme. Continuation on to the PhD is conditional on satisfactory performance in the MRes year. Full funding is available for eligible applicants.

Programme Aims

The programme aims to:

• produce engineering leaders with a high level of understanding and skills in photonic and electronic systems, in particular, the fundamentals of the field together with the necessary research expertise, and technology, systems and applications knowledge
• develop strong business awareness in MRes graduates and foster an understanding of the foundations of management theory and the connections between technology, management and entrepreneurship
• encourage an appreciation of applications drivers for photonic systems technologies and the business, road-mapping and cost analysis tools used to determine the adoption of new technological solutions
• expose students to a range of technology areas and provide an experience of a variety of different research and development cultures
• encourage students to study across discipline boundaries, with the resultant enhancement of interdisciplinary understanding
• equip graduates of the programme with generic communications skills as well as research-specific training to enable them to make a seamless transfer to doctoral research programmes at either Cambridge or UCL

Learning Outcomes

The MRes programme in photonic and electronic systems will equip its graduates with a wide range of skills and knowledge, fully equipping them for both further research and for industrial work in the area of photonic and electronic systems. Graduates will have developed a thorough technical understanding of photonic and electronic systems, with a firm grip of the fundamentals in the broad areas of communications, biophotonics, displays, lighting and processing.

Key Skills and Knowledge

Graduates will be equipped with:

• skills in the modelling, simulation and experimental evaluation of photonic systems
• the ability to critically evaluate and find alternative solutions to technical problems
• the ability to carry out surveys of existing technologies and research topics, and provide a detailed and critical overview of a technology or research area
• academic research skills developed through practical experience in mini-projects
• team-working and time-management skills
• critical reasoning skills

Programme Structure

The programme is a 1+3 years full-time course, with the first year being the MRes programme, followed by a three-year PhD programme. The study mode is research, and the degree awarded is a Doctor of Philosophy, with a Master of Research in the first instance. The programme is based in the Department of Engineering.

Admission and Funding

Applications are open, with deadlines as follows:

• Applications open: September 3, 2025
• Application deadline: May 14, 2026
• Course starts: September 28, 2026 Funding deadlines are:
• Course funding deadline: December 3, 2025
• Gates Cambridge US round only: October 15, 2025

Similar Courses

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• Photonic and Electronic Systems MRes
• Engineering PhD
• Engineering MPhil
• Healthcare Innovation PGCert
• Energy Technologies MPhil