Civil Engineering
School of Natural and Built Environment | PhDOverview
The research centre will address the topical grand challenges in civil engineering field, building on existing and developing new international collaborations. Financial support to meet these challenges will be acquired through both internal University initiatives (for enhanced infrastructure and facilities) and external funding from government grants, charities and direct industrial support.
Research will address the grand challenges of energy, carbon, clean water, infrastructure; exploring extremes and defining new limits. Key research areas include:
Marine renewable energy
Groundwater and environmental systems
Geotechnics
Intelligent infrastructure and high performance structures
Energy efficient materials
Mode of study / duration
Registration is on a full-time or part-time basis, under the direction of a supervisory team appointed by the University. You will be expected to submit your thesis at the end of three years of full-time registration for PhD, or two years for MPhil (or part-time equivalent).
Subject Summary
Civil Engineering at Queens is in the Top 200 in the World (Academic Ranking of World Universities, 2021). Your research will advance knowledge in the civil engineering field, building on existing and developing new international collaborations. Your work will help to address the challenges of energy, carbon, clean water, infrastructure; exploring extremes and defining new limits. Our key research areas include marine renewable energy, groundwater and environmental systems, geotechnics, intelligent infrastructure and high-performance structures, energy efficient materials and construction and project management.
Civil Engineering Highlights
Global Opportunities
- Civil Engineering brings together researchers from spatial planning, architecture, geography, paleoecology and civil engineering to tackle some of the world's most pressing urban and environmental challenges.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/NBE/Research/
Industry Links
- Civil Engineering is led by a Head of Discipline supported by team leaders with responsibility for maintaining excellence in its research groups. One of these, the Intelligent and Sustainable Infrastructure Group (ISIG - including low carbon structural materials) has several joint projects with international Centres of Excellence. Further information about our research groups can be found on the School website.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/NBE/Disciplines/civil-and-structural-engineering/
World Class Facilities
- The School of Natural and Built Environment has a range of state-of-the-art facilities to support our outstanding students and staff conducting leading-edge research and teaching. These include a heavy structures laboratory, rheology laboratory, the Belfast Wave Flume and the Portaferry coastal wave basin.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/NBE/Research/facilities-infrastructure/
Student Experience
- Postgraduates form an intrinsic part of our research community and are actively involved in the School's cross-disciplinary Research Groups, enabling the creation of synergies in areas such as sustainability, infrastructure, culture, design and heritage. The School is engaged with major research themes such as urbanism, community, heritage, population and climate change which contributes to the development of policy and practice both locally and globally. Visit our School website and read about the exciting research being undertaken by our current PhD students:
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/NBE/Study/PostgraduateResearch/
Key Facts
Civil Engineering at Queens is in the Top 200 in the World QS Rankings (2022).
- Civil Engineering is ranked 20th in the UK (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022).
Course content
Research Information
Associated Research
The dynamic nature of this research has been key to the our success in attracting significant funding from UK research councils, government departments and agencies.
The Civil Engineering Research Centre (CERC) is a leading international, interdisciplinary centre that enables scientists and engineers from all areas of civil engineering investigation to work on diverse, yet complementary research.
A special feature of the CERC is the extensive and diverse range of research topics being researched by students and staff in the Centre.
Career Prospects
Introduction
Many of our PhD graduates have moved into academic and research roles in Higher Education while others go on to play leading roles in educational practice, the public sector or within NGO’s. Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability.
For further information on career opportunities at PhD level please contact the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences Student Recruitment Team on askEPS@qub.ac.uk.
Our advisors - in consultation with the School - will be happy to provide further information on your research area, possible career prospects and your research application.
People teaching you
Dr David Hester
Senior Lecturer
Natural and Built Environment
Dr Giuseppina Amato
Senior Lecturer
Natural and Built Environment
Dr Louise Kregting
Senior Lecturer
Natural and Built Environment
Dr Madjid Karimirad
Senior Lecturer
Natural and Built Environment
Dr Mohammed Sonebi
Professor
Natural and Built Environment
Dr Myra Lydon
Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellow
Natural and Built Environment
Dr Raymond Flynn
Senior Lecturer
Natural and Built Environment
Dr Rory Doherty
Senior Lecturer
Natural and Built Environment
Dr Siobhan Cox
Senior Lecturer
Natural and Built Environment
Dr Sree Nanukuttan
Senior Lecturer
Natural and Built Environment
Dr Ulrich Ofterdinger
Reader
Natural and Built Environment
Professor G Hamill
Professor
Natural and Built Environment
Professor Marios Soutsos
Professor
Natural and Built Environment
Professor Wei Sha
Professor
Natural and Built Environment
Learning Outcomes
A research degree offers students an opportunity to foster their capacity for independent research and critical thought. It also allows students to explore an area of interest and so understand and solve theoretical and practical problems within the field.
Undertaking a research degree also enhances a student’s written and oral communication skills, and a PhD is almost always a formal requirement for an academic post.
Course structure
You will carry out original research under the guidance of your supervisory team. There is no specific course content as such. This independent research is complemented by postgraduate skills training organised by Queen’s Graduate School, and other internal and external training courses organised through your supervisor.
You will normally register, in the first instance, as an ‘undifferentiated PhD student’ which means that you have satisfied staff that you are capable of undertaking a research degree. The decision as to whether you should undertake an MPhil or a PhD is delayed until you have completed ‘differentiation’.
Differentiation takes place about 9-12 months after registration for full time students and about 18-30 months for part time students: You are normally asked to submit work to a panel of up two academics and this is followed up with a formal meeting with the ‘Differentiation Panel’. The Panel then make a judgement about your capacity to continue with your study. Sometimes students are advised to revise their research objectives or to consider submitting their work for an MPhil qualification rather than a doctoral qualification.
To complete with a doctoral qualification you will be required to submit a thesis of no more than 80,000 words and you will be required to attend a viva voce [oral examination] with an external and internal examiner to defend your thesis.
A PhD programme runs for 3-4 years full-time or 6-8 years part-time. Students can apply for a writing up year should it be required.
The PhD is open to both full and part time candidates and is often a useful preparation for a career within academia or consultancy.
Full time students are often attracted to research degree programmes because they offer an opportunity to pursue in some depth an area of academic interest.
The part time route is a suitable option for those unable to study for a PhD full time. This may be due to family commitments or those already in employment. On the former, studying part time for a PhD can be very accommodating in juggling different responsibilities. On the latter, part time candidates often choose to research an area that is related to their professional responsibilities.
If you meet the Entry Requirements, the next step is to check whether we can supervise research in your chosen area. We only take students to whom we can offer expert research supervision from one of our academic staff. Therefore, your research question needs to engage with the research interests of one of our staff.
Application Process
Please review the eligibility criteria on the webpages. If you believe that you meet these criteria then follow the steps below:
Select ONE potential supervisor from our list of Academic Staff (https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/NBE/OurPeople/AcademicandResearchStaff/) and send an email containing:
a brief CV (1-2 pages maximum)
a concise statement that you are interested in studying for a PhD, stating when you would start, and how you would plan to fund the research
a brief statement of the research question or interest, and how you think the question could be investigated
Our academic staff welcome approaches from prospective students; staff can liaise with applicants to develop a research proposal of mutual interest. The potential supervisor should get back to you within a couple of weeks. They may invite you to meet with them or they may invite you to apply formally.
If you have difficulty identifying or contacting an appropriate supervisor, please contact Catherine Boone (email: pgr.snbe@qub.ac.uk) who will be happy to help.
For part-time study – the closing date for this option is 31st August each year.
For full-time study (self-funding) – for those full time candidates who do not wish to compete for a studentship or who are not eligible to compete for a studentship the closing date is 31st August each year.
For full-time study and application for a studentship/award; please be aware that awards are only available to full time students. Candidates wishing to apply for studentships available within the School must apply for full-time study at the same time. Available studentships and closing dates are detailed on the School's studentships web page: https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/NBE/Study/PostgraduateResearch/ResearchStudentships/
Assessment
Assessment processes for the research degree differ from taught degrees. Students will be expected to present drafts of their work at regular intervals to their supervisor who will provide written and oral feedback; a formal assessment process takes place annually.
This Annual Progress Review requires students to present their work in writing and orally to a panel of academics from within the School. Successful completion of this process will allow students to register for the next academic year.
The final assessment of the doctoral degree is both oral and written. Students will submit their thesis to an internal and external examining team who will review the written thesis before inviting the student to orally defend their work at a Viva Voce.
Feedback
Supervisors will offer feedback on draft work at regular intervals throughout the period of registration on the degree.
Learning and Teaching
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Project name | School | Funding | Subject | Status | Sort | Timestamp |
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QUADRAT DTP: Investigation of the growth of molds (fungi and bacteria) in bio-based materials made from agro-waste foodSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Agronomy, Soil Science, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Hydrology Dr Mohammed Sonebi
Supervisor
Dr Mohammed Sonebi
Funding
Funded
NERC QUADRAT-DTP
Application deadline
22 January 2020
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1579651200 |
QUADRAT DTP: Assessing the restoration of UK Carbon sinks using geophysics and microbiologySchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Agronomy, Soil Science, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Hydrology Dr Rory Doherty
Supervisor
Dr Rory Doherty
Funding
Funded
NERC QUADRAT-DTP
Application deadline
22 January 2019
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1548115200 |
QUADRAT: Multidisciplinary Quantification Ecosystem Services to Streams, Provided by Formerly Afforested Blanket Bog.School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Agricultural Sciences, Ecology, Conservation, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Engineering Dr Raymond Flynn
Supervisor
Dr Raymond Flynn
Funding
Funded
NERC QUADRAT-DTP
Application deadline
22 January 2020
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1579651200 |
Decision Support Framework for Reliable and Cost-effective Repowering of Bottom-fixed Offshore Wind FarmsSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Marine, Mechanical, structural, offshore Dr Madjid Karimirad
Supervisor
Dr Madjid Karimirad
Funding
Funded
DfE
Application deadline
31 March 2021
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1617145200 |
Transforming waste glass cullet to sodium silicate: a bulk chemical for the production of low-carbon concrete, surfactants and wood pulpSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Professor Marios Soutsos
Supervisor
Professor Marios Soutsos
Funding
Funded
DfE
Application deadline
30 June 2021
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1625007600 |
Urban agroecology: Risks and BenefitsSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Environmental Engineering, Pollution, Soil Science, Environmental Geography, Geochemistry Dr Rory Doherty
Supervisor
Dr Rory Doherty
Funding
Funded
EPSRC
Application deadline
30 June 2021
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1625007600 |
QUADRAT DTP CASE: Modelling the fate of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the Northwest European Shelf ecosystem with a suite of high-resolution numerical modelsSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Climatology & Climate Change, Ecotoxicology & Pollution, Environmental Chemistry Dr Kieran O'Driscoll
Supervisor
Dr Kieran O'Driscoll
Funding
Funded
NERC QUADRAT-DTP
Application deadline
18 January 2021
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1610928000 |
QUADRAT DTP CASE: Quantifying kelp detrital pathways: what is potentially locked away as Blue Carbon?School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Biochemistry, Biophysics, Botany/Plant Science, Climatology & Climate Change, Ecology & Conservation Dr Louise Kregting
Supervisor
Dr Louise Kregting
Funding
Funded
NERC QUADRAT-DTP
Application deadline
16 June 2021
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1623798000 |
QUADRAT DTP: Repurposing fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) composite waste for marine renewable energySchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Climatology & Climate Change, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Marine Biology Dr Madjid Karimirad
Supervisor
Dr Madjid Karimirad
Funding
Funded
NERC QUADRAT-DTP
Application deadline
16 June 2021
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1623798000 |
QUADRAT DTP: Development of artificial reefs: design, scientific monitoring, environment impact and management in North/Irish SeasSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Scien Dr Mohammed Sonebi
Supervisor
Dr Mohammed Sonebi
Funding
Funded
NERC QUADRAT-DTP
Application deadline
16 June 2021
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1623798000 |
SALine INtrusion in coastal Aquifers (SALINA): Hydrodynamic Assessment and Prediction of Dynamic ResponseSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Civil & Structural Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Geography, Geology Professor Gerard Hamill
Supervisor
Professor Gerard Hamill
Funding
Funded
DfE
Application deadline
1 May 2021
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1619823600 |
Fluid Structure Interactions due to Scouring at BridgesSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Civil & Structural Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Professor Gerard Hamill
Supervisor
Professor Gerard Hamill
Funding
Funded
DfE
Application deadline
1 May 2021
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1619823600 |
Population based Structural health monitoring for bridgesSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Civil engineering, mechanical and structural engineering, data science, machine learning, dynamics Dr David Hester
Supervisor
Dr David Hester
Funding
Funded
DfE
Application deadline
31 March 2022
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1648681200 |
Population based Structural health monitoring for bridgesSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Civil engineering, electrical engineering Dr David Hester
Supervisor
Dr David Hester
Funding
Funded
DfE
Application deadline
31 March 2023
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1680217200 |
Crack-inducing thermal stresses in safety-critical concrete structuresSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Thermal stresses, safety critical structures, cement hydration, supplementary cementitious materials Professor Marios Soutsos
Supervisor
Professor Marios Soutsos
Funding
Unfunded
Application deadline
None specified
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2 | |
Impact Resistance of Ultra High Performance Fibre Reinforced ConcreteSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Ultra-high performance fibre reinforced concrete (UHPFRC), impact and blast resistance, Professor Marios Soutsos
Supervisor
Professor Marios Soutsos
Funding
Unfunded
Application deadline
None specified
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2 | |
Structural Behaviour of Concrete Block Pavements: Finite Element Modelling of the effect of construction pattern and unit interlockSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Structural behaviour, concrete block pavements, construction pattern, unit interlock Professor Marios Soutsos
Supervisor
Professor Marios Soutsos
Funding
Unfunded
Application deadline
None specified
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2 | |
Ultra High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete for Access Floor TilesSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Professor Marios Soutsos
Supervisor
Professor Marios Soutsos
Funding
Unfunded
Application deadline
None specified
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2 | |
Cementless “Geopolymer” Concrete for Sustainable ConstructionSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Alkali-activated binders (AABs), geopolymer concrete, supplementary cementitious materials Professor Marios Soutsos
Supervisor
Professor Marios Soutsos
Funding
Unfunded
Application deadline
None specified
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2 | |
The use of decommissioned wind turbine blades as girders in bridgesSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRP), wind turbine blades, bridges, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Professor Marios Soutsos
Supervisor
Professor Marios Soutsos
Funding
Unfunded
Application deadline
None specified
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2 | |
CITI-GENS DTP: Dynamic characterization of tensile and bond behaviour of basalt textile reinforced mortars (BTRM)School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Composite materials, basalt, textile reinforced mortars, impact loading, bond behaviour Dr Giuseppina Amato
Supervisor
Dr Giuseppina Amato
Funding
Funded
Cofunded by Horizon 2020 prog of the EU and DfE
Application deadline
10 July 2020
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1594335600 |
Bio-based textile reinforced mortar (bio-TRM) composites for structural strengtheningSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Textile reinforced mortars, bio-based materials, structural strengthening, masonry Dr Mohammed Sonebi
Supervisor
Dr Mohammed Sonebi
Funding
Unfunded
Application deadline
None specified
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2 | |
CITI-GENS DTP: Sensor based digital transformation of constructionSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD BIM, Sensors, wireless Communication, data analytics, construction process, digitisation Dr Sree Nanukuttan
Supervisor
Dr Sree Nanukuttan
Funding
Funded
Cofunded by Horizon 2020 prog of the EU and DfE
Application deadline
10 July 2020
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1594335600 |
CITI-GENS DTP: The real-life performance of energy efficiency technologies unearthed through data scienceSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Data analytics, energy performance, climate change, occupant behaviour, training, thermal performanc Dr Sree Nanukuttan
Supervisor
Dr Sree Nanukuttan
Funding
Funded
Cofunded by the Horizon 2020 prog of the EU & DfE
Application deadline
10 July 2020
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1594335600 |
Geotechnical and geophysical testing of microbial induced precipitation in soils and construction wastesSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD civil and structural engineering, architecture Dr V Sivakumar
Supervisor
Dr V Sivakumar
Funding
Funded
US Ireland
Application deadline
11 September 2020
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1599778800 |
CITI-GENS DTP: Microstructure and mechanical properties of an advanced metal matrix composite with ultrafine particle reinforcement for manufacturing aerospace componentsSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD metal matrix composite, aerospace Professor Wei Sha
Supervisor
Professor Wei Sha
Funding
Funded
Cofunded by Horizon 2020 prog of the EU and DfE
Application deadline
10 July 2020
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1594335600 |
Development of UAV for asset management in constructionSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD UAV, photogrammetry, MATLAB, infrastructure management, structural engineering, civil engineering Dr Daniel McPolin
Supervisor
Dr Daniel McPolin
Funding
Unfunded
Application deadline
None specified
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2 | |
Global Availability and Characteristics of a waste material with potential application in the construction industrySchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Civil engineering Dr Daniel McPolin
Supervisor
Dr Daniel McPolin
Funding
Funded
DfE
Application deadline
3 December 2021
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1638489600 |
Bio-based textile reinforced mortar (bio-TRM) composites for structural strengtheningSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Bio-based materials, composites, waste materials, TRM, masonry, heritage buildings, strengthening, Dr Giuseppina Amato
Supervisor
Dr Giuseppina Amato
Funding
Unfunded
Application deadline
None specified
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2 | |
Do kelp forests lock away carbon to be forgottenSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Macroalgae, water motion, carbon, ecology Dr Louise Kregting
Supervisor
Dr Louise Kregting
Funding
Unfunded
Application deadline
None specified
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | |
Repurposing offshore wind turbine blades for marine renewable energy applicationsSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Offshore wind turbines, Offshore renewable energy (ORE), Marine structures, Repurpose Dr Madjid Karimirad
Supervisor
Dr Madjid Karimirad
Funding
Unfunded
Application deadline
None specified
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2 | |
Electrical resistivity-based characterisation of concrete: Affordable TechnologiesSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Durability, Concrete, Resistivity, Temperature, R&D Dr Sree Nanukuttan
Supervisor
Dr Sree Nanukuttan
Funding
Unfunded
Application deadline
None specified
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2 | |
Corrosion of mild steel reinforcement in alkali activated bindersSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Corrosion, mild steel, alkali activated materials, measurements Dr Sree Nanukuttan
Supervisor
Dr Sree Nanukuttan
Funding
Unfunded
Application deadline
None specified
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2 | |
Microstructure and mechanical properties of an advanced metal matrix composite with ultrafine particle reinforcement for manufacturing aerospace componentsSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Metal matrix composite; aerospace. Professor Wei Sha
Supervisor
Professor Wei Sha
Funding
Unfunded
Application deadline
None specified
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2 | |
Digital Twinning Lifetime Responses of Floating Solar Panels (SolarTwin)School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD aerospace engineering, civil engineering, dynamics, environmental, fluid mechanics, marine, mechanic Dr Madjid Karimirad
Supervisor
Dr Madjid Karimirad
Funding
Funded
SFI (Science Foundation Ireland)
Application deadline
31 March 2023
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1680217200 |
Establishing a Climate Resilient Adapted National Network (CRANN) of BridgesSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD civil engineering, climate science, transport geography, structural engineering, data analysis, stat Dr Myra Lydon
Supervisor
Dr Myra Lydon
Funding
Funded
EPSRC
Application deadline
31 March 2022
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1648681200 |
SHM informed scour risk monitoring to enhance the resilience of bridge networksSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Civil engineering, structural engineering, climate science, transport geography, data analysis, stat Dr Myra Lydon
Supervisor
Dr Myra Lydon
Funding
Funded
EPSRC
Application deadline
31 March 2022
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1648681200 |
QUADRAT DTP: Potential human health risks from Ni and Cr in agricultural lands following repeated amendment with basalt dust for carbon sequestrationSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD agronomy and soil science Dr Siobhan Cox
Supervisor
Dr Siobhan Cox
Funding
Funded
NERC QUADRAT DTP
Application deadline
1 December 2021
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1638316800 |
QUADRAT DTP: The impact of subsurface heterogeneity on the performance of Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) systemsSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Dr Ulrich Ofterdinger
Supervisor
Dr Ulrich Ofterdinger
Funding
Funded
NERC QUADRAT DTP
Application deadline
1 December 2021
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1638316800 |
Improving the shrinkage behaviour and efflorescence formation of low carbon geopolymer concreteSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Geopolymer Professor Wei Sha
Supervisor
Professor Wei Sha
Funding
Unfunded
Application deadline
None specified
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2 | |
Babbitt/aluminium composite material with enhanced tribological and mechanical characteristicsSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Materials science, Materials engineering Professor Wei Sha
Supervisor
Professor Wei Sha
Funding
Unfunded
Application deadline
None specified
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2 | |
Electroless high entropy alloy coatings for energy storage applicationsSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Surface engineering, Materials science, Materials engineering Professor Wei Sha
Supervisor
Professor Wei Sha
Funding
Unfunded
Application deadline
None specified
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2 | |
Assembly and Robotics Innovation in Steel Building Erection (ARISE)School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or computer science Dr Daniel McPolin
Supervisor
Dr Daniel McPolin
Funding
Funded
US-Ireland
Application deadline
31 July 2023
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2 | 1690758000 |
Development of robotic printable long-life mortar systemSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Civil, Electrical, Electronic, Mechanical, structural engineering, robotics, computer vision Dr Daniel McPolin
Supervisor
Dr Daniel McPolin
Funding
Funded
DfE
Application deadline
31 July 2023
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2 | 1690758000 |
QUADRAT DTP CASE: Novel Assessment Tools for Wave Dampening by Marine and Coastal VegetationSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD ecology, marine biology, plant, environmental engineering, fluid mechanics, marine, offshore, math Dr Pal Schmitt
Supervisor
Dr Pal Schmitt
Funding
Funded
NERC Quadrat
Application deadline
9 December 2022
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1670544000 |
QUADRAT DTP: Enhanced rock weathering – solution or problem? Potential human health risks from Ni and Cr accumulation in soils following repeated amendment with basalt dustSchool of Natural and Built Environment | PHD agricultural sciences, arable farming, ecotoxicology, environmental engineering, pollution, soil Dr Siobhan Cox
Supervisor
Dr Siobhan Cox
Funding
Funded
NERC Quadrat
Application deadline
9 December 2022
|
School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1670544000 |
Entrance requirements
Graduate
The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School.
International Students
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.
English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.
International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.
For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
Tuition Fees
Northern Ireland (NI) 1 | £4,712 |
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 | £4,712 |
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 | £4,712 |
EU Other 3 | £23,850 |
International | £23,850 |
1 EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled or pre-settled status, are expected to be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly Student Fees Regulations. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB are expected to be charged the GB fee, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.
2 It is expected that EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI will be eligible for NI tuition fees. The tuition fee set out above is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.
3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.
All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. All fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
More information on postgraduate tuition fees.
Civil Engineering costs
There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.
Additional course costs
All Students
Depending on the programme of study, there may also be other extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies . Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £100 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges. Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen. There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, and library fines. In undertaking a research project students may incur costs associated with transport and/or materials, and there will also be additional costs for printing and binding the thesis. There may also be individually tailored research project expenses and students should consult directly with the School for further information.
Bench fees
Some research programmes incur an additional annual charge on top of the tuition fees, often referred to as a bench fee. Bench fees are charged when a programme (or a specific project) incurs extra costs such as those involved with specialist laboratory or field work. If you are required to pay bench fees they will be detailed on your offer letter. If you have any questions about Bench Fees these should be raised with your School at the application stage. Please note that, if you are being funded you will need to ensure your sponsor is aware of and has agreed to fund these additional costs before accepting your place.
How do I fund my study?
1.PhD OpportunitiesFind PhD opportunities and funded studentships by subject area.
2.Funded Doctoral Training ProgrammesWe offer numerous opportunities for funded doctoral study in a world-class research environment. Our centres and partnerships, aim to seek out and nurture outstanding postgraduate research students, and provide targeted training and skills development.
3.PhD loansThe Government offers doctoral loans of up to £26,445 for PhDs and equivalent postgraduate research programmes for English- or Welsh-resident UK and EU students.
4.International ScholarshipsInformation on Postgraduate Research scholarships for international students.
Funding and Scholarships
The Funding & Scholarship Finder helps prospective and current students find funding to help cover costs towards a whole range of study related expenses.
How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.
Find a supervisor
If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.
To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here.
You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.