The Programme

The programme runs for four years.  All students study 180 credits of postgraduate technical and business courses (the majority which are at SCQF Level 11 NQF/QCF Level 7). Normal entry is in September, with core technical courses delivered in two 60-credit residential blocks, the first from September to December at the University of St Andrews and the second from January to May at the University of Strathclyde and Heriot-Watt. Each block comprises a set of mandatory courses, but elective courses are available from our partner universities.

Selected courses may be available in distance-learning format, allowing company employees to pursue an EngD without spending a large amount of time away from the company.

Students progress to their research project in June, with EngD projects normally located at the company’s site and PhD projects based in research groups at one of our partner universities.  Our students spend 75% of their time working directly with a company and 25% on courses.

Each research project is proposed by one of our industrial partners and is normally located at the company’s site (EngD) or university research laboratory (PhD).  Students are co-supervised by an industrial and academic supervisor and benefit from resource and expertise from both the industrial and academic partners.

The remaining taught courses are business-oriented and are delivered by the Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University in intensive blocks. These courses run in years two and three.

Forming a strong cohort is an important part of the programme and our students meet regularly for professional and skills workshops throughout the duration of the programme.