Prospective Students
The Centre for Doctoral Training in Applied Photonics offers a four year programme combining industry focused research and technical and professional skills courses.
We offer a number of flexible pathways through our programme to support student’s circumstances and needs, for example those with caring responsibilities or medical issues. If you would like to apply for the programme, please speak to us about how we can help support you through the programme.
About the Programme
Our four-year doctoral programme combines industry-focused research with Master’s-level technical training, business and innovation courses, and professional development opportunities. Every student undertakes an industry-inspired research project designed to address real-world challenges and deliver meaningful impact.
Engineering Doctorate (EngD) students typically complete the research phase of their programme embedded within an industrial partner organisation, gaining first-hand experience of research and innovation in a commercial environment. PhD students, meanwhile, undertake industry-sponsored research projects hosted within one of our University research groups.
Students devote approximately 75% of their time to their research project and 25% to taught courses and professional development activities. Each project benefits from the guidance of both academic and industrial supervisors, ensuring a balance of scientific excellence and industrial relevance.
The Engineering Doctorate (EngD) offers an alternative to the traditional PhD for students seeking a research degree with a stronger industrial focus. Recognising the importance of meeting commercial and industry needs, the EngD places greater emphasis on innovation, knowledge transfer, and the practical application of research outcomes.
Our graduates go on to make significant contributions across a wide range of sectors, including industry, academia, and entrepreneurship. To learn more about graduate destinations and career outcomes, we invite you to explore our latest Annual Report, which highlights the achievements and current employment of many of our alumni.
How to Apply
Applicants should hold, or expect to achieve, a Master’s-level undergraduate degree (e.g. MPhys or MEng) with a minimum classification of 2:1 (or international equivalent), or a relevant MSc degree with a minimum Merit classification (or equivalent).
Exceptional candidates holding a BSc with First Class Honours, together with relevant research experience, will also be considered.
Applicants from outside the UK are encouraged to contact us for further information on available funding opportunities. International applicants will require the appropriate visa to study in the UK and must ensure they meet all relevant immigration requirements before joining the programme.
Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate that they meet the university’s English language requirements.
Project Work & Supervisors
Each of our student research students has two supervisors, an academic based at one of our university partners, and an industrial, from the company sponsoring the research project.
The supervisors keep in regular contact with our students (termed Research Engineers in the industrial setting) who help to ensure the work is of a high academic quality and industrially relevant.
At the end of the programme, our students are assessed by a thesis and a viva. This is common for both EngD and PhD qualifications, although with an EngD the focus is on innovation rather than creation of new knowledge.
