The Programme
About the Package
The CDT in Applied Photonics is pleased to have been selected to participate in the UK Government’s TechExpert pilot scheme https://www.gov.uk/guidance/techexpert. As part of this initiative, students entering EngD and PhD programmes in 2026 who are eligible for home fee status will receive a generous stipend of £31,000.
TechExpert funded students also engage in up to 10 days per year of enriching additional activities, such as outreach to inspire future talent and initiatives that support widening participation in technology careers.
In addition to this, students have access to a conference budget of up to £4,000 and tuitions fees paid for the duration of the programme.
Applicants who have international fee status are still welcome to apply, however will not receive the TechExpert funding, receiving a stipend for EngD & PhD students of £22,380 in the first year and rising to £28,280 in years 2, 3, & 4 for EngD students. The rate for PhD students remains at £22,380 for the four years of study.
Programme Details
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.
What is an EngD?
As well as a PhD route, our centre also offers the alternative Engineering Doctorate (EngD) route for students who are seeking a career in industry. The EngD recognises the fact that the research must meet industry and commercial needs and has an increased emphasis on industrially-relevant innovation.
Typical Course Route
Year 1
Semester 1 (September-December)
Mandatory Courses
| Photonics Lab (PH5181) | 15 credits | University of St Andrews |
| Optical Imaging Concepts (PH5192) | 15 credits | University of St Andrews |
Plus 30 credits of elective courses from a choice of four 15 credit courses at St Andrews.
Semester 2 (January-May)
Mandatory Courses
| Systems Engineering Lab and Group Project (B21SE) | 20 credits | University of Strathclyde |
| Photonic Sensors from Devices to Systems (B21PS) | 15 credits | Heriot-Watt University |
| Optical Metrology and Instrumentation (B21OM)* | 15 credits | Heriot-Watt University |
Plus 10 credits of elective courses from a wide choice from across the partner universities, subject to course availability and timetabling.
*Includes a one-week residential at University of Huddersfield in Semester 2.
University of St Andrews
15 credits | |||||||
15 credits | |||||||
15 credits | |||||||
15 credits |
University of Edinburgh
10 credits | |
| 10 credits | |
10 credits | |
| Sensors & Instrumentation (CXPGEE11219) | 10 credits |
10 credits | |
| Technology and Innovation Management (PGEE11125) | 10 credits |
10 credits |
Heriot-Watt University
5 credits | |
5 credits | |
5 credits |
University of Glasgow
| 20 credits | |
| 20 credits | |
| 10 credits | |
| 10 credits | |
| Imaging and Detectors (PHYS5035) | 10 credits |
| Quantum and Atom Optics (PHYS5002) | 10 credits |
Years 2 & 3
Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University
Mandatory courses
| Financial Decision Making (H11FM) | 20 credits | Heriot-Watt University |
| Delivering Successful Projects (H11DP) | 20 credits | Heriot-Watt University |
| Strategic Marketing (H11SM) | 20 credits | Heriot-Watt University |