Civil Engineering postgraduate research degrees

If you're ready to take your existing knowledge and qualifications in Civil Engineering into a postgraduate research degree, Portsmouth is the place to do it.

With climate change and pollution at the forefront of public concern and political debate, we're exploring ways to transform our civil engineering expertise into real-world solutions to the planet's environmental crises.

We're finding new ways to make construction projects more efficient, sustainable and environmentally-friendly, searching for sustainable ways of tackling the pollution caused by increased urbanisation, and developing the technology needed to deal with new pollutants – including pharmaceuticals and microplastics – in the environment.

Join us and study for a postgraduate research degree, and you'll have the opportunity to make your own unique contribution to the outstanding work we're doing.

Research degrees

Find out about our PhD, MPhil and PhD by Publication opportunities in Civil Engineering below, including how to apply, entry requirements and funding your degree. For more detailed information about the application process, visit our How to Apply pages.

Civil Engineering PhDs and MPhils

Explore our pre-approved funded and self-funded PhD projects in Civil Engineering, or submit your own research idea. 

PhD by Publication

A PhD by publication is a postgraduate research degree based on research you've already undertaken and had published (excluding self-publishing) before registering with us.

Eligible research outputs include peer-reviewed academic papers, complete books or chapters in anthologies, and other materials accepted for publication, exhibited or performed. You'll have to submit these materials for examination between 6-12 months after registering with us.

For more information, please visit our PhD by Publication page.

Duration, fees and funding 

What do my tuition fees cover?

If you're self-funding your PhD, you'll pay tuition fees to the University to cover course and university costs.

Your tuition fees cover:

• The cost of your postgraduate research programme* at the University as well as charges for registration, tuition, supervision, and examinations
• Bespoke training, professional development courses, networking, and research support through The Graduate School
• Research seminars and workshops (university-wide and faculty-specific)
• A contribution to funding to attend a conference or development activity in your research field
• Tailor-made weekly and monthly events, including weekly, themed experienced researcher-led talks and workshops
• Helping you become part of our thriving research community, including Research and Innovation services where 78% of our research impact was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent in REF 2014
• Your graduation ceremony
• Viva examination and administration costs
• The facilities and equipment you need to complete your studies, such as computer rooms, access to laptops, the Library, and laboratories
• Access to resources including electronic journals, alternative guide to funding, and thousands of hours of educational videos on LinkedIn Learning
• University support services including academic, financial, careers and wellbeing support and personal tutors
• Membership of the Students' Union (giving you the right to vote in elections, join clubs and societies, and get free independent advice)
• Access to software such as Microsoft Office, SPSS and Adobe Creative Suite (this includes Photoshop, InDesign, and Adobe Premiere Pro)

*Please note that some research programmes may come with additional bench fees.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for a PhD, MPhil or Professional Doctorate include a good honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject, or a master’s degree in an appropriate subject. Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications may be considered. All applicants are subject to interview.

If English is not your first language, you'll need English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Support and facilities

When you join us, you'll be supported by our Graduate School, alongside your assigned supervisory team, who'll help you get the most from our facilities. The Graduate School will help you become part of our thriving, collaborative research community, and help grow your skills as a researcher through the Graduate School Development Programme, which offers training, workshops and events.

Our key facility is the Environmental Technology Field Station at Petersfield sewage works, where we have labs and testbeds for pilot plants. We also have environmental engineering and hydraulics laboratories at the main campus.

What can a postgraduate research degree do for my career?

Once you complete your postgraduate research degree, you'll be a highly-skilled researcher with the knowledge and skills to make an impact in many different industries.

Your postgraduate research qualification demonstrates to potential employers that you're an intelligent, capable and motivated person, with provable abilities and experience in critical thinking, problem-solving, project management, communication, leadership and creativity.

Apply

Apply for a research degree in Civil Engineering by completing our online form.

Current research

Explore the work we're doing in our two areas of research expertise in Civil Engineering.