FAQs

• A good Upper Second or First Class Degree result (or International equivalent), in engineering or another numerate discipline
• A Masters level degree qualification
• Good mathematical skills
• English language qualification (where applicable).
  • Applicants for whom English is not their first language may be required to present an English language qualification, passed at the 'standard level'. This may follow the application if not available at the time of submission. Please see the University's English language requirements for postgraduate applicants for information. 

For more information, please see the University's graduate entry requirements page.

Those applying for a scholarship from the University or Department should ensure that they are aware of all scholarship deadlines and processes. The Department has one selection process for all the scholarships that are administered by the University, including the Imperial President's Scholarships, Imperial China Scholarship Council Scholarships, and the Departments own scholarships.

Submitting a PhD application via the College does not mean you will be automatically considered for a scholarship.

See our scholarships page for full information on applying for a scholarship. 

We also advertise PhD positions that are open in the Department, some of which include funding. 

Step 1: Identify a suitable project and supervisor

Visit the academic staff page of our website to help identify topics of interest and potential supervisors. Contact your preferred supervisor(s) directly to discuss potential projects and funding options. Online applications should only be submitted after the potential academic supervisor has expressed sufficient interest in your application.

* Please note that applications received without prior consultation with a supervisor or through one of our open schemes, will take longer to process and are unlikely to be accepted.

Step 2: Prepare your application

• Prepare transcripts of study, which you normally request from your University. Transcripts should include all modules you have undertaken and the marks you have been awarded in each element of assessment. If they are not in English, please include a translated copy. Always ensure that you include a copy of the University Marking Scheme.
• For the English language requirement, please ensure that you have familiarised yourself with the qualifications accepted by the University and the expected level of achievement, or identify if you are exempt. 
• Identify two individuals to act as referees on your behalf.
• Prepare an up-to-date CV/resumé.
• Prepare a brief personal statement and a research proposal preferably in conjunction with your potential supervisor.

Step 3: Make your application

Apply online through MyImperial. 

The below research degrees are available within the Department:

• Civil and Environmental Engineering Research (PhD)- Full time and part time
• Civil Engineering Research (Occasional)

When completing the online application form, please ensure you include:

• brief details on your secondary education;
• how you propose to fund your studies (if via scholarship funding, please ensure that you provide details of those you have applied to and the date you will expect a response);
• the expected or final outcome of your degree(s) of study.

You are required to provide email contact details of your referees.  These must be professional email accounts, as we do not accept reference letters submitted from private (gmail, yahoo, etc) accounts. Please also ensure your referees are aware of this requirement.  

Following submission of the online application:

1. You will receive an email acknowledgement that your application has been successfully submitted.
2. Within a few of days you will receive a reference number - this is an 8-digit number starting with a single 0 and is referred to as your College Identifier Number (CID). This number must be quoted in all correspondence.

The Departmental Process:

Your online application will be received by the Department Postgraduate Research (PhD) Office, where it will be held until it is considered complete. A completed application includes all required application documents and two completed references.

The completed application will then be sent on to the potential academic supervisor you have named for consideration. Please note that some applications do not pass a preliminary screening, and it is possible for a decision to be returned to the College at this stage. If a potential supervisor(s) is interested in your application, they will arrange an interview with you and another member of academic staff.

Decisions are reported to, and processed by, the College Admissions Office. Notifications are sent by email.

It will take at least 12 weeks for your application to be processed. Processing times can exceed this at particularly busy periods of the year or if your application was incomplete when you submitted it (e.g. delay with referees submitting a reference, no supervisor identified prior to application).

A PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering provides outstanding opportunities for Graduates with many varied career opportunities. Our graduates develop excellent research capabilities, advanced problem solving and analytical skills, interpersonal and communication skills, alongside project management and student supervision experience.

The acquired skills and experience are highly transferable to a wide range of industries. Employers of our PhD Graduates include academic institutions, engineering and utilities companies, government bodies and financial institutions.

Recent graduate occupations include:

• Lecturer/Assistant Professor
• Postgraduate Research Associate
• Research Fellow
• Structural Engineer
• Graduate Engineer
• Senior Economist

For further information on career paths for Imperial College and Department graduates see the Careers Service. Take a look at our alumni profiles to find out where a selection of our alumni are now.