Electrical Engineering PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships for Self-funded Students

A PhD in Electrical Engineering is an opportunity to conduct original research into the design, construction and maintenance of electrical machinery and equipment. Your research will help advance the technologies that make modern life possible and underpin sectors such as transport, energy, and manufacturing – to name a few.

What’s it like to study a PhD in Electrical Engineering?

Working under the guidance of an expert supervisor or supervisory team, you’ll work towards completing a thesis that will make an original contribution to the field of Electrical Engineering. You will likely divide your time between lab-based research, supervision meetings and writing your thesis. Many universities also offer departmental training in areas such as research methodologies and presentation skills.

Possible research areas include:

• Intelligent sensing and communications
• Power and energy systems
• Electronic engineering for agriculture
• Photonics and optical communications
• Advanced material science
• Autonomous vehicles
• Robotics systems and artificial intelligence

Your research may involve collaboration with academics from other departments, or with industrial partners. You also may have the opportunity to connect with the wider academic community through attending conferences and publishing papers.

Most PhDs Electrical Engineering are pre-designed, but some universities may accept applications for self-proposed projects. If you are planning to design your own research proposal, it will need to align with the research priorities of the department and the expertise of your prospective supervisor.

Entry requirements for a PhD in Electrical Engineering

The minimum entry requirement for a PhD in Electrical Engineering is usually a 2:1 undergraduate degree in a relevant subject area such as Engineering, Computer Science, Physics or Material Science, although a Masters may sometimes be required. You may occasionally be able to gain entry onto an Electrical Engineering PhD with a lower-class degree if you have a Masters and/ or relevant work experience.

PhD in Electrical Engineering funding options

The main body funding Electrical Engineering PhDs in the UK is the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Most projects have funding attached, meaning that you’ll automatically be awarded tuition fee coverage, a living cost stipend, and a research grant if you are accepted onto the programme.

Some students may propose their own research topic or apply for a project without attached funding (though this is less common). It may be possible to self-fund your PhD by combining the UK government’s doctoral loan with additional sources of funding such as support from your university or from a charity or trust.

PhD in Electrical Engineering careers

A PhD in Electrical Engineering can open up many career opportunities. You may decide to continue your research career, for example by applying for a postdoc leading to an eventual permanent academic position. Electrical engineers are in demand in a vast range of sectors, including transport, IT, energy, defence, healthcare and many more. Having a qualification such as a PhD may qualify you for specialist engineering positions.