Automotive Engineering PhD Research Projects for Non-European Students

A PhD in Automotive Engineering gives you the opportunity to research new and exciting technologies in the automotive industry. You could be working on robotics, service robotics, big data and artificial intelligence or the design of intelligent vehicles and much more.

What's it like to study a PhD in Automotive Engineering?

Working under the guidance of an expert supervisor, you'll work towards completing a thesis that will make an original contribution to the field of Automotive Engineering. You'll likely be asked to visit the department regularly to meet with your supervisor during your training module.

Possible research areas include:

• Autonomous vehicles
• Advanced propulsion systems
• Collision and damage tolerance
• Robust design optimization
• Connected vehicles

As well as submitting your thesis, you will also have to attend oral defences to defend your work. You may also be invited to give a research seminar to the wider public.

To be awarded your PhD, you will need to show that you can produce work of an excellent standard and that you meet the academic requirements of the university. Your final submission will be about 50,000 words long (although this differs between universities).

PhD in Automotive Engineering entry requirements

The main entry requirement for a PhD in Automotive Engineering is that you must already have an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject. If your degree is not directly relevant to your research area, you may need to also complete a pre-entry qualification.

PhD in Automotive Engineering funding options

In the UK, PhDs in Automotive Engineering are funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). They offer fully-funded studentships, meaning your tuition fee will be covered, along with a living cost stipend.

If you’re self-funding, it may be possible to apply for a PhD loan to help with the cost of studying and other possible sources of funding include university scholarships, charities or trusts.

PhD in Automotive Engineering careers

The skills you'll gain during a PhD in Automotive Engineering will prepare you for a career in many areas of the automotive industry. Depending on the type of research you've done, you could work as an automotive engineer, a research engineer or in any other role where your skills are needed in the automotive field.