PhD Materials and Structures

About the course

Our research expertise in Materials and Structures specialises in areas including Advanced Materials processing, nanoparticles with anti-bacterial and anti-microbial functionality, C-C and natural fibre composites, Biomedical Engineering (brain and muscle stimulation, condition monitoring techniques for humans), Civil Engineering Materials and Structures, Materials  Recycling and Manufacturing and Operations Research.

Established in 1997, Materials and Structures research at the University of Hertfordshire has been supported with grants from the European Union, EPSRC, DTI, EEDA, Innovate UK, KEEP and industry.

Teaching methods

Each student will be assigned a Principal and a second supervisor who are experts in the research topic. The research will be conducted in our labs which are well-equipped for research in the topics of our expertise. Students studying on Full-Time mode are expected to submit their registration and progression reports in the first and second years of the research programme respectively and are formally assessed in the form of a viva by (usually) an internal examination panel. In completion of their 3rd year students are expected to start the preparation for their final assessment and to submit their thesis which is examined in the form of a viva by an external and an internal examiner (Part-Time mode assessment deadlines are extended accordingly).  

What’s next for my career?

Our PhD courses enable students to develop specialist research skills and knowledge. We aim to provide PhD projects that will challenge and in some cases even inspire our students. If you are self-motivated and want to improve your ability to understand and solve engineering problems, then a PhD with us may be right for you.

Course fees

• Research degree fees for UK and EU students
• Research degree fees for international students