Postgraduate research

We have research interests across a wide range of subject areas and we welcome applications for MPhil and PhD study.

Subject Areas

Our main areas of research are:

• reservoir fluids
• geophysics
• geology
• reservoir engineering
• fluid & porous media
• production and drilling
• flow assurance
• sustainability

For more detailed information about all of our current projects please visit our research pages.

Entry requirements

Academic entry requirements

The standard academic entry requirement for MPhil or PhD degree is an Upper Second Class UK Honours degree or international equivalent, or a first degree with an additional UK Masters degree or international equivalent, in a relevant science or engineering discipline. You may be required to take specific courses prior to starting the degree.

In some cases, you may be required to have a First Class Honours or Masters degree, or international equivalent in order to take some research projects. This requirement is specified at the discretion of the academic supervisor involved.

Letters of reference pertaining to applicant's academic capabilities are required. Evidence of potential to carry out a research project is very important. If you have carried out research work, at either undergraduate or postgraduate level, you should choose at least one referee who can comment on the quality of this work.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, you will need to show that you have achieved the right level of English by providing us with acceptable qualifications.

Fees & funding

How and when you pay tuition fees depends on where you’re from and whether you are studying on a full or part time basis.

There are several funding sources to which you may apply for scholarships.  Typically there are a large number of applications for a very limited number of scholarships so applications should be made as early as possible.

How to apply

Prospective students can apply for a place of study at any time throughout the year, with decisions being based on the experience and potential of the applicant and the quality of the research proposal. You should, in the first instance, email your curriculum vitae and research proposal to the relevant project manager (Principal Investigator).

Completing the application form

You can apply for a postgraduate research programme by completing the online application form. If you apply using this method you will be asked to upload scanned copies of all supporting documents at the time of application. You may be asked to provide copies your original documents at a later date.

If you are unable to use the online application form you can request a printed form from Debbie Ross. 

Supporting documents

You will need to supply various documents to support your application. These include:

• a copy of your degree certificate and relevant transcripts
• proof of your ability in the English language (if English is not your mother tongue or if you have not already studied for a degree that was taught in English)
• references from two academic sources (applicants with relevant full time work experience may use their current employer as one of the referees)
• a copy of the photo page from your passport - this is only required if you are an international students who requires a visa to enter the UK
• a financial guarantee* to prove how your tuition fees and personal maintenance costs will be met
• a research proposal and evidence of research capability in the form of papers published or thesis/project extracts.

*A financial guarantee is either a signed letter from the person or organisation that will pay your fees or, if you are going to pay your own fees, a reference or statement from your banker showing that you have enough money to meet these expenses. You also need to show that you can meet the cost of living in or close to the University (approx £7,000 per year for a single student).