Mechanical and Systems Engineering MPhil, PhD
The Mechanical and Systems Engineering MPhil and PhD allow you to deepen your theoretical understanding of your chosen topic but also improve your technical skills and analytical capabilities.
You are currently viewing course information for entry year:
Start date(s):
- September 2025
- January 2026
- April 2026
Overview
Research degrees are offered through four research groups:
- bioengineering
- fluid dynamics and thermal systems
- design, manufacture and materials
- future mobility
By pursuing research in the School of Engineering you will join a successful research group. Our mission is to foster, promote and conduct research of international quality. We attract high-quality graduates and researchers and train them to international standards.
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Important information
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Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Qualifications explained
Find out about the different qualification options for this course.
An MPhil is available in all subject areas. You receive research training and undertake original research leading to the completion of a 40,000 - 50,000 word thesis.
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications
A PhD is a doctorate or doctoral award. It involves original research that should make a significant contribution to the knowledge of a specific subject. To complete the PhD you will produce a substantial piece of work (80,000 – 100,000 words) in the form of a supervised thesis. A PhD usually takes three years full time.
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications
How you'll learn
Off-campus study may be available in some circumstances. This is particularly if you have industrial sponsorship. Our programme includes:
- intensive subject-specific supervision
- training in research methodologies and core skills
You may also have an opportunity to:
- undertake paid laboratory demonstrations
- do tutoring to gain teaching experience
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Thesis
- Viva
We offer a wide range of projects for the thesis. These will be provided by our academics. You can also propose your own topic.
Our mission is to help you:
- stay healthy, positive and feeling well
- overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
- get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
- carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
- understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules
We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.
You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:
- research and professional skills
- careers support
- wellbeing
- health and safety
- public engagement
- academic development
Find out more about our postgraduate research student support
The following subject group pages outline our specialist research areas:
You'll be able to:
- explore possible research programmes
- find out more about staff working in these research areas
- identify a potential research supervisor
Your development
The School of Engineering runs a postgraduate training programme. It is compulsory for all new students and involves selected taught modules. You'll receive research training from the Science, Agriculture and Engineering Graduate School. This covers professional/key skills, personal development and research techniques.
You may supplement your income by leading laboratory demonstrations and tutorial classes.
Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering (SAgE) researcher development programme
Each faculty offers a researcher development programme for its postgraduate research students. We have designed your programme to help you:
- perform better as a researcher
- boost your career prospects
- broaden your impact
Through workshops and activities, you'll build your transferable skills and increase your confidence. Here you’ll cover:
- techniques for effective research
- methods for better collaborative working
- essential professional standards and requirements
Your programme is flexible. You can adapt it to meet your changing needs as you progress through your doctorate.
There are opportunities to undertake your PhD at Newcastle within:
- a Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT)
- a Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP)
Being part of a CDT or DTP has many benefits. They combine research expertise and training of many leading universities and academic schools. You’ll study alongside a cohort of other interdisciplinary PhD students.
PhD's are usually funded. You’ll find funding opportunities in the fees and funding section of each PhD course page.
Your future
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
Depending on your research area you will have access to the following facilities.
Bioengineering
You have access to dedicated biomaterials, biotribology and co-ordinate measuring machine labs.
Design, manufacture and materials
You have access to facilities for:
- materials testing and failure analysis
- product development and mechanical testing
- metrology
- pultrusion, filament winding, resin infusion and vacuum bag moulding
- selective laser sintering and fused deposition modelling
- full-scale rail vehicle and track investigations at NewRail's regional office and working railway centre, Barrow Hill
- dedicated labs for both 3D printing and biofabrication
- micro machining
Fluid dynamics and thermal systems
Facilities include:
- high performance computing facilities
- water tunnel and wind tunnel
- particle image velocimetry (PIV)
- hot wire anemometry facilities
- IC engine test bench
- high pressure and high temperature combustion vessel
Future mobility
A full-scale test site at Barrow Hill in the UK for experimenting and instrumenting. The facility offers:
- a Class 37 loco
- track and testing facilities for wear, fatigue and chemical and bio-chemical analysis of low adhesion leaf films
- a fully equipped workshop
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)
Home fees for research degree students
For 2024-25 entry, we have aligned our standard Home research fees with those set by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The standard fee was confirmed in Spring 2024 by UKRI.
For 2025-26 entry, we will be aligning our standard Home research fees with those set by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The standard fee will be confirmed in Spring 2025 by UKRI.
As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.
What you're paying for
Tuition fees include the costs of:
- matriculation
- registration
- tuition (or supervision)
- library access
- examination
- re-examination
- graduation
Find out more about:
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.
You can check this in the How to apply section.
If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.
For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.
Search for funding
Find funding available for your course
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course
How to apply
Using the application portal
The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.
You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.
If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.
Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.
Apply Online
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Get in touch
Questions about this course?
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
Postgraduate Research Administrator
School of Engineering
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 5634
Email: soe.pgr@ncl.ac.uk
Online
For more general enquiries you could also complete our online enquiry form.
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