Energy MPhil, PhD

Our research spans the whole supply chain:

• growing novel feedstocks (various biomass crops, algae etc)
• processing feedstocks in novel ways
• converting feedstocks into fuels and chemical feedstocks
• developing new engines to use the products

Cockle Park Farm has an innovative anaerobic digestion facility. Work at the farm will develop, integrate and exploit technologies. These will link with the generation and efficient use of renewable energy from land-based resources. This includes biomass, biofuel and agricultural residues.

We also develop novel technologies for gasification and pyrolysis. This large multidisciplinary project brings together expertise in:

• agronomy
• land use
• social science with process technologists and engineers

It is complemented by molecular studies on the biology of non-edible oilseeds as sources for production of biodiesel.

New ways of obtaining clean energy from the geosphere is a vital area of research. Particularly given current concerns over the limited remaining resources of fossil fuels.

Newcastle University won a Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher Education award. This was for its world-renowned Hydrogeochemical Engineering Research and Outreach (HERO) programme. The Sir Joseph Swan Centre for Energy Research seeks to build on its record of excellence and place the North East at the forefront of research in:

• ground-source heat pump systems
• other larger-scale sources of carbon-free geothermal energy
• developing more responsible modes of fossil fuel use

Our fossil fuel research encompasses both the use of a:

• novel microbial process (recently patented by Newcastle University). This is to convert heavy oil (and, by extension, coal) to methane
• coupling of carbon capture and storage (CCS) to underground coal gasification (UCG) using drilled boreholes

This hybrid technology (UCG-CCS) is well suited to early development in the North East. It still has 75% of its total coal resources in place.

We undertake fundamental and applied research. This is in various aspects of power generation and energy systems, including:

• the application of alternative fuels, such as hydrogen and biofuels to engines and dual-fuel engines
• domestic combined heat and power (CHP), and combined cooling, heating and power (trigeneration) systems. Both using waste vegetable oil and/or raw inedible oils
• biowaste methanisation
• biomass and biowaste combustion, gasification
• biomass co-combustion with coal in thermal power plants
• CO2 capture and storage for thermal power systems
• trigeneration with novel energy storage systems. This includes the storage of electrical energy, heat and cooling energy
• engine and power plant emissions monitoring and reduction technology
• novel engine configurations such as free-piston engines and the reciprocating Joule cycle engine

We are recognised as world leaders in hydrogen storage research. Our work covers the entire range of fuel cell technologies, from:

• high-temperature hydrogen cells
• low-temperature microbial fuel cells

We address some of the complex challenges which are slowing the uptake and impact of fuel cell technology.

Key areas of research include:

• biomineralisation
• liquid organic hydrides
• adsorption onto solid phase, nano-porous metallo-carbon complexes

Our research in this area has resulted in the development and commercialisation of novel gasifier technology. This is for hydrogen production and subsequent energy generation.

We have developed ways to produce alternative fuels. In particular, a novel biodiesel pilot plant that has attracted an Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) AspenTech Innovative Business Practice Award.

Major funding has been awarded for the development of fuel cells for commercial application. This has led to both patent activity and highly-cited research. Newcastle University is a key member of the SUPERGEN Fuel Cell Consortium. Significant developments have been made in:

• fuel cell modelling
• membrane technology
• anode development
• catalyst and fuel cell performance improvements

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.

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

Off-campus study may be available in some circumstances, particularly if you have industrial sponsorship.

• Our programme includes intensive subject-specific supervision training in research methodologies and core skills You'll also have an opportunity to: undertake paid laboratory demonstrations
• tutor 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

Find out about our energy research team and our staff specialisms

Contact us to:

• explore possible research programmes
• find out more about the staff working in these research areas
• identify a potential research supervisor

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

We are unable to give an exact fee, this is why the fee is shown as a range. This fee range takes into account your research topic and resource requirements.

Your research topic is unique so it will have unique resource requirements. Resources could include specialist equipment, such as laboratory/workshop access, or technical staff.

If your research involves accessing specialist resources then you're likely to pay a higher fee. You'll discuss the exact nature of your research project with your supervisor(s). You'll find out the fee in your offer letter.

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. You will be eligible for a scholarship worth 15% off the international fee. 

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. 

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.