Advanced Composites
- PhD
Overview
The use of composites offers many benefits to the functionality of both materials and structures, making them integral to many engineering design considerations, including cost, sustainability, fuel efficiency, emissions reduction, and improved operational performance. As such, composites are replacing traditional materials for lightweight structures at an unprecedented rate due to global demand (for example in the aircraft, wind turbine, construction and automotive industries). The sector growth is expected to be rapid, in the region of 5 to 10% each year. With the already encroaching effects of climate change, composite materials and structures have an important role to play in contributing to reductions in CO2 emissions and the growing need for a more sustainable future.
The PhD in Advanced Composites is a four-year postgraduate research programme, which integrates an industry relevant research project with a taught programme in technical subjects related to composites materials, design, mechanics and manufacturing, as well as business skills and transferable skills training.
The PhD programme is run by the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Innovation for Sustainable Composites Engineering. The CDT is led by Bristol Composites Institute and the Composites Research Group at the University of Nottingham. Our PhD students benefit from the use of cutting-edge equipment and expertise at the universities and at the NCC, which provides a world-class facility to bridge the gap between research and industrial application. A highly skilled workforce and technical leadership are required to support industry. Our programme promotes the development of a radical and innovative mindset that is necessary to make composite materials and structures one of the key enablers in a sustainable future.
The CDT aims to provide the UK composites sector with PhD graduates equipped with the advanced technical and leadership skills required for effective adoption of new knowledge and technologies in advanced composites. The relevant industry areas include aerospace, automotive, marine, wind energy and construction. An integrated transferable skills training programme is also included, covering communication, career development, innovation, management, and translational research skills. We have produced an exciting integrated programme enabling graduates to become leaders in sustainable composites engineering.
Programme structure
The taught component comprises six units to provide an intellectually stimulating and inspiring educational framework that encourages innovation. In first year, you will study the fundamentals of composite materials, manufacturing and mechanics. Sustainability is included to encourage a holistic examination of the impact of the industry and future strategies for adopting composite materials in a framework of NetZero.
In year two you will study credit bearing units in AI for Materials and Structures and other Advanced topics in Composites including material performance, design for manufacture and non-destructive evaluation techniques. There are also additional professional development activities including a short course in Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
In year three, the Technology Transfer in Practice unit offers an opportunity to reflect on your research experience and its wider ranging impact on society through a secondment to a different sector.
The units are designed to engage you and provide an interdisciplinary view of composites, from materials chemistry to combining analytical and experimental techniques with modelling and practical application in a manufacturing context. The assessments are designed to encourage independent work, to make you inquisitive about the topics and to encourage your personal development as a research student.
Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our PhD in Advanced Composites.
Entry requirements
Applicants must hold/achieve a minimum 2:1 in a 4 year degree course or merit at master's level in a science, engineering or technology subject. Applicants without these qualifications may be considered on an exceptional basis, provided they hold a first class undergraduate degree, or relevant industrial experience. Please note, acceptance will also depend on evidence of readiness to pursue a research degree.
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
This admission statement is for 2026 entry. The 2027 entry admission statement will be available in the Autumn.
Go to admissions statementIf English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level E.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
Fees and funding
- Home: full-time
- £5,343 per year
- Home: part-time
- £2,672 per year
- Overseas: full-time
- £28,300 per year
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Alumni discount
University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.
Funding and scholarships
Enhanced EPSRC studentships with a tax-free stipend include allowance for activities that support research.
These studentships are governed by UKRI/EPSRC student eligibility rules and applicants should check whether they will be eligible.
Applications received from self-funded/sponsored international and EU students are welcome and will be considered.
International studentships are limited to 30% of total intake per year.
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
Students follow a structured professional development programme that prepares students for a career in academia and industrially based research. Recent graduates from the programme have gone on to careers within aerospace, automotive, civil engineering, engineering consultancy, and wind energy sectors. Some have also taken up academic and research positions in UK and international universities.
Research groups
All CDT students are based in the Bristol Composites Institute, which is within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Its vision is to be a world-leading institute for composites research, combining cutting-edge fundamental science with strong industrial links for exploitation and technology transfer. It is a focus for collaboration - internally, nationally and internationally - and led to the establishment of the UK's NCC, which is now a recognised focus of national capability in composites.
Contact us
- Contact
- Postgraduate Research Admissions Team
- uob-pgradmissions@bristol.ac.uk