Programme overview
- University
- Durham University
- Region
- UK
- Field
- Engineering
- Duration
- 3.5–4 years (42–48 months)
- Places
- 1
- Funding
- CSC funding available
Research Focus
Advanced energy and power systems, including:
- Zero carbon and low carbon fuel technologies;
- Thermal fluids and combustion process mechanical studies;
- New power systems and high-efficiency engine conceptual design;
- Marine and transport motor systems;
- Clean energy-driven and transport-decarbonization technologies;
- AI support modelling, simulation and optimization design;
- Mixed power and intelligent energy systems;
- Research and development of green energy and future sustainable transport technologies.
Suitable Academic Backgrounds
Energy and power engineering, mechanical engineering, hydrodynamics, ships and marine engineering, aerospace engineering, engineering thermal physics, vehicle engineering, control science and engineering, intelligent engineering, applied mathematics
Entry Requirements
- Academic background: A master's degree in energy, power, fluid mechanics, mechanical engineering, marine engineering, intelligent engineering or a related discipline. Applicants with a bachelor's degree and an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.7/4.0 may also apply through special screening.
- Academic performance: Master's GPA of at least 3.3.
- Language requirements: TOEFL 80 before 21 January 2026, or 4.5 after 21 January 2026; TOEFL iBT Home Edition is accepted. Alternatively, IELTS 6.5 overall with no component below 6.0. Applicants who have earned a degree taught in English in an English-speaking country may apply for an exemption.
- References: Two recommendation letters.
Application Materials
- (a) The research plan, not exceeding 2000 (excluding references), specifying the subject, goals and objectives, proposed research methodology and ethical considerations;
- Curricula vitae;
- Previous report cards, if not in English, require professional translation;
- A letter of recommendation 2;
- English report card.
Application Period
Applications can be made for a full year, mainly for 10 months, and for 1, 4 months.
Application Process
- month of 3
for applicants to submit their English curriculum vitae and related materials, we will conduct an initial assessment 3-4 for those who pass the initial screening month, will be invited to interview potential mentors 5 for the
- month of 6
interview, and will be required to formally present applications 6 for the month of short-listed candidates via the web of officials, and the College Admission Board will organize an interview 7 for the
- month of 7
the above process will take the example of 10 enrolment.
Programme Structure and Funding
The project is a full-time Ph.D. project and is taught in 3.5-4 years (42-48 months). Only 1 recruits.
The University of Durren, together with the China National Fund for Study Abroad (CSC), has established a full Ph.D. Scholarship Programme to cover all disciplines. Approximately 25 scholarships (all disciplines) are offered each year for up to 48 months. CSC-Durren University joint scholarships are usually open for the period from 12 to 1 the following year of admission, and applicants are required to complete their application for a Ph.D. at the University of Durren by mid-year 1 and to be admitted without conditions (or to meet the CSC requirements for formal admission). In addition, highly qualified students have access to the position of paid scientific assistant (RA) and assistant (TA) of the experimental team during their reading.