Types of degree

Before you decide on a project, you’ll want to make sure you’ve chosen the research path that works best for you.

We offer several different types of science and engineering research degree here at Manchester to help you secure the skills and experiences you that match your personal and career development goals.

In the Faculty of Science and Engineering these options are:

• Centres for Doctoral Training (CDT PhD): four-year, cohort-based research degrees located across multiple institutions, and which combine research with industry training.
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): typically three and a half year programmes of supervised research (although three- and four-year options are available), with a wide range of science PhDs and engineering PhDs available.
• Dual- and joint-awards: a PhD studied across two separate institutions, one of them overseas, with a supervisor at both.
• Engineering Doctorate (EngD): specialised engineering programmes which incorporate a taught component and industry collaboration.
• Master of Philosophy (MPhil): typically a 12-month programme assessed by the submission and examination of a shorter thesis than that required for a PhD.
• MSc by Research: a 12-month programme including subject-specific taught course units, research skills training and research project(s).