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Civil Engineering (Geotechnical and Engineering Geology) MPhil, PhD

At Newcastle University you'll work with academics who are leaders in their field so that your research has a real impact on civil engineering.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year:


Start date(s):

  • September 2024
  • January 2025
  • April 2025

Overview

Our geotechnical engineering and engineering geology research is revolutionary worldwide.

By pursuing research in the School of Engineering you'll join a successful research group. Our focus is on geotechnical engineering and geology. 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. Our geotechnical engineering and engineering geology research is recognised worldwide.

Our research links with the themes of sustainability in construction, adaptation and mitigation of climate change effects in civil engineering.

We provide MPhil and PhD supervision. This is within the broad disciplines of geotechnical engineering and engineering geology. Our current research areas are:

  • seismic engineering and extreme loadings
  • stability of man-made and natural slopes, open pit mines and tailing dams
  • multi-phase flow and coupled multi-field analysis
  • soil modelling and numerical modelling
  • characterisation and modelling of particulate materials
  • waste minimisation and reuse
  • ground improvement
  • site characterisation
  • Geo-energy

We also encourage multidisciplinary research, such as:

  • ground improvement and remediation
  • in situ testing
  • geotechnical design
  • geotechnical processes in construction and the natural environment

As a result of our research we have been able to revolutionise:

  • electrokinetic geosynthetics
  • self-boring pressuremeters
  • Numerical modelling
  • geothermal testing

We have also constructed a full-scale embankment for field experimentation and host the National Green Infrastructure Facility (NGIF), a ‘living laboratory’, underpinning research into Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDs), Green Infrastructure approaches, and making urban centres more resilient and sustainable for future generations.

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Important information

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Qualifications explained

Find out about the different qualification options for this course.

MPhil, PhD

How you'll learn

Your development

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, it will build your transferable skills and increase your confidence.

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.

Find out more about the SAgE researcher development programme

Doctoral training and partnerships

There are opportunities to undertake your PhD at Newcastle within a:

  • Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT)
  • Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP)

Being part of a CDT or DTP has many benefits:

  • they combine research expertise and training of a number of leading universities, academic schools and academics.
  • you’ll study alongside a cohort of other PhD students
  • they’re often interdisciplinary
  • your PhD may be funded

Find out more about doctoral training and partnerships

If there are currently opportunities available in your subject area you’ll find them when you search for funding in the fees and funding section on this course.

The following centres/partnerships below may have PhD opportunities available in your subject area in the future:

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.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Facilities

The School of Engineering has an exceptional range of laboratories equipped with a wide range of analytical instrumentation supporting our research, teaching and contract research projects.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

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:

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

Entry requirements

The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 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.

Download our admissions policy (PDF: 201KB)
Other policies related to admissions

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.


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Open days and events

You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year including:

  • campus tours
  • on-campus open days
  • virtual open days
  • webinars

Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events

Get in touch

Questions about this course?

If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:

Postgraduate Research Administrator
School of Engineering
Email: soe.pgr@ncl.ac.uk 
Telephone +44 (0) 191 208 6323

Online

For more general enquiries you could also complete our online enquiry form.

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