Gas Turbine Aerodynamics

The DPhil offered by this EPSRC funded Centre for Doctoral Training in Gas Turbine Aerodynamics provides graduates with the opportunity to develop in-depth knowledge, understanding and expertise in this industrially key area. This is a joint programme between the Universities of Cambridge, Oxford and Loughborough, together with leading industrial partners in the field. In year one, all students study for a master’s degree in Gas Turbine Aerodynamics at the University of Cambridge. In years two to four, Oxford's students will undertake industrially-focussed projects at the Southwell (Osney) Laboratory in the Department of Engineering Science.

Year one is oriented towards developing your knowledge base. Along with CDT students from Cambridge and Loughborough, you will register and study for an MRes degree in Gas Turbine Aerodynamics at the University of Cambridge. The course involves taught lectures and laboratory modules along with several mini projects of two to three weeks each undertaken at the three partner universities, and at some of the sites of the industrial partners. These are precursors to your DPhil study, to hone your research skills and shape your main research area. You will meet your supervisor regularly to assess progress and discuss academic issues.

Years two to four see an increasing emphasis on individual research. Oxford's students register for the degree of DPhil and carry out a research project at the Osney Thermofluids laboratory, an internationally-recognised centre for research in Gas Turbine Heat Transfer and Aerodynamics, and part of Oxford’s Department of Engineering Science. You will benefit from the network of leading experts in the field, and develop a portfolio of academic, laboratory, and career-oriented skills. Throughout of the research project, close interaction with an industrial partner is expected. In addition, the full cohort is regularly reunited for CDT seminars and workshop events.

You will be assessed continually throughout the first year at Cambridge during courses and projects, and will be formally examined in your MRes programme. At the end of your second year in Oxford, you will be required to write a report and give a presentation on your research, and to present a detailed and coherent plan for the research-intensive phase in the third and fourth years of your doctoral studies. Progress towards completion is again formally assessed some way into the final year of study.

For the DPhil, you will be required to submit a substantial thesis which is read and examined by experts in the field, one from the department and one from elsewhere. Often the thesis will result in the publication of several journal and conference papers.

Applicants are normally expected to be predicted or have achieved a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications), as a minimum, usually in engineering with some specialisation in fluid mechanics and thermodynamics. Candidates with undergraduate degrees from related fields will also be considered. 

Entry into the CDT programme is competitive and will take account of academic qualifications, performance and aspirations.

Note that each candidate will need to get accepted by both Oxford (for the DPhil) and Cambridge (for the MRes). Although you will start the CDT program in year one at Cambridge, your admission to the MRes at Cambridge will be conditional on your already holding a conditional offer of a DPhil place at Oxford for years two to four.

A previous master's qualification is not required.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.5 out of 4.0.

If you hold non-UK qualifications and wish to check how your qualifications match these requirements, you can contact the National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC).

Other appropriate indicators will include:

• Official transcript(s)
• CV/résumé
• Statement of purpose/personal statement:500 words
• References/letters of recommendation:Three overall, of which at least two must be academic

Scholarships

• Global Education
• Hill Foundation Scholarships