Electronic, Electrical and Computing Engineering (Railway Systems Specialism)

Description

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The Railway Systems Group is part of the multidisciplinary Railway Research Centre within the School of Engineering. The Railway Research Centre is the headquarters of Rail Research UK, an EPRSC- supported research consortium, which brings together research from eight universities.Work in electronic, electrical and computer engineering has grown over 30 years from an interest in power electronic traction drives, to train performance simulation and interactions with the signalling system. Current research is focused on:

* Asset condition monitoring
* Systems engineering and data management
* Traffic optimisation
* Train performance and power supply simulation
* Emerging propulsion systems

Facilities

The group benefits from a dedicated railway systems integration laboratory and recently refurbished office facilities. Equipment in the laboratory includes: a full-scale moving rail, currently used for non-destructive testing and environmental contamination research; traction motor drives; and various railway assets, including point machines, track circuits and train door rigs.

Key facts Type of Course: Doctoral research

Duration: PhD 3 years full-time, MPhil 1 year full-time

Start date: Registration for PhD and MPhil study can take place at the beginning of any month

Contents

Current projects include:

* Condition monitoring of assets (point machines, track circuits, train doors)
* Condition monitoring of the wheel/rail interface
* Non-destructive testing of rails
* System reliability analysis
* System cost modelling
* Integration of disparate railway data
* Level crossing risk assessment
* Optimising of railway traffic after disturbance
* Capacity analysis
* Train performance simulation
* Railway power supply analysis and simulation
* Assessment of regenerative braking technology
* Analysis of future propulsion technologies

Requirements

The normal entrance requirements for MPhil or PhD study are a first degree of at least good UK upper second-class Honours standard, an appropriate standard of English and adequate financial support. The requirements also allow for entry based on comparable ability, as indicated by a good UK MSc performance or a lower first degree performance plus substantial relevant experience.

English language requirements

* IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band;
* TOEFL IBT 80 with no less than 17 in any band

English Language Requirements

IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa.

The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Funding

The group has longstanding links with industry, policy makers and academics in the UK, Europe, Japan and Hong Kong. Over recent years funding has been secured from the EPSRC, Department for Transport, the European Commission and numerous companies including Network Rail, Atkins, Alstom, Carillion, and the Railway Safety and Standards Board.

For home/EU applicants, full funding from EPSRC or from other sources can usually be arranged through us; the closing date for EPSRC studentships is late June, please contact the School directly for more information. Alternatively email financialsupport@bham.ac.uk|.

International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government.