Overview
Research degrees are awarded for the most advanced level of study available at UCL. The purpose of these degrees is to prove the capacity to organise, carry out and write up a substantial piece of research, presented in a thesis, which demonstrates academic rigour and originality.
At the UCL Energy Institute, students work alongside experienced researchers in a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment. The best students are hand picked for first-class training and prepared to hit the ground running as the energy pioneers of tomorrow.
Programme objectives
The main and final product of the programme of study
is the thesis, on the examination of which the result of the degree rests. At
UCL there is no public oral examination: the oral examination of the candidate
is conducted in private, usually by two examiners (and on occasion a third), at
least one of whom is external to UCL and both of whom have read the thesis
previously.
The award of an MPhil or PhD is considered proof of competence in the devising and carrying out of a programme of research. A PhD, in addition, is regarded as evidence of originality in thought and critical judgement.
At the end of your studies you will be awarded a UCL Energy Institute Research Degree with a sub category - Energy and ... [the Built Environment, Economics, Engineering, Health, Human Dimensions, Policy, Resources or Transport].
Careers
Our PhD programme is in its infancy
Structure
Study for the MPhil and PhD, whereby students undertake a supervised research project, is offered in all UCL academic departments. PhD students at UCL are required to register initially for the MPhil qualification; the upgrade procedure from MPhil to PhD registration is an important step in your programme.
The MPhil/PhD is normally designed to extend over three years full time, or five years part time. It is also possible to register for an MPhil degree only.
The PhD is assessed through a written thesis of no more than 100,000 words. This thesis must demonstrate the candidate's capacity to pursue original research in the field of study and represent a distinct and significant contribution to the subject, whether through the discovery of new knowledge, the connection of previously unrelated facts, the development of new theory, or the revision of older views. It should show the exercise of critical judgement with regard to both the candidate's own work and that of other scholars in the field.
The MPhil is assessed by a written thesis of no more than 60,000 words. This thesis must represent a contribution to the subject either through a record of the candidate's original work or a critical and ordered exposition of existing knowledge.
View a typical timetable for full-time PhD student below.
Content
Research Themes
UCL-Energy is developing different research themes which, although they are independent areas, also interact, resulting in innovative approaches to energy-related problems.
Choosing a
suitable research topic is a crucial decision that will be influenced by:
- your interests and capabilities;
- the availability of appropriate supervisors (and other support);
- the relevance, significance and originality of the topic within the field and its suitability to form the basis of a feasible doctoral research programme.
It is up to you to identify an appropriate topic to research, although students are encouraged to do so in consultation with potential supervisors.
The research proposal you need to prepare is crucial to the decision on your application, since it demonstrates your ability to identify and articulate an independent line of research inquiry. In 1,000 to 2,000 words, you should explain the subject of your proposed research, the questions you hope to answer, why you think this knowledge will be of value, your intended method, and the sources you will use. You should show that you have the ability and experience to carry out the research, and are familiar with the literature and appropriate methods of research. See the attached tips for further guidance.
Supervisors
Principal Supervisor
The relationship between an academic Supervisor and a research student is a unique one, which evolves over several years to achieve a number of objectives, including:
- providing you with a thorough grounding in all aspects of research within the context of an academic discipline;
- creating a learning experience that is intellectually challenging and personally fulfilling within a stimulating and supportive environment;
- providing academic and pastoral support;
- ensuring you are able to complete your PhD in a timely manner;
- preparing you for a range of careers.
Subsidiary Supervisor
Your second supervisor is an additional source of support and advice. They will enhance the effective supervision of your work by contributing a second opinion or additional areas of expertise.
Staff
Below is a list of UCL Energy Institute (UCL-Energy) supervisors of MPhil/PhD and MRes projects. You can also search for supervisors by Research Theme.
Principal Supervisors
Mark Barrett
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Paul Dodds
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Cliff Elwell
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Paul Ekins
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Bob Lowe
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Tadj Oreszczyn
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Paul Ruyssevelt
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Andreas Schafer
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Michelle Shipworth
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David Shipworth
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Catalina Spataru
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Tristan Smith
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Neil Strachan
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Subsidiary Supervisors
Gabrial Anandarajah
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Javier de Cendra
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Ilkka Keppo
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Xavier Lemaire
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Andrew Smith
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Affiliate
Below is a list of supervisors in other UCL Departments who are currently part of the supervision team for UCL-Energy core or affiliate students. Please note this list is not exhaustive and our engagement with UCL Departments extends beyond this list. For further information see our affiliate activity page.
Adriana Allen
UCL Development Planning Unit (DPU)
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Hector Altamirano-Medina
UCL Bartlett School of Graduate Studies
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Panagiota Angeli
UCL Department of Chemical Engineering
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Russell Binions
UCL Department of Chemistry
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Dan Brett
UCL Department of Chemical Engineering
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Richard Bucknall
UCL Department of Mechanical Engineering
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Peter Coveney
UCL Department of Chemistry
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Ben Croxford
UCL Bartlett School of Graduate Studies
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Mike Davies
UCL Bartlett School of Graduate Studies
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Kevin Drake
UCL Department of Mechanical Engineering
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Alistair Greig
UCL Department of Mechanical Engineering
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Xiao Guo
UCL Department of Chemistry
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Graham Ive
UCL Bartlett School of Construction and Project Management
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Liora Malki-Epshtein
Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering
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Keith McKenna
UCL Department of Physics and Astronomy
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Dejan Mumovic
UCL Bartlett School of Graduate Studies
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Lars Nesheim
UCL Department of Economics
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Rokia Raslan
UCL Bartlett School of Graduate Studies
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Peter Raynham
UCL Bartlett School of Graduate Studies
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Ian Ridley
UCL Bartlett School of Graduate Studies
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Alex Shluger
UCL Department of Physics and Astronomy
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Stef Simons
UCL Department of Chemical Engineering
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Frank Smith
UCL Department of Mathematics
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Julia Stegemann
Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering
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Paul Wrobel
UCL Department of Mechanical Engineering
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Students
Lucy Aldous - Energy Mapping and Optimisation on Cruise Vessels
Carrie Behar - Investigating occupant understanding, acceptance and interaction with ventilation systems in low energy dwellings which use mechanical and passive ventilation strategies, with a view to characterising the potential impact of choice of ventilation strategy on national CO2 emission reduction targets.
Kim Bouwer - Exploring the potential and limitations of liability law inaddressing the risks and uncertainties of decarbonising the built environment:a comparative law and economic analysis
Elusiyan Eludoyin - A Sustainable Energy Policy Model: Meeting Nigeria’sElectricity Capacity Demand and Targets on Climate Change
Stephanie Gauthier - In the UK, what are people's mental models of their home comfort systems?
Lisa Gobio-Thomas - How is ICT used in the home?
Ian Hamilton - The impact of domestic energy efficiency interventions inthe UK: developing a methodological framework for energy efficiency programmes
Sung Min Hong - Benchmarking and Assessing Energy Consumption for the UK Non-domestic Stock
Aurore Julien - Sustainable management of cities under different energy supply interruption scenarios
Tia Kansara - Achieving Zero Carbon Zero Waste
Maria Kikira - Energy and Life Cycle Costing of Building Facade
Francis Li - Future Approaches to Building Electricity and Heat Demand-Supply Matching for the UK's Strategic National Energy Infrastructure
Stephen Lorimer - Socioeconomic factors on the energy modelling of appliances and lighting in residential buildings
Jennifer Love - Occupant behaviour following home retrofit: uncovering some of the mechanisms behind changes in energy service demand
Henrietta Lynch - What are the constraints to uptake of Passivhaus design in the UK? A review of industry opinion
Christophe McGlade - The effects of uncertainties in the availability of oil and gas on the future global energy system
Charlie Morris-Marsham - Visualising home energy use: can the provision of thermalimages affect householders’ mental models of home energy use and influencelevels of consumption?
Eleni Oikonomou - Summer overheating in London dwellings: A cross-cultural comparison on occupant behaviour and building interaction
Eoin O'Keeffe - Modelling Operations and Technologies to Deliver Low Carbon Shipping
Sophie Parker - Modelling the Economic Impact of Carbon Reduction Policies in Shipping
Nishat Rehmatulla - Policy, market and regulatory instruments, exogenous scenarios through to 2050
Craig Robertson - The Role of Information Feedback in Building Design and Construction Practice
Ed Sharp - The spatiotemporal patterns of energy demand and supply in the UK
Samuel Stamp - Developing co-heating test procedure and application
Julia Tomei - Global policy and local outcomes: the case of biofuels in Guatemala
David Veitch - Developing improved methods for measurement of ventilation rates in occupied dwellings
Faye Wade - Investigating the requirements of decision support to assist plumbers in providing the most appropriate central heating solutions to householders
Peter Warren - Best Practice in Energy Demand-side Management Policies
Will Usher - Uncertainty in energy system modelling
PhD Funding Opportunities
Two fully funded MRes + PhD Studentships available at UCL in Energy Demand for a September 2013 start. London-Loughborough
(LoLo) Centre for Doctoral Research in Energy Demand (UCL Energy
Institute-Loughborough University joint CDT) has 2 funded studentships
available for 2013/14. Visit the LoLo website for further information.
To keep up to date with future opportunities sign up to our mailing list.
Applying for MPhil/PhD
Application procedures, fees, funding and scholarships
For information, please see the faculty admissions information here.
MPhil/PhD Energy
Students should have a UK bachelor's degree in a relevant subject, awarded with first-class or upper second-class (2:1) honours, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard from a recognised higher education institute.
For those applicants with a first or 2:1, possession of a master's degree is highly desirable, though not essential; in exceptional cases, where they have other suitable research experience, candidates without a master's degree may be admitted.
In all cases, your application should include a sufficiently strong and convincing proposal, and those holding a master's degree are typically well prepared to provide one. Applicants who have a lower second-class honours bachelor's degree (2:2) must possess a relevant master's degree.
First Steps
Develop your research proposal: Your application should include a research proposal (maximum 2,000 words) outlining the subject of your proposed research, the questions you hope to answer, why you think this knowledge will be of value, your intended method and the sources you will use. See the attached tips for further guidance (opens as a PDF in a new window).
Identify a potential supervisor: Visit the supervisor page on the UCL-Energy website and view the people profiles of the supervisors to see if there is someone working in the field you are interested in or on a topic similar to the one you propose studying. Please note, only certain research staff are able to supervise PhD students.
Funding: Before making contact with a potential supervisor you will need to have considered how you will fund your studies, either by supporting yourself, identifying and applying for studentships and scholarships, or via industrial scholarships.
How much will I have to pay and can I afford it? If you are self-funded, do you have enough money to cover your fees and living costs? For more information about fees and living expenses visit the UCL Information for Prospective Students (Graduate) web pages.
Fees 2013/14 UCL-Energy Research Degree (RRDENRSING01)
UK/EU: full time,
£4,400; part time, £2,200
Overseas: full time,
£15,750; part time, £8,000
Please see the tuition fee status procedure for more information.
What funding is available?
If you are not able to fund yourself, the following options are available:
- London-Loughborough Centre for Doctoral Research in Energy Demand 2 studentships are available for eligible candidates for the 2013/14 academic year. You can find more information about funding on the Become a Student page of the London-Loughborough Centre website.
- UCL-Energy Studentships A small number of studentships may be available each year. They are announced on the UCL-Energy website.
- UCL Scholarships Visit the UCL Graduate Scholarships pages for more information about these scholarships. Please bear in mind that you should already have received an offer when you apply for this funding and that nominations are made by the Department only.
- Industry-sponsored Studentships These studentships will be announced as and when they become available on the UCL-Energy website.
The application process
1. When you have identified your potential supervisor(s), send them your application. This should include a proposal (maximum 2,000 words) outlining the subject of your proposed research, the questions you hope to answer, why you think this knowledge will be of value, your intended method and the sources you will use, together with your CV.
2. Once you have a positive response from the supervisor(s), you should complete an official application. Visit the UCL Graduate Applications section of the website for detailed information about how to apply. Applicants wishing to apply for a UCL-Energy Research Degree should use the programme code RRDENRSING01.
Deadlines
For self-funded students there are no deadlines for application, however the majority of students start at the beginning of each academic year (September). It is recommended students apply at least two to three months before they wish to start their studies to allow time for their application to be processed.