Overview

UCL Engineering Doctorate Centre in Virtual Environments, Imaging and Visualisation (EngD VEIV) studies natural, artificial and social phenomena using computational modelling and simulation in support of decision-making processes in built environment.

The EngD VEIV Centre is a joint doctoral training centre run by the Computer Science department and the Bartlett School of Graduate Studies. Our EngD Centre funds and supports research engineers studying in areas related to the use of visualisation and imaging in engineering and design. We secured the major EPSRC funding for 50 new places – 10 EngD Scholarships per year until 2014.

A strength of EngD VEIV is the diversity of our collaboration portfolio. In the last two years, at the Bartlett School of Graduate Studies we have created 10 EngD Scholarships co-funded by leading architectural, engineering and construction companies: Aedas, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Foster + Partners, Bentley Systems, PLP Architecture, Freeform Construction, BRE, CIBSE, Skanska and Amey.

The overall EngD VEIV Programme Director is Professor Anthony Steed in Computer Science, while within the Bartlett, the EngD VEIV programme is directed by Dr Dejan Mumovic with academic direction by Sean Hanna.

For 'need to know' details please download our leaflet: Eight Things You Should Know About Our EngD Centre (PDF, 3.4MB).

More details are available for our overall EngD VEIV Programme.

What is the EngD Programme?

An Engineering Doctorate (EngD) is an enhanced PhD designed by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to provide a new generation of outstanding research engineers. Our research engineers undertake a bespoke, one-year technical training MRes course (Read more about Bartlett MRes programmes), followed by three years' full-time work on their sponsor's project. Each engineering doctorate project is focused on producing two results: (1) future leaders in innovative research and development with outstanding academic and industrial perspectives, and (2) a significant industry focused research project that create a step change in the company's knowledge and capability. The EngD is open to graduates in any branch of architecture and engineering (or other relevant disciplines), provided that they are articulate, well qualified and highly motivated.

Each research engineer is sponsored by an industrial or charitable partner. The cost of sponsorship is typically around £36,000 to £40,000 over four years, with occasional concessions offered to charitable sponsors. UCL have already secured EPSRC matching funds. Research engineers normally divide their time between the sponsoring organization and UCL. They receive a tax-free stipend of approximately £18,500 per year.

The programme supports research engineers in a studentship mode, but it also supports current employees from industrial organisations seeking to enhance their R&D capabilities. This offers companies, including SMEs, a way to further research and development, while retaining highly sought-after staff who wish to continue their professional development.

Technical training

A bespoke, one-year technical training MRes courses (Read more about Bartlett MRes programmes) approved by the EngD VEIV Management Team are:

• MRes in Adaptive Architecture and Computation (MRes AAC)
• MRes in Heritage Science (MRes HS)

Alternatively, our EngD students can enroll on our MSc/MRes courses at Computer Science including MSc in Computer Graphics, Vision and Imaging (MSc CGVI) and MSc in Computer Science (MSc CS). Optional modules can be chosen on a flexible basis in consultation with the Industrial and Academic EngD supervisors. For example, EngD students working on sustainable building design and engineering topics may opt to attend seminars offered by CIBSE accredited MSc in Environmental Design and Engineering (MSc EDE).

Additional training is offered throughout the EngD Programme including UCL Graduate School's Skills Development Programmes. Selected EngD students can enroll on electives at London Business School. These electives offer members of UCL the opportunity to acquire or enhance business-related skills while working alongside MBA students at the School. All places on London Business School electives are subject to availability and approval from UCL Advances.

Contacts for academic related enquiries:

Sean Hanna
EngD VEIV Centre Academic Director (current EngD Supervisors Enquiries)
View Sean's profile
Send Sean an e-mail

Dr Jamie O'Brien
EngD VEIV Centre Academic Manager (General and Student Enquiries)

Call for Proposals/Contacts

Throughout 2011 - 2014 the EngD VEIV Centre is welcoming proposals from industrial and public parties to sponsor engineering doctorate students (i.e. research engineers) in adaptive architecture and computation, development of digital technologies in architecture, construction, urban planning, space syntax, use of visualisation in building design and engineering, parametric built environment modeling, use of imaging and visualisation in heritage science and building performance simulation but we are open to all other suggestions for industrial research.

Contacts for Potential UCL EngD Supervisors and Industrial Sponsors:

Professor Anthony Steed EngD VEIV
Centre Director (Computer Science Research Projects)
View Anthony's profile
Send Anthony an e-mail

Dr Dejan Mumovic
EngD VEIV Centre Co-Director (Bartlett, Built Environment Research Projects)
View Dejan's profile
Send Dejan an e-mail

For 'need to know' details please download our leaflet: Eight Things You Should Know About Our EngD Centre (PDF, 3.4MB).

More details are available for our overall EngD VEIV Programme.