Prospective research engineers

How does it work?

Currently you can only apply for admission on to the EngD programme with an Industry Sponsor in place.

Normally, an RE will spend the majority of their time on the IRC at the site of the Industry Sponsor. The Industry Sponsor will provide the funding for the RE, as well as an Industrial Supervisor who will act as mentor and contact person at the Industry Sponsor’s site.

The RE must complete the following components of the programme in order to be considered for the award of an EngD:

What qualifications do I need?

For admission, we would normally expect at least a Bachelors degree in a relevant subject from Computing, Informatics, Mathematics or Engineering. We would expect an applicant for the EngD to have achieved a First Class honours degree at Bachelors level, or a Distinction at MSc level.

However, we recognise that some applicants, e.g. employees of Industry Sponsors, may have other suitable experience and qualifications. So, we are keen to work with Industry Sponsors to recognise other qualifications as well as practical experience, and explore routes for entry onto the EngD programme. This may involve an interview and other ad hoc assessment of an applicant’s suitability, as deemed appropriate, on a case-by-case basis. We will enter into discussion with the applicant, the Industry Sponsor, as well as taking advice from the St Andrews admissions team on qualifications, as required.

How do I apply?

Before you start, you will need:

  1. A working email address.
  2. A CV (PDF document)
  3. A research proposal (PDF document)
  4. A sample of academic writing (PDF document)
  5. A copy of any certificates for qualifications (PDF document)
  6. The names and contact details of two referees.

The application process has two parts:

  • Making an application to the University, as a postgraduate research student.
  • Providing additional information for the EngD to the School of Computer Science.

For making an application to the University, you will need:

  • An up-to-date CV.
  • A research proposal.
    • If applying with a Prospective Industry Sponsor, then this is a document that you have agreed with the Sponsor.
    • If applying for a specific vacancy you have seen on our web site, then this is a document that presents your statement of what you think the research challenges are for that vacancy and how you might address them.
  • A sample of academic writing. This could be a report you have prepared, a paper or technical article you have written, or a previous dissertation, e.g. your undergraduate or Masters dissertation or project.
  • A copy of any certificates. Please scan your certificates ready for upload.
  • The names and contact details of two referees. These should be two people who we can contact, in confidence, in order to get their opinion of your ability and your suitability for the EngD programme.

When you have that information, you can go to the University web site and start the application process.

Please note that you must submit your application by the end of January to start in August of that year. 

After you have filled out the University application you will need to provide some additional information for the EngD, which the School needs. This is very simple: please send by email your CV, information about any specific vacancy you are applying for, with a covering letter/email to engd-admin-cs@st-andrews.ac.uk. Both the University application and the additional information for the School must be completed.

I want to find out more or talk to someone – how do I do that?

  • If you have any queries, please send email to engd-admin-cs@st-andrews.ac.uk.
  • You can also phone the School during normal office hours, 0900-1700 UK time, Monday to Friday, on +44 (0)1334 463253 (please note that there is no voicemail service on this line).