Sustainable Hydrogen CDT PhD
- Full-time: 4 years
- Part-time: Not available
- Start date: Multiple available
- UK fees: £5,100
- International fees: £21,500 or £28,600 depending on the nature of your project
Research overview
Sustainable Hydrogen provides low-carbon solutions as an energy store, supporting the rapid deployment of renewable energy generation, and as an energy vector, decarbonising the transport and heat sectors.
The challenges for sustainable hydrogen innovations are multidisciplinary and encompass science, engineering, social and economic issues. There is a need for hydrogen energy innovation leaders to transition the UK towards a low carbon economy.
This integrated PhD programme will deliver doctoral level leaders with a trans-disciplinary understanding of the science and engineering limits of hydrogen technologies, along with an appreciation of the barriers to the market (including legislative, economic and societal). This is the skill set needed to transition hydrogen innovations into the energy system.
The Universities of Nottingham, Loughborough, Birmingham and Ulster have joined forces to become a national CDT in Sustainable Hydrogen.
Course content
The integrated PhD research programme in Sustainable Hydrogen is a 4 year programme consisting of taught skills, experiential learning and a research project.
By the end of year 1 you will have gained 120 credits of multidisciplinary training in Sustainable Hydrogen and the Energy Sector. Half of the taught element is made-up of options, enabling you to tailor the training to your interests and needs.
The training also covers research, entrepreneurial and business skills, much of this is undertaken in collaboration with our industry partners. 3 years are dedicated to completing a research project.
The CDT offers many experiences to develop your skills through industrial secondments, outreach activities, industry challenge days and writing retreats.
Overseas travel is supported for you to present your work at international conferences and for research visits to leading international labs, enabling you to access unique facilities and extend your global network.
Entry requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.
| Degree | 1st or 2:1 (hons) degree or a MSc with distinction. Candidates with backgrounds in all disciplines will be considered as a wide variety of projects are available.
Applications are also welcomed from candidates who have taken a non-traditional route, for example those who may have spent some time in industry and are looking to return to education. |
| Additional information | We encourage you to get in touch with a member of academic staff about your research proposal before submitting an application. They may be able to help you with your proposal and offer support to find funding opportunities in your area.
Engineering supervisors, including their research interests and contact details, can be found on our find a PhD supervisor page.
Details of research supervisors at the University can also be found on our research A to Z. |
| Degree | 1st or 2:1 (hons) degree or a MSc with distinction. Candidates with backgrounds in all disciplines will be considered as a wide variety of projects are available.
Applications are also welcomed from candidates who have taken a non-traditional route, for example those who may have spent some time in industry and are looking to return to education. |
| International and EU equivalents | We accept a wide range of qualifications from all over the world. For information on entry requirements from your country, see our country pages. |
| Additional information | We encourage you to get in touch with a member of academic staff about your research proposal before submitting an application. They may be able to help you with your proposal and offer support to find funding opportunities in your area.
Engineering supervisors, including their research interests and contact details, can be found on our find a PhD supervisor page.
Details of research supervisors at the University can also be found on our research A to Z. |
| IELTS | 6.0 (no less that 5.5 in any element) |
| English language requirements | As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. |
Meeting our English language requirements
If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.
If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.
For on-campus presessional English courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. For online presessional courses, see our CELE webpages for guidance.
Visa restrictions
International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.
We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.
We treat all applicants with alternative qualifications on an individual basis. We may also consider relevant work experience.
If you are unsure whether your qualifications or work experience are relevant, contact us.
Applying
All applications should include a CV and cover letter demonstrating your skills and experience as well as your interest in sustainable hydrogen.
Our step-by-step guide contains everything you need to know about applying for postgraduate research.
How to applyFees
| Home / UK | £5,100 |
| International | £21,500 or £28,600 depending on the nature of your project |
Additional information for international students
If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).
These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).
Funding
The CDT studentship covers UK/EU tuition fees and provides a tax-free stipend of up to £16,909 per annum. Funding is provided to cover travel and subsistence costs related to the CDT training and research activities.
An Equality and Diversity discretionary fund provides additional support where needed to ensure all students within the cohort have access to similar opportunities.
There are many ways to fund your research degree, from scholarships to government loans.
Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.
Postgraduate fundingSupport
Researcher training and development
The Researcher Academy is the network for researchers, and staff who support them. We work together to promote a healthy research culture, to cultivate researcher excellence, and develop creative partnerships that enable researchers to flourish.
Postgraduate researchers at Nottingham have access to our online Members’ area, which includes a wealth of resources, access to training courses and award-winning postgraduate placements.
Graduate centres
Our graduate centres are dedicated community spaces on campus for postgraduates.
Each space has areas for:
- studying
- socialising
- computer work
- seminars
- kitchen facilities
Student support
You will have access to a range of support services, including:
- academic and disability support
- childcare services
- counselling service
- faith support
- financial support
- mental health and wellbeing support
- visa and immigration advice
- welfare support
Students' Union
Our Students' Union represents all students. You can join the Postgraduate Students’ Network or contact the dedicated Postgraduate Officer.
There are also a range of support networks, including groups for:
- international students
- black and minority ethnic students
- students who identify as women
- students with disabilities
- LGBT+ students
SU Advice provides free, independent and confidential advice on issues such as accommodation, financial and academic difficulties.
Where you will learn
Jubilee Campus
Jubilee Campus has eco-friendly buildings, alongside green spaces, wildlife and a lake.
This campus is home to our business, education and computer science schools, as well as a sports centre and student accommodation.
You can walk to University Park Campus in around 20 minutes or catch a free hopper bus. Nottingham city centre is 20 minutes away by public bus.
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Research Excellence Framework
The University of Nottingham is ranked 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.
- 90%* of our research is classed as 'world-leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*)
- 100%* of our research is recognised internationally
- 51% of our research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact**
*According to analysis by Times Higher Education ** According to our own analysis.
This content was last updated on 22 August 2023. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.