What are the key differences between doing a regular PhD or a PhD in the Hub?

Hands-on Research Experience

You will get to do a substantial research project in the second half of your first year which will let you see if this is the sort of topic you want to do for your PhD – if not then you will be able to change. 

Industry Placement

Students will spend a period of their six month Masters project in industry to gain key insights into working in a highly innovative commercial environment.

Wide Exposure

You may well have a supervisor from another university as well as Imperial – project proposals will be welcome from physicists around the UK.

Personal and Professional Development

You will also do a large number of activities with the members of your cohort, and it is intended that you build long-lasting personal and professional relationships during this time. You will get to do courses in important skills such as giving presentations – skills which will be useful to you regardless of what you do next.

Imperial College works closely with employers and industry, including Industrial Advisory Panels to design Master’s courses which provide graduates with technical knowledge, expertise and transferable skills and to encourage students to take internships and placements. All Master’s courses are designed with employer needs in mind with some Master’s courses accredited by Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies. Most Master’s courses offer an opportunity to carry out research projects in industry.

High levels of funding

There is considerable funding available for things such as IT equipment, paying for expert summer school lecturers to come and teach you, paying for you to go to summer schools and conferences, and many other things. The goal is to ensure the highest possibly quality of your training.