Postgraduate research admissions (PhD)
Interested in world class ....
The Department provides a highly stimulating environment for research, attracting outstanding applicants from a variety of academic backgrounds. Research students form an integral part of the Department's research community. The Department is recognised nationally and internationally as one of the leading centres of research in Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Research Areas
The Department is comprised of 7 research sections. We also participate in a number of Centres for Doctoral Training (CDT), which offer additional studentships and scholarships.
Why choose us?
League table rankings
National Student Survey
- Overall Satisfaction, 90.2 (2022), 89.9 (2021); 78.1 (2020); 88% (2019)
QS World Universities rankings
- Subject Ranking. Civil Engineering = 6th (2022); 6th (2021); 5th (2020); 6th (2019)
- Overall, Imperial was voted 7th best university in the world in the 2022 rankings.
Guardian University Guide (UK)
- Subject Ranking. Engineering: Civil = 3rd (2022); 4th (2021); 1st (2020); 1st (2019)
- Overall, Imperial was ranked 7th in this year's Guardian university guide.
The Times Higher Education world ranking
- Subject Ranking. Engineering and Technology = 14th (2021); 11th (2020); 12th (2019)
- Overall, Imperial was ranked 11th best university in this year's rankings.
The Sunday Times Good University Guide (UK)
- Subject Ranking. Civil Engineering = 1st (2022); 4th (2021); 4th (2020); 3rd (2019); 1st (2018)
Complete University Guide
- Subject Ranking. Civil Engineering = 2nd (2023), 8th (2022); 7th (2021); 6th (2020); 2nd (2019); 1st (2018)
- Overall, Imperial ranked 5th best university in this year's rankings.
Research assessments
- REF 2021. 75% of our research was considered 4* (highest rating), and the remaining 25% at 3* (unit of assessment: engineering).
- REF 2014. 47% of our research assessed to be 4* (highest rating), 48% assessed to be 3* and 5% assessed as 2* (unit of assessment: civil and construction engineering).
- RAE 2008. 40% of our research assessed to be 4* (highest rating), 55% assessed to be 3* and 3% assessed as 2* (unit of assessment: civil engineering).
