Materials, Design and Manufacturing

This PhD programme offers the opportunity to contribute to world-leading research in materials, design and manufacturing, with strong industrial, clinical and academic collaborations. Researchers tackle global challenges through interdisciplinary innovation, from atomic-scale materials to advanced manufacturing technologies. The PhD programme in the Department of Materials, Design and Manufacturing Engineering offers a dynamic and collaborative research environment, empowering postgraduate researchers to address complex engineering challenges. The programme spans a broad spectrum of engineering disciplines, from atomic layer material development to full-scale product manufacturing. Our postgraduate researchers engage in pioneering research in areas such as biomedical engineering, sustainable materials, laser and surface engineering, and healthcare technologies. We also have a wide variety of specialist research facilities spanning functional thin film materials, additive manufacturing, soft matter, biomaterials, biomedical/healthcare devices, and materials characterisation, laser processing, nuclear, renewable energy technology, product design, virtual technology and advanced simulation. We foster a research culture that values user-centred design, collaboration with industry partners, and real-world impact. You’ll be trained in advanced techniques and supported in publishing, commercialising innovation and building your career. Our graduates emerge as globally-aware and solutions-focused engineers, ready for roles in academia, industry and research-intensive settings. The research conducted in the Department of Materials, Design and Manufacturing Engineering encompasses a wide range of topics that fall under the broad categories of materials, manufacturing or design. There is extensive opportunity for multidisciplinary research, so your research may often span well beyond the traditional borders of these three engineering disciplines. The list of topics below is in

IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5 TOEFL iBT: If you took a TOEFL test on or before 20 January 2026, you’ll need 88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 17, writing 17, reading 17 and speaking 19. If you took a TOEFL test from 21 January 2026 onwards, when a new scoring system was introduced, you’ll need 4.5 overall, with 4 or above in all components. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted. Your most recent IELTS score: Pre-sessional English course length 6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5: 6 weeks 5.5 overall, with no more than one component at 5.0: 10 weeks 5.5 overall, with no component below 5.0: 12 weeks 5.0 overall, with no component below 5.0: 20 weeks 5.0 overall, with no component below 4.5: 30 weeks 4.5 overall, with no more than one component at 4.0: 40 weeks

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5

International students: £5,238

UK students: £5,238

UK/Home: £5,238

International: £5,238

Year round

Rolling admissions - check project listing

• Liverpool, United Kingdom