Overview

Bristol's Quantum Engineering Centre for Doctoral Training offers a unique training and development experience for those wishing to pursue a career in the quantum technologies industry. It supports the understanding of sound fundamental scientific principles and much more.

You will be given the opportunity to put your knowledge of science and engineering into practice from the outset. From the first year of study, you will work in a state-of-the-art laboratory environment and be asked to undertake both individual and group research projects.

This cohort approach to learning - through peer-to-peer teaching, group lab projects and research challenges - creates an environment that is both stimulating and empowering. It supports the development of leadership skills and the creation of personal support networks and offers a first-class foundation for developing and completing a PhD project.

The centre's core staff are world-leading scientists and engineers with a proven track record in passing that knowledge and expertise on to others.

This is supplemented by access to a broad technology base, as well as a network of academic and industrial partners across the world with whom students actively collaborate through secondments and attendance at conferences.

Together with training in a variety of complementary skills (for example, entrepreneurship, and project management), this provides an unrivalled opportunity to learn and understand the foundations of quantum physics and then apply them to real-world situations.

Entry requirements

An upper second-class degree (or international equivalent) in physics, electrical engineering, computer science, maths, chemistry or in other relevant physical sciences.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

Go to admissions statement

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level E.

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Fees and funding

UK: full-time
£4,665 per year
Overseas: full-time
£25,300 per year

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Bench fees

For postgraduate research students who are not funded by UK Research Councils or (specific) UK charities, it is usual to charge a bench fee. A bench fee covers the costs of laboratory consumables, specialist equipment and other relevant costs (such as training) for the duration of the programme. The bench fee charged can vary considerably depending on the nature of the programme being undertaken. Details of specific bench fee charges can be provided on request and will be made clear in the offer letter sent to applicants.

Alumni discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding for 2023/24

Enhanced EPSRC studentships covering fees and living costs are available to UK/Overseas students.

Self-funding students are encouraged to apply.

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career prospects

Underpinned by world-class research and industrial expertise, our four-year doctoral programme offers a stimulating experience for those seeking academic excellence and a route into the growing quantum technologies industry. Our extensive network of academic and industrial partners provides the opportunity to collaborate on cutting-edge science.

You will also be supported to develop a range of complementary skills including entrepreneurial business skills, knowledge of commercialisation, creative thinking, teamwork, communication skills and project management.

Meet our supervisors

The following list shows potential supervisors for this programme. Visit their profiles for details of their research and expertise.

g.barreto@bristol.ac.uk;krishna.coimbatorebalram@bristol.ac.uk;n.linden@bristol.ac.uk;david.may@bristol.ac.uk;ashley.montanaro@bristol.ac.uk;ruth.oulton@bristol.ac.uk;john.rarity@bristol.ac.uk;

Research groups

See the Quantum Engineering CDT webpages for further information about the centre's areas of research:

  • Quantum computing and simulation
  • Quantum communications
  • Quantum sensing and metrology
  • Foundations of quantum information

Contact us

Contact
Lin Burden, Postgraduate Administrator
Phone
+44 (0) 117 394 0025
Email
quantum-engineering@bristol.ac.uk