Dual Award PhD programmes

Loughborough is pleased to offer a number of Dual award PhD degree programmes with overseas partners.

Dual award PhD programmes are research degrees delivered jointly in collaboration with another Institution. It leads to two separate PhD awards, one from Loughborough University and one from the collaborative partner.

Doctoral Researchers registered on Dual award PhD programmes will register at both institutions with full access to facilities and PhD training provision. They are expected to split their time of study equally between the partners and will be guided by a supervisory team from both institutions. 

Collaborating Institutions

PhD subject areas

All

Admissions

Applicants must apply to Loughborough and PolyU, meeting the entry criteria for both institutions.

Length of Programme

For doctoral researchers admitted on basis of MPhil or RPg degree with dissertation:

3 years active study on the dual award plus up to 12-months extension permitted

For doctoral researchers admitted on basis of Bachelor’s Degree with First Class Honours or a non-research Master’s degree:

12-months initial registration at PolyU to complete taught component followed by 3 years active study on the dual award PhD. Up to 12-months extension permitted.

Residence requirements

Doctoral Researchers are expected to spend at least 18-months at Loughborough during their active study period and at least half of the normal study period at PolyU.

Examination requirements

A single thesis submission in English.

One oral examination will be conducted in English, with examination documentation to be prepared and completed by the respective institutions.

Extension/Continuation fees

Students will be required to pay miscellaneous fees such as continuation and examination fees at the respective partners.

Study arrangements

For doctoral researchers admitted on basis of Bachelor’s Degree with First Class Honours or a non-research Master’s degree, Doctoral Researchers are expected to register initially at PolyU for a 12- month period before commencing their formal registration at LU.

Studentships

Studentships may be available to support study on this dual award. You must apply to both institutions by 31 January 2026 in order to be considered for an October 2026 start. See also PolyU Fellowship and Scholarship webpage.

Queries

p.g.research@lboro.ac.uk

 

Find out more:

Online talk LU-PolyU Dual PhD award - 9am (UK time) 21 January 2026. If you are interested in attending, please pre-register here by 19 January 2026.

Pre-register form

PhD subject areas 

Engineering

Admissions

Applicants must apply to Loughborough and Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, meeting the entry criteria for both institutions.

Length of Programme

12-months initial registration at IIT-R to complete taught component followed by 3 years active study on the dual award PhD plus up to 12-months extension permitted.

Residence requirements

Students are expected to spend at least 18-months at Loughborough during their active study period.

Examination requirements

A single thesis submission in English.

One oral examination will be conducted in English, with examination documentation to be prepared and completed by the respective institutions.

Extension/Continuation fees

Students will be required to pay miscellaneous fees such as continuation and examination fees at the respective partners.

Study arrangements

Students are expected to register initially at IIT-R for the first 12- month period before commencing their formal registration at LU.

Queries

p.g.research@lboro.ac.uk 

PhD subject areas 

Engineering

Admissions

Applicants must apply to Loughborough and Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), meeting the entry criteria for both institutions.

Length of Programme

3-years of active study on the dual award plus up to 12-months extension permitted

Residence requirements

Students are expected to spend at least 18-months at Loughborough during their active study period.

Examination requirements

A single thesis submission will be made to both partners, in English.

Two separate vivas will be conducted, one to satisfy Loughborough examination criteria and one for ITB.

    1. The Loughborough viva will take place within 3 months of the thesis submission. Thesis amendments will be made available post viva.
    2. ITB corrections will be released after the LU viva date. Corrections in response to ITB examiner feedback will be made prior to the ITB viva taking place.    

Extension/Continuation fees

Students will be required to pay miscellaneous fees such as continuation and examination fees at the respective partners.

Queries

p.g.research@lboro.ac.uk