DProf Reliability Engineering & Asset Management / Overview

Year of entry: 2025

Degree awarded
Professional Doctorate in Reliability Engineering
Duration
72 months Part Time
Entry requirements
The minimum academic entry requirements for a Doctorate programme are either i) a First class UK Honours degree in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD, ii) an undergraduate degree at 2:1 or above and Masters award at Merit level in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD or iii) equivalent international qualifications.

Full entry requirements

How to apply

In your application you鈥檒l need to include:

  • The name of this programme
  • Your title (i.e. the advertised project name or proposed project name) or area of research
  • Your proposed name
  • If you already have funding or you wish to be considered for any of the
  • A supporting statement (see 'Advice to Applicants' for what to include)
  • Details of your previous university level study
  • Names and contact details of your two referees.

Before applying we recommend that you read the 'Advice to Applicants' section.

Sustainable Development Goals

Find out how this programme aligns to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including learning which relates to:

  • Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy

Programme options

Full-time Part-time Full-time distance learning Part-time distance learning
N Y N N

Attend an open day

Programme description

Research in covers six broad ; aerospace engineering, innovative manufacturing, modelling and simulation, nuclear engineering, resilient systems, and structures in extreme environments.

The Professional Doctorate (DProf) Programme is a unique opportunity for practising engineers and professionals already working in industry to do applied research in the area of plant maintenance, reliability and asset management. As this is a distance learning programme, candidates can study the DProf from outside the UK while continuing their employment.

At the end of the programme, candidates will make a significant and original contribution to knowledge in general, and to their workplace specifically. The results of this research shall then be published in high standard/quality journals and finally needs to be submitted in the thesis form for the final examination.

The research project is intended to address a real plant issues in maintenance (reliability) engineering and asset management. The research outcome must be innovative work e.g. development of new method(s) in the plant maintenance and reliability engineering, novel industrial application of different methods, innovative field trials to reduce plant maintenance overhead and enhance plant reliability etc. To achieve this aim, candidates will demonstrate an ability to meet the intended learning outcomes:

  • To discover, interpret and communicate new knowledge through original applied industrial research in maintenance, reliability and asset management.
  • To produce research outputs that are publishable in high quality journals.
  • To present and defend research outcomes which extend the forefront of a discipline or relevant area of professional practice.
  • To systematically demonstrate extensive knowledge of the subject area and expertise in generic and subject/professional skills.
  • To independently and proactively formulate ideas and hypotheses to design, develop and implement plans by which to evaluate these.
  • To critically and creatively evaluate current plant issues, research and professional practice.
  • To develop advanced levels of interests and informed decisions about a discipline and/or professional practice.
  • To clearly communicate research findings and conclusions.
  • To make an original contribution to their chosen field.

to browse our range of currently available projects.

Open days

Visit our to find out about upcoming open days and webinars.

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2025, the tuition fees are as follows:

  • (part-time)
    UK students (per annum): Band A 拢TBC; Band B 拢7,400; Band C 拢10,500; Band D 拢15,200; Band E 拢25,700
    International, including EU, students (per annum): Band A 拢29,400; Band B 拢31,500; Band C 拢37,300; Band D 拢45,200; Band E 拢59,900

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

The programme fee will vary depending on the cost of running the project. Fees quoted are fully inclusive and, therefore, you will not be required to pay any additional bench fees or administration costs.

All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of the course for鈥疕ome students (fees are typically fixed for International students, for the course duration at the year of entry). For general fees information please .

Always contact the Admissions team if you are unsure which fees apply to your project.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the world's call to action on the most pressing challenges facing humanity. At The University of Manchester, we address the SDGs through our research and particularly in partnership with our students.

Led by our innovative research, our teaching ensures that all our graduates are empowered, inspired and equipped to address the key socio-political and environmental challenges facing the world.

To illustrate how our teaching will empower you as a change maker, we've highlighted the key SDGs that our programmes address.

  • Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy

    Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Exciting changes in the School of Engineering

The School of Engineering has reorganised into five departments: Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Management, Computer Science, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. This change will not impact on the delivery of your programme of study. However, during this transition, you may still see references to the former Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering. We appreciate your patience as we update our systems to reflect the new structure.

Contact details

Department
Contact name
Postgraduate Research Admissions Team
Telephone
+44 (0) 161 529 3049
Email
Website
School/Faculty

The School of Engineering creates a world of possibilities for students pursuing skills and understanding. Through dynamic research and teaching we develop engineering solutions that make a difference to society in an ethical and sustainable way.聽 Science-based engineering is at the heart of what we do, and through collaboration we support the engineers and scientists of tomorrow to become technically strong, analytically innovative and creative. .

Programmes in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.

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