Professional Doctorate in Engineering

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be awarded following confirmation that the learning outcomes of the applicant's Masters degree map to the learning outcomes stipulated in the Programme Rules section.

Applicants must make the RPL claim, and the credits must be awarded, before enrolling on the EngD programme.

If the applicants Masters qualification is older than five years, then they will need to demonstrate they have maintained and extended their professional competence through continuing professional development activities, which can include formal and informal activities. This should be evidenced through a portfolio of CPD against the five core competences A to E defined by the Engineering Council in UKSpec.

International entry requirements:

An English language capability of at least IELTS 6.5 (with 5.5 in each component).

The Professional Doctorate in Engineering, also referred to as the Engineering Doctorate (EngD) advances professional practice through the application and development of theoretical frameworks. The EngD at LJMU’s School of Engineering and Built Environment offers key advantages:

• A qualification equal in standing to a PhD, designed for professionals who wish to continue working

• Research is rooted in real workplace challenges, ensuring relevance and impact

• Participants develop new theoretical insights while applying them directly to practice

• Students gain advanced methodological skills to design and evaluate high-quality research

• Individual projects deliver tangible benefits to employers and wider industry

• Engagement with supervisors and peers promotes collaboration and knowledge exchange

• The programme strengthens critical thinking, leadership, and problem-solving abilities for strategic roles

EngD suits candidates who wish to pursue their studies on a part-time basis while holding senior professional or leadership roles, enabling them to achieve the highest level of academic qualification without stepping away from full-time employment.

An EngD from LJMU enhances professional credibility and offers globally recognised academic and practical expertise.

Candidates are expected to make significant contributions within their organisations, demonstrating the practical application of both new and established theories. The programme promotes research, collaboration with employers, and the cultivation of leadership capabilities, preparing candidates to drive innovation and promote sustained professional and personal growth within their respective fields.

Designed as an alternative to the traditional PhD, the EngD suits those seeking the highest academic qualification either to progress to or maintainer their leadership roles in engineering and related sectors. Like a PhD, it requires a theoretical contribution, but its distinguishing feature lies in its emphasis on practice. Candidates must demonstrate tangible impact, whether through contributions to their own organisation, professional bodies, or wider industry. For employers, this engagement can be highly advantageous, with outcomes such as innovation, knowledge transfer, and even significant cost savings directly benefiting the organisation.

Becoming part of a dynamic and diverse research community at LJMU allows you to contribute to advancing the frontiers of science, engineering, and technology. The programme is specifically designed so that you can integrate your research into the ongoing priorities of your business, meaning that organisational progress can be achieved without requiring you to step away from your professional role. Through direct collaboration with employers and industry partners, the EngD enables you to engage with live projects that are sponsored by companies, giving you the opportunity to apply innovative research to address practical and industrially relevant challenges. Importantly, the academic rigour and intellectual contribution of the EngD are comparable to those of a traditional PhD, but with a stronger emphasis on real-world application.

The EngD offered at LJMU’s School of Engineering and Built Environment is distinctive both in its structure and the extensive support it provides to candidates throughout their research journey. It is particularly valuable for experienced engineers and professionals, including those working in maritime and related industries, who are seeking to enhance their expertise and career prospects. Earning an EngD will strengthen professional credibility, expand networks, and provide a robust foundation for career progression or even a major transition into new roles. Employers who invest in supporting candidates will gain significantly by attracting, developing, and retaining key talent while simultaneously building new knowledge that contributes directly to organisational competitiveness.

EngD - the Route to becoming a Scholar-Practitioner

Becoming a scholar-practitioner entails the responsibility of applying rigorous research methods to address professional challenges and contribute meaningfully to practice. Within the EngD, you will learn to navigate the demands of both academic and practitioner contexts, developing strategies to analyse and resolve complex, work-based problems. Your professional expertise provides the foundation for this process, while engagement with academic literature deepens your understanding of the multifaceted role of a scholar-practitioner and strengthens your ability to connect theory with application.

The EngD distinguishes itself by embedding industry relevance at its core. Research is centred on live, industry-focused projects, undertaken with the guidance of supervisors from academia and, where possible, industry partners. This dual supervision ensures that your work is both intellectually robust and practically applicable. The structured programme consists of seven integrated modules, culminating in a single thesis at the same level as a PhD. This format enables you to showcase a breadth of knowledge, innovation, and problem-solving approaches that respond to the evolving demands of modern industry, while also advancing organisational effectiveness and competitiveness.

As part of the course, you will benefit from the following:

You also have access to the doctoral facilities at LJMU whenever you decide to come to Liverpool.