European Universities - Fully Funded PhD Programs in Engineering
European
Universities - Fully Funded PhD Programs in Engineering
🇩🇪 GERMANY
Technical
Universities
- RWTH Aachen University
- Website:
https://www.rwth-aachen.de/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.rwth-aachen.de/go/id/bkar/
- Strong in: Mechanical,
Electrical, Computer Science Engineering
- Technical University of Munich
(TUM)
- Website:
https://www.tum.de/en/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.gs.tum.de/en/
- Strong in: All engineering
disciplines, particularly automotive
- Karlsruhe Institute of
Technology (KIT)
- Website:
https://www.kit.edu/english/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.ksop.kit.edu/english/
- Strong in: Engineering,
Computer Science, Physics
- Technical University of Berlin
- Website:
https://www.tu.berlin/en/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.tu.berlin/en/studying/study-programs/doctoral-programs/
- Strong in: Engineering,
Computer Science
- University of Stuttgart
- Website:
https://www.uni-stuttgart.de/en/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.gradus.uni-stuttgart.de/
- Strong in: Aerospace,
Mechanical Engineering
- Technical University of
Dresden
- Website:
https://tu-dresden.de/en
- PhD Programs:
https://tu-dresden.de/gsfs/graduiertenschulen
- Strong in: Electrical,
Mechanical Engineering
Research
Institutes
- Max Planck Institutes
- Website:
https://www.mpg.de/en
- Applications: Individual
institute websites
- Fields: Various engineering
and science disciplines
🇳🇱 NETHERLANDS
- Delft University of Technology
(TU Delft)
- Website:
https://www.tudelft.nl/en/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.tudelft.nl/en/education/programmes/phd/
- Strong in: Civil, Aerospace,
Electrical Engineering
- Eindhoven University of
Technology (TU/e)
- Website:
https://www.tue.nl/en/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.tue.nl/en/education/graduate-school/
- Strong in: Electrical,
Chemical, Biomedical Engineering
- University of Twente
- Website:
https://www.utwente.nl/en/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/phd/
- Strong in: Nanotechnology,
Engineering
🇸🇪 SWEDEN
- KTH Royal Institute of
Technology
- Website:
https://www.kth.se/en
- PhD Programs:
https://www.kth.se/en/studies/phd
- Strong in: All engineering
disciplines
- Chalmers University of
Technology
- Website:
https://www.chalmers.se/en/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.chalmers.se/en/education/doctoral/
- Strong in: Automotive,
Materials Engineering
- Lund University
- Website: https://www.lu.se/en
- PhD Programs:
https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/admissions/doctoral-studies
- Strong in: Engineering,
Technology
🇨🇭 SWITZERLAND
- ETH Zurich
- Website:
https://ethz.ch/en.html
- PhD Programs:
https://ethz.ch/en/doctorate.html
- Strong in: All engineering
disciplines (highly competitive)
- EPFL (École Polytechnique
Fédérale de Lausanne)
- Website:
https://www.epfl.ch/en/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.epfl.ch/education/phd/
- Strong in: Engineering,
Computer Science
🇫🇷 FRANCE
- École Polytechnique
- Website:
https://www.polytechnique.edu/en
- PhD Programs:
https://www.polytechnique.edu/en/graduate-degree/phd
- Strong in: Applied
Mathematics, Engineering
- INSA Lyon
- Website:
https://www.insa-lyon.fr/en/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.insa-lyon.fr/en/formation/doctorat
- Strong in: Engineering,
Applied Sciences
- Université Grenoble Alpes
- Website:
https://www.univ-grenoble-alpes.fr/english/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.univ-grenoble-alpes.fr/formation/doctorat/
- Strong in: Engineering,
Computer Science
🇮🇹 ITALY
- Politecnico di Milano
- Website:
https://www.polimi.it/en/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.polimi.it/en/education/phd-programmes/
- Strong in: Engineering,
Architecture
- Politecnico di Torino
- Website:
https://www.polito.it/index.php?lang=en
- PhD Programs:
https://www.polito.it/didattica/dottorato/?lang=en
- Strong in: Engineering,
Technology
🇳🇴 NORWAY
- Norwegian University of
Science and Technology (NTNU)
- Website:
https://www.ntnu.edu/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.ntnu.edu/phd
- Strong in: Engineering,
Technology
- University of Oslo
- Website:
https://www.uio.no/english/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.uio.no/english/studies/phd/
- Strong in: Various
engineering fields
🇩🇰 DENMARK
- Technical University of
Denmark (DTU)
- Website:
https://www.dtu.dk/english
- PhD Programs:
https://www.dtu.dk/english/Education/PhD
- Strong in: All engineering
disciplines
- University of Copenhagen
- Website:
https://www.ku.dk/english/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.ku.dk/english/research/phd/
- Strong in: Engineering,
Applied Sciences
🇫🇮 FINLAND
- Aalto University
- Website:
https://www.aalto.fi/en
- PhD Programs:
https://www.aalto.fi/en/doctoral-education
- Strong in: Engineering,
Technology, Design
🇦🇹 AUSTRIA
- Vienna University of
Technology
- Website:
https://www.tuwien.at/en/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.tuwien.at/en/studies/doctoral-programmes
- Strong in: Engineering,
Technology
🇧🇪 BELGIUM
- KU Leuven
- Website:
https://www.kuleuven.be/english/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.kuleuven.be/english/education/phd
- Strong in: Engineering,
Applied Sciences
- Ghent University
- Website:
https://www.ugent.be/en
- PhD Programs:
https://www.ugent.be/en/ghentuniv/education/doctoraltraining
- Strong in: Engineering,
Bioscience Engineering
- Université libre de Bruxelles
(ULB)
- Website:
https://www.ulb.be/en
- PhD Programs:
https://www.ulb.be/en/studies/doctoral-programmes
- Strong in: Engineering,
Applied Sciences
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
(VUB)
- Website:
https://www.vub.be/en
- PhD Programs:
https://www.vub.be/en/studying-vub/all-study-programmes#phd
- Strong in: Engineering,
Computer Science
🇪🇸 SPAIN
- Universidad Politécnica de
Madrid (UPM)
- Website:
https://www.upm.es/internacional
- PhD Programs:
https://www.upm.es/Estudiantes/Estudios_Titulaciones/Estudios_Doctorado
- Strong in: All engineering
disciplines
- Universitat Politècnica de
Catalunya (UPC Barcelona)
- Website:
https://www.upc.edu/en
- PhD Programs:
https://doctorat.upc.edu/en
- Strong in: Engineering,
Architecture
- Universidad Carlos III de
Madrid
- Website:
https://www.uc3m.es/Home
- PhD Programs:
https://www.uc3m.es/doctoral-school
- Strong in: Engineering,
Computer Science
- Universitat Politècnica de
València
- Website:
https://www.upv.es/index-en.html
- PhD Programs:
https://www.upv.es/entidades/EDUPV/
- Strong in: Engineering,
Technology
- University of Barcelona
- Website:
https://www.ub.edu/web/portal/en/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.ub.edu/web/portal/en/research/doctorate/
- Strong in: Applied
Engineering, Computer Science
🇵🇹 PORTUGAL
- Instituto Superior Técnico
(IST) - University of Lisbon
- Website:
https://tecnico.ulisboa.pt/en/
- PhD Programs:
https://fenix.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/cursos/dout
- Strong in: All engineering
disciplines
- University of Porto
- Website:
https://sigarra.up.pt/up/en/
- PhD Programs:
https://sigarra.up.pt/up/en/cur_geral.cur_planos_estudos_view
- Strong in: Engineering,
Applied Sciences
- University of Coimbra
- Website:
https://www.uc.pt/en/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.uc.pt/en/study/phd
- Strong in: Engineering,
Computer Science
🇨🇿 CZECH REPUBLIC
- Czech Technical University in
Prague (ČVUT)
- Website:
https://www.cvut.cz/en
- PhD Programs:
https://www.cvut.cz/en/study/doctoral
- Strong in: Engineering,
Technology
- Charles University Prague
- Website:
https://cuni.cz/uken-1.html
- PhD Programs:
https://cuni.cz/uken/study/doctoral-study
- Strong in: Applied Sciences,
Computer Science
- Brno University of Technology
(BUT)
- Website:
https://www.vut.cz/en/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.vut.cz/en/study/doctoral-study
- Strong in: Engineering, IT
🇵🇱 POLAND
- University of Warsaw
- Website:
https://en.uw.edu.pl/
- PhD Programs:
https://en.uw.edu.pl/doctoral-school/
- Strong in: Computer Science,
Applied Sciences
- Warsaw University of
Technology
- Website:
https://www.pw.edu.pl/engpw
- PhD Programs:
https://www.pw.edu.pl/engpw/Academic-Programmes/Doctoral-studies
- Strong in: All engineering
disciplines
- AGH University of Science and
Technology (Krakow)
- Website:
https://www.agh.edu.pl/en/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.agh.edu.pl/en/study/doctoral-studies/
- Strong in: Mining, Materials,
Engineering
- Gdansk University of
Technology
- Website: https://pg.edu.pl/en
- PhD Programs:
https://pg.edu.pl/en/doctoral-school
- Strong in: Engineering, Naval
Architecture
🇭🇺 HUNGARY
- Budapest University of
Technology and Economics (BME)
- Website:
https://www.bme.hu/?language=en
- PhD Programs:
https://www.bme.hu/study/doctoral_programmes
- Strong in: Engineering,
Technology
- University of Szeged
- Website:
https://u-szeged.hu/english
- PhD Programs:
https://u-szeged.hu/english/admissions/doctoral-programs
- Strong in: Applied Sciences,
Engineering
- University of Debrecen
- Website: https://unideb.hu/en
- PhD Programs:
https://unideb.hu/en/phd
- Strong in: Engineering,
Applied Sciences
🇸🇰 SLOVAKIA
- Slovak University of
Technology in Bratislava
- Website:
https://www.stuba.sk/english.html
- PhD Programs:
https://www.stuba.sk/english/study/doctoral-study.html
- Strong in: Engineering,
Technology
- University of Žilina
- Website:
https://www.uniza.sk/en
- PhD Programs:
https://www.uniza.sk/index.php/en/study/doctoral-studies
- Strong in: Engineering,
Transport
🇷🇴 ROMANIA
- Polytechnic University of
Bucharest
- Website: https://upb.ro/en/
- PhD Programs:
https://upb.ro/en/education/doctoral-studies/
- Strong in: Engineering,
Technology
- Technical University of
Cluj-Napoca
- Website:
https://www.utcluj.ro/en/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.utcluj.ro/en/education/doctoral-studies/
- Strong in: Engineering,
Computer Science
🇧🇬 BULGARIA
- Technical University of Sofia
- Website:
https://www.tu-sofia.bg/en/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.tu-sofia.bg/en/education/doctoral-studies
- Strong in: Engineering,
Technology
- University of Sofia
- Website:
https://www.uni-sofia.bg/eng
- PhD Programs:
https://www.uni-sofia.bg/eng/education/doctoral_programs
- Strong in: Applied Sciences,
Computer Science
🇭🇷 CROATIA
- University of Zagreb
- Website:
https://www.unizg.hr/homepage/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.unizg.hr/studies/postgraduate-doctoral-studies/
- Strong in: Engineering,
Applied Sciences
- University of Split
- Website:
https://www.unist.hr/en
- PhD Programs:
https://www.unist.hr/en/studies/doctoral-studies
- Strong in: Engineering,
Maritime Studies
🇸🇮 SLOVENIA
- University of Ljubljana
- Website:
https://www.uni-lj.si/eng/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.uni-lj.si/eng/study/doctoral_study/
- Strong in: Engineering,
Computer Science
- University of Maribor
- Website:
https://www.um.si/en/Pages/default.aspx
- PhD Programs:
https://www.um.si/en/study/doctoral-studies/Pages/default.aspx
- Strong in: Engineering,
Technology
🇱🇻 LATVIA
- Riga Technical University
- Website:
https://www.rtu.lv/en
- PhD Programs:
https://www.rtu.lv/en/studies/doctoral-studies
- Strong in: Engineering,
Technology
🇱🇹 LITHUANIA
- Vilnius Gediminas Technical
University
- Website:
https://vilniustech.lt/index.php?lang=2
- PhD Programs:
https://vilniustech.lt/doctoral-studies-308?lang=2
- Strong in: Engineering,
Technology
- Kaunas University of
Technology
- Website: https://en.ktu.edu/
- PhD Programs:
https://en.ktu.edu/studies/doctoral-studies/
- Strong in: Engineering,
Technology
🇪🇪 ESTONIA
- Tallinn University of
Technology
- Website:
https://taltech.ee/en
- PhD Programs:
https://taltech.ee/en/doctoral-studies
- Strong in: Engineering, IT
🇬🇷 GREECE
- National Technical University
of Athens (NTUA)
- Website:
https://www.ntua.gr/en/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.ntua.gr/en/studies/postgraduate/
- Strong in: All engineering
disciplines
- Aristotle University of
Thessaloniki
- Website:
https://www.auth.gr/en/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.auth.gr/en/studies/postgraduate_doctoral
- Strong in: Engineering,
Applied Sciences
🇨🇾 CYPRUS
- University of Cyprus
- Website:
https://www.ucy.ac.cy/en/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.ucy.ac.cy/en/studies/postgraduate-studies
- Strong in: Engineering,
Computer Science
- Cyprus University of
Technology
- Website:
https://www.cut.ac.cy/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.cut.ac.cy/studies/postgraduate/doctoral/
- Strong in: Engineering,
Technology
🇲🇹 MALTA
- University of Malta
- Website:
https://www.um.edu.mt/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.um.edu.mt/study/doctoral
- Strong in: Engineering, ICT
🏴
SCOTLAND (UK)
Major
Scottish Universities
- University of Edinburgh
- Website:
https://www.ed.ac.uk/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/postgraduate/applying/research/phds
- Engineering School:
https://www.eng.ed.ac.uk/studying/postgraduate/phd
- Currently offering 19 fully
funded PhD programs in 2025 across engineering, materials science,
machine learning, sustainable energy, and biomedical innovation
- Strong in: Chemical, Civil,
Electrical, Mechanical Engineering
- Special Programs: CDT (Centre
for Doctoral Training) programs
- Funding: EPSRC, Industry
partnerships, University scholarships
- University of Strathclyde
(Glasgow)
- Website:
https://www.strath.ac.uk/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.strath.ac.uk/studywithus/postgraduate/research/
- Engineering Faculty:
https://www.strath.ac.uk/engineering/
- Currently recruiting for 67+
fully funded PhD programs
- Strong in: Aerospace, Naval
Architecture, Chemical, Civil, Electrical Engineering
- Industrial Doctorate programs
available for industry collaboration
- Special Programs: Strathclyde
Centre for Doctoral Training (SCDT) in Energy-efficient Indoor Climate
Control
- University of Glasgow
- Website:
https://www.gla.ac.uk/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/
- Engineering School:
https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/engineering/
- Strong in: Aerospace,
Biomedical, Civil, Electronic Engineering
- Funding: EPSRC studentships,
Industry partnerships
- Heriot-Watt University
(Edinburgh)
- Website:
https://www.hw.ac.uk/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.hw.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research.htm
- Engineering School:
https://www.hw.ac.uk/schools/engineering-physical-sciences.htm
- Strong in: Chemical, Civil,
Electrical, Petroleum Engineering
- Campuses: Edinburgh, Scottish
Borders, Dubai, Malaysia
- University of Aberdeen
- Website:
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/
- Engineering School:
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/schools/natural-computing-sciences/
- Strong in: Petroleum,
Chemical, Civil Engineering
- University of Dundee
- Website:
https://www.dundee.ac.uk/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.dundee.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/
- Strong in: Biomedical
Engineering, Civil Engineering
- Robert Gordon University
(Aberdeen)
- Website:
https://www.rgu.ac.uk/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.rgu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research
- Strong in: Engineering,
Technology, Petroleum Engineering
Scottish
Funding Opportunities:
- EPSRC Doctoral Training
Partnerships:
https://epsrc.ukri.org/skills/students/dta/
- Scottish Funding Council: https://www.sfc.ac.uk/
- Saltire Scholarships:
https://www.universities-scotland.ac.uk/saltire/
- Carnegie Trust:
https://www.carnegie-trust.org/
🇧🇪 BELGIUM (Expanded)
Flemish
Universities (Dutch-speaking)
- KU Leuven (Already listed - expanded
info)
- Website:
https://www.kuleuven.be/english/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.kuleuven.be/english/education/phd
- Engineering School:
https://eng.kuleuven.be/en
- Strong in: All engineering
disciplines, particularly strong research reputation
- Funding: BOF scholarships,
FWO fellowships, Industry partnerships
- Special Programs: ESAT
(Electrical Engineering), MECH (Mechanical Engineering)
- Ghent University (Already listed - expanded
info)
- Website:
https://www.ugent.be/en
- PhD Programs:
https://www.ugent.be/en/ghentuniv/education/doctoraltraining
- Engineering School:
https://www.ugent.be/ea/en
- Strong in: Bioscience
Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science
- Special Programs: Doctoral
Training Programme
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
(VUB)
(Already listed - expanded info)
- Website:
https://www.vub.be/en
- PhD Programs:
https://www.vub.be/en/studying-vub/all-study-programmes#phd
- Engineering School:
https://www.vub.be/en/study-programmes#engineering-sciences
- Strong in: Engineering
Sciences, Computer Science
- Antwerp University
- Website:
https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/study/doctoral-programmes/
- Strong in: Applied
Engineering, Computer Science
French-speaking
Universities
- Université libre de Bruxelles
(ULB)
(Already listed - expanded info)
- Website:
https://www.ulb.be/en
- PhD Programs:
https://www.ulb.be/en/studies/doctoral-programmes
- Engineering School:
https://www.ulb.be/en/school-of-engineering
- Strong in: Applied Sciences,
Engineering
- University of Liège
- Website:
https://www.uliege.be/cms/c_8699436/en/uliege
- PhD Programs:
https://www.programmes.uliege.be/cocoon/20232024/formations/bac/en/TH-DOCT.html
- Engineering School:
https://www.facsa.uliege.be/cms/c_9054975/en/facsa
- Strong in: Applied Sciences,
Engineering
- UCLouvain (Université
catholique de Louvain)
- Website:
https://uclouvain.be/en/index.html
- PhD Programs:
https://uclouvain.be/en/study/phd
- Engineering School:
https://uclouvain.be/en/faculties/epl
- Strong in: Applied Sciences,
Engineering
Belgian
Funding Opportunities:
- FWO (Research Foundation
Flanders):
https://www.fwo.be/en/
- F.R.S.-FNRS
(Wallonia-Brussels):
https://www.frs-fnrs.be/en/
- BELSPO:
https://www.belspo.be/belspo/index_en.stm
🇩🇰 DENMARK (Expanded)
Major
Danish Universities
- Technical University of
Denmark (DTU)
(Already listed - expanded info)
- Website:
https://www.dtu.dk/english
- PhD Programs:
https://www.dtu.dk/english/Education/PhD
- All Engineering Departments:
https://www.dtu.dk/english/about/organization
- Strong in: All engineering
disciplines, particularly renewable energy, biotechnology
- Funding: DTU PhD
scholarships, Industry partnerships
- Special Programs: Industrial
PhD, Innovation PhD
- University of Copenhagen (Already listed - expanded
info)
- Website:
https://www.ku.dk/english/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.ku.dk/english/research/phd/
- Engineering/Science:
https://science.ku.dk/english/
- Strong in: Computer Science,
Applied Mathematics, Engineering Physics
- Aarhus University
- Website:
https://www.au.dk/en/
- PhD Programs:
https://phd.au.dk/
- Engineering School:
https://eng.au.dk/en/
- Strong in: Engineering,
Computer Science, Electrical Engineering
- Aalborg University
- Website:
https://www.en.aau.dk/
- PhD Programs:
https://www.phd.aau.dk/
- Engineering School:
https://www.en.aau.dk/education/study-programmes/phd-programmes
- Strong in: Engineering,
Technology, Problem-Based Learning approach
- University of Southern Denmark
(SDU)
- Website:
https://www.sdu.dk/en
- PhD Programs:
https://www.sdu.dk/en/education/phd
- Engineering:
https://www.sdu.dk/en/forskning/tekinstitutterne
- Strong in: Engineering,
Computer Science
Danish
Funding Opportunities:
- Innovation Fund Denmark:
https://innovationsfonden.dk/en
- Independent Research Fund
Denmark:
https://dff.dk/en
- Novo Nordisk Foundation:
https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/
- Carlsberg Foundation:
https://www.carlsbergfondet.dk/en
📋 USEFUL WEBSITES FOR FINDING
PROGRAMS
General
Search Platforms
- FindAPhD: https://www.findaphd.com/
- EURAXESS:
https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/
- ScholarshipDB: https://scholarshipdb.net/
- FellowshipBard: https://fellowshipbard.com/
- PhDPortal: https://www.phdportal.com/
Additional
Specialized Programs
Joint
European Programs
- EuroTech Universities Alliance:
https://eurotech-universities.eu/
- TU Delft, DTU, EPFL, TU
Munich, Technion, École Polytechnique
- Erasmus Mundus Joint
Doctorates:
https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/opportunities/individuals/students/erasmus-mundus-joint-master-degrees_en
- European Industrial Doctorates:
https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/european-industrial-doctorates
Research
Networks
- COST Actions: https://www.cost.eu/
- European Technology Platforms:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/strategy/support-policy-making/scientific-support-eu-policies/european-technology-platforms_en
- EIT (European Institute of
Innovation & Technology):
https://eit.europa.eu/
Country-Specific
Funding Databases
- Germany:
https://www.funding-guide.de/
- Netherlands:
https://www.studyinholland.nl/finances/scholarships-grants
- France:
https://www.campusfrance.org/en/financing-your-studies
- Spain:
https://www.educacionyfp.gob.es/en/
- Poland:
https://www.gov.pl/web/science/scholarships-and-grants
- Czech Republic:
https://www.studyin.cz/funding/
- Hungary:
https://stipendiumhungaricum.hu/
🎯 APPLICATION TIPS
English
Proficiency Alternatives to TOEFL:
- Medium of Instruction (MOI)
Certificate -
if your previous degree was taught in English
- IELTS Academic
- PTE Academic
- Duolingo English Test
- Cambridge English Certificates (CAE, CPE)
- University-specific English
tests
Key
Application Documents:
- CV/Resume
- Statement of Purpose/Research
Proposal
- Letters of Recommendation
(2-3)
- Academic Transcripts
- English Proficiency Proof (MOI
or alternative tests)
- Portfolio (for specific
engineering fields)
Application
Deadlines:
- Most European PhD programs: December
- March for September intake
- Some rolling admissions
available
- Early applications recommended
for funding consideration
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