Oxford Engineering Centenary Fund

To attract outstanding students, the Department of Engineering Science is establishing postgraduate studentships and a student support fund to allow postgraduates to pursue their studies regardless of financial circumstances. Our goal is to establish six graduate studentships.

Our postgraduate students are not only creative and productive members of research groups, they also help to inspire and enrich the experience of others around them, including undergraduates, faculty and the communities in which they operate.

Former students and faculty, together with current members, have made major contributions across the full spectrum of engineering. Notable Oxford engineers have included Stanley Hooker who was the Chief Engineer of the Pegasus engine, used in the Harrier Jump Jet; Sir Ralph Freeman, SOUE President for many years, who became the Senior Partner of Freeman Fox and Partners, designers of numerous large bridges world-wide, including that across the Humber, then the longest span in the world; Ewan Corlett who initiated the restoration of Brunel's SS Great Britain, the first ocean liner, which was brought back as a wreck from the Falkland Islands in 1970 and is now on show in Bristol Docks.

Recruiting the best and the brightest students to undertake postgraduate study is a key goal for the Department of Engineering Science. Whilst the Centenary year enables us to reflect on past achievements, it also provides an opportunity to look forward. A thriving school of graduate students will continue to make a vigorous contribution to our research life.

However, the rising costs of graduate study deter many top students from continuing their education at Oxford. Only a very limited number of studentships and scholarships is available. Sadly, without this financial support students are often forced to reconsider their options. We compete with departments the world over and miss out on many outstanding graduates who would like to come here - a great loss to Oxford. These potential leaders lose a rare opportunity to benefit from the great learning environment that Oxford provides.

Sarah Bond came to Oxford in 2003 to study for a DPhil in Engineering Science and was fortunate to receive an EPSRC studentship. She has recently joined Siemens Molecular Imaging as a Research Scientist. "The funding I received allowed me to continue my postgraduate studies without any financial worries, and also enabled me to attend a number of international conferences where I presented my work. I am very grateful for the funding because without it, I would not have been able to achieve such success in this important industry."

If you would like to discuss ways in which you or your business can help us support our brilliant postgraduate community within the Department of Engineering Science, please contact William Thomas on +44 (0) 1865 288211 or e-mail: william.thomas@devoff.ox.ac.uk

SOUE News Home

Engineering Science Home

SOUE Home