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Private sector sponsorship for complex IT systems

The Engineering Doctorate (EngD) in Large Scale Complex IT Systems (LSCITS) is a unique doctoral training programme of the National Research and Training Initiative, which is administered by the University of York in collaboration with the Universities of Bristol, Leeds, Oxford, and St Andrews.

The EngD is a full-time, four-year doctoral-level research degree, which includes a taught component similar in scope to an MSc, and a research project. The research project involves the student working closely with a sponsoring organisation to conduct research based on a project the organisation has identified, with the majority of the research being undertaken at the sponsoring organisation.

Being part of a large company allows me to combine my research with real experience in a business context and undertaking the EngD brings the value of this research to the company

Julian Friedman, Emerging Technology Specialist

Companies currently sponsoring students on the EngD programme include Airbus, BT, IBM United Kingdom Ltd and The Salamander Organization Ltd.

The EngD provides companies with the opportunity to collaborate with leading edge university research, and gives them the benefit of a bespoke research project being carried out on their premises in a very cost-effective way. The student is a commercially-oriented recruit, based within the organisation, with the programme potentially being part of a four-year job interview.

The programme is supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), who have committed £4m to provide funding for 30 studentships over four intake years, which pays for the stipend for the student. Organisations can choose to nominate an existing member of staff or can propose research projects for a suitable student, which the University will help to recruit.

Julian Friedman, Emerging Technology Specialist at IBM United Kingdom Ltd is currently part of the EngD programme. “I chose to do an EngD to combine the best of both worlds, doing academic research and gaining a doctorate, while still being part of a large enterprise. Being part of a large company allows me to combine my research with real experience in a business context and undertaking the EngD brings the value of this research to the company."

Find out more

• More collaboration case studies
• All case studies
• Large Scale Complex IT Systems website
• Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council