PhD Scholarships in Structural Engineering (Cold-formed Steel, Sustainable Systems, Timber, Circular Design, AI) at Loughborough University

Loughborough University is offering full-tuition PhD scholarships for Chinese students through the China Scholarship Council (CSC) scheme, starting October 2026. The opportunity is open to candidates interested in Structural Engineering, with particular focus on research areas such as cold-formed steel structures, sustainable lightweight systems, timber and hybrid construction, circular design and structural reuse, and the application of AI and digital modelling in structural engineering. The scholarships are highly competitive and up to 30 awards are available. Applicants must be Chinese nationals ordinarily resident in mainland China, or overseas Chinese students who meet CSC policy requirements. Candidates should be applying for a new full-time PhD at Loughborough University and must meet the university’s academic and English language requirements by 31 January 2026. Overseas Chinese students in the UK must be in their final year of master's study at a UK university or in their first year of PhD at Loughborough. All applicants should intend to return to China after completing their PhD studies. Additional requirements may be set by the China Scholarship Council. The funding package includes 100% tuition fee coverage for the standard duration of PhD studies at Loughborough University. The CSC provides a living allowance, airfare to and from the UK, and UK visa application fees. The scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis to students who secure CSC funding. Research topics are broad within structural engineering, and candidates with interests in sustainability, innovative construction materials, and digital technologies are encouraged to apply. To apply, candidates must submit a PhD application to Loughborough University, indicating their interest in the CSC studentship and referencing 'CSC 26' in the funding section. An unconditional offer from Loughborough is required before applying to the CSC. Applicants must also complete the CSC online application. Those already in the UK should submit their CSC application and hard copy documents to the Chinese Embassy before the set deadline. For further details, visit the official Loughborough University CSC scholarship webpage and contact the relevant school administrator at [email protected]. This opportunity is ideal for students passionate about advancing structural engineering through sustainable practices, innovative materials, and digital modelling, and who wish to contribute to the field upon returning to China.