The Loughborough study programme consists of four years of study shaped by the three ERBE themes: energy flexibility and resilience; technology and system performance; and comfort, health and well-being. In addition to the training courses students participate in the annual summer school, colloquium and the ERBE student conference.
Eight compulsory courses are followed in the first year to provide students with a solid grounding in relevant subjects. We expect all students to have a broad perspective and to understand the research methods relevant to energy research, irrespective of their particular PhD topic.
The eight courses are: Energy Resilience in the Global Built Environment, an intensive residential study week; Energy Economics, Energy and Buildings – Physics and Engineering; Energy and Buildings – Modelling; Socio-technical Perspectives – Theory and Methods; Energy Data and Analysis; Researcher Skills I; and Researcher Skills II. Suitable course grades are needed to progress to PhD research. During Research Skills II, students scope out their PhD research and undertake a pilot study, which propels them into the first year of their PhD.
Through years 2 to 4, students work closely with academics that have the knowledge and skills to supervise the chosen PhD topic. The large number of staff, with diverse skills enables a broad range of topics of contemporary relevance to be studied.
Our PhD students are expected to publish in international peer-reviewed journals and to present their work at national and international conferences. Many projects are undertaken in close collaboration with our stakeholders. Annual reports are assessed by a progression board to ensure that students remain on track.