Research Focus
Research on sustainable materials and new functional materials for textiles, innovation and application of smart wearable electronic textiles, and exploration of sustainable composite materials and digital textile technology.
Programme Structure and Funding
This programme is a full-time PhD programme with a duration of 3–4 years (36–48 months).
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Study location: Southampton, UK
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Application period: Applications for September entry must be submitted by 1 July of the same year
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Tuition fees: RMB 180,000–190,000 per year
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Language of instruction: English
The China Scholarship Council (CSC) offers scholarships to Chinese students who wish to pursue a PhD abroad. The University of Southampton is a CSC-recognised partner institution. Students may apply for the CSC scholarship themselves; the application period is from 00:00 on 10 March to 14:00 on 1 April.
Entry Requirements
Academic background: A master’s degree in a relevant discipline. Applicants must be able to write high-quality papers; research experience and publications are an advantage. Grade requirement: GPA ≥ 3.0 Language requirements:
- IELTS 6.5, with no component below 6 (test taken within two years)
- Or TOEFL total score of at least 92 (test taken within two years)
- Applicants who have obtained a degree in an English-speaking country may apply for a language exemption References: Detailed information for two academic referees
Application Materials
Research proposal; degree certificates and transcripts; detailed information for two current academic referees; proof of English language proficiency
Application Period
September entry; applications close by 1 July
Tuition and Living Costs
Study and Living
- Accommodation: All full-time PhD students may apply for on-campus accommodation; depending on the type of accommodation, the cost is approximately RMB 1,750–2,400 per week
- Daily expenses: Southampton is a vibrant coastal city with a relatively moderate cost of living compared with other large UK cities; living costs excluding accommodation are approximately RMB 8,000 per month
Career Prospects
PhD graduates of the University of Southampton’s Winchester School of Art demonstrate outstanding competitiveness in career development and have achieved notable success in both academia and industry. Graduates may choose from multiple career paths, including:
Academia
Postdoctoral researcher: After graduating, PhD students may apply for postdoctoral positions at the University or at leading international institutions to further deepen their research. Teaching and research posts: The School encourages PhD students to participate in teaching practice, such as serving as teaching assistants or running workshops, to build teaching experience. Its PhD training emphasises interdisciplinary thinking, and students can combine knowledge from fields such as nanoscience and biomedicine to secure teaching posts in design schools or engineering schools.
Industry
R&D roles at technology companies: Graduates may join technology companies to work on research and development in areas such as flexible electronics and wearable devices, for example in roles such as electronic textile design, wearable technology R&D, and flexible electronics product development. Textile and apparel companies: Traditional textile and apparel companies are actively transforming towards intelligentisation and need professionals in smart textiles for work such as new product development and technological innovation.
Entrepreneurship
With professional knowledge, you can found a company focused on smart textile solutions, covering areas such as health-monitoring clothing, smart sports equipment, and interactive fashion products. Graduates trained at the University of Southampton’s Winchester School of Art work widely at well-known companies such as the BBC, IBM, BT Group, and Nokia, and these companies may all become employment directions for textile materials talent.
