PhD Optical Networks

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• What type of applicant are you?: UK International

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PhD Optical Networks

Location | University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

• Key information Location University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield
• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield
• Entry requirements Applicants must have a First class Honours BEng in Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering, Computer Science or Maths. Exceptional candidates with a 1 st Division, 2.1 qualification may be considered. Personal attributes including a drive to conduct research, self-motivation and the ability to work independently and within a team are essential.

About the course

To conduct research and provide contribution to knowledge and innovation in areas relevant to Optical Communications and Networks and associated technologies. In particular in Optical and Wireless Network Architectures, Next-Generation Passive Optical networks (NGPONs), MAC protocols and algorithms for NGPONs, 5G Radio Access Networks, Crosshaul (xhaul) Networks, Software Defined Networks (SDN) and Satellite IP Networks.

Teaching methods

Each student will be assigned a Principal and a second supervisor who are experts in the research topic. The research will be conducted in our labs which are well-equipped for research in the topics of our expertise. Students studying on Full-Time mode are expected to submit their registration and progression reports in the first and second years of the research programme respectively and are formally assessed in the form of a viva by (usually) an internal examination panel. In completion of their 3rd year students are expected to start the preparation for their final assessment and to submit their thesis which is examined in the form of a viva by an external and an internal examiner (Part-Time mode assessment deadlines are extended accordingly).

What’s next for my career?

Our PhD programmes enable students to develop specialist research skills and knowledge. We aim to provide PhD projects that will challenge and in some cases even inspire our students. If you are self-motivated and want to improve your ability to understand and solve engineering problems, then a PhD with us may be right for you.

2026

Start Date | End Date | Year | Location | Link

01/11/2026 | 31/07/2027 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Full Time)

01/12/2026 | 31/07/2027 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Full Time)

01/01/2027 | 31/07/2027 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Full Time)

01/02/2027 | 31/07/2027 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Full Time)

01/03/2027 | 31/07/2027 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Full Time)

01/04/2027 | 31/07/2027 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Full Time)

01/05/2027 | 31/07/2027 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Full Time)

01/06/2027 | 31/07/2027 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Full Time)

01/07/2027 | 31/07/2027 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Full Time)

01/11/2026 | 31/07/2027 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Part Time)

01/12/2026 | 31/07/2027 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Part Time)

01/01/2027 | 31/07/2027 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Part Time)

01/02/2027 | 31/07/2027 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Part Time)

01/03/2027 | 31/07/2027 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Part Time)

01/04/2027 | 31/07/2027 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Part Time)

01/05/2027 | 31/07/2027 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Part Time)

01/06/2027 | 31/07/2027 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Part Time)

01/07/2027 | 31/07/2027 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Part Time)

2027

Start Date | End Date | Year | Location | Link

01/08/2027 | 31/07/2028 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Full Time)

01/09/2027 | 31/07/2028 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Full Time)

01/10/2027 | 31/07/2028 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Full Time)

01/11/2027 | 31/07/2028 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Full Time)

01/12/2027 | 31/07/2028 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Full Time)

01/01/2028 | 31/07/2028 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Full Time)

01/02/2028 | 31/07/2028 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Full Time)

01/03/2028 | 31/07/2028 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Full Time)

01/04/2028 | 31/07/2028 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Full Time)

01/05/2028 | 31/07/2028 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Full Time)

01/06/2028 | 31/07/2028 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Full Time)

01/07/2028 | 31/07/2028 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Full Time)

01/08/2027 | 31/07/2028 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Part Time)

01/09/2027 | 31/07/2028 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Part Time)

01/10/2027 | 31/07/2028 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Part Time)

01/11/2027 | 31/07/2028 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Part Time)

01/12/2027 | 31/07/2028 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Part Time)

01/01/2028 | 31/07/2028 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Part Time)

01/02/2028 | 31/07/2028 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Part Time)

01/03/2028 | 31/07/2028 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Part Time)

01/04/2028 | 31/07/2028 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Part Time)

01/05/2028 | 31/07/2028 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Part Time)

01/06/2028 | 31/07/2028 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Part Time)

01/07/2028 | 31/07/2028 | 1 | UH Hatfield Campus | Apply online (Part Time)

Course fees

• Research degree fees for UK and EU students
• Research degree fees for international students

Research areas