PhD: Applied Science
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| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Level | Postgraduate (PhD) |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science, Management & Computing – Department of Applied Science |
| Duration | 36–96 months FT / 48–120 PT |
| Intakes | January, May, September |
| Accreditation (EAC/BEM, MQA ref) | MQA/FA2065; programme code R2/545/8/0015 (07/29). EAC/BEM not applicable |
| Tuition (Total, Malaysian) | RM12,200/yr Eng & Geoscience · RM8,600 Mgmt · RM8,000 IS (Jan 2020 figures, UPDATE) |
Who is this programme for?
For scientists, researchers, engineers and professionals who want to conduct original applied research and develop scientific solutions for real-world challenges in areas such as energy, materials, environment, chemistry, mathematics and related applied sciences.
What will I learn, year by year?
Year 1: Develop research direction, methodology, literature review and proposal.
Years 2–3: Conduct experiments/modelling, analyse results and disseminate findings through publications/conferences.
Final stage: Complete the thesis, research completion requirements and Viva Voce.
Actual progression varies according to research topic and candidate.
Where do graduates work? Name employers and roles
Graduates can pursue careers in research, academia, scientific development, energy, materials, environmental technology and analytical roles. UTP's research environment connects postgraduate research with industry-funded projects. Specific employer and job-title data for this programme should be obtained from Alumni/CGS.
One thing that makes it different at UTP
An interdisciplinary applied-science research environment spanning chemistry, physics and mathematics, with research topics ranging from ionic liquids and catalysis to hydrogen, renewable energy, energy storage, materials and applied mathematics.
TESTIMONIAL: quote, full name, year, employer. Photo? (Y/N)
2019 Graduate
Aishah Ismail
a PhD in Applied Science postgraduate student at UTP. Having recently returned from her research attachment programme at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Aishah looks to carry over some of the good things she has gleaned at the leading Ivy league university into her daily research routine.
“It was heart wrenching to see the animals I took care of for three months developed stroke symptoms,”
Explore More:
https://www.utp.edu.my/Pages/Students/Student%20Development%20and%20Services/Stories/Aishah-sets-out-to-spare-millions-from-the-perils-of-stroke.aspx
2020 Graduate
Roodra Manogaran
Postdoctoral Research Associate at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/University of Maryland, Baltimore County; “I would recommend anyone to go for a student exchange programme as it was the best experience I ever had in my life. Thanks to Yayasan UTP and the geosciences department, I was able to complete my study abroad programme in MST. The amount of growth and maturing that happens when you study abroad is amazing. I feel it has been one of the most significant attributes to my undergraduate career and personal growth during the last few years.”
Target: Straight A SPM / IGCSE
2020 Graduate
Ain Natasha Mohd Nasir
Engineer – Process Data SSW at Shell
““Internship period was one of the remarks on my life board. I did my 7-months internship with PETRONAS Carigali Sdn. Bhd. (PCSB) where it really thrives me a whole new knowledge on geological operations which involves Petroleum Engineering terms which I was not familiar to however this experience of internship really drives me to get into a picture of industrial work and I did enjoy the whole internship period. “
Target: Straight A SPM / IGCSE
2016 Graduate
Grandika S. Primadani
Principal Analyst, Asia Pacific – International Plays & Basins, S&P Global
“The petroleum geoscience program at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) is excellent preparation for careers in geosciences and other earth science-related professions. During my study in UTP, I was fortunate to have gone through the modules, namely sedimentology and stratigraphy, seismic interpretation, and basin analysis which actually helped me in the integration of geological and geophysical data at the scale of both basin and reservoirs.”
Target: Straight A SPM / IGCSE
2019 Graduate
Min Wai Phyo
Vice President, Distribution Network – Community Banking, Yoma Bank
“As UTP is always encouraging the students to be well-rounded, it is fun to participate in all the co-curriculum activities and also develop our leadership and management skills by being active members of clubs and societies inside the campus.”
Target: Straight A SPM / IGCSE
The Research Behind It: Which area, centre and academics?
Research areas: Ionic Liquid, Biofuel, Environment, Separation, Material Development, Catalysis, Statistics, Operations Research, Applied Mathematics, Theoretical Mathematics, Hydrogen, Renewable Energy and Energy Storage. Department academics cover Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics. Potential supervisors include Prof ChM Dr Cecilia Devi Wilfred, Assoc Prof Dr Balbir Singh Mahinder Singh, Assoc Prof Dr Anita Ramli, Ts Dr Khairulazhar Jumbri, Assoc Prof Dr Ibrahima Faye, Ts Dr Zainal Arif Burhanudin, Ts Dr Muhammad Fadhlullah Abd Shukur and others, depending on topic.
Cost & Funding: Which scholarships and aid apply to this programme?
UTP Graduate Assistantship (GA): full-time PhD; tuition + first-attempt research methodology fee; RM3,000/month. GRA: full-time research students; tuition + first-attempt research methodology fee; allowance subject to grant. Both require eligibility and supervisor approval. EPF withdrawal and employer-sponsored support may also apply.
Student Life: What should an applicant to this programme know?
This is a research-intensive PhD, not a conventional taught programme. Students should be prepared for substantial independent research, laboratory/computational work where relevant, academic writing, presentations and research publications. Full-time GA recipients also have teaching-assistantship and research commitments.
Next Intake + Application Deadline
January 2027 is the next listed intake. UTP's GA application deadline for January intake is 1st week of October 2026. General programme application deadline: confirm with CGS, as the programme page lists the intake months but not a specific programme deadline.
Placement or internship route for this programme
No standard internship/industrial placement is stated. Research attachment opportunities may be available depending on research project, supervisor, funding and collaboration. UTP has previously featured a PhD Applied Science student undertaking a research attachment at MIT.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I research?
Topics include energy, hydrogen, renewable energy, energy storage, materials, catalysis, environment, biofuel, ionic liquids, mathematics and more.
Can I study part-time?
Yes, with a 4–10 year duration.
Is funding available?
Eligible full-time PhD students may apply for GA or GRA funding, subject to requirements and availability.
Programme Lead