University of Portsmouth

PhD in Trajectory Tracking Control System Design For Liquid Carrying Quadrotors

Portsmouth, United Kingdom 3 years Taught in English Open to international students

Why students choose this program

  • Taught in English
  • Tuition 15% below the typical PhD
  • No application fee
  • Applications currently open

Introduction

University of Portsmouth, established in 1869 and located in the historic coastal city of Portsmouth, offers a vibrant student experience with around 28,000 students, including approximately 5,000 international learners. The university combines strong teaching and research with practical industry links and a waterfront location that enriches campus life. Its long history of technical and professional education makes it a familiar choice for students seeking applied learning in a city with excellent transport links.

Portsmouth provides a range of programs organized across ten broad subject areas, encompassing engineering, business, health professions, creative arts and sciences. Students benefit from industry placements, modern laboratories and career-focused modules that enhance employability. The university also supports research-led teaching and partnerships with local employers, giving international students opportunities to gain real-world experience alongside academic study.

Comprehensive support services help international students with visas, accommodation, language preparation and wellbeing, while student societies and campus activities foster social integration. With practical training options, placement support and access to regional industries and cultural sites, Portsmouth is well suited to students who value both academic quality and hands-on experience. Prospective applicants should investigate program specifics, placement opportunities and scholarship options before applying.

About the Program

The project will involve working with CFD software such as Fluent or COMSOL, alongside MATLAB/Simulink, to simulate liquid-drone dynamics. The PhD is supervised by a team of experts including Dr Sotirios Spanogianopoulos, Dr Ali Soltani, and Dr Andrea Bucchi, all from the School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering.

Drone technology is crucial for various applications, including firefighting, search and rescue, and agricultural work. The project aims to design control systems that can manage the sloshing effects of liquid payloads, ensuring stability and performance even during aggressive maneuvers. Unlike existing methods, the research will focus on developing control laws that can suppress sloshing effects while maintaining stability, which is essential for applications like firefighting.

This program's tuition is 15% below the typical PhD in the United Kingdom.

Median tuition for that cohort is 28,364 USD, across 2,078 programs on Global Admissions.

Compare United Kingdom PhD programs

English Test Requirement

IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0)

Similar Programs You Can Apply To

Direct application via Global Admissions is not available for this program. Browse similar partner programs below or visit the university's site to apply directly.

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