PHD in Computer Science
Overview
As one of the largest Computer Science departments in the United States, we offer an expansive range of topics within the field. Our department hosts ten specialized research groups, covering areas such as Advanced Processor Technologies and Text Mining. In addition to our core Computer Science research, we engage in interdisciplinary collaborations at the intersection of fields like mathematics, physics, medicine, and biology.
We welcome applications from prospective research students across all areas of Computer Science. While applications are submitted through the department, you’re essentially applying to join a specific research group or work under a particular supervisor. Therefore, we encourage you to explore our research groups to identify a topic or supervisor that aligns with your interests.
Our Mission
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is awarded by the University to candidates who successfully complete a period of supervised research and training. This work must demonstrate the candidate’s ability to conduct independent research and scholarship, making an original and substantial contribution to their field of study. The results of this research are presented in a thesis or an equivalent format and must meet the standards required for peer-reviewed publication.
Coursework and Assessment
As a PhD student, you will typically work within an office shared with three to four fellow researchers from your group. We encourage active participation in the academic community, including presenting papers at conferences and publishing your findings in reputable journals. Additionally, our department offers a variety of research training courses, and you may also take relevant course units from our Master’s programs. Students are presented with opportunities to supplement their income through teaching support roles, such as laboratory demonstrating.
Programme Details
The specific programme unit details provided are subject to periodic updates. The listed curriculum reflects the most recent example of the study structure available within this program.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific Methods II – Fundamental Aspects of Research Methodology | COMP85 | 5 | Mandatory |
| Scientific Methods I – Scientific Evaluation, Experimental Design and Statistical Methods | COMP86 | 5 | Mandatory |
| Scientific Methods III – Academic Writing and Impact Studies | COMP87 | 5 | Mandatory |
| Starting Your Postgraduate Research | COMP88 | 0 | Mandatory |
| Preparing Papers and Presentations | COMP89 | 0 | Mandatory |
We take a comprehensive approach to evaluating your application, considering your entire academic history, including the courses you have completed and the grades you achieved. While meeting our minimum entry requirements is essential, we also carefully review your performance in relevant undergraduate and postgraduate coursework to inform our final decision.
For applicants who graduated more than three years ago, we assess additional details provided in your CV, including any relevant professional experience, to determine if you continue to meet the entry criteria.
Admission to this program requires an interview. Applicants selected for shortlisting will be notified by the admissions team.
Admissions staff will determine whether to grant requests for deferred course entry, and it’s important not to assume that all requests will be approved. If you wish to defer for more than one year, you will typically need to reapply, as both the course and your eligibility for it may evolve over time. Additionally, English Language test results are only valid for two years from the date of the test.
If your application was unsuccessful last year, you are welcome to reapply. Your new application will be assessed based on the standard entry criteria for the relevant year. To strengthen your chances, be sure to highlight how your application has improved since your previous submission. Please note, we may reference information from your prior applications or any past registration at the University when evaluating your suitability for the course.
Course Level:
PHD
Duration:
- Full-time: 2-4 years
- Part-time: 3-6 years
Entry Requirements:
To be eligible for a Doctorate programme, applicants must meet one of the following academic entry requirements:
- A 2:1 USA Honours degree (or equivalent) in a discipline closely related to the PhD field.
- An undergraduate degree with a 2:1 or above, combined with a Master’s degree at Merit level or higher, in a relevant discipline. Equivalent international qualifications are also accepted.
While a degree in Computer Science is the most common background, we also welcome applicants with undergraduate or postgraduate qualifications in fields relevant to their research topic, such as mathematics, physics, engineering, biology, or medicine.
For certain research projects, the Department may require a First-Class Honours degree (or its international equivalent). This additional requirement is determined by the academic supervisor and will be specified in the project advertisement.