Undertake a period of intensive, supervised study where you critically investigate and evaluate an approved topic and make an original contribution to knowledge.
Conduct supervised research into computing and informatics.
Develop your skills to become an independent researcher.
Study in the cutting-edge Industry and Innovation Research Institute (I2RI).
Benefit from supervision, resources and opportunities with excellent student satisfaction.

The PhD in Computing and Informatics allows you to undertake research into a wide range of relevant areas. You’ll have the advantage of experiencing applied research first-hand, in a dynamic and diverse environment. You’ll have all the support you need to develop your skills, learning to become an independent successful researcher and make a significant contribution to knowledge in applied computing and/or informatics.

We recognise that research students arrive with a diversity of skills and experience – so we provide flexible training and development opportunities covering a range of research-related skills. These include transferable skills, research ethics and integrity (mandatory), data management and career planning. Your development needs are identified and agreed with your supervisory team at the start of your degree and reviewed and updated as appropriate.

We offer two interdisciplinary conferences on the themes of 'method' and 'impact' – focusing on discussions of research practice and pathways to impact, and providing a supportive training ground to test an emerging thesis.

Networking opportunities

You’ll be part of the university's community of researchers, with the opportunity to attend and/or contribute to a range of discipline, college and university-wide presentations, training and conferences.

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

Your supervisory team will include a Director of Studies and one or more second supervisors with expertise and interest in your research area. You’ll carry out much of the work independently, demonstrating the initiative, motivation and commitment you’ll need to succeed. Your supervisors will help you to define your research programme, agree any associated training requirements, and provide direction while encouraging you to develop as an independent researcher.

You learn through

• supervised study
• independent research
• workshops and seminars
• mentoring sessions
• attending seminars and conferences
• interacting with other research students in a dynamic environment

You’ll be able to choose from research areas such as sensor networks, data mining, biometrics, self-adaptive systems, authentication and authorisation, software development process, text analysis, assistive technology, robotics, machine intelligence, conceptual structures, human-computer interaction, computer vision, IoT, visualisation, sentiment-aware fake news detection on online social networks, improving software development practises and exploring the learning of numbers using robotic hands.

This course prepares you for a career in

• research and leadership roles in the digital and computing industries
• highly-qualified roles in academia
• government, NGOs and charities
• supporting roles in all different areas that use computing solutions

 

All applicants should hold a strong undergraduate degree (2.1 or above) and/or a relevant masters qualification (or expectation of the same).

All applicants must submit a completed postgraduate application form including a 1500 word research proposal.

You are encouraged to find out more about our staff and their current research to inform the development of your research proposal and to ensure it aligns with our research themes. Before submitting your proposal, please contact the member(s) of staff listed against the relevant research theme.

Applicants are required to give a short 10–15 minute presentation followed by an interview. Interview panel members will include the head of research degrees for the relevant research area or centre, a local postgraduate research tutor and a prospective director of studies.

Where English is not your first language, you must show evidence of English language ability to the following minimum level of proficiency: an overall IELTS score of 7.0 or above, with at least 6.5 in each component or an accepted equivalent. Please note that your test score must be current, i.e. within the last two years.