PhD in computer science

Find a PhD in computer science, where innovation meets proven excellence. Make your own world-leading discoveries and apply now.

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Our computer science PhD programme promotes collaborative research and innovation. We focus on projects that push the boundaries of what is possible in science and technology. 

You might want to study for a PhD to:

  • become an expert in a research field
  • gain advanced research skills
  • open up more career opportunities

Our PhD students have the opportunity to engage in research that spans cutting-edge topics. You will become a part of a supportive and dynamic research community.

100% of our computer science and informatics research that was submitted to REF 2021 was rated "world-leading" or "internationally excellent."

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021

PhD opportunities in computer science

We have a range of computing PhD projects currently seeking doctoral candidates.

Propose your own computing PhD topic

We champion innovative thinking and original research proposals in computer science. Our research domains include:

  • Argument technology addresses theoretical and practical aspects of argumentation within artificial intelligence with applications to various significant societal challenges.
  • Computing theory & methodologies addresses the foundational, methodological, and architectural aspects of modern computing systems.
  • Human-centred computing focuses on augmentative & alternative communication and user experience (UX) 
  • Medical image analysis & computer vision develops and applies visual data analysis and machine learning for biomedical, space exploration, and vision applications. 

If you wish to propose a topic of your own, please connect with an academic staff member before applying. We support applications that align with our research areas. We will not consider applications that lack academic support.

Entry requirements

You should have an honours degree at 2.1 or above, and/or a Masters degree in a relevant discipline.

English language requirements

IELTS (overall) Reading Listening Speaking Writing
6.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 6.0

We also accept other English language qualifications

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you are a national of certain countries.

Don't meet the English language requirements?

English language programmes

Prepare for university study and benefit from extra English tuition with an English language programme.

Computer Science PhD tuition fees

Academic year of entry Scottish/Rest of UK fee status International fee status
2023/24 £4,712 
per year of study		 £25,205 
per year of study
2024/25 £4,786
per year of study		 £26,570 
per year of study

Tuition fee per year of study (subject to a 3% annual increase for Scottish/Rest of UK students and a 5% annual increase for International students).

Part time study, where available, is charged on a pro-rata basis.

Scottish/Rest of UK fee status annual increase

Each year, UKRI sets a recommended fee and stipend level for Scottish/Rest of UK students, which we use as the basis for fees charged to this group.

UKRI usually increases its fee and stipend levels in line with inflation, based on the Treasury GDP deflator. 

Therefore, the Scottish/Rest of UK fees detailed in this table for 2025/26 (and beyond) can only be estimated according to the typical increase. 

The fee charged to you may differ, though only slightly, from the figure given.

Enquiries

Please contact one of us to discuss our PhD in Computer Science opportunities before you apply.

Apply for a PhD in computer science

You can apply for a PhD degree in computer science using our Direct Application System.

Before applying, you must speak to one of our academics listed above.

We have three start dates per academic year.

PhD Computing

PhD Computing (part time)

Disabled students

We welcome applications from disabled students.