PhD, MPhil Computer & Information Sciences

The University of Strathclyde offers a PhD and MPhil in Computer & Information Sciences, providing students with the opportunity to conduct research in a wide range of areas, including theoretical computer science, human-computer interaction, information sciences, and software systems.

Research Opportunities

Students can study an MPhil over the course of one year or a PhD over the course of three years. Part-time study is also available. Research opportunities are available in various groups, including:

• Cybersecurity
• Digital Health & Wellness Group
• Strathclyde iSchool Research Group
• Mathematically Structured Programming
• AI@CIS_Strathclyde
• Computer Science Education Research Group

Saudi Arabia Programme

Female members of academic staff in some Saudi universities may be eligible to apply for PhD entry under the External Joint Supervision Programme. This allows for study to take place in Saudi Arabia with occasional student visits to Strathclyde.

Research Projects

Some of the research projects available include:

• Strathclyde Centre for Doctoral Training: Energy-efficient Indoor Climate Control for Optimised Health
• Advanced Analytics for Wind Energy Systems
• Aerodynamic modelling of the X-Rotor offshore wind turbine concept
• Adaptive Multilingual Academic Search
• Multimodal information retrieval models for low resource languages
• Social media use during menopause
• Exploring bias in retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) models
• Agentic AI-based behaviour & intent prediction within aviation operations
• Reasons to believe: how we decide which information to trust
• Spiritual approaches to health information practices
• Adapting Large Language Models to Specific Domains
• Applying Large Language Models in Clinical Context
• Applying Large Language Models in Security Context
• Information behaviours during times of transitions
• Library as a place of sanctuary; library as a place of adventure
• Information behaviour of citizen historians
• Digital cultural heritage and socio-political identities
• Computing with photonic quantum systems
• Utilising noise as resource in quantum algorithms for materials simulations
• John Anderson Research Studentship Scheme (JARSS)

Fees & Funding

All fees quoted are per academic year unless otherwise stated. Entrants may be subject to a small fee during the writing-up period. Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter.

• Scotland: £4,786 (2024/25), £5,006 (2025/26)
• England, Wales & Northern Ireland: £4,786 (2024/25), £5,006 (2025/26)
• Republic of Ireland: If you are an Irish citizen and have been ordinary resident in the Republic of Ireland for the three years prior to the relevant date, and will be coming to Scotland for Educational purposes only, you will meet the criteria of England, Wales & Northern Ireland fee status.
• International: £22,400 (2024/25), £24,650 (2025/26)

Support & Development

The University offers a range of support and development opportunities, including:

• Postgraduate Certificate in Researcher Professional Development (PgCert RPD)
• Careers Service
• Student support

Supervisors

Research supervisors are assigned to students by the Department of Computer & Information Sciences. A list of potential supervisors and their research areas is available.

Entry Requirements

We look for a first-class or upper second-class UK Honours degree, or overseas equivalent, in a computer sciences discipline from a recognised academic institution. If English isn't your first language, you'll also need to have an IELTS score of 6.5 as proof of English proficiency.

Application

The application process involves providing full contact details, transcripts and certificates of all degrees, proof of English language proficiency, two references, funding or scholarship information, and a research proposal of 250-1,000 words in length.

Start Dates

Start dates are available between October 2024 and September 2025, and between October 2025 and September 2026.

Contact

For more information, please contact the Department of Computer & Information Sciences.

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Overview:

• Founded in 1796 as Anderson's Institution
• Received its Royal Charter in 1964, becoming the University of Strathclyde
• Consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in the UK for engineering and technology
• Home to the Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), a world-leading research center in metal forming
• Notable alumni include Sir James Black (Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine), Sir David Murray (former CEO of Rangers Football Club), and Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell (astrophysicist)

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Student Life:

• Over 23,000 students from over 100 countries
• 150+ student clubs and societies, including sports teams, cultural groups, and academic societies
• Student support services include counseling, health, and disability support
• Campus facilities include a sports center, library, and student union

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Academics:

• Offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in engineering, science, business, law, and social sciences
• Faculty includes world-renowned experts in their fields
• Teaching methodologies emphasize hands-on learning and industry engagement
• Academic support services include tutoring, writing centers, and language support
• Unique academic programs include the Strathclyde MBA, which is ranked among the top 100 MBAs in the world

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Top Reasons to Study Here:

• Excellent reputation for teaching and research, particularly in engineering and technology
• Strong industry connections and opportunities for internships and placements
• Specialized facilities such as the AFRC and the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
• Vibrant student life with a diverse and inclusive community
• Located in the heart of Glasgow, a vibrant and cosmopolitan city

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Services:

• Counseling and mental health support
• Health center with a range of medical services
• Accommodation services with a variety of on-campus and off-campus options
• Library resources with over 1 million books and journals
• Technology support including IT services and free Wi-Fi
• Career development services with support for job searching, CV writing, and interview preparation