Research Degrees

The School of Computing & Mathematical Sciences offers two research routes, the MSc by Research and the PhD/MPhil. The MSc by Research is a one year full-time course; for further information please go to the MSc section.

PhD research can be undertaken in full-time or part-time mode. A full-time PhD will take from 3 to 4 years and a part-time PhD 5 to 7 years. Our goal is to have all full-time PhD students complete within 3 years. However, the nature of some research projects means that slightly more time may be required.

The programme of study is flexible in the sense that students who wish to undertake doctoral studies normally first enrol on the MPhil degree. After completing the first year of the MPhil, the student's progress is reviewed and if considered satisfactory, the student may transfer onto the PhD for a further 2 to 3 years of research. Conversely, a student who does not wish to continue at this point may write up and submit the work to be considered for an MPhil degree.

Doctoral/MPhil students are usually provided with two supervisors who will guide them through their research. The supervisors are usually research staff from within CMS, although up to one supervisor may be appointed from another School or from outside the university.

Because the research is not tied down to a teaching timetable, enrolment on the PhD/MPhil programme can take place at any time of the academic year.

Before applying, you should decide which area of research you are interested in and read about types of funding. Then check to see what funding is available and apply.