Program start date | Application deadline |
2025-09-01 | - |
2026-01-01 | - |
2026-04-01 | - |
Program Overview
Computer Science
Overview
Our main areas of Computer Science research include Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision, Cyber Security, Data and Network Science, Evolutionary Computing and Optimisation, High Performance Computing and Networking, and Machine Learning.
Research Overview
Our main areas of Computer Science research are:
- Artificial intelligence research areas focus on social network understanding, remote sensing, human-computer interaction, cognitive science and on the philosophical foundations of artificial intelligence and computer science.
- Computer vision research activities include visual attention, autonomous control, collaboration and decision strategies for cooperative robots, deep multi-modal embedding, graph neural networks etc.
- Cyber security research mainly focuses on formal methods, security/safety engineering, and software engineering with the aim to build secure, reliable, resilient software and hardware systems.
- Data and network science research the phenomena, intrinsic properties and real-world applications of complex networks (such as complex networks and human dynamics), which are often inspired by nature and occur in many real-world contexts including social, biological and neural networks.
- Evolutionary computing and optimisation research focuses on developing evolutionary algorithms, genetic programming, hyperheuristics, swarm intelligence and multi- and many- objective versions of these for problems such as hydroinformatics, bioinformatics, optimisation under uncertainty and interactive evolution.
- High performance computing and networking investigates the advanced computational and networking challenges associated with the future Internet, 5G mobile networks, cloud and edge computing, unmanned vehicles, and high performance computing.
- Machine learning research at Exeter spans the range of data, applications and methodologies from kernel methods to deep neural architectures and reinforcement learning applied to both continuous and discrete, graph-based data.
How to Apply
Requirements for International Students
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile A.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees per year 2025/26
- Home: £5,006 full-time; £pro-rata part-time
- International: £28,500 full-time
Tuition Fees per year 2024/25
- Home: £4,786 full-time; £pro-rata part-time
- International: £25,500 full-time
Current Available Funding
Our research is widely supported by funding bodies including EPSRC, NERC, EU, Royal Society, Innovate UK, British Council, as well as leading organisations and industries such as the Met Office, IBM, BT etc. Take a look at our funded opportunities for further information about what is available.
Supervision
You can expect:
- High-quality research supervision to develop and nurture your potential
- A tailored supervision approach to help best suit your requirements
- Accessible supervisors who are enthusiastic about working directly with postgraduate research students
- Regular timetabled meetings with your supervisor
- 'Open door' policy to all postgraduate students - instant access to world-leading researchers who will share their expertise and ideas with you
- Regular meetings with your supervisory team, other members of your research group, and mentors
Find a Supervisor
All students have a primary and a secondary supervisor who provide regular and high-quality advice, support and direction in their academic endeavours. You will work closely with your supervisors to develop, investigate and write-up a project at the cutting edge of Computer Science and/or Data Science research.
Pastoral Tutors
Each student will also be assigned a pastoral tutor who will take on a pastoral role and mediate on any problems that arise during the period of study. Your tutor will keep in regular contact and provide background stability and support.
Facilities
All research students of the department will be given an up-to-date or specialised computer for daily research work. The department also provides all PGR researchers with the access to a modern GPU cluster and high performance computing cluster. The department also has access to ISCA, the University supercomputer and facilities for 3D visualisation, virtual reality rendering and alternative architectures (e.g. ARM, Mac and Raspberry Pi) machines.
The University library maintains extensive holdings in our discipline, extensive audio-visual collections and full-text papers published in all major journal and conference titles by IEEE, ACM, Springer etc. The majority of these are available electronically through the Library website and database, allowing fast and convenient access to this resource.
The Innovation Centre and Harrison Building offer dedicated postgraduate common rooms with computer facilities and a number of study carrels to provide quiet study space for research students.
Degrees
Degree types explained | MPhil/PhD Computer Science
MSc by Research Computer Science
PhD Complex Living Systems
PhD Natural Sciences
Duration
- Duration: Degree duration details
Start Date
- Start date: September, January or April
Location
- Location: Streatham Campus
Study Modes
- Study modes: Full time and part time
Awards
Award| Value| Application deadline| Description
---|---|---|---
Digital Twin for Climate Resilience Solutions | UK tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 per year | Mon 30th Jun 2025 | UK tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 per year
Machine Learning and Earth Observation for identifying drivers and barriers to post-fire recovery of forests, Computer Science - PhD | The studentship covers tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £19,237 for 4 years full-time study | Fri 4th Jul 2025 | The University’s Department of Computer Science offers a PhD studentship to commence on 1st of October 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter to work on detecting drivers to post-fire recovery of forests using Machine Learning and Earth Observation. The studentship covers tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £19,237 for 4 years full-time study. Student will be based at the Computer Science, Streatham Campus, Exeter with visits to the School of Biological Sciences, Bristol.
From Relaxation to Cognition: Mapping the Neurophysiology of GABAergic Modulation. PhD (Industry & University Funded) | UK tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 per year | Tue 8th Jul 2025 | The University of Exeter’s Department of Psychology is inviting applications for a PhD studentship funded by GABA Labs and University of Exeter to commence on 22 September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. For eligible students the studentship will cover Home or International tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 for 3.5 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study. The student would be based in the Washington Singer Building in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.
Interpreting Language Representations in Large Language Models: A Computational Model for Measuring Linguistic Capabilities (PhD Computer Science - Funded) | For eligible students, the studentship will cover Home or International tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend for 3.5 years full-time | Mon 28th Jul 2025 | The University’s Department of Computer Science invites applications for 1 PhD studentship funded by the University of Exeter to commence on 22nd September 2025. For eligible students, the studentship will cover Home or International tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend for 3.5 years full-time. Students will be based at the Streatham Campus in Exeter.
University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship 2025/26 | 20% reduction in the first year tuition fee | There is no application for this award. You will be automatically considered. | A tuition fee discount for University of Exeter alumni who start a postgraduate degree with us in 2025/26
University of Exeter Class of 2025 Progression Scholarship | 20% reduction in the first year tuition fees | There is no application for this award. You will be automatically considered. | A tuition fee discount for current University of Exeter students completing a degree in 2025 and progressing directly to a standalone postgraduate programme with us in 2025/26
University of Exeter
Overview:
The University of Exeter is a public research university located in Exeter, Devon, England. It is a member of the Russell Group of leading research-intensive universities in the UK. The university is known for its strong academic reputation, particularly in the fields of law, business, and environmental sciences.
Services Offered:
The University of Exeter offers a wide range of services to its students, including:
Student website:
Provides access to information and resources for current students.ELE (Exeter Learning Environment):
An online platform for accessing course materials, submitting assignments, and communicating with instructors.Email web access:
Allows students to access their university email accounts.Payment portal:
Enables students to make payments for tuition fees and other expenses.MyExeter (student app):
A mobile app that provides access to various student services and information.Library:
Offers a comprehensive collection of books, journals, and other resources.SID (Student Information Database):
A system for managing student records and accessing personal information.Timetable:
Allows students to view their class schedules.Programme and module information:
Provides details about academic programs and courses.Student Life and Campus Experience:
The University of Exeter offers a vibrant and diverse student experience. Students can expect:
Active student societies:
A wide range of clubs and societies cater to various interests.Sports facilities:
The university has excellent sports facilities, including a gym, swimming pool, and sports fields.Campus events:
Regular events and activities are organized throughout the year, including concerts, lectures, and social gatherings.Accommodation options:
The university provides a variety of accommodation options for students, both on and off campus.Wellbeing services:
The university offers a range of support services for student wellbeing, including counseling and mental health support.Key Reasons to Study There:
Excellent academic reputation:
The University of Exeter is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK.World-leading research:
The university is renowned for its research, particularly in areas such as environmental sciences, law, and business.Vibrant student life:
The university offers a diverse and engaging student experience with a wide range of clubs, societies, and events.Beautiful campus setting:
The university's campuses are located in picturesque settings, with easy access to the city of Exeter and the surrounding countryside.Strong career support:
The university provides excellent career support services to help students find employment after graduation.Academic Programs:
The University of Exeter offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including:
Arts and Humanities:
English, History, Classics, Philosophy, Music, Drama, and more.Social Sciences:
Law, Politics, Economics, Sociology, Psychology, and more.Science and Engineering:
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, and more.Medicine and Health:
Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and more.Business and Management:
Business Administration, Finance, Marketing, Accounting, and more.Other:
- The university has three main campuses: Streatham Campus, St Luke's Campus, and Penryn Campus.
- The university is committed to sustainability and has a strong focus on environmental issues.
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The university has a strong international reputation and attracts students from all over the world.
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Academic Programs:
While the context mentions some general disciplines, it does not provide a detailed outline of the key academic programs and strengths of the institution.