Program Overview

PhD Computer Science / Overview

Degree Awarded

• PhD

Duration

• 36 months full time (or 72 months part time)

Entry Requirements

• The standard academic entry requirement for this PhD is an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD (or international equivalent) OR any upper-second class (2:1) honours degree and a Master’s degree at merit in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD (or international equivalent).
• Other combinations of qualifications and research or work experience may also be considered.

Application and Selection

• Apply online
• In your application you’ll need to include:
  • The name of this programme
  • Your research project title (i.e. the advertised project name or proposed project name) or area of research
  • Your proposed supervisor’s name
  • If you already have funding or you wish to be considered for any of the available funding
  • A supporting statement (see 'Advice to Applicants' for what to include)
  • Details of your previous university level study
  • Names and contact details of your two referees.

Programme Options

| Full-time | Part-time | Full-time distance learning | Part-time distance learning
---|---|---|---|---
PhD | Y | Y | N | N

Programme Description

The PhD is a three-year (or six year, if taken part-time) degree resulting in a substantial thesis.

The Department of Computer Science is one of the largest in the UK covering a huge spectrum of Computer Science topics. We currently have research groups ranging from Advanced Processor Technologies to Text Mining.

Our core Computer Science research is augmented by interdisciplinary research taking place at the interface with discipline areas including mathematics, physics, medicine and biology.

A detailed overview of the Department's research groups and core and interdisciplinary research themes is available in the 'research' area of our website and you can identify a possible project from our list of available projects.

Fees

• For entry in the academic year beginning September 2025, the tuition fees are as follows:
  • PhD (full-time)
    • UK students (per annum): Band A - £5,006.00; Band B - £7,400; Band C - £10,500; Band D - £15,200; Band E - £25,700
    • International, including EU, students (per annum): Band A - £29,400; Band B - £31,500; Band C - £37,300; Band D - £45,200; Band E - £59,900
  • PhD (part-time)
    • UK students (per annum): Band A - £2,503.00; Band B - £3,700; Band C - £5,250; Band D - £7,600; Band E - £12,850
    • International, including EU, students (per annum): Band A - £14,700; Band B - £15,750; Band C - £18,650; Band D - £22,600; Band E - £29,950

Scholarships/Sponsorships

• There are a range of scholarships, studentships and awards at university, faculty and department level to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers.
• To be considered for many of our scholarships, you’ll need to be nominated by your proposed supervisor.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the world's call to action on the most pressing challenges facing humanity.
• At The University of Manchester, we address the SDGs through our research and particularly in partnership with our students.
• Led by our innovative research, our teaching ensures that all our graduates are empowered, inspired and equipped to address the key socio-political and environmental challenges facing the world.
• To illustrate how our teaching will empower you as a change maker, we've highlighted the key SDGs that our programmes address:
  • Goal 4: Quality education
  • Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
  • Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
  • Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals

School/Faculty Overview

• The School of Engineering creates a world of possibilities for students pursuing skills and understanding.
• Through dynamic research and teaching we develop engineering solutions that make a difference to society in an ethical and sustainable way.
• Science-based engineering is at the heart of what we do, and through collaboration we support the engineers and scientists of tomorrow to become technically strong, analytically innovative and creative.
• Find out more about Science and Engineering at Manchester.

Programmes in Related Subject Areas

• Computer Science
• Informatics