Overview

Research in Computer Science and Informatics from Cardiff University is all about going beyond current knowledge and technologies to build the computing systems of the future.

Technologies we now take for granted, like the web, smartphones, and databases, are all products of past research in computer science and informatics. So what will the future bring?

Researchers here at Cardiff are currently working on new developments in areas like computer graphics, data mining, and ‘intelligent’ mobile systems. We hope that our research will enable new kinds of computing applications, products and systems to help people in areas like healthcare, the environment, security and business.

Conducting research in computer science and informatics is exciting and challenging and we offer you the opportunity to work alongside our research staff who are leaders in their areas of expertise. They publish widely, edit and review for international journals, act as external examiners both within the UK and internationally, provide consultancy and secure research funding.

Careers

This postgraduate research programme will prepare you for a career as a leading academic or in an industrial research and development role. Successful graduates will be able to demonstrate to employers both a deep understanding and broad knowledge concerning contemporary computer science from a research and development perspective.

Examples of career pathways include: Software Developer, Lecturer, Web Developer, Software Engineer, Software Architect, Technical Consultant, IT Specialist, and Support Analyst.

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Programme Structure

Research includes

Research in the school is organised into three Research Groups. Each one is led by a distinguished professor and is made up of academic staff, research assistants, and research students.
Over the course of their studies, research students will normally publish a number of papers and attend conferences that will help them work towards their thesis.
To be successful, these papers will contain new ideas and research results that will go beyond current knowledge in computer science and informatics.
The student’s supervisors will help them develop these ideas and achieve results, and other members of the student’s research group will help them communicate and improve their ideas and results.

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Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 36 months
Part-time
- 60 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2025-10-01 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-05-31 00:00:00
Starting 2026-01-01 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-08-31 00:00:00
Starting 2026-04-01 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-11-30 00:00:00
Starting 2026-07-01 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-02-28 00:00:00

Language

English

IELTS

6.5

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PTE Academic

69

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TOEFL^® IBT

90

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Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Cardiff, United Kingdom

Disciplines

Information Technology (IT) Computer Sciences Data Science & Big Data View 98 other PhDs in Computer Sciences in United Kingdom

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Academic requirements

GPA

Upper Second Class

English requirements

IELTS

6.5

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PTE Academic

69

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TOEFL^® IBT

90

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Other requirements

General requirements

A 2:1 Honours undergraduate degree or a master's degree, in computing or a related subject. Applicants with appropriate professional experience are also considered. Degree-level mathematics (or equivalent) is required for research in some project areas.
Your research proposal should be no longer than 2000 word and should include the following. Please note that proposals longer than 2000 words will be rejected at the initial application stage.
a summary of your chosen research area, which briefly describes the state-of-the-art and lists the shortcomings and questions that your study will address
an outline of the methods and techniques that you propose applying
the name of a prospective supervisor, and a description of how your proposal relates to their research interest and expertise
a list of references that you have cited in the above

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

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Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at Cardiff University and/or in United Kingdom, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

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Tuition Fee

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International

25450 GBP/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 25450 GBP per year during 36 months.
National

4786 GBP/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 4786 GBP per year during 36 months.

Living costs for Cardiff

628 - 1066 GBP /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Computer Science and Informatics.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Careers

Get more details

Programme Structure

Check out the full curriculum

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

Explore more key information

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Other requirements

General requirements

Student insurance

Make sure you meet all requirements

Tuition Fee

International

National

Living costs for Cardiff

Funding

Check for any work restrictions

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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