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PhD Research Programme

Our students' research typically falls within one or more of our Research Domains, such as Affective Computing, Future Technologies, Digital Health and Multisensory, to name but a few.

Overview

Our students' research typically falls within one or more of ourÌýResearch Domains. As our department sits between the Dept of Computer Science and the Psychology Division, some of our research students are registered inÌýComputer Science or CSÌýand some throughÌýPsychology and Language Sciences or PALS. There is more information about the structure of the MPhil/PhD programme for potential Psychology students on theÌýPALS pagesÌýand for potential Computer students on theÌýCS pages. There is little difference in structure between these programmes, except in some of the training opportunities, with workshops available through the Computer ScienceÌý Dept and various specialised courses such as Statistics and Qualitative Methods available through the Psychology Division. Please see our ¹û¶³Ó°ÔºIC PhD prospectus page for more detailed information about the course structure, optional modules and research environment.ÌýStudents are also able to take a limited number of modules from MSc courses in these and other departments across ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº. All students must present their work (as a poster or talk) at the annual ¹û¶³Ó°ÔºIC PhD Showcase (usually in June). Students must also prepare for a registration viva towards the end of their first year and an upgrade viva in their second year to upgrade from the MPhil to PhD.

lab-prototyping-workshop
PhD students are an integral part of our research team, each pursuing their individual research project within a vibrant, research-intensive environment. We have regular research seminars and working lunches, as well as impromptu social events. Students have access to facilities including an Interaction Research Lab with tools to facilitate building proto-type technologies, as well as two Usability labs with eye tracking equipment, motion capture equipment and biosensors. There is a range of technical assistance available when needed, as well as excellent library and computing facilities in and around ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº. Students are also strongly supported in developing a range of presenting and teaching skills and there are many opportunities across ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº to practice such skills, giving students confidence for their next steps.

Staff in the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences and the Computer Science Department have expertise on a wide range of topics, so that students usually have little difficulty in finding someone who can give good advice. Furthermore, there are many networking opportunities with other depts in ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº and beyond, since ¹û¶³Ó°ÔºIC has links with the other Universities as well as partners in industry and the public sector, such as the BBC, Microsoft, various hospitals, as well as manufacturers of medical devices and other commercial organisations.

How long does it take?

It is possible to work towards a PhD full-time over 3-4 years or part-time over 5 years.

Funding

To be admitted as a research student, applicants usually obtain a source of funding from a recognised funding body or can apply for advertised funded studentships, but students must meet eligibility criteria in the latter case (i.e. UK/EU applicant, resident in the UK) to avail of such funding. See below for information about funding sources and deadlines.

There are also funding schemes available for Overseas students -Ìý²õ±ð±ðÌýÌýand information aboutÌýFunding schemes. There is also a very helpfulÌýScholarships Finder. For overseas students there are also often sources of funding from their home country. Self-funded students will only be admitted on a full-time basis, if they can provide evidence that they will have sufficient funds to support themselves for a minimum of three years.

When there are noÌýspecific funding opportunities, we will work with well qualified students to identify possible sources of funding. Most of these are highly competitiveÌýand require application by the end of the calendar year prior to admission. For these opportunities, it is necessary to apply,Ìýbe interviewed and offered a place before applications for funding can be made, so we encourage you toÌýapply as early as possibleÌýif you wish to pursue this possibility. There is information about some of the possible sources of support below.

Eligibility

Before making an application, you should check that you meet the eligibility requirements. You should:

  • Have or expect to have a relevant first degree of 1st class or 2.1 standard, or a taught Master's degree, or equivalent for overseas degrees. You can check equivalent qualifications by country on theÌý.
  • Have a commitment to and demonstrated ability in research. Often your previous experience and performance, such as in an undergraduate or a Master's research project, will show whether research is right for you and you are right for research.
  • Applicants with other qualifications and sufficient relevant experience and background knowledge may be considered.
  • Overseas applicants also need to satisfy the English Language requirement (Good level). Please see theÌýguide to English requirementsÌýfor more information.
Fees

Fees for the next academic year (2023-24) are £5,860 full-time and £2,930 part-time for Home/UK students.

Fees for Overseas students are £32,100 full-time and £16,050 part-time. Please note that this rate now applies to new starters from the EU. The fee rate for those with pre-settled and settled status is still TBC.

Please note fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the ¹û¶³Ó°ÔºÌýStudents website. Also seeÌý¹û¶³Ó°ÔºIC graduate prospectusÌýfor more information.

Opportunities

Please check ourÌýJobs listing for funded PhD opportunities.

  • If you are interested in the design ofÌýsecurity systemsÌýfrom a user-centred perspective, you may apply for a studentship inÌýSECReT, the national centre for PhD training in security and crime science, with a view to being supervised by a member of ¹û¶³Ó°ÔºIC staff. You should discuss your application with a member of ¹û¶³Ó°ÔºIC staff. Note deadlines and eligibility criteria on the SECReT website.
  • If you are interested in user-centred design forÌýfinancial systems, you may apply for a studentship in theÌý. Again, you may discuss being supervised by a member of ¹û¶³Ó°ÔºIC staff, and should discuss your application before you submit it. You should note application deadlines and eligibility criteria on the FC website.
How to Apply

Applicants may apply for specific advertised funded projects or they may apply to pursue their own research project. We usually recommend that as a first step, potential applicants contact one or two of our academics whose research interests align with your own and who could be a proposed supervisor - see more information and contact details for ourÌýAcademics. You can also check out our research themes and the projects within these themes in ourÌýResearch section. It is also helpful if you have a project in mind, so I would advise you to have a think about what you might like to work on, as your proposed supervisor can also give you advice about preparing your application.

In deciding which department to formally apply through, you should also consider your own academic background. Your research proposal might also mean that you 'fit' more naturally into one department than the other. To apply through either dept, you must use theÌýonline ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº system. You can use the directÌýÌýwhen applying through Psychology.ÌýRRDCOMS4YR01Ìýis the routecode when applying through Computer Science. There is more information about applying to Computer Science atÌýthe CS website. You apply through the same ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Select system as for applying through Psychology.

Psychology students all start at the beginning of the academic year; Computer Science prefer students to start then, but will accept new students at other times of the year.

Please note that theÌýPersonal statement/Research ProposalÌýis an extremely important part of your application. You can submit a separate personal statement and research proposal as two documents. Each should be 1-2 pages in length. The research proposal should clearly state the research question, and its importance. Funded studentships seek to address a defined research question, but applicants pursuing their own research must consider this carefully. The proposal should then state the approach to be applied in the research to address the research question. Logical thinking, clear design of research studies, and relevant methodological knowledge are all key parts of a good research proposal. Where appropriate, the research proposal should explain how initial studies will lead on to further questions and studies in a coherent progression. The research proposal should be your own work, but your proposed supervisor can give you advice on preparing this. You should also give any details on why you think you are particularly suited for your chosen area of research. Please check out theÌý¹û¶³Ó°Ôº research degrees pages, where hopefully most of your questions should be answered, but please don't hestitate toÌýcontact usÌýif you have any other queries. See alsoÌý¹û¶³Ó°Ôº guidance on contacting potential supervisorsÌýand how to prepare a research proposal.

Please email our postgraduate administrator, Alicia Burton, when you have submitted your application so that we are aware of your application. Please include your full name and the reference number supplied to you in the confirmation email from Admissions/PRISM.

Another point to note is that we never make offers of places without receiving an official application and conducting a formal interview (which will involve the ¹û¶³Ó°ÔºIC postgraduate tutor, , or equivalent from the relevant parent department). This applies however urgently you need a letter of support to submit with a funding application. Sorry!

Applications deadlines

In this section you will find advice on application deadlines for various funding sources, studentships and self-funded applicants. Please double-check the deadline with the funding source. The table below shows a summary of the various opportunities and deadlines. Please see more details about each opportunity in the section below.

Source of funding

Deadline

Website for more info on how to apply

Availability

Apply for specific project or can be own topic

EPSRC DTP

1pm 8 Jan 2024

¹û¶³Ó°Ôº DTP website

UK and Overseas applicants

Specific projects – see

¹û¶³Ó°Ôº RES

4pm 12 Jan 2024

RES page

UK and Overseas applicants

Need to have own research proposal

¹û¶³Ó°Ôº ROS

Ìý12 Jan 2024

¹û¶³Ó°Ôº ROS

UK applicants from specific BAME groups

Need to have own research proposal

Leverhulme DTP Eco-Brain studentships

12 Jan 2024 for prelim apps, 4 March 2024 for full apps

UK and Overseas applicants

Apply for specific project or can be own topic

¹û¶³Ó°Ôº RES for cross-disciplinary (1 yr)

Home dept apply by 26 Jan 2024

¹û¶³Ó°Ôº RES Cross-disciplinary

¹û¶³Ó°Ôº students with proof of funding

Own training proposal

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***Scholarships - ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Research Excellence Scholarship***

You can find information about theÌýResearch Excellence ScholarshipÌý(RES) which is open to both current (Year 1 or 2) and prospective UK and Overseas students. See also theÌý¹û¶³Ó°Ôº scholarships and fundingÌýpages for more options in relation to funding.

UPDATE!!! DEADLINE: The departmental deadline for applications for ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº RES scholarships has been extended to 4pm on Fri 12th Jan for expected start September 2024.

You mustÌýÌýor be already registered at ¹û¶³Ó°ÔºIC before applying for a ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº scholarship through ¹û¶³Ó°ÔºIC - you must submit the folllowing documents by email toÌýAlicia BurtonÌýbyÌý12th JanÌýdeadline:

  • Research Scholarship cover sheet - this form is available at theÌýRES site;
  • CV - (must be up to date and lists all publications, past/current prizes, awards, and scholarships);
  • A lay summary of your research proposal, on a Word or PDF document (max. 200 words).;
  • Academic transcripts - Please ensure that each academic transcript submitted includes clarification on the grading scale/range of grades possible for that degree;
  • 2 References:
    o Reference number 1 should relate to your most recently completed university programme/degree (or the one you intend to complete, if applicable) and can be the same referee who submitted a reference as part of your admission application. You should use the Reference 1 form at theÌýRES site;
    o Reference number 2 should relate to your current or intended research programme/project. You should use the Reference 2 form at theÌýÌýis also 12th January** They should submit these through the ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº application system (¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Select).

***¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Research Excellence Scholarship for Cross Disciplinary Training (One-Year)***

There are up to 4 scholarships annually are available to full-time ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº MPhil/PhD and EngD students from any country wishing to spend an additional year of their MPhil/PhD or EngD in another ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº department acquiring research skills and knowledge from a different discipline, which can be applied in their normal area of research. See theÌýCross Disciplinary Training scholarship pageÌýfor more information. Applications must be made by the Head of the student's home department in conjunction with the Graduate Tutor byÌý26th Jan 2024Ìývia anÌýemail to Student Funding.

***¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Research Opportunity Scholarships***

SeeÌý¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Research Scholarships pageÌýfor more details. Interested applicants should apply formally throughÌýÌýand you must contactÌýAlicia BurtonÌýto notify us that you would like to be considered for a ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº-ROS by submitting a ROS cover sheet byÌý12 January 2024Ìý- this form is available at theÌýROS webpage. You must also complete theÌýÌýby this deadline.

Important: The application deadline for the ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Select application, departmental notification and MS Form submission for the Research Opportunity Scholarships is 12 January 2024.

***¹û¶³Ó°Ôº EPSRC Doctoral Training Programme (DTP)***

The EPSRC provides full funding for a 4 year PhD working on a specific project - seeÌýthe websiteÌýfor more information and how to apply - the deadline is 1pm onÌý8 January 2024. Please see theÌý.

***UBEL ESRC Doctoral Training Programme***

This is theÌý, which offers studentships in a number of research pathways across 56 departments. The DTP's strategic vision is driven by a shared emphasis on interdisciplinary research with a number of different academic and non-acadmeic partners across London. You must apply to ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº formally (but do not need to have an offer of a PhD place secured) and also submit the preliminary application form.
DEADLINE: The submission deadline for preliminary applications for expected start Sept 2024 is 15th January 2024.

If successful at this stage, you will be asked to complete a full application form.
DEADLINE: The submission deadline for full applications for expected start Sept 2024 is 4th March 2024.

More details about the application process are available at theÌý, where you can download the UBEL Application Guidance.

***Leverhulme DTP Ecological brain Studentships***

See moreÌýÌý- deadline isÌý12th Jan 2024 for a September 2024 start.

***Funded studentships***

Occasionally there may be funded studentships advertised that have their own deadlines. Applicants may be required to apply for such funded studentships to the department directly using a specialised form, which is accessible from the advert. Please check regularly on ourÌýJobs listingsÌýif you are interested in applying for one of these. Successful candidate(s) then apply formally to ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº using theÌýÌýas above.

***All funding streams***

Please noteÌýthat applications to be considered for the above funding streams willÌýONLYÌýbe accepted before the relevant funding application deadlines.

Applicants seeking other sources of funding, applying for studentships or who have their own funding
Such applicants can apply outside the deadlines given above but ideally before:
DEADLINES for applications via Computer Science - Round 1Ìý- applications must be in byÌý12 Jan 2024Ìýwith references in byÌý2 Feb 2024;
Round 2Ìý- applications must be in byÌý10 April 2024Ìýwith references in byÌý26 April 2024. See theÌýCS PhD websiteÌýfor more information.
DEADLINE for applications via Psychology and Language Sciences - 30 June 2024.
If you require your own funding, please check outÌýinformation about possible postgraduate schemesÌý- there is also a very handyÌýScholarships Finder. Please also check out opportunities forÌýfee partnerships with ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº.


General advice on applications and deadlines

Applicants areÌýstronglyÌýencouraged to applyÌýas early as possible, especially if you wish to be considered for other funding. Late applications have very little chance of getting funding from departmental or central college sources.

Overseas students must alsoÌýnotify usÌýof any external funding or visa deadlines when applying so we can take these into account.


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Career destinations

Since ¹û¶³Ó°ÔºIC was founded in 2001, more than 22 PhD students have successfully completed their doctorates. Some of ourÌýgraduates have become postdoctoral researchers and lecturers within ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº and other Universities in the UK and beyond, such as the USA, Mexico, Malaysia and Australia. Others have gone on to work in Industry orÌýhave become consultantsÌýon various aspects of human-computer interaction.

Students' testimonials

"My time at ¹û¶³Ó°ÔºIC completely transformed my perspective on novel and creative research. I was fortunate to have exceptional supervisors and peers who lit up my path throughout this memorable journey. As I continue to pursue my own research, the passion for genuine science that was sparked here will always remain a driving force."

former-student
Chongyang Wang, former PhD student, currently Post-doctoral Researcher at the Pervasive HCI Laboratory,ÌýTsinghua University

former-student
Dilisha Patel, former PhD student, currently Social Researcher for Disability Justice, Global Disability Innovation (GDI) Hub

"I had an amazing time completing my PhD at ¹û¶³Ó°ÔºIC. I benefited from incredible academics and amazing peer support group. I was exposed to great research practise and had opportunities to meet world class researchers. I was given so many opportunities to learn, grow my research and broaden my ideas and aspirations. ¹û¶³Ó°ÔºIC brings together a high calibre of people for work and play. From research seminars to park lunches! This was a great place to study and work."

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"I feel very fortunate to have obtained my PhD from ¹û¶³Ó°ÔºIC, ranked as one of the top HCI research institutes in the world. ¹û¶³Ó°ÔºIC provided a very friendly and supportive environment to develop as a researcher, mentor and teacher. My supervisor Ann Blandford, and other academics I collaborated with were always on hand to guide me in the right direction while allowing me the freedom to work independently at my own pace. I am also extremely grateful to have been a part of a fantastic cohort of mutually supportive colleagues, some of whom have become lifelong friends."

former-student
Hadiza Ismaila, former PhD student, currently Research Fellow at the e-Health unit, ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care

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