Computing Science PhD/MPhil/MSc (Research)
Funded PhD opportunities
Our research cuts across the intersection of theoretical and applied computing. In the UK's 2014 independent research exercise, we were rated top in Scotland for research impact.
- PhD: 3-4 years full-time; 6-8 years part-time; Thesis of Max 80,000 words
- MSc (Research): 1-2 years full-time; 2-3 years part-time;
- MPhil: 2-3 years full-time; 3-4 years part-time;
Overview
Research sections
- Formal Analysis, Theory and Algorithms (FATA)
- Glasgow Interactive SysTems (GIST) (aka HCI)
- Information, Data and Analysis (IDA)
- GLAsgow SyStems (GLASS)
- Centre for Computing Science Education (CCSE)
Research themes
- Cyber security
- Healthcare technologies
- Low carbon and sustainable computing
- Media and data science
- Programming languages
- Understandable autonomous systems
The vibrant research culture of our School strongly encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration with each research section running its own seminar series, as well as contributing to a weekly research forum.
We are rated top in Scotland for research impact with 68% of our impact judged world-leading and 32% internationally excellent.
- 7th in UK: Complete University Guide [Computer Science]
- UK top 20: Guardian University Guide [Computer Science & Information Systems]
- UK top 10: Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide [Computer Science]
We have over 50 academic staff and more than 100 PhD students. Our research strategy is based on combining world-leading theoretical work with practical applications and much of our research has created high public impact.
Our research degrees enjoy world-wide prestige and we offer postgraduate programmes of outstanding quality. Postgraduate students benefit from the best possible support and supervision and, on graduating, they are well qualified to take up key posts in industry and academia.
Computing Science has held a departmental Bronze Award from Athena SWAN since October 2015, recognising our commitment to provide the resources necessary to eliminate gender bias and create an inclusive culture that values female staff.
Study options
| full-time (years) |
part-time (years) |
|
| Phd | 3-4 | 6-8 |
| MSc (Res) | 1-2 | 2-3 |
| MPhil | 2-3 | 3-4 |
Entry requirements
2.1 Honours degree or equivalent
Required documentation
Applicants should submit:
- Transcripts/degree certificate
- Two references
- A three-to-four page research proposal in accordance with the School’s guidelines
- CV
- Name of a potential supervisor (we strongly recommend you get in touch with your prospective supervisor before submitting your application via our Find a Supervisor tool).
English language requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
- 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test
- IELTS One Skill Retake accepted.
Common equivalent English language qualifications accepted for entry to this programme:
TOEFL (ibt, my best or athome)
- 79; with Reading 13; Listening 12; Speaking 18;Writing 21
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements , this includes TOEFL mybest.
Pearsons PTE Academic
- 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
- 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Oxford English Test
- Oxford ELLT 7
- R&L: OIDI level no less than 6 with Reading: 21-24 Listening: 15-17
- W&S: OIDI level no less than 6
Trinity College Tests
Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.
Alternatives to English Language qualification
- Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have complete their degree in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
- Undergraduate 2+2 degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:
Fees and funding
Fees
2025/26
- UK: To be confirmed [24/25 fee was £4,786]
- International & EU: £31,800
Prices are based on the annual fee for full-time study. Fees for part-time study are half the full-time fee.
Irish nationals who are living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status, and Internationals with Indefinite Leave to remain status can also qualify for home fee status.
Alumni discount
We offer a 20% discount to our alumni on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed Junior Year Abroad, Exchange programme or International Summer School with us. The discount is applied at registration for students who are not in receipt of another discount or scholarship funded by the University. No additional application is required.
Possible additional fees
- Re-submission by a research student £540
- Submission for a higher degree by published work £1,355
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed £350
- Submission by staff in receipt of staff scholarship £790
Depending on the nature of the research project, some students will be expected to pay a bench fee (also known as research support costs) to cover additional costs. The exact amount will be provided in the offer letter.
Funding
Support
Our postgraduate students benefit from joining a research-led environment, which offers the best possible support and supervision as well as the chance to apply independent research skills and knowledge in project work. Practitioners and experts in the field are on hand to advise on the practical aspects of your subject’s related profession and the philosophical considerations of research in your particular field.
As a student in Computing Science you will be part of our Science and Engineering Graduate School and will benefit from the support that being part of this community brings. Students are encouraged to attend a range of postgraduate courses to broaden their scientific knowledge and develop their transferable skills.
The overall aim of our Graduate School is to provide a world-leading environment for students which is intellectually stimulating, encourages them to contribute to culture, society and the economy and enables them to become leaders in a global environment.
We have a diverse community of over 750 students from more than 50 countries who work in innovative and transformative disciplinary and interdisciplinary fields. An important part of our work is to bring our students together and to ensure they consider themselves an important part of the University’s academic community.
Being part of our Graduate School community will be of huge advantage to you in your studies and beyond and we offer students a number of benefits in addition to exceptional teaching and supervision, including:
- A wide-ranging and responsive research student training programme which enables you to enhance your skills and successfully complete your studies.
- Mobility scholarships of up to £4000 to enable you to undertake work in collaboration with an international partner.
- A diverse programme of activities which will ensure you feel part of the wider-research community (including our biannual science slam event).
- A residential trip for all new research students.
- The opportunity to engage with industry-partners through training, placements and events.
- Professionally accredited programmes.
- Unique Masters programmes run in collaboration with other organisations.
- State-of-the-art facilities including the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre and the Kelvin Nanocharacterisation Centre.
- Highly-rated support for international students.
Over the last five years, we have helped over 600 students to complete their research studies and our students have gone on to take up prestigious posts in industries across the world.
How to apply
Identify potential supervisors
All Postgraduate Research Students are allocated a supervisor who will act as the main source of academic support and research mentoring. You may want to identify a potential supervisor and contact them to discuss your research proposal before you apply. Please note, even if you have spoken to an academic staff member about your proposal you still need to submit an online application form.
You can find relevant academic staff members with our staff research interests search.
Gather your documents
Before applying please make sure you gather the following supporting documentation:
- Final or current degree transcripts including grades (and an official translation, if needed) – scanned copy in colour of the original document.
- Degree certificates (and an official translation, if needed): scanned copy in colour of the original document.
- Two references on headed paper and signed by the referee. One must be academic, the other can be academic or professional. References may be uploaded as part of the application form or you may enter your referees contact details on the application form. We will then email your referee and notify you when we receive the reference. We can also accept confidential references direct to rio-researchadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk, from the referee’s university or business email account.
- Research proposal, CV, samples of written work as per requirements for each subject area.
Contact us
- If you have any questions about your application before you apply: contact our College of Science and Engineering Graduate School or the School of Computing Science
- If you have any questions after you have submitted your application: contact our Admissions team
- Any references may be submitted by email to: rio-researchadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk
International Students
- Advice on visa, immigrations and the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) can be found on our International student pages
Our research environment
Induction
- Getting started with PGR development: how postgraduate researchers are welcomed into our community