Informatics PhD / MPhil
Overview
The School of Informatics has a vibrant and dynamic community of research students and welcomes applications from candidates whose interests align with those of our academic staff.
Research students are central to research activity in the School. Our goal is to support talented individuals who wish to develop their research skills, to undertake rigorous and inspirational research and ultimately to obtain an MPhil or PhD qualification. Research students are supported in their studies through a structured programme of supervision and training.
If you are interested in joining our community of research students, please have a look at our PhD research projects. This provides details of current opportunities in all of the School's academic units: Computing, Health Informatics, Human-Computer Interaction Design, Information Science and Software Reliability.
Entry Requirements
Applicants should have a record of high academic achievement and, at a minimum, have attained a good undergraduate degree (first or upper second class honours) in a relevant subject from a UK university, or a recognised equivalent from an overseas institution.
In exceptional cases, we will consider applications from individuals whose undergraduate degree is in a less relevant discipline but who hold a relevant Masters degree with at least a merit level pass. We will also consider applications from individuals with extensive professional experience in the area of their proposed research.
English Language Requirements
Proof of English language proficiency will be required for applicants whose first language is not English. We require a minimum TOEFL score of 250 in the computer-based test (minimum score of 100 in the internet-based test), or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5.
Visa Requirements
The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course at City, there are different rules for:
- Students on courses of more than 6 months
- Students on courses of less than 6 months
- Students on a pre-sessional English Language course
For more information see our main Visa page.
Start Dates / Duration of Studies
Start Date
Admissions take place in October and February each year.
Duration of Studies
PhD by Major Thesis or Prospective Publication, full-time study:
- Minimum registration: 2 years
- Maximum registration: 4 years.
- Minimum registration: 3 years
- Maximum registration: 7 years.
- Minimum registration: 1 year
- Maximum registration: 2 years.
Maximum registration periods include any time spent in writing-up mode.
We offer the following types of award:
- PhD by Major Thesis
- PhD by Prospective Publication
- PhD by Prior Pubication
- MPhil.
Research students are initially registered for the degree of MPhil. Promotion to PhD registration is contingent upon the satisfactory outcome of a review process. This normally takes place towards the end of the first year of registration for full-time candidates and towards the end of the second year for part-time candidates.
The PhD programme concludes with the candidate submitting their research in the form of a PhD thesis and attending a viva voce examination in front of at least two examiners, at least one of whom will be external to the University.
Research Areas
We welcome applicants who wish to undertake research study in any of the 5 academic units in the School of Informatics:
- Department of Computing
- Centre for Health Informatics
- Centre for Human-Computer Interaction Design
- Department of Information Science
- Centre for Software Reliability.
Potential PhD projects and staff research interests can be found at http://www.city.ac.uk/informatics/postgraduate/phd-research-studies/phd-projects.
Fees
- Full-time EU: £3,750 per year
- Part-time EU: £1,875 per year
- Full-time Non EU: £12,000 per year
- Part-time Non EU: £6,000 per year
Fees for doctoral candidates are charged annually and cover registration, supervision and examination. Fees are subject to review each year and are likely to increase by approximately 3% annually.
Funding
University Funding
The University offers doctoral studentships on a competitive basis each each. Applicants who are interested in applying for a studentship can find further information at: http://www.city.ac.uk/research/research-degrees/fees/university-doctoral-studentships.
Preliminary Enquiries
We attach great importance to the fit between an applicant's proposed research topic and the research interests of the supervisor. Prior to submitting a formal application, potential applicants are strongly advised to contact staff with relevant research expertise to discuss their willingness to offer supervision. You can find out about the research interests of staff and some of the latest research topics that they are interested in supervising at: http://www.city.ac.uk/informatics/postgraduate/phd-research-studies/phd-projects.
Alternatively, if you require help in identifying a potential supervisor or if you have a general query about the application process, please contact one of our Senior Tutors for Research (http://www.city.ac.uk/informatics/postgraduate/phd-research-studies/research-degree-contacts).
How to Apply
All applications must consist of the following:
- A completed Research Degree application form, including a 3 page research proposal (see our detailed guidance on writing a research proposal);
- Proof of academic qualifications, i.e. grade transcripts from your previous degree(s);
- Proof of English language proficiency if you do not speak English as your first language;
- Two confidential references (one of which must be academic).
Mark Firman,
School of Informatics,
City University London,
Northampton Square,
London,
EC1V 0HB.
There are no deadlines for applying for MPhil/PhD study but you are advised to submit your application at least six weeks before your proposed start date in order for us to consider and process your application.
Writing Your Research Proposal
The research proposal should be approximately 3 pages of A4 text covering the following: (a) research question, (b) background literature and motivation for the research and (c) outline methodology/work plan. For more detailed guidance see http://www.city.ac.uk/informatics/postgraduate/phd-research-studies/preparing-your-research-proposal.
Supervision
All research students are appointed a supervisory team consisting of at least two supervisors. One of these will be designated as the first point of contact with personal responsibility for ensuring that effective supervision is provided.
Training Provision
The supervisory team will discuss training requirements with the candidate when study is commenced. We may recommend that a candidate takes a number of taught modules, benefiting from the specialist Masters courses in the School of Informatics.
Research Environment
Research students are provided with a desk, PC and bookshelves in a shared office space and have access to shared printing facilities. Specialist facilities, such as the City Interaction Lab (http://hcid.soi.city.ac.uk/cityinteractionlab/), are also available where relevant to the research topic. All research students are strongly encouraged to contribute to our dynamic research environment and to attend regular research seminars and meetings.