How to Apply
We expect to offer 10 fully-funded PhD studentships per year. Students with a strong background in computer science, mathematics, physics, or engineering are particularly encouraged to apply.
The CDT in Data Science is a 4-year programme at the University of Edinburgh: the first year provides Masters level training in the core areas of data science, along with a significant project. In years 2-4 students will carry out PhD research in data science, guided by PhD supervisors from within the centre.
The programme is now accepting applications for PhD studentships beginning in September 2016. There will be three application deadlines:
- 11 December 2015 – all overseas applicants are encouraged to apply by this deadline for full consideration
- 29 January 2016 – all UK and EU applicants are encouraged to apply by this deadline for full consideration
- mid-March 2016* – any remaining UK and EU studentships will be allocated in the third round
* Applications after the mid-March 2016 deadline can still be considered if places are still available, but are not guaranteed full funding consideration.
**The programme is no longer accepting applications for PhD studentships beginning in September 2015.**
Funding
Due to constraints from the CDT in Data Science's funding agencies, there are different rules for funding depending on your fee status:
- UK and EU students: Full funding (fees and stipend) is available.
- Non-EU students: Funding is significantly more competitive; see more detailed information for non-EU students.
If you are unsure about which of these two categories applies, please read the University web pages about fees and fee status.
Apply
Entry Requirements
Before applying, please read the admissions information at the following links:
- Entry Requirements – School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh (where the CDT is based)
- Frequently Asked Questions - CDT in Data Science
- Frequently Asked Questions – School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh (where the CDT is based)
References
All applicants should ensure that their references are aware that applicants are applying for the full 1 year MSc by Research + 3 year PhD programme at the University of Edinburgh. Reference letters should include information about an applicant’s ability to undertake a PhD as well as an MSc by Research. We have a web page directed to referees to alert them to this. You might wish to send them a link to that page.
Letters of reference should be signed, dated, and on letter-headed paper:www.ed.ac.uk/studying/postgraduate/applying/references
Research Proposal
When you apply, you will be asked to include a personal statement statement where you can note your reasons for wishing to undertake PhD training in data science. This is separate from the research proposal.
A formal research proposal is required as part of the application process for the CDT in Data Science. In the research proposal you should indicate the area you believe would be of most interest to you for a PhD topic. If you are not familiar with the field, the proposal can be quite broad and your actual PhD project can differ from what you propose during your application. It is possible, and even likely, that you will change your interest during the course of the first year. Nevertheless, the motivation and research proposal are very important in our selection, so please pay attention to it! It is probably easier to attach a file (either via “Upload a research proposal” or “Upload an unspecified document”) rather than to enter it all on the web form.
Before writing your proposal, you should visit the Research and Supervisor pages of our website. Both of these should give you a background on areas of research as well as current and potential research projects for postgraduate students.
There is no specific guidance for research proposals for applications to the CDT in Data Science; however, you may find it useful to refer to this document about writing a postgraduate research proposal for the University of Edinburgh.
Apply
To apply to the CDT in Data Science, use the standard University of Edinburgh website to apply for the programme called “Informatics: EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Data Science: MSc by Research Data Science – 1 Year (Full-time)“. All CDT students should apply to this MSc programme as applications will automatically be considered for the full 1 year MSc by Research + 3 year PhD programme.
If you decide that you are more interested in other areas of computer science or informatics, the School of Informatics has many other postgraduate programmes available. Please see the School of Informatics pages about postgraduate study.
Please contact us if you have any queries.
