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PhD, MPhil, and MSc by Research

Overview

PhD, MPhil, and MSc by Research degrees are awarded on the basis of independent research in Computing Science. Students working on these degrees are individually supervised by members of academic staff who are experts in the student's research area.

Structure

A PhD normally lasts three years, an MPhil normally lasts two years, and an MSc by Research normally lasts one year. For more information on our current research interests, see our departmental research pages.

Career Prospects

All of our recent MPhil and PhD graduates have found jobs, either in academia or in industry.

Entry Qualifications

Applicants normally need a 1 or 2(i) Honours undergraduate degree in Computing Science (or a related subject), or a Masters degree in Computing Science (or a related subject).

Assessment

PhD, MPhil, and MSc by Research candidates write a dissertation (thesis), which is read by at least two examiners, one of which will be from outside the University of Aberdeen. Candidates are assessed on the basis of their dissertation and on an oral examination conducted by the examiners.

Funding

There are many possible funding sources for MPhil and PhD candidates, some of which are described in the postgraduate funding web page maintained by Student Recruitment. For many years, a standard funding source for many of our students has been an EPSRC studentship. This has now been enhanced in recent years by Project Studentships. The department also runs a Departmental Bursary Scheme, based on a combination of ORS and departmental funding.

EPSRC Studentships

From time to time, EPSRC research studentships become available, normally for students starting in the autumn. These awards provide maintenance and fees for UK students and permanent residents, but provide only the tutition fee component for European Union students. The annual maintenance levels for 2006/07 are £12,300. For more information, see the EPSRC guide.

Project Studentships

Sometimes the Department has studentships which are associated with a particular research topic. For up-to-date information and application procedures for project studentships, see our Vacancies page. Project studentships generally pay maintanence and UK/EU fees for three years; non-EU candidates can apply for these, but will need to make arrangements to cover the gap between overseas and EU fees.

Departmental Bursaries

The Departmental Bursary Scheme aims to support exceptionally strong overseas (non-EU) research students by using an ORS award to cover overseas tuition fees in combination with a bursary from departmental funds to provide an annual stipend in line with the currently recommended EPSRC rate. Overseas applicants wishing to be considered for this scheme should complete the standard Postgraduate Application for Admission form, and indicate their interest in the scheme in a covering letter. It should be noted that competition for ORS awards is intense, and candidates put forward for the bursary scheme will need to provide a strong research proposal which is closely aligned with one of the departmental research themes, and will necessarily have very good Graduate Record Exam GRE and TOEFL (or equivalent) scores and excellent references. The scheme runs on an annual cycle, and the deadline for ORS applications is in January. However, we will consider applications at any time. Candidates who are invited to join the scheme will be given a conditional offer of a place, and will be given assistance with completing the ORS award application. If the ORS application is successful, the bursary will cover full fees and a maintenance stipend of at least the EPSRC recommended rate.

How to apply

To apply for admission, please visit the Student Recruitment and Admissions Service Web pages and fill in the application form (You find this form there by clicking "Postgraduate Study", then "How to Apply"). If you are also applying for a PhD studentship that is tied to a specific research project, you need to make a separate application for funding, according to the instructions in the relevant advertisment. Applicants for research degrees are required to write a brief statement including their preferred area of research, potential supervisors in the Department and an indication of their relevant knowledge. Although we do not require a full research proposal, you may find it useful to look at our web page on supporting an application to be a research student for information about the sort of details that will enhance your application.

Graduate School Admissions Unit:
For specific information about applying for computing science degrees and courses: