MPhil/PhD
Computer Science

Key Information


Campus

Brayford Pool

Entry Requirements

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Full-time

MPhil: 1.5-3 years PhD: 2-4 years

Part-time

MPhil: 2-4 years PhD: 3-8 years

Start Dates in October and January

Programme Overview

This programme offers the opportunity to work alongside academic staff whose research has been internationally recognised. Researchers can benefit from a supportive community and environment in which to share ideas and experiences with the aim of advancing knowledge.

Research undertaken in the School includes advancements in computational neuroscience, biosignal analysis, machine learning, data analytics, robotics, medical imaging, AI in healthcare, games computing, VR/AR environments, human-computer interaction, agriculture, and food production.

Students can benefit from a comprehensive programme of training designed to develop key research skills and methodologies. Access is provided to industry-standard equipment and software to aid students' investigations, including VR-capable computers with headsets (e.g. HTC Vive and Oculus Rift), specialist development environments, and engineering design and simulation platforms. A supervisory team of experienced academics is available to provide guidance on students' studies and careers, and also to support publishing work in journals and presenting at conferences.

Key Features

Conduct independent, original, and academically significant research

Benefit from training courses to develop key research skills

Supervision and support from academic staff

Present at talks and seminars to showcase your work

Enrol in January or October each year

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How You Study

Students on this programme usually work under the guidance of one main supervisor and one secondary supervisor throughout their studies, and will have access to a range of the School's facilities.

Training in research methods features in the early part of the programme and students are encouraged to present and publish their findings in national and international conferences and journals.

Due to the nature of postgraduate research programmes, the majority of time is spent in independent study and research. Students will have meetings with their academic supervisor, but the frequency of these will vary depending on individual requirements, subject area, staff availability, and stage of programme.

How you are assessed

A PhD is usually awarded based on the quality of a student's thesis, their publications in journals and international conferences, and their ability to present and successfully defend their chosen research topic in an oral examination (viva voce). They are also expected to demonstrate how their research findings have contributed to knowledge or expanded upon existing theory or understanding.

How to Apply

Postgraduate Research Application Support

Find out more about the application process for research degrees and what you'll need to complete on our How to Apply page, which also features contact details for dedicated support with your application.

How to Apply
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Make an Enquiry

To find out more about postgraduate research in Computer Science, you can contact the programme leader, Dr Vassilis Cutsuridis. Dr Cutsuridis is an expert at the interface between AI and neuroscience and is interested in reverse engineering how the brain and mind work in order to understand the neural circuits and systems that give rise to mental experience, and to extract the neural algorithms for the design and development of more efficient intelligent methods and systems for complex data analysis.

Make an Enquiry

Enrolment

To support your experience within the postgraduate research community, new students are encouraged to enrol in October or January. In addition to meeting peers across the University who are starting their research programme at the same time, there is access to a central training programme designed around the first three months of study, and targeted support aligned to each stage of the postgraduate research journey. Alternative enrolment dates may be agreed with your supervisor on an individual basis.

Entry Requirements 2025-26

Entry Requirements

First or second class honours degree in a relevant STEM subject.

If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.

https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/

Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements

If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses. These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.

https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills

If you are an overseas student, you may require an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) certificate in order to enrol on this course. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme

Programme Fees

You will need to have funding in place for your studies before you arrive at the University. Our fees vary depending on the course, mode of study, and whether you are a UK or international student. You can view the breakdown of fees for this programme below. Research students may be required to pay additional fees in addition to cover the cost of specialist resources, equipment and access to any specialist collections that may be required to support their research project. These will be informed by your research proposal and will be calculated on an individual basis.

Programme Fees

Funding Your Research

Loans and Studentships

Find out more about the options available to support your postgraduate research, from Master's and Doctoral Loans, to research studentship opportunities. You can also find out more about how to pay your fees and access support from our helpful advisors.

Explore Funding Options
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Career Development

A doctoral qualification can be the capstone of academic achievement and often marks the beginning of a career in academia or research. A research programme provides the opportunity to become a true expert in your chosen field, while developing a range of valuable transferable skills that can support your career progression. A research-based degree is also the most direct pathway to an academic career. PhDs and research degrees are a great chance to expand your network and meet diverse people with similar interests, knowledge, and passion.

The University’s Doctoral School provides a focal point for Lincoln’s community of researchers, where ideas and experiences can be developed and shared across disciplines. It also offers support and training to help equip you for both academic and non-academic careers.

Doctoral School

Academic Contact

For more information about this course, please contact:

Dr Faiz Iqbal
FIqbal@lincoln.ac.uk

Research at Lincoln

Through our research, we are striving to change society for the better. Working with regional, national, and international partners, our academics are engaged in groundbreaking studies that are challenging the status quo. We also understand the importance of providing the best possible environment for pursuing research that can support our communities and make a tangible difference to the world around us.

Explore Our Research
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The University intends to provide its courses as outlined in these pages, although the University may make changes in accordance with the Student Admissions Terms and Conditions.