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Computer Laboratory |
PhD in Computer Science – applications and admissionPrerequisitesApplicants are expected to have a very good degree (in the UK a First Class Honours degree) in Computer Science or a related subject. A masters-level degree (or other post-graduate work) is increasingly desirable; some PhD applicants may find prior study of our MPhil in Advanced Computer Science useful. A good IELTS or TOEFL score is also required where an English language qualification is necessary. Research ProposalStudents are not assigned to prespecified projects. They are expected to propose an area or topic, and will be accepted only if an appropriate and willing supervisor is available. Applicants should therefore prepare a statement of proposed research of no more than 3000 words (in addition to the usual personal statement) indicating their intended topic and research strategy. This should:
This could usefully be drafted in collaboration with the intended supervisor and candidates are invited to make informal contact with the Laboratory, either through individual staff members or the Student Administration Manager (address below), before submitting a formal application. If you contact more than one person in the Laboratory, please make sure that all the people you contact are aware of all the others so that we do not duplicate effort. The Laboratory may suggest an informal visit, and may interview applicants in person or by telephone. Application formsFormal application for admission for the PhD degree must be made through the University's central Board of Graduate Studies (address below), from whom an application form and copy of the Graduate Studies Prospectus may be obtained. Applicants should include their Research Proposal with their application. Application deadlinesAdmission is usually for October, the beginning of the academic year. The deadline for applications from self-funding or home applicants is March 31, but earlier application, in January or February, is strongly recommended. Applicants from the EU or the "rest of the world", wishing to enter the Cambridge Gates and other Cambridge Trust funding competitions, must apply significantly earlier. Students from most countries need to submit their application (both graduate admission and scholarship, also known as GRADSAF) by no later than December 15th. A notable exception is that applicants from the US must submit their applications by October 15th. The list of deadlines for graduate and scholarship applications provides more precise details. Applicants are asked to notify the Laboratory's Student Administration Manager that they have submitted their application to the Board of Graduate Studies. Applicants may expect to hear informally whether the Laboratory is willing to accept them: however, formal acceptance as a graduate student is decided by the Board of Graduate Studies. The offer of a place does not guarantee funding by the Laboratory or the University, and acceptance by a College is also a separate matter. Online applicationsPlease note that the deadline for applications submitted using the Board's online applications system are earlier by 14 days than for paper applications and an administration fee will be charged. Applicants using the online system will be required to post supporting material, transcripts, degree certificates, references and research proposal, shortly after submitting the online application. Funding and grantsThe Laboratory makes awards both from funds supplied, for UK and EU students only, by the UK government, and from its own funds. These funds are limited and the Laboratory encourages applicants to seek other funding, for example scholarships from their home countries, to come to Cambridge. The Board of Graduate Studies Prospectus provides information about grants for students applying to Cambridge, and their closing dates. Intending students make their own applications for these as indicated in the Prospectus, and are advised to make them early. The Laboratory will contact applicants directly about its awards. The Laboratory may also have studentships associated with industrial collaborations and particular research projects. It is worth noting that full funding must be secured before starting a course at Cambridge. Many of the scholarships will not accept applications from students who are already in residence. Do not assert that you will be able to support yourself and hope that something else will turn up once you are in Cambridge. Admission conditionsStudents who intend to study for a period of either 3 or 4 years to obtain a Ph.D. Degree are not registered for that qualification on admission. Rather, they are usually registered for the CPGS and, after fulfilling the requirements, are registered for the Ph.D. Degree, backdated to their date of admission. Other potential Ph.D. students, not initially registered for the CPGS, will also be subject to a similar first-year assessment exercise: the first-year report and thesis proposal. The various probationary statuses are:
Standard conditions securing sufficient funding for three years to meet the financial conditions of the Board of Graduate Studies and College membership. Additionally, applicants may be asked to achieve a certain grade in their current studies; to take or retake an English Language proficiency test; and any other conditions the Board of Graduate Studies might apply. Please contact the Student Administration Manager about any
particular questions at Applications submitted by post should be sent to: Applications submitted by courier should be sent to: New research students information booklet |