Applying for a PhD
This page contains information for people who are considering applying to undertake their PhD in the Opera Group at the University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory.
Laboratory/Group
First read the background information about the Computer Laboratory, its research and the Opera Group.
Research Proposal
Students are invited to propose their own research in 500-1000 words and we then see if it fits with the interests of people here. Obviously, it is helpful if you contact us to discuss your research proposal before submitting your application. If you do not have much background in Computer Science, it might be appropriate to take our one-year post-graduate Diploma in Computer Science first.
Application
Read the general information about applying to Cambridge including the Graduate Studies Prospectus and the particular details of the procedure for applying to do research in the Computer Laboratory.
The normal deadline for applications is 31 March each year, for admission the following October, but it is wise to apply much earlier. People are occasionally admitted at other times of the year.
If you are thinking of applying here, you will see that there are three requirements for acceptance at Cambridge: the department, a college and proof of funding. The department will accept anyone that it thinks is likely to succeed and for whom an appropriate and willing supervisor can be found, although students whose native language is not English will need a high score in the IELTS. A college place for a research student is unlikely to prove difficult; in extremis, most supervisors can lean on their own colleges. Funding is more difficult...
The Laboratory has a small quota of EPSRC grants for UK and EU students and an even smaller number of separate studentships. The competition for these is extremely fierce; simply getting a first class degree is not sufficient to earn one. Unless you are able to secure one of these studentships, you will need to have a studentship from some other source - such as a Gates scholarship, a Cambridge Trust award or industrial sponsorship which you arrange through your own contacts - or be able to convince the University that you have sufficient private funds to support yourself for three years. For more information see the Costs & Funding section of the Graduate Studies Prospectus.
If you would like to visit the Laboratory some time to discuss a possible application, please feel free to get in touch. However, 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.
- Jean Bacon
- Ken Moody