Prospective research students
Our PhD and MSc by Research degrees enjoy worldwide prestige and we offer postgraduate programmes of outstanding quality.
Postgraduate students benefit from the best possible support and supervision and, on graduating, they are well qualified to take up key posts in industry and academia.
The School's academic staff, organised in five research sections, offer a diverse range of specialisms ranging from formal methods and machine learning to human-computer interaction.
A list of currently available projects and funding opportunities can be found here:
My PhD: Habiba Farzand
Hear our PhD student Habiba from Pakistan tell you about her project on security of smartphones to strengthen future technology’s ability to address privacy concerns.
Applying for a PhD/MPhil/MSCR
Applying to study for a PhD, MPhil, or MScR in Computing Science at the University of Glasgow is straightforward — we use the same application system for all three degrees.
We strongly encourage you to contact a potential supervisor before applying. This gives you the chance to discuss your research interests, get feedback on your proposal, and make sure your application is well aligned with the School’s research expertise.
To apply, you will need to submit an online application with the following:
- Name of a potential supervisor (contact them in advance).
- A Computing Science–specific research proposal.
- Two references on headed paper (at least one academic; the second can be academic or professional).
- A letter from a potential PhD supervisor is acceptable if they have supervised you in another capacity.
- Degree transcripts (final or current, including grades; colour scanned copy of the original document and official translation if needed).
- Degree certificates (plus official translation if needed).
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Evidence of meeting English language requirements for the College of Science & Engineering.
- Any additional documents required by a scholarship scheme (e.g. Minerva Scholarship applicants must include a teaching statement).
Find out more about the application process:
How to apply for a postgraduate research degree
Help with your application
If you need support identifying a supervisor or shaping your proposal, please contact:
Research Student Committee
School of Computing Science
Room F162
Tel: 0141 330 8626
Email: socs-pgr-enquiries@glasgow.ac.uk
Support and Resources for Research Students
As a Computing Science research student, you will benefit from:
- excellent supervision and a supportive research community
- a dedicated workspace and computing facilities (an office shared with 3–4 peers in your field and a personal computer)
- access to a sophisticated computing environment, extensive library services, and active academic networks
- weekly research group discussions and a regular seminar series featuring distinguished international speakers
- opportunities to audit taught courses at Honours and Masters level to broaden your expertise.
Tuition fees and scholarships
Full details of tuition fees can be found on the Computing Science PhD/MPhil/MSc Research programme page.
If you are awarded a scholarship, your fees will typically be covered for the duration of your degree. More information about scholarships can be found on the Scholarships and funding opportunities page.
Writing a research proposal
A research proposal is an essential part of your application. It demonstrates your knowledge, originality, creativity, and potential as a researcher.
Your proposal should reflect your research interests. You may not ultimately work on exactly the same topic, but your proposal allows us to assess your skills and fit.
We recommend that you discuss your draft with a prospective supervisor before submitting.
What to include
A strong proposal is typically 3 to 4 pages (A4, font size 11, standard margins, single line spacing) excluding the bibliography and any figures. Your proposal should cover:
- Overview: motivation, background, research questions/aims, significance.
- Literature survey: position your research and contextualise your aims.
- Research direction: specific objectives.
- Research design and methodology.
- Timeline (e.g. Gantt chart).
- References: works central to your research.
Other structures are acceptable, but the above points should be addressed.
Use our Research Proposal Template.
Refer to examples of successful research proposals: FATA 1, FATA 2, and GIST 3.
Already funded projects
If you are applying to a pre-defined funded project, ask your supervisor whether you need to provide a full proposal.
Contact
Email socs-pgr-enquiries@glasgow.ac.uk for more information.
Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs)
CDT in Socially Intelligent Artificial Agents (SOCIAL)
Led by Professor Alessandro Vinciarelli in our School, SOCIAL brings together researchers from Computing Science, Psychology and the Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology with 16 industrial partners to train students on Socially Intelligent Artificial Agents.
The overarching goal of the CDT is to shape the next generation of experts in Artificial Social Intelligence. It is the AI domain aimed at endowing artificial agents with social intelligence: the ability to deal with users’ attitudes intentions, feelings, personality and expectations.
As well as training in key areas of AI such as human-computer interaction and machine learning, students will be trained by specialists in fields such as psychology, social sciences, ethics and neuroscience. Research will be developed in collaboration with industry partners to address real-world industry problems. Each PhD project will have an interdisciplinary supervisory team and/or industrial associate.
The CDT offers a PhD in Computing Science and Psychology with integrated study.
CDT in Diversity Led, Mission Driven Research (DiveIn)
DiveIn prioritises diversity, creating an inclusive space for varied talents to produce transformative interdisciplinary research in Net Zero, AI and Big Data, Technology Touching Life, Future Telecoms, Quantum Technologies and more. This CDT champions interdisciplinary research across the six schools of the College of Science and Engineering.
The 4-year PhD offers fully funded studentships with the provision of an enhanced stipend, aiming to remove financial barriers and open doors to a PhD journey for all.
Students will take part in a bespoke training programme and will be supported with networking opportunities and tailored coaching to help them navigate challenges and seize new opportunities during their PhD. In addition, DiveIn has won the backing of a wide range of industry partners who will provide input and offer research and placement opportunities for our students.
Our research community
Research Student Committee (RSC)
The RSC oversees the experience of PhD, MPhil, and MScR students. Its responsibilities include monitoring progress, handling administration from admission through to viva, and facilitating communication between students and staff via student representatives. Both staff and student representatives can raise matters of interest at RSC meetings. Students are encouraged to approach representatives or RSC members directly with any problems.
Research Community and Activities
Research students are part of a vibrant community with regular opportunities to learn and collaborate, including:
- group research discussions (weekly term-time talks and discussions led by group members or invited speakers)
- seminar series (broad-interest talks from international experts, open to all students)
- research groups aligned with our School’s research sections and research themes.
These events help you build knowledge in your field and connect with peers and academics across the School.
Scholarships and funding opportunities
Discover a range of scholarships, available to both UK and international applicants.
PhD projects and funding opportunities
Browse our funding opportunities and PhD project proposals.