PhD Computing at Birmingham City University

Programme overview

We welcome enquiries relating to hardware of telecommunications, computer networks, games technology, electronic engineering and software engineering. Areas of research in which staff are currently active include gaming, e-business, home automation, learning technologies, intelligent systems, security and forensics, robotics and cloud computing. Contact Doctoral Research College (DRC) admissions for more information.

Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment | Department: Computing | Duration: 3-4 years full-time; 4-7 years part-time; 4-7 years distance learning | Study mode: full-time/online/part-time | Intake: September 2026, February 2027, May 2027 | Location: Birmingham, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

A PhD, “Doctor of Philosophy”, is the highest-level qualification, based on individual and detailed research, resulting in a thesis of about 80,000 words. We offer specialist supervision if you wish to pursue research programmes for the award of PhD. You may undertake your research either full-time or part-time.

Career pathways

The Doctor of Philosophy or PhD is recognised worldwide and is often an essential requirement for those wishing to follow an academic or research career in industry or commerce. For some jobs a PhD is virtually a necessity – in the academic world.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

PhD applicants will normally be expected to hold a Master's degree in a relevant area. You will need to complete the research degree application form and provide a statement of your initial research ideas (we advise between 1,000 and 2,000 words, with full referencing to relevant literature).

Domestic applicants: GBP 5,238 a year (2026/27). full-time, 3-4 years; annual tuition for the first year of study Source

International applicants: GBP 9,640 a year (2026/27). distance learning, 4-7 years; annual tuition for the first year of study Source

Intake: September 2026, February 2027, May 2027

Duration: 3-4 years full-time; 4-7 years part-time; 4-7 years distance learning

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