PhD Artificial Intelligence at University of Essex

Programme overview

PhD research supervision at Colchester Campus in all areas of artificial intelligence, including explainable AI, generative AI, analytics and data science, natural language and information processing, games and AI, future health and theoretical AI. Research is applied and interdisciplinary, combining AI with health, finance, psychology and life sciences.

Faculty: School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering | Department: School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering | Duration: 3 - 4 years (full-time) | Intake: January 2027 (also October or April, full-time or part-time) | Study mode: full-time; part-time | Location: Colchester, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

There is no taught structure: you develop your chosen research topic with a supervisor, refining research skills and building on the technical knowledge from your taught degree. Progress is reviewed through supervisory arrangements and the research is written up as a thesis.

Career pathways

PhD graduates generally go on to careers as academics or as researchers in industry, with former students employed at companies such as BT Group and BAE Systems and at universities worldwide.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A good Masters degree, or equivalent, in a related subject, a well-developed research proposal and experience in at least one high-level programming language (such as Matlab, Java or Python). Applicants are normally interviewed and acceptance is subject to research expertise in the department. International applicants: IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component.

Domestic applicants: GBP 5,238 a year Source

International applicants: GBP 20,625 a year Source

Intake: January 2027 (also October or April, full-time or part-time)

Duration: 3 - 4 years (full-time)

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