PhD Computing Research Degrees

The PhD Computer Research Degrees at Birmingham City University are designed to enable students to explore research areas related to hardware of telecommunications, computer networks, game technology and software engineering. Staff members are actively engaged in research fields including e-business, home automation, and learning technologies. 

Specialist supervision is available for individuals wishing to pursue research programmes leading to the award of a PhD. Research can be undertaken on either a full-time or part-time basis. Upon acceptance into the PhD programme, candidates will be assigned a Director of Studies (the primary supervisor) along with at least one second supervisor. A structured programme of training workshops and seminars will be provided to support the research journey.

Research students benefit from exposure to an inclusive academic community and are encouraged to engage in seminars, publish with supervisors, and participate in national and international conferences. The faculty also hosts a growing research student community that organises both social and academic events.

As part of the application process, applicants are expected to submit a research proposal that outlines their intended area of study, its significance, and the approach they plan to take.

Grade Requirements:

• Candidates are expected to make enquiries into available programmes of interest.

English Proficiency:

• International students must show English language proficiency equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no individual component scoring below 6.0.

For international students enrolling in the PhD Computer Research Degrees at Birmingham City University, the tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year are £15,100.

Birmingham City University offers financial help to students from the UK and other countries who are starting their first degree. If you are an international student beginning your studies in September 2025, you might be able to get a scholarship of up to £2,000. This money will reduce the amount you need to pay for your first year of study. Generally, this scholarship is given to students who have good grades from their previous studies.

Graduates of the PhD Computer Research Degrees from Birmingham City University can pursue various career roles, including:

• Research Scientist
• Machine Language Engineer
• Computer Vision Specialist 
• Tech Founder
• AI Ethics Researcher
• Quantitative Analyst

Applications for the  PhD Computer Research Degrees programme are made online through Birmingham University’s website. Our trained counsellors are available to help applicants understand and meet the entry requirements.