Computer Science PhD

The PhD is the primary research degree that can be taken in the Department of Computer Science and Technology. The Cambridge PhD is a three to four-year programme of individual research on a topic agreed by the student and the Department, under the guidance of a staff member as the students supervisor. <br/><br/>All research students are admitted to read for the PhD degree on a probationary basis and will be registered for the Certificate of Postgraduate Study (CPGS) in the first instance. During this year students may do some additional coursework and will write a research report that is likely to form the foundation of the eventual PhD thesis. The CPGS will involve four components:<br/><br/><br/>- Research skills training<br/><br/><br/>- Practical work<br/><br/><br/>- Research report of no more than 10,000 words<br/><br/><br/>- Attendance at a research workshops and research seminars<br/><br/><br/>At the end of the third term and on completion of the CPGS, students whose performance indicates that they would be able to complete a PhD in a reasonable time will be upgraded to PhD status. A student who is not upgraded to PhD status, and who has completed three terms of study, will normally be awarded the CPGS alone. They will not submit a thesis for the PhD degree.<br/><br/>There is an expectation that all research students will contribute to teaching in the department for which some training will be provided. Research students will submit a log - or tally-sheet - of teaching activities annually at the end of June. <br/><br/>Students are expected to complete the substance of their research by the end of their third year, submitting their thesis then or within a few months.<br/><br/>Applicants wishing to apply to undertake a PhD on a part-time basis should refer to the Departments admissions advice for potential part-time students.