MPhil: minimum 12 months full time; minimum 24 months part time
PhD: minimum 36 months full time; minimum 72 months part time
Fees per academic year 2013-14
UK and EU: full time £4,320 part time £2,160
International: full time £14,180 part time fees
Fees vary according to the exact nature of the research project.
More information is available about tuition fees and discounts.
MPhil/PhD supervision is organised into five main research groups, each encompassing a number of leading-edge topics. The groups are:
Biology, neuroscience and computing
Bioinformatics; synthetic biology; software systems for bioinformatics; integrative computational biology; bio-ontologies; bio-inspired computation; computational modelling of biological systems; computational neuroscience; analysis and modelling of complex systems (Dr P Andras, Dr J Hallinan, Dr M Kaiser, Dr P Lord, Professor A Wipat).
Concurrent asynchronous systems
Theoretical aspects of concurrency; higher-order algebraic methods; analysis and development of concurrent systems; formal methods for VLSI; formal methods for systems biology; support systems for formal development of software (Dr J Fitzgerald, Professor C Jones, Dr V Khomenko, Professor M Koutny, Dr M Pietkiewicz-Koutny, Dr J Steggles).
Dependability
Technologies for resilient systems; system and information security; password technologies; fault-tolerant architectures; dynamic systems and reconfiguration for dependability; interdisciplinary approaches to dependable systems; formal development methods and tools (Professor T Anderson, Dr J Fitzgerald, Dr T Gross, Dr F Hao, Professor C Jones, Dr L Marshall, Dr C Mu, Professor B Randell, Dr S Riddle, Professor A Romanovsky, Dr K Wolters, Dr J Yan).
Human–computer interaction
User-centred computing; ubiquitous computing; user experience analysis; life experience enhancing and improving applications for the elderly and people with cognitive impairment; immersive technologies; digitally supported social inclusion; psychological, sociological and anthropological aspects of human–computer interactions (Dr M Balaam, Dr D Kirk, Dr L Marshall, Professor P Olivier, Dr T Plotz, Professor P Wright).
Systems
Middleware for service-oriented computing; computer networks; distributed virtual environments; protocols, algorithms and services for security and reliability; quality-of-service management; ad-hoc networks and applications; game technologies; virtual environments; mobile computing; enterprise computing; probabilistic modelling, performance evaluation and optimisation of computer systems; distributed, grid and peer-to-peer databases; frameworks for e-science; human-computer interaction in mobile and pervasive systems; ambient intelligence; ubiquitous systems (Dr N Cook, Dr P Ezhilchelvan, Dr T Gross, Dr F Hao, Dr G Morgan, Dr J Palmer, Professor S Shrivastava, Dr N Speirs, Dr N Thomas, Dr A Tully, Professor A van Moorsel, Professor P Watson).
There are also cross-cutting research themes that involve staff from several research groups including: complex systems; cultural computing; security; e-science; pedagogical research; and cybercrime.
For more information about staff specialisms please see the School's website.
The School of Computing Science offers an exciting environment for graduate students in its five research groups and its recognised specialist centres. The School has consistently been awarded high research ratings in national and international assessments. The PhD provides substantial training in research methods and tools and gives you an opportunity to make a unique contribution to computer science research. You work under the guidance of an experienced computer scientist within a research group and with the support of a team of advisers. Before you begin, you choose a broad area of interest within computing science and a supervisor with appropriate expertise.
The first year involves background research to help you identify an open research question and to formulate an approach to answering it; you also take short courses on research skills, innovation and career development. Following approval of your detailed research topic, the remaining time is spent conducting your supervised programme of research, and writing a thesis which is assessed in an oral examination. The MPhil programme provides a grounding in research skills and works towards a thesis which shows self-direction and originality in solving research-related problems.
Our Science, Agriculture and Engineering Graduate School also provides training in professional/key skills and research techniques, supports personal development, hosts postgraduate events and has links with several specialist graduate training networks.
A first-class or upper-second-class Honours degree or a Master’s degree (or qualifications of comparable standing) in computer science or a related discipline. For research in complex systems, bio- or neuroinformatics, human-computer interaction and business, social and theoretical computing, we also accept degrees in subjects relevant to those research areas. Applicants whose first language is not English require IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 90 (Internet-based), or equivalent.
Our INTO Newcastle University Centre can provide extra tuition to help you meet the University's English language requirements.
The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has rules for international students regarding minimum English language requirements.
International Students, consult your own government for funding. The University offers International Scholarships, and there are funding opportunities by external organisations available.
Students should consult their employers for sponsorship opportunities.
Visit our postgraduate application site.
Applications are considered throughout the year, although specific deadlines for funding may apply. Further application advice is available from the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering.
There are three possible start dates for your research degree:
• 7 January 2013
• 15 April 2013
• or 23 September 2013
However these dates are not mandatory and in some circumstances permission can be granted for alternative start dates.
Please note: As a formal condition of the offer to study at Newcastle University, students from outside the UK/EU are required to pay a deposit of £1,500 or submit an official letter of sponsorship for their chosen programme. The deposit payment is non refundable, but will be deducted from tuition fees upon registration.
For further information please contact:
Admissions Secretary
School of Computing Science
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 222 8072
E-mail: cs.admissions@ncl.ac.uk
This programme is within the subject area of Computer Science.