University of York

What you'll study

The PhD is a research degree centred on an extended piece of original research leading to a thesis and viva voce. You will work closely with one or more supervisors to define and execute a research programme that advances knowledge in your chosen topic. Research areas within the Department commonly include artificial intelligence and machine learning, robotics and perception, formal methods and verification, programming languages and software engineering, security and privacy, algorithms and complexity, and data-centric computing.

Although the emphasis is on independent research, doctoral candidates at York benefit from a structured programme of researcher training. Typical components include:

• Regular supervision meetings and an annual progress review process.
• Research seminars, reading groups and department-wide colloquia where you present work and get feedback.
• Training in research methods, scientific writing, ethics and reproducibility, and transferable skills such as project management and public engagement.
• Opportunities to take selected taught modules or short courses where relevant to your research, for example advanced machine learning, formal verification techniques, or human-centred design.
• Collaboration with other groups, industry partners or interdisciplinary centres where relevant to the project.

PhD study typically leads to the production of a thesis that presents the research question, methodology, results and their significance, followed by an oral examination.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a good undergraduate degree and a relevant master's qualification or equivalent research experience in computer science or a closely related field. Strong candidates typically have a Master's by research (MRes, MSc by dissertation) or substantial research or industrial experience that demonstrates readiness for doctoral study.

Selection is based on the strength of your academic record, a research proposal or statement of research interests, the fit with available supervisors and research groups, and references. Some projects are advertised with specific required skills (for example experience with formal methods, machine learning frameworks, robotics platforms or programming language implementation) and successful applicants should demonstrate those competencies.

International applicants whose first language is not English will need to meet the University’s English language requirements. Applicants may also be invited for an interview with prospective supervisors as part of the assessment.

Career prospects

A PhD in Computer Science from York prepares graduates for a wide range of careers. Many go on to academic posts such as postdoctoral researcher or lecturer, while others move into research roles in industry including R&D teams, machine learning engineering, security architecture, software architecture and data science. PhD graduates are also well placed for senior technical or leadership roles in technology companies, strategy and consultancy roles that require deep technical expertise, and for founding or joining high-technology start-ups. Additional routes include policy roles, technical publishing, and positions in public sector research organisations.

Why study at University of York

The University of York offers a research environment with active, internationally connected groups and strong links to industry and interdisciplinary centres. You will be supervised by academics who publish in leading venues and who often secure collaborative funding, creating opportunities for joint projects and placements. The department supports doctoral development through formal training, mentorship schemes and a programme of seminars and workshops that foster a research culture.

York provides access to computing facilities, specialised labs and high-performance computing resources, alongside professional services for postgraduate researchers covering wellbeing, careers and research support. The collegiate campus setting and proximity to regional tech clusters give added opportunities for networking and collaboration beyond the University.

Overall, a PhD at York combines focused individual research with a supportive training environment and routes into academic and industrial research careers.