Brayford Pool
MPhil: 1.5-3 years PhD: 2-4 years
MPhil: 2-4 years PhD: 3-8 years
Start Dates in October and January
This programme offers the opportunity to work alongside academic staff whose research has been internationally recognised. Researchers can benefit from a supportive community and environment in which to share ideas and experiences with the aim of advancing knowledge.
Research undertaken in the School includes advancements in computational neuroscience, biosignal analysis, machine learning, data analytics, robotics, medical imaging, AI in healthcare, games computing, VR/AR environments, human-computer interaction, agriculture, and food production.
Students can benefit from a comprehensive programme of training designed to develop key research skills and methodologies. Access is provided to industry-standard equipment and software to aid students' investigations, including VR-capable computers with headsets (e.g. HTC Vive and Oculus Rift), specialist development environments, and engineering design and simulation platforms. A supervisory team of experienced academics is available to provide guidance on students' studies and careers, and also to support publishing work in journals and presenting at conferences.
Conduct independent, original, and academically significant research
Benefit from training courses to develop key research skills
Supervision and support from academic staff
Present at talks and seminars to showcase your work
Enrol in January or October each year
Students on this programme usually work under the guidance of one main supervisor and one secondary supervisor throughout their studies, and will have access to a range of the School's facilities.
Training in research methods features in the early part of the programme and students are encouraged to present and publish their findings in national and international conferences and journals.
Due to the nature of postgraduate research programmes, the majority of time is spent in independent study and research. Students will have meetings with their academic supervisor, but the frequency of these will vary depending on individual requirements, subject area, staff availability, and stage of programme.
The School of Computer Science undertakes a blend of fundamental, applied, and interdisciplinary research. There are particular strengths in computational neuroscience, machine learning, data analytics, robotics, medical imaging, AI in healthcare, and many aspects of human computer interaction and games computing.
The key to success on a postgraduate research programme is to find a research topic that you are passionate about and identify a supervisory team that has expertise in this area. The first thing that all prospective students should do is directly contact a member of staff from one of these areas that you feel is best aligned with your chosen research area to discuss the application process further. You can explore our research centres and groups below to find out more about our current research activity.
A PhD is usually awarded based on the quality of a student's thesis, their publications in journals and international conferences, and their ability to present and successfully defend their chosen research topic in an oral examination (viva voce). They are also expected to demonstrate how their research findings have contributed to knowledge or expanded upon existing theory or understanding.
Postgraduate Research Application Support
Find out more about the application process for research degrees and what you'll need to complete on our How to Apply page, which also features contact details for dedicated support with your application.
To find out more about postgraduate research in Computer Science, you can contact the programme leader, Dr Faiz Iqbal. Dr Iqbal is an expert at the interface between AI and neuroscience and is interested in reverse engineering how the brain and mind work in order to understand the neural circuits and systems that give rise to mental experience, and to extract the neural algorithms for the design and development of more efficient intelligent methods and systems for complex data analysis.
To support your experience within the postgraduate research community, new students are encouraged to enrol in October or January. In addition to meeting peers across the University who are starting their research programme at the same time, there is access to a central training programme designed around the first three months of study, and targeted support aligned to each stage of the postgraduate research journey. Alternative enrolment dates may be agreed with your supervisor on an individual basis.
First or second class honours degree in a relevant STEM subject.
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/
Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses. These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.
Non-exempt nationals who are subject to time-limited immigration permission (e.g. Student visa, dependent visa, refugee status) will be required to obtain an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) certificate to enrol on this programme. For further guidance on ATAS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme
You will need to have funding in place for your studies before you arrive at the University. Our fees vary depending on the course, mode of study, and whether you are a UK or international student. You can view the breakdown of fees for this programme below. Research students may be required to pay additional fees in addition to cover the cost of specialist resources, equipment and access to any specialist collections that may be required to support their research project. These will be informed by your research proposal and will be calculated on an individual basis.
Loans and Studentships
Find out more about the options available to support your postgraduate research, from Master's and Doctoral Loans, to research studentship opportunities. You can also find out more about how to pay your fees and access support from our helpful advisors.
A doctoral qualification can be the capstone of academic achievement and often marks the beginning of a career in academia or research. A research programme provides the opportunity to become a true expert in your chosen field, while developing a range of valuable transferable skills that can support your career progression. A research-based degree is also the most direct pathway to an academic career. PhDs and research degrees are a great chance to expand your network and meet diverse people with similar interests, knowledge, and passion.
The University’s Doctoral School provides a focal point for Lincoln’s community of researchers, where ideas and experiences can be developed and shared across disciplines. It also offers support and training to help equip you for both academic and non-academic careers.
For more information about this course, please contact:
Dr Faiz Iqbal
FIqbal@lincoln.ac.uk
Through our research, we are striving to change society for the better. Working with regional, national, and international partners, our academics are engaged in groundbreaking studies that are challenging the status quo. We also understand the importance of providing the best possible environment for pursuing research that can support our communities and make a tangible difference to the world around us.
