Overview
The PhD Computer Science programme at Durham supports original research in artificial intelligence, distributed systems, cybersecurity, and software engineering. After doctoral coursework, you will join a research group aligned with your interests, contribute to publications, and defend a dissertation that advances the state of the art. Our faculty maintain active collaborations with European and African universities, offering co-supervision and exchange opportunities.
PhD Computer Science is taught as one award, not a list of unrelated modules. The published length is 3–5 years, and the credit total is 60. Students move from Advanced Algorithms & Complexity through Advanced Algorithms & Complexity; Research Methods in Computer Science; Specialist Doctoral Seminar (elective area); Doctoral Research Skills & Ethics; PhD Candidacy Examination; Doctoral Dissertation Research, and finish on Doctoral Dissertation Research.
Each course has a question, a method, and a submission. In this field, students specify a small system, show how it was tested, and state how it fails. Reading is a specification, a test note, and an incident or post-mortem. The artefact a marker expects is a specification or reviewed component with tests and a trade-off note.
The award is built so that a graduate can do the following in practice: Conduct publishable research in a specialised area of computer science Master advanced mathematical and experimental methods in computing Present research at international conferences and in peer-reviewed journals
Teaching assumes the student can read a source, attempt a problem before the seminar, and revise after feedback. Attendance at live seminars is part of the design. The capstone or final course must use the methods of the earlier courses; a project that ignores them does not pass.
The pages for each course name the topics that are examined. Those topics are the syllabus. A brochure line is not a substitute for them.
Research groups meet weekly with paper readings and prototype demos. GPU cloud credits support ML dissertations. Co-supervision with partner universities in Europe and Africa is available for comparative systems research.
Who This Programme Is For
- ✦MSc graduates aiming for academic or industrial research careers
- ✦Senior engineers contributing publishable novel systems work
- ✦Entrepreneurs building IP-heavy deep-tech ventures
Faculty spotlight
Professor James Okello leads the Security & Systems lab; Dr. Elena Vasquez directs the Responsible AI research cluster.
Programme Structure & Delivery
Coursework
Interactive modules, weekly readings, recorded and live seminars, and collaborative discussions with peers worldwide.
Assessment
Module assignments, proctored examinations, and capstone projects designed to demonstrate mastery of the field.
Learning Outcomes
- ✦Conduct publishable research in a specialised area of computer science
- ✦Master advanced mathematical and experimental methods in computing
- ✦Present research at international conferences and in peer-reviewed journals
- ✦Supervise MSc students and contribute to departmental research culture
- ✦Translate research into open-source tools or industry partnerships
- ✦Submit papers to peer-reviewed venues with supervisory support
- ✦Open-source research artefacts with documented reproducibility
Career Pathways
- ✦University Researcher or Professor
- ✦Industrial Research Scientist (Google, Microsoft, etc.)
- ✦R&D Lab Director
- ✦Technical Fellow / Distinguished Engineer
- ✦Startup CTO with deep research credentials
Assessment
Modules are assessed through a published mix of coursework, applied projects, and examinations. Exam windows are announced in advance so students in other time zones are not forced into overnight sittings. Alternative arrangements are available where documented.
Curriculum
Year 1 — Doctoral Coursework
PCS701Advanced Algorithms & Complexity- PCS701-M1 · The question, the unit of analysis, and data quality — Advanced Algorithms & Complexity
- PCS701-M2 · Features, baselines, and error — Advanced Algorithms & Complexity
- PCS701-M3 · Validation, leakage, and what the model must not decide — Advanced Algorithms & Complexity
- PCS701-M4 · Monitoring, drift, and human review — Advanced Algorithms & Complexity
- PCS701-M5 · Interpretation for a non-technical decision maker — Advanced Algorithms & Complexity
- PCS701-M6 · A supervised project with method, result, and limitation — Advanced Algorithms & Complexity
6 creditsPCS702Research Methods in Computer Science- PCS702-M1 · Users, components, and the interface between parts — Research Methods in Computer Science
- PCS702-M2 · Build, test, failure, and fix — Research Methods in Computer Science
- PCS702-M3 · Deployment, logs, and recovery — Research Methods in Computer Science
- PCS702-M4 · Trade-offs the designer must defend — Research Methods in Computer Science
- PCS702-M5 · Security and failure in ordinary operation — Research Methods in Computer Science
- PCS702-M6 · A supervised build or design with a defence — Research Methods in Computer Science
6 creditsPCS703Specialist Doctoral Seminar (elective area)- PCS703-M1 · Users, components, and the interface between parts — Specialist Doctoral Seminar (elective area)
- PCS703-M2 · Build, test, failure, and fix — Specialist Doctoral Seminar (elective area)
- PCS703-M3 · Deployment, logs, and recovery — Specialist Doctoral Seminar (elective area)
- PCS703-M4 · Trade-offs the designer must defend — Specialist Doctoral Seminar (elective area)
- PCS703-M5 · Security and failure in ordinary operation — Specialist Doctoral Seminar (elective area)
- PCS703-M6 · A supervised build or design with a defence — Specialist Doctoral Seminar (elective area)
6 creditsPCS704Doctoral Research Skills & Ethics- PCS704-M1 · Users, components, and the interface between parts — Doctoral Research Skills & Ethics
- PCS704-M2 · Build, test, failure, and fix — Doctoral Research Skills & Ethics
- PCS704-M3 · Deployment, logs, and recovery — Doctoral Research Skills & Ethics
- PCS704-M4 · Trade-offs the designer must defend — Doctoral Research Skills & Ethics
- PCS704-M5 · Security and failure in ordinary operation — Doctoral Research Skills & Ethics
- PCS704-M6 · A supervised build or design with a defence — Doctoral Research Skills & Ethics
6 creditsYears 2–5 — Research
PCS801PhD Candidacy Examination- PCS801-M1 · Users, components, and the interface between parts — PhD Candidacy Examination
- PCS801-M2 · Build, test, failure, and fix — PhD Candidacy Examination
- PCS801-M3 · Deployment, logs, and recovery — PhD Candidacy Examination
- PCS801-M4 · Trade-offs the designer must defend — PhD Candidacy Examination
- PCS801-M5 · Security and failure in ordinary operation — PhD Candidacy Examination
- PCS801-M6 · A supervised build or design with a defence — PhD Candidacy Examination
0 creditsPCS802Doctoral Dissertation Research- PCS802-M1 · Users, components, and the interface between parts — Doctoral Dissertation Research
- PCS802-M2 · Build, test, failure, and fix — Doctoral Dissertation Research
- PCS802-M3 · Deployment, logs, and recovery — Doctoral Dissertation Research
- PCS802-M4 · Trade-offs the designer must defend — Doctoral Dissertation Research
- PCS802-M5 · Security and failure in ordinary operation — Doctoral Dissertation Research
- PCS802-M6 · A supervised build or design with a defence — Doctoral Dissertation Research
36 creditsAdmission requirements
Academic entry
- Master's degree in a related discipline from an accredited institution
English language
- English proficiency: IELTS 5.5 or equivalent for research writing
Documents
- Three academic references, at least one from a previous supervisor
Research & interview
- Research proposal (1,500–2,000 words) aligned with faculty research areas
- Interview with the doctoral admissions panel (online)
- Evidence of prior research output (publications, thesis, or professional reports) preferred
Programme questions
How long is the PhD Computer Science?+
The published duration is 3–5 years. Teaching language: English. Actual time-to-complete depends on mode and any recognised prior learning.
Can I study this from my country?+
This is a fully online award. You study from your country. No student visa and no campus relocation are required.
What does it cost?+
Degree tuition for this award is published as £0 / tuition-free on the online pathway. Examination or administrative fees may apply at checkout — never an annual tuition invoice. Check the Fees page for any extras.
What are the entry requirements?+
Requirements are grouped on this page (academic, English, documents, research). Equivalent qualifications are considered. English may be waived after prior English-medium study.
How is the programme assessed?+
Assessment is typically a mix of coursework, projects, and examinations. Doctoral awards include a thesis or dissertation and an oral examination. Details sit in the programme specification and module outlines.
Will this award be recognised where I live?+
Recognition of the award for local employment, professional licence, or ministry attestation is decided by your employer or regulator. Durham University publishes verification pages for certificates. We do not claim automatic equivalence in every country.
How do I apply?+
Start an application on this website. Progress is saved from the first step. Admissions: admissions@durhm.co.uk.
