phd computer science cambridge university

Study at Cambridge

About the university, research at cambridge.

• Events and open days
• Fees and finance
• Student blogs and videos
• Why Cambridge
• Course directory
• How to apply
• Fees and funding
• Frequently asked questions
• International students
• Continuing education
• Executive and professional education
• Courses in education
• How the University and Colleges work
• Visiting the University
• Term dates and calendars
• Video and audio
• Find an expert
• Publications
• Global Cambridge
• Public engagement
• Give to Cambridge
• For current students
• For business
• Colleges & departments
• Libraries & facilities
• Museums & collections
• Email & phone search
• Computer Laboratory

List of PhD students

Department of Computer Science and Technology

• Academic staff
• Support staff
• Contract researchers
• Fellows & affiliates
• PhD students
• Wednesday Seminar Series
• Wheeler Lectures
• women@cl 10th Anniversary
• Computer Laboratory 75th Anniversary
• Shopping and leisure
• Library induction
• Electronic resources
• Virtual journals shelf
• Local services
• Lab technical reports
• External technical reports
• Resource lists
• Reading lists
• Maps and directions
• Contact information
• Group Meetings
• Project ideas for current students
• Projects and research topics
• [no title found]
• Selected Publications
• Open source components
• Contact Details
• Applying to do a PhD
• Project suggestions
• Other information
• Reading Club
• Postgraduate opportunities
• Programming, Logic, Semantics
• Projects and topics
• Security Seminar Series
• Mailing lists
• Research Projects
• Student Projects
• Digital Technology Group
• Research Admin
• PhD applications
• Graduate Admissions Prospectus
• Funding deadlines
• MPhil in Advanced Computer Science
• Premium Research Studentship
• Student Administration
• Induction for M.Phil and Part III students
• Part III and ACS projects
• Part IA CST
• Part IB CST
• Part II CST
• Lecturer index
• Instructions for lecturers
• Examination dates
• Examination results
• Examiners' reports
• Plagiarism and collusion
• Purchase of calculators
• Data Retention Policy
• Past exam papers
• Guidance on deadlines
• Part III Assessment
• MPhil Assessment
• Student Complaint Procedure
• Short form timetable
• Part II supervisions overview
• Part II sign-up dates
• Notes on supervising
• Supervisor support
• Advice for students visiting Cambridge
• UROP internships
• Previous years
• Briefing document (Pink Book)
• Important dates
• Phase 1 report
• Back-up advice
• Resources Declaration
• Studies Involving Human Participants
• Failure to submit proposal
• Selection Tips
• Declaration of originality
• Submission of dissertation
• IP ownership
• Diploma model projects
• Older project suggestions
• Supervising Notes
• Overseer Briefing Notes
• Directors of Studies
• Managed Cluster Service
• Part III and MPhil machines
• Online services
• Installing Linux
• Microsoft Azure for Education Membership
• Neil Wiseman, 1934–1995
• Roger Needham, 1935–2003
• David Wheeler, 1927–2004
• Karen Spärck Jones, 1935–2007
• Judith Ann Bailey, 1934–2008
• Robin Milner, 1934–2010
• Sir Maurice Wilkes, 1913–2010
• Michael JC Gordon, 1948–2017
• Richard Gibbens, 1962–2018
• Ross J Anderson, 1956–2024
• An introduction to our computing facilities
• Information for new PhD students
• Information for new staff
• Information for visitors
• Information for hosts of visitors
• General information
• Induction Guidelines
• Specialist resources
• Printing and scanning
• The CL network
• SSH access to the CL systems
• Supported platforms
• Generic Unix/Linux information
• Web servers and sites
• The RT ticketing system
• Lecture theatre AV
• Departmental policies
• Meeting rooms
• Personnel information
• Staff training
• Wiseman prize
• General health and safety
• Environment
• H&S policies & committees
• Risk assessment
• Laser safety
• Useful links
• Index of Health & Safety pages
• PhD supervisors
• Graduate Advisers
• First Year Report: PhD Proposal
• Second Year Report: Dissertation Schedule
• Third Year Report: Progress Statement
• Fourth Year Report: the last year
• Papers and conferences
• Thesis formatting
• Submitting your dissertation
• Exemption from University Composition Fees
• Leave to work away, holidays and intermission
• Researcher Development
• Application deadlines
• List of PhD thesis
• Graduate Students' Forum
• PAT, recycling and Building Services
• Preparing Tripos exam questions in LaTeX
• Information for CST examiners
• Information for Directors of Studies
• ACS module definition
• Providing advice to incoming ACS students
• ACS interviewing and admissions
• Outreach material
• Faculty Board
• Degree Committee
• Graduate Education
• Tripos Management
• Health & Safety
• IT Strategy
• Equality and Diversity
• Research Staff
• Staff–Student
• Graduate Students
• Buildings and Environment
• Discontinued committees
• Building Services
• Access and security
• Care of the WGB
• Facilities in offices
• Energy & Environment
• West Cambridge Site
• Leaving the department
• by supervisor

List of finished PhD students

Below is a list of all the PhD theses so far recommended by the Computer Science Degree Committee to the Board of Graduate Studies for approval (which can in some cases mean that there are still corrections to be made before final approval). Fully approved Cambridge PhDs are listed in the University Library thesis catalog .

All authors are encouraged to publish their approved thesis as a Computer Laboratory Technical Report . Where available, the table below links to that public tech-report version of the thesis. Where available, it also links the local PDF version uploaded by the student , which now also includes files that were in the past collected by Lise Gough in /usr/groups/studentadmin/PhD_theses. (The local PDFs are only accessible to members of the Computer Laboratory and may in some cases not yet contain any final corrections required by the examiners.)

Note: If a Computer Laboratory research student's PhD is not listed here, then it might have been dealt with by the Mathematics Degree Committee (this includes any pre-1987 Computer Laboratory PhD) or by the Engineering Degree Committee (this applies to some early ones in the Digital Technology Group).

• Newton catalogue: University Library Theses
• Theses - Computer Science and Technology , Apollo - University of Cambridge Repository (We will automatically link to thesis copies uploaded to Apollo once that repository offers an API and captures the author’s CRSID.)
• University A-Z
• Contact the University
• Accessibility
• Freedom of information
• Terms and conditions
• Undergraduate
• Spotlight on...
• About research at Cambridge

• Internal wiki

PhD Programme in Advanced Machine Learning

The Cambridge Machine Learning Group (MLG) runs a PhD programme in Advanced Machine Learning. The supervisors are Jose Miguel Hernandez-Lobato , Carl Rasmussen , Richard E. Turner , Adrian Weller , Hong Ge and David Krueger . Zoubin Ghahramani is currently on academic leave and not accepting new students at this time.

We encourage applications from outstanding candidates with academic backgrounds in Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Engineering and related fields, and a keen interest in doing basic research in machine learning and its scientific applications. There are no additional restrictions on the topic of the PhD, but for further information on our current research areas, please consult our webpages at http://mlg.eng.cam.ac.uk .

The typical duration of the PhD will be four years.

Applicants must formally apply through the Applicant Portal at the University of Cambridge by the deadline, indicating “PhD in Engineering” as the course (supervisor Hernandez-Lobato, Rasmussen, Turner, Weller, Ge and/or Krueger). Applicants who want to apply for University funding need to reply ‘Yes’ to the question ‘Apply for Cambridge Scholarships’. See http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/students/gradadmissions/prospec/apply/deadlines.html for details. Note that applications will not be complete until all the required material has been uploaded (including reference letters), and we will not be able to see any applications until that happens.

Gates funding applicants (US or other overseas) need to fill out the dedicated Gates Cambridge Scholarships section later on the form which is sent on to the administrators of Gates funding.

Deadline for PhD Application: noon 5 December, 2023

Applications from outstanding individuals may be considered after this time, but applying later may adversely impact your chances for both admission and funding.

FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT COMPLETING THE ADMISSIONS FORMS:

The Machine Learning Group is based in the Department of Engineering, not Computer Science.

We will assess your application on three criteria:

1 Academic performance (ensure evidence for strong academic achievement, e.g. position in year, awards, etc.) 2 references (clearly your references will need to be strong; they should also mention evidence of excellence as quotes will be drawn from them) 3 research (detail your research experience, especially that which relates to machine learning)

You will also need to put together a research proposal. We do not offer individual support for this. It is part of the application assessment, i.e. ascertaining whether you can write about a research area in a sensible way and pose interesting questions. It is not a commitment to what you will work on during your PhD. Most often PhD topics crystallise over the first year. The research proposal should be about 2 pages long and can be attached to your application (you can indicate that your proposal is attached in the 1500 character count Research Summary box). This aspect of the application does not carry a huge amount of weight so do not spend a large amount of time on it. Please also attach a recent CV to your application too.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE CAMBRIDGE-TUEBINGEN PROGRAMME:

We also offer a small number of PhDs on the Cambridge-Tuebingen programme. This stream is for specific candidates whose research interests are well-matched to both the machine learning group in Cambridge and the MPI for Intelligent Systems in Tuebingen. For more information about the Cambridge-Tuebingen programme and how to apply see here . IMPORTANT: remember to download your application form before you submit so that you can send a copy to the administrators in Tuebingen directly . Note that the application deadline for the Cambridge-Tuebingen programme is noon, 5th December, 2023, CET.

What background do I need?

An ideal background is a top undergraduate or Masters degree in Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, or Electrical Engineering. You should be both very strong mathematically and have an intuitive and practical grasp of computation. Successful applicants often have research experience in statistical machine learning. Shortlisted applicants are interviewed.

Do you have funding?

There are a number of funding sources at Cambridge University for PhD students, including for international students. All our students receive partial or full funding for the full three years of the PhD. We do not give preference to “self-funded” students. To be eligible for funding it is important to apply early (see https://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/finance/funding – current deadlines are 10 October for US students, and 1 December for others). Also make sure you tick the box on the application saying you wish to be considered for funding!

If you are applying to the Cambridge-Tuebingen programme, note that this source of funding will not be listed as one of the official funding sources, but if you apply to this programme, please tick the other possible sources of funding if you want to maximise your chances of getting funding from Cambridge.

What is my likelihood of being admitted?

Because we receive so many applications, unfortunately we can’t admit many excellent candidates, even some who have funding. Successful applicants tend to be among the very top students at their institution, have very strong mathematics backgrounds, and references, and have some research experience in statistical machine learning.

Do I have to contact one of the faculty members first or can I apply formally directly?

It is not necessary, but if you have doubts about whether your background is suitable for the programme, or if you have questions about the group, you are welcome to contact one of the faculty members directly. Due to their high email volume you may not receive an immediate response but they will endeavour to get back to you as quickly as possible. It is important to make your official application to Graduate Admissions at Cambridge before the funding deadlines, even if you don’t hear back from us; otherwise we may not be able to consider you.

Do you take Masters students, or part-time PhD students?

We generally don’t admit students for a part-time PhD. We also don’t usually admit students just for a pure-research Masters in machine learning , except for specific programs such as the Churchill and Marshall scholarships. However, please do note that we run a one-year taught Master’s Programme: The MPhil in Machine Learning, and Machine Intelligence . You are welcome to apply directly to this.

What Department / course should I indicate on my application form?

This machine learning group is in the Department of Engineering. The degree you would be applying for is a PhD in Engineering (not Computer Science or Statistics).

How long does a PhD take?

A typical PhD from our group takes 3-4 years. The first year requires students to pass some courses and submit a first-year research report. Students must submit their PhD before the 4th year.

What research topics do you have projects on?

We don’t generally pre-specify projects for students. We prefer to find a research area that suits the student. For a sample of our research, you can check group members’ personal pages or our research publications page.

What are the career prospects for PhD students from your group?

Students and postdocs from the group have moved on to excellent positions both in academia and industry. Have a look at our list of recent alumni on the Machine Learning group webpage . Research expertise in machine learning is in very high demand these days.

Study at Cambridge

About the university, research at cambridge.

• For Cambridge students
• For our researchers
• Business and enterprise
• Colleges and Departments
• Email and phone search
• Give to Cambridge
• Museums and collections
• Events and open days
• Fees and finance
• Postgraduate courses
• How to apply
• Fees and funding
• Postgraduate events
• International students
• Continuing education
• Executive and professional education
• Courses in education
• How the University and Colleges work
• Visiting the University
• Annual reports
• Equality and diversity
• A global university
• Public engagement

computer science

Topic description and stories.

Machine learning gives users ‘superhuman’ ability to open and control tools in virtual reality

Researchers have developed a virtual reality application where a range of 3D modelling tools can be opened and controlled using just the movement of...

Improved approach to the ‘Travelling Salesperson Problem’ could improve logistics and transport sectors

A new approach to solving the Travelling Salesperson Problem – one of the most difficult questions in computer science – significantly outperforms...

The life of Pi: Ten years of Raspberry Pi

The most successful computer ever to come out of the UK celebrates its tenth anniversary this year.

Cambridge partners with Schmidt Futures in new software engineering network

Software engineers will bridge the gap between modern science and scalable complex software at four leading universities.

Can federated learning save the world?

Training the artificial intelligence models that underpin web search engines, power smart assistants and enable driverless cars, consumes megawatts...

Honour among thieves: the study of a cybercrime marketplace in action

Researchers at the Cambridge Cybercrime Centre have revealed what they’ve learned from analysing hundreds of thousands of illicit trades that took...

New programme to accelerate AI research capability at Cambridge

A new initiative at Cambridge will equip young researchers outside computer science with the skills they need to use machine learning and artificial...

Women in STEM: Krittika D'Silva

Krittika D'Silva is a PhD candidate in the Department of Computer Science and Technology, a Gates Cambridge Scholar and a member of Jesus College...

Prevention better than cure at keeping young users from getting involved in cybercrime

Highly-targeted messaging campaigns from law enforcement can be surprisingly effective at dissuading young gamers from getting involved in cybercrime...

Cambridge appoints first DeepMind Professor of Machine Learning

Following an international search, Professor Neil Lawrence has been appointed as the inaugural DeepMind Professor of Machine Learning at Cambridge...

Driverless cars working together can speed up traffic by 35 percent

A fleet of driverless cars working together to keep traffic moving smoothly can improve overall traffic flow by at least 35 percent, researchers have...

Most laptops vulnerable to attack via peripheral devices, say researchers

Many modern laptops and an increasing number of desktop computers are much more vulnerable to hacking through common plug-in devices than previously...

Connect with us

© 2024 University of Cambridge

• Contact the University
• Accessibility statement
• Freedom of information
• Privacy policy and cookies
• Statement on Modern Slavery
• Terms and conditions
• University A-Z
• Undergraduate
• Postgraduate
• Cambridge University Press & Assessment
• Research news
• About research at Cambridge
• Spotlight on...

Study at Cambridge

About the university, research at cambridge.

• Undergraduate courses
• Events and open days
• Fees and finance
• Postgraduate courses
• How to apply
• Postgraduate events
• Fees and funding
• International students
• Continuing education
• Executive and professional education
• Courses in education
• How the University and Colleges work
• Term dates and calendars
• Visiting the University
• Annual reports
• Equality and diversity
• A global university
• Public engagement
• Give to Cambridge
• For Cambridge students
• For our researchers
• Business and enterprise
• Colleges & departments
• Email & phone search
• Museums & collections
• Course Directory

PhD in Computation, Cognition and Language

Postgraduate Study

• Why Cambridge overview
• Chat with our students
• Cambridge explained overview
• The supervision system
• Student life overview
• In and around Cambridge
• Leisure activities
• Student unions
• Music awards
• Student support overview
• Mental health and wellbeing
• Disabled students
• Accommodation
• Language tuition
• Skills training
• Support for refugees
• Courses overview
• Department directory
• Qualification types
• Funded studentships
• Part-time study
• Research degrees
• Visiting students
• Finance overview
• Fees overview
• What is my fee status?
• Part-time fees
• Application fee
• Living costs
• Funding overview
• Funding search
• How to apply for funding
• University funding overview
• Research Councils (UKRI)
• External funding and loans overview
• Funding searches
• External scholarships
• Charities and the voluntary sector
• Funding for disabled students
• Widening participation in funding
• Colleges overview
• What is a College?
• Choosing a College
• Terms of Residence
• Applying overview
• Before you apply
• Entry requirements
• Application deadlines
• How do I apply? overview
• Application fee overview
• Application fee waiver
• Life Science courses
• Terms and conditions
• Continuing students
• Disabled applicants
• Supporting documents overview
• Academic documents
• Finance documents
• Evidence of competence in English
• Terms and Conditions
• Applicant portal and self-service
• After you apply overview
• Confirmation of admission
• Student registry
• Previous criminal convictions
• Deferring an application
• Updating your personal details
• Appeals and Complaints
• Widening participation
• Postgraduate admissions fraud
• International overview
• Immigration overview
• ATAS overview
• Applying for an ATAS certificate
• Current Cambridge students
• International qualifications
• Competence in English overview
• What tests are accepted?
• International events
• International student views overview
• Akhila’s story
• Alex’s story
• Huijie’s story
• Kelsey’s story
• Nilesh’s story
• Get in touch!
• Events overview
• Upcoming events
• Postgraduate Open Days overview
• Discover Cambridge: Master’s and PhD Study webinars
• Virtual tour
• Research Internships
• How we use participant data
• Postgraduate Newsletter

Primary tabs

• Overview (active tab)
• Requirements
• How To Apply
• Testimonials

Linguistics at Cambridge is unique in the UK in that study and research in theoretical and applied linguistics are integrated within in a single academic unit. We provide great variety and flexibility in course contents as well as subject-specific training and diversity of intellectual interactions.

The PhD in Computation, Cognition and Language is a PhD track for students who conduct basic and applied research in the computational study of language, communication, and cognition, in humans and machines. This research is interdisciplinary in nature and draws on methodology and insights from a range of disciplines that are now critical for the further development of language sciences, including (but not limited to) Linguistics, Cognitive Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Psychology and Neuroscience. A variety of PhD topics that fall within this remit are accepted. Our current primary areas of research are:

• natural language processing

• computational and corpus linguistics

• computational models of human language acquisition and processing

• information extraction, mining, and presentation

• multilingual technology

• educational and assistive technology

• text data technology for health

• computational digital humanities

• computational approaches to the analysis of speech

• digital forensic speech analysis

In British universities, the PhD is traditionally awarded solely on the basis of a thesis, a substantial piece of writing which reports original research into a closely defined area of enquiry. The completion of the PhD thesis is generally expected to take three to four years, and most funding is based on this assumption.  It is also possible to take a part-time route, and the expected timeframe would be five to seven years.

While the PhD is not a taught course, students will benefit from the availability of courses and seminars offered both within the MMLL Faculty and by other departments concerned with language science in Cambridge (e.g. Computer Science and Technology, Education, Engineering, Psychology, MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit). All research students also benefit from a programme of professional training run at various levels within the University and enabling cross-disciplinary interactions. The programme includes seminars and workshops on e.g. giving conference papers, publishing, applications and interviews, teaching skills, and specialist linguistic training. If you wish, you are likely to be given the opportunity of gaining experience in small group teaching for colleges. There may also be opportunities to gain some experience in teaching in the Faculty.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the programme, candidates will have acquired excellent skills, experience and knowledge to undertake postdoctoral work (research and teaching) or another related profession.

For Cambridge students applying to continue from the MPhil by Advanced Study to PhD, the minimum academic requirement is an overall distinction in the MPhil.

For Cambridge students applying to continue from the MPhil by Thesis to PhD, the usual academic requirement is a pass in the MPhil.

All applications are judged on their own merits and students must demonstrate their suitability to undertake doctoral level research.

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the end of October. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the  Postgraduate Open Day  page for more details.

See further the  Postgraduate Admissions Events  pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.

Departments

This course is advertised in the following departments:

• Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages and Linguistics
• Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics

Key Information

3-4 years full-time, 4-7 years part-time, study mode : research, doctor of philosophy, department of theoretical and applied linguistics this course is advertised in multiple departments. please see the overview tab for more details., course - related enquiries, application - related enquiries, course on department website, dates and deadlines:, lent 2024 (closed).

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Michaelmas 2024

Funding deadlines.

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2024, Lent 2025 and Easter 2025.

Similar Courses

• Machine Learning and Machine Intelligence MPhil
• Advanced Computer Science MPhil
• Computer Science PhD
• Linguistics: Theoretical and Applied Linguistics PhD

Postgraduate Admissions Office

• Admissions Statistics
• Start an Application
• Applicant Self-Service

At a glance

• Bringing a family
• Current Postgraduates
• Cambridge Students' Union (SU)

University Policy and Guidelines

Privacy Policy

Information compliance

Equality and Diversity

Terms of Study

About this site

About our website

Privacy policy

© 2024 University of Cambridge

• Contact the University
• Accessibility
• Freedom of information
• Privacy policy and cookies
• Statement on Modern Slavery
• University A-Z
• Undergraduate
• Postgraduate
• Research news
• About research at Cambridge
• Spotlight on...

Study at Cambridge

About the university, research at cambridge.

• Events and open days
• Fees and finance
• Student blogs and videos
• Why Cambridge
• Qualifications directory
• How to apply
• Fees and funding
• Frequently asked questions
• International students
• Continuing education
• Executive and professional education
• Courses in education
• How the University and Colleges work
• Visiting the University
• Term dates and calendars
• Video and audio
• Find an expert
• Publications
• International Cambridge
• Public engagement
• Giving to Cambridge
• For current students
• For business
• Colleges & departments
• Libraries & facilities
• Museums & collections
• Email & phone search

Centre for Quantum Information and Foundations

• Group Members
• Seminars and Events
• Part IB Quantum Mechanics
• Part II Quantum Information and Computation
• Part III Quantum Information, Foundations and Gravity
• Part III Quantum Computation
• Part III Quantum Information Theory

Graduate Applications

The CQIF includes four members of DAMTP Faculty, two affiliated members, and several senior researchers.

We always have to turn away some outstanding applicants: if you are considering applying to us you should also apply widely elsewhere. Applicants who are not UK citizens should also carefully consider the information about funding below, and note the very early deadlines for applications for funding from Foundations and Trusts. Applications to start a PhD in October 2022 will be considered from November 2021 onwards.

Successful applicants are likely to have a first class undergraduate degree in mathematics, physics or computer science, and should ideally also have an M.Sc. or equivalent qualification. Candidates considering applying directly from an undergraduate degree are encouraged to consider applying first to take Cambridge's one-year Masters-level course, the Master of Advanced Study in Mathematics (Part III of the Cambridge Mathematics Tripos). The course includes one or more lecture courses on aspects of quantum information and foundations, as well as courses on a wide variety of other topics in theoretical physics and pure and applied mathematics.

Applications from graduate students to research centres in DAMTP are handled by the Board of Graduate Studies in the first instance, and then administered by the department. Applications for PhD places should thus be made to the Board of Graduate Studies in the first instance, specifying an interest in working at the CQIF in DAMTP. The information needed can all be found on this page . Note that the timetable for applications has some very early application deadlines.

The University's admissions process is quite slow and, beyond the initial acknowledgment of receipt of your application, past experience suggests it could be as late as May before you hear any more from the University. Once the application process has started, your application can be tracked using your self-service account .

Applications for the Part III course should also be made to the Board of Graduate Studies. The information needed can be found on this page .

Our standard method of funding UK and EU graduate students is by grants from the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. These are allocated by the department, mostly after the Part III results in mid to late June. EPSRC studentships provide full support for UK students, and cover tuition fees for EU students from outside the UK.

There are some other possible sources for funding (which are not generally restricted to EU students): for example the Gates Foundation, the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust, and a small number of the wealthier Cambridge Colleges. Decisions on these scholarships are made in May. Unfortunately (at least for us!), these funding sources are entirely outside our control or influence; in particular there is nothing we can do to get a decision from them sooner than May. Applications to these organisations and institutions need to be made separately. The University's Board of Graduate Studies web pages --- reached from the above-mentioned links --- have some information; anyone needing clarification or advice should contact either them or the relevant organisation. We have no independent sources of support for non-EU students.

While we try to be helpful where possible, there is normally little that we can add to the information given here. We cannot generally comment in advance on the chances of any individual application to the CQIF being successful or offer advice in putting together an application. Applicants may find it helpful, though, to look at the information on our group web pages, and especially useful to look at some of the recent papers of CQIF members, which can mostly be found on the quantum physics archive . (Some recent papers are also linked from CQIF members' personal pages on this site.)

We normally interview  selected candidates once applications have been reviewed: the timetable for these varies from year to year.

© 2024 University of Cambridge

• University A-Z
• Contact the University
• Accessibility
• Freedom of information
• Terms and conditions
• Undergraduate
• Spotlight on...
• About research at Cambridge

Tess E. Smidt

Assistant Professor , Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS)

77 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139

[email protected]

Tess Smidt is an Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT . Tess earned her SB in Physics from MIT in 2012 and her PhD in Physics from the University of California, Berkeley in 2018. Her research focuses on machine learning that incorporates physical and geometric constraints, with applications to materials design. Prior to joining the MIT EECS faculty, she was the 2018 Alvarez Postdoctoral Fellow in Computing Sciences at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and a Software Engineering Intern on the Google Accelerated Sciences team where she developed Euclidean symmetry equivariant neural networks which naturally handle 3D geometry and geometric tensor data.

Group Websites

• Organic and Nanostructured Electronics

Study at Cambridge

About the university, research at cambridge.

• Undergraduate courses
• Events and open days
• Fees and finance
• Postgraduate courses
• How to apply
• Postgraduate events
• Fees and funding
• International students
• Continuing education
• Executive and professional education
• Courses in education
• How the University and Colleges work
• Term dates and calendars
• Visiting the University
• Annual reports
• Equality and diversity
• A global university
• Public engagement
• Give to Cambridge
• For Cambridge students
• For our researchers
• Business and enterprise
• Colleges & departments
• Email & phone search
• Museums & collections
• Department of Computer Science and Technology

Sign in with Raven

• People overview
• Research staff
• PhD students
• Professional services staff
• Affiliated lecturers
• Overview of Professional Services Staff
• Seminars overview
• Weekly timetable
• Wednesday seminars
• Wednesday seminar recordings ➥
• Wheeler lectures
• Computer Laboratory 75th anniversary ➥
• women@CL 10th anniversary ➥
• Job vacancies ➥
• Library resources ➥
• How to get here
• William Gates Building layout
• Contact information
• Department calendar ➥
• Accelerate Programme for Scientific Discovery overview
• Data Trusts Initiative overview
• Pilot Funding FAQs
• Research Funding FAQs
• Cambridge Ring overview
• Ring Events
• Hall of Fame
• Hall of Fame Awards
• Hall of Fame - Nominations
• The Supporters' Club overview
• Industrial Collaboration
• Annual Recruitment Fair overview
• Graduate Opportunities
• Summer internships
• Technical Talks
• Supporter Events and Competitions
• How to join
• Collaborate with Us
• Cambridge Centre for Carbon Credits (4C)
• Equality and Diversity overview
• Athena SWAN
• E&D Committee
• Support and Development
• Targeted funding
• LGBTQ+@CL overview
• Links and resources
• Queer Library
• women@CL overview
• About Us overview
• Friends of women@CL overview
• Twentieth Anniversary of Women@CL
• Tech Events
• Students' experiences
• Contact overview
• Mailing lists
• Scholarships
• Initiatives
• Dignity Policy
• Outreach overview
• Women in Computer Science Programme
• Google DeepMind Research Ready programme overview
• Accommodation and Pay
• Application
• Eligibility
• Raspberry Pi Tutorials ➥
• Wiseman prize
• Research overview
• Application areas
• Research themes
• Algorithms and Complexity
• Computer Architecture overview
• Creating a new Computer Architecture Research Centre
• Graphics, Vision and Imaging Science
• Human-Centred Computing
• Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
• Mobile Systems, Robotics and Automation
• Natural Language Processing
• Programming Languages, Semantics and Verification
• Systems and Networking
• Research groups overview
• Energy and Environment Group overview
• Declaration
• Publications
• Past seminars
• Learning and Human Intelligence Group overview
• Technical Reports
• Admissions information
• Undergraduate admissions overview
• Open days and events
• Undergraduate course overview overview
• Making your application
• Admissions FAQs
• Super curricular activities
• MPhil in Advanced Computer Science overview

Applications

Course structure, funding competitions, prerequisites.

• PhD in Computer Science overview
• Application forms
• Research Proposal
• Funding competitions and grants
• Part-time PhD Degree
• Premium Research Studentship
• Current students overview
• Part IB overview
• Part IB group projects overview
• Important dates
• Design briefs
• Moodle course ➥
• Learning objectives and assessment
• Technical considerations
• After the project
• Part II overview
• Part II projects overview
• Project suggestions
• Project Checker groups
• Project proposal
• Advice on running the project
• Progress report and presentation
• The dissertation
• Supervisor briefing notes
• Project Checker briefing notes
• Past overseer groups ➥
• Part II Supervision sign-up
• Part II Modules
• Part II Supervisions overview
• Continuing to Part III overview
• Continuing to Part III: 2023 guidance
• Part III of the Computer Science Tripos
• Overview overview
• Information for current Masters students overview
• Special topics
• Part III and ACS projects overview
• Submission of project reports
• ACS projects overview
• Guidance for ACS projects
• Part III projects overview
• Guidance for Part III projects
• Preparation
• Registration
• Induction - Masters students
• PhD resources overview
• Deadlines for PhD applications
• Protocol for Graduate Advisers for PhD students
• Guidelines for PhD supervisors
• Induction information overview
• Important Dates
• Who is here to help
• Exemption from University Composition Fees
• Being a research student
• Researcher Development
• Research skills programme
• First Year Report: the PhD Proposal
• Second Year Report: Dissertation Schedule
• Third Year Report: Progress Statement
• Fourth Year: writing up and completion overview
• PhD thesis formatting
• Writing up and word count
• Submitting your dissertation
• Papers and conferences
• Leave to work away, holidays, and intermission
• List of PhD students ➥
• PAT, recycling, and Building Services
• Freshers overview
• Cambridge University Freshers' Events
• Undergraduate teaching information and important dates
• Course material 2022/23 ➥
• Course material 2023/24 ➥
• Exams overview
• Examination dates
• Examination results ➥
• Examiners' reports ➥
• Part III Assessment
• MPhil Assessment
• Past exam papers ➥
• Examinations Guidance 2022-23
• Marking Scheme and Classing Convention
• Guidance on Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct
• Purchase of calculators
• Examinations Data Retention Policy
• Guidance on deadlines and extensions
• Mark Check procedure and Examination Review
• Lecture timetables overview
• Understanding the concise timetable
• Supervisions overview
• Part II supervisions overview ➥
• Part II supervision sign-up ➥
• Supervising in Computer Science
• Supervisor support
• Directors of Studies list
• Academic exchanges
• Advice for visiting students taking Part IB CST
• Summer internship: Optimisation of DNN Accelerators using Bayesian Optimisation
• UROP internships
• Resources for students overview
• Student SSH server
• Online services
• Managed Cluster Service (MCS)
• Microsoft Software for personal use
• Installing Linux
• Part III and MPhil Machines
• Transferable skills
• Course feedback and where to find help overview
• Providing lecture feedback
• Fast feedback hotline
• Staff-Student Consultative Forum
• Breaking the silence ➥
• Student Administration Offices
• Intranet overview
• New starters and visitors
• Forms and templates
• Building information
• Health and safety
• Teaching information
• Research admin

MPhil in Advanced Computer Science

• Undergraduate admissions
• PhD in Computer Science

The MPhil in Advanced Computer Science (the ACS) is designed to prepare students for doctoral research , whether at Cambridge or elsewhere. Typical applicants will have undertaken a first degree in computer science or an equivalent subject, and will be expected to be familiar with basic concepts and practices. The ACS is a nine–month course which starts in early October and finishes on 30 June. It covers advanced material in both theoretical and practical areas as well as instilling the elements of research practice. The course combines lectures, seminars and project work in various combinations tailored to the individual student; more details are given below. Prospective applicants should note that the MPhil in Advanced Computer Science is not a conversion course.

The course consists of:

• 5 taught modules ;
• a research project report of no more than 15,000 words (excluding appendices and bibliography) on a subject approved by the Degree Committee;
• 12 units from the mandatory Research Skills Programme including compulsory units in written English and presentation skills.

The project can be research or application oriented and industrial collaboration is possible. Project selection and planning occurs in the first term and the project is undertaken in the following two terms. The final report is submitted at the end of the project in the second week of June.

The taught modules are delivered in a range of styles. For example, there are traditional lecture courses, lecture courses with associated practical classes, reading clubs, and seminar style modules.

Course registration is on the first Monday following 1 October and the course finishes on 30 June the following year.

Applicants for the MPhil in ACS are expected to have met the following prerequisites

• Minimum academic requirements for the University of Cambridge may be found at International Qualifications . Note: The minimum academic requirements for the MPhil in Advanced Computer Science are higher than the University's minimum requirements.
• Mathematics to A-Level standard or equivalent
• Programming experience

Applications for admission in the academic year commencing October 2024 have now closed.

Applications for admission in October 2025 will open in September 2024. Places are limited and applicants are encouraged to apply early. Applications will close on 28 February 2025.

Applicants should refer to the Postgraduate Admissions page for links to the application portal , deadlines, guidance and information.

Please note the following:

• Applicants who require funding support from the University and Cambridge Trust must submit their applications by 23:59 (GMT) on 5 December 2023 : see University funding deadlines .
• The Course code is CSM3 .
• two research themes in preference order (see Research );
• one or two brief project proposals of no more than 500 words each which will help the MPhil Admissions Panel to identify potential supervisors and is indicative only. Please include the name of a potential project supervisor if you have already discussed the project idea with a member of the teaching staff.
• Choose five modules from the current year's syllabus with no more than four modules chosen from Michaelmas Term and no more than two from Lent Term . Successful applicants will be invited to select from the list of modules we expect to be offered in the next academic year.  
• Please note that there is an application fee.
• Batch 1: USA applicants applying for Gates Cambridge Trust (US) scholarship by 11 October 2023 will be considered and interviewed in October/early November 2023.
• Batch 3: All other applications, including Gates Cambridge Trusts (Rest of world) received before the 5 December 2023 deadline, will be considered in late December and early January 2024. Applicants invited to an interview by video conference or phone should make themselves available between 3-15 January 2024.
• Batch 5: Applications received after 5 December 2023 but before 28 February 2024 will be considered in late March and early April 2024. Applicants invited to interview should make themselves available between 18 March and 22 April 2024.
• You may be interviewed by telephone, video-conference or, restrictions permitting, in person.

Please note that your application can only be considered by the department once it has been submitted. Your application can only be submitted once it is complete. You will need to upload all your supporting material including transcripts, degree certificates before you submit the application. It is therefore very important to have all your supporting material, including agreement from your referees to provide you with references, and your transcripts, ready to submit before you start the application.

Applicants wishing to be considered for funding competitions should check their eligibility on the University-wide Sources of Funding web page.

The Department of Computer Science and Technology offers bursaries to outstanding UK home students for the study of the MPhil in Advanced Computer Science. The awards vary in size and are usually a contribution towards tuition fees. No separate application form is required. 

The application portal acts as a scholarship funding application as well as an application for admission. In most cases, no further funding application form is required. There are some exceptions, however: we recommend checking the Student Funding webpage which provides information about other grants for students applying to Cambridge and their closing dates.

Self-funding students may apply for admission up until 25 February but should note that places are limited and the department encourages an early application.

Postgraduate Loans for postgraduate degrees for eligible UK residents may be available. Please see the UK Government's web page for further details at https://www.gov.uk/funding-for-postgraduate-study .

Further information

Please contact the Faculty's Postgraduate Education Office with any questions not answered on these pages.

Email: Postgraduate Education Office

Tel.: +44 1223 334652 or +44 1223 334656

• MPhil in Advanced Computer Science module course list and syllabi (modules offered in the current year)

Applicants should apply using the online application form.

We strongly recommend obtaining a tracking number and include your application number if posting documents to the University's Postgraduate Admissions Office.

Postgraduate Admissions Office Student Services Centre Bene't Street, New Museums Site Cambridge, UK CB2 3PT

Email: [email protected] WWW: http://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/

Department of Computer Science and Technology University of Cambridge William Gates Building 15 JJ Thomson Avenue Cambridge CB3 0FD

Information provided by [email protected]

Privacy policy

Social media

© 2024 University of Cambridge

• Contact the University
• Accessibility
• Freedom of information
• Privacy policy and cookies
• Statement on Modern Slavery
• Terms and conditions
• University A-Z
• Undergraduate
• Postgraduate
• Research news
• About research at Cambridge
• Spotlight on...