Overview

The details

Course: Artificial Intelligence

Start date: October 2025

Study mode: Full-time

Duration: 3 - 4 years

Location: Colchester Campus

Based in: Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (School of)

We offer research supervision for our PhD Artificial Intelligence (AI) in all areas related to AI including explainable AI, generative AI, analytics and data science, natural language and information processing, games and AI future health, and technology and theoretical AI.

We provide a vibrant research environment so you can publish papers in prestigious international journals and conferences and attract the attention of industry and government.

We have an international reputation for cutting-edge interdisciplinary work combining AI, health, finance, psychology and life sciences.

Our research is geared towards practical applications, and many of our academic staff have experience applying their findings in industry and in advising the UK Government.

You can start this degree in October, January or April, either full-time or part-time. We also offer an MSD in this area.

Why we're great.

Our research covers all aspects of AI research within a School ranked sixth in Research Power in the UK Research Excellence framework for the world-leading research we are conducting.
You will join one of the largest AI research groups in the UK alongside world leaders in their domains.
We provide an active and stimulating environment to carry out your research.

Our expert staff

Studying for your PhD involves person-to-person interaction with your supervisor, who will guide you in developing your chosen research topic, refine your research skills, and advise you in capitalising on the technical knowledge you already have from your taught degree. Supervisors often keep in touch with their PhD graduates throughout their careers, and may work on scientific collaborations with you after you finish your doctorate.

You will also have access to our AI research group of world leaders in their domains, including IEEE Fellow and IET Fellows, most of whom are highly cited authors with deep expertise in their subjects.

Specialist facilities

As a PhD student, you will become a member of our AI research group. It encompasses five associated special interest groups:

The AI group is at the core of the ESRC Business and Local Government Data Research Centre, and contributes via the Institute for Analytics and Data Science (IADS) to the ESRC Research Centre on Micro-Social Change (MiSoC).

Complementing the group’s thematic research, you will also have access to the University’s research centres and institutes in:

We are one of the largest and best resourced computer science and electronic engineering schools in the UK. Our work is supported by extensive networked computer facilities and software aids, together with a wide range of test and instrumentation equipment.

We have six laboratories that are exclusively for computer science and electronic engineering students. Three are open 24/7, and you have free access to the labs except when there is a scheduled practical class in progress.
All computers either run Windows 10 or are dual boot with Linux.
Software includes Java, Prolog, C++, Perl, Mysql, Matlab, DB2, Microsoft Office, Visual Studio, and Project.
Students have access to CAD tools and simulators for chip design (Xilinx) and computer networks (OPNET).
We also have specialist facilities for research into areas including non-invasive brain-computer interfaces, intelligent environments, robotics, optoelectronics, video, RF and MW, printed circuit milling, and semiconductors.

Your future

Our graduates have gone on to become world leaders in AI research and development employed at various companies and universities all over the world.

During your studies, you will have access to our extensive network of industrial contacts through our group members, while our yearly expert symposium series will give you the opportunity to work with leading figures from both industry and academia.

Other graduates have progressed to a variety of senior positions in industry and academia. Companies and organisations where our former graduates are now employed include: BT Group, BAE systems, Volkswagen Group, Rolls-Royce, and HSBC bank.

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

You will need a good Masters degree, or equivalent, in a related subject.

A well-developed research proposal is also essential. You must be experienced in at least one high-level programming language (such as Matlab, Java or Python).

You will normally be required to attend an interview/Skype interview for acceptance, and acceptance is subject to research expertise in the department.

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, then we will require you to have IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component

Structure

Components and modules explained

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY

Computing and Electronic Systems - Research

(0 CREDITS)

This module is for PhD students who are completing the research portions of their theses.

View Computing and Electronic Systems - Research on our Module Directory

Assessment

The aim of undertaking your PhD within our School is to become trained as an independent researcher who can critically assess other research work, and have a comprehensive knowledge of their subject area.

Our PhD programme is usually three to four years duration and all our students are initially registered as MPhil/PhD students, then transferred to the PhD in the first half of their second year of study if they have made satisfactory progress. In your second and third years, you work towards your PhD.

Dissertation

Within our School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, your PhD thesis is generally completed within three to four years and has a length of around 80,000 words.

Your PhD is awarded after your successful defence of your thesis in an oral examination, in which you are interviewed about your research by two examiners, at least one of whom is from outside Essex.

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

TBC

International fee

£19,650 per year

Fees will increase for each academic year of study.

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, graduate employability, student support and more
talk to our Fees and Funding team about scholarship opportunities
meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing tours@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

You can apply for this postgraduate course online. Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.

We encourage you to make a preliminary enquiry directly to a potential supervisor or the Graduate Administrator within your chosen Department or School. We encourage the consideration of a brief research proposal prior to the submission of a full application.

We aim to respond to applications within four weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.

For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘how to apply' information.

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