Frequently Asked Questions
The information here is specific to the Computing Laboratory, University of Kent.
What research degrees are there?
The Computing Laboratory, University of Kent, UK offers a three year Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and a one year Master of Science by Research (MSc-R).
What is a computer science research degree?
A research degree is a postgraduate degree that results in some novel research output in the field of study. A research degree requires a great deal of ability and dedication. Research students work closely with their supervisor, a member of academic staff.
A PhD entitles the holder to call themselves 'Doctor', (e.g. Dr. Peter Rodgers B.Sc. Ph.D.).
What is the process of applying for a PhD or MSc by Research in the Computing Laboratory?
- First, decide what area of computer science most interests you.
- Then you need to find a supervisor, a member of academic staff, who would be willing to take you on, for example by looking at our research information, which includes a list of suggested PhD projects. We can help with this process, if you want to submit an application with a research proposal of your own devising, we can attempt to match you with a suitable supervisor.
- Agree a research proposal - a short document outlining what research you wish to undertake.
- You then need to fill in an application form and, if necessary a request for funding form. Additionally, if you wish, email computer-science@kent.ac.uk your CV.
What are the entry requirements?
Typically an entrant has a good first degree or specialist taught MSc in computer science or related discipline (such as Mathematics, Business Studies or Electronics, as long as the degree has a strong computing component). A good degree from a British University is considered a 1st or 2:1, although 2:2 candidates can be considered under some circumstances. Applicants with relevant work experience may also be considered.
Why should I choose to study in Canterbury?
Canterbury is a small city with a warm and friendly atmosphere. There is much history surrounding the city. It claims to have been inhabited since Roman times. Augustine established his first cathedral and abbey in 597, and in medieval times the city became a centre for pilgrimage to the shrine of St Thomas à Becket, made famous by Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. Today the cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey and St. Martin's church make up a World Heritage Site, one of only 15 in the British Isles.
The city of Canterbury boasts a closer proximity to Europe than any other university town in the UK. Several years ago the Treaty of Canterbury paved the way for the building of the Channel Tunnel. It is only 30 minutes drive to the Channel Tunnel at Folkestone or the Eurostar terminal at Ashford. From there you can be in Brussels or Paris in approximately two hours. The capital city of London is also only 56 miles, and Canterbury is on a direct line to Victoria and Charing Cross or Waterloo Station.
Kent itself is an attractive county, with many classic English villages, castles, walking and cycling trails, orchards and vineyards. East Kent is made up of 120 miles of coastline. Popular seaside towns include Whitstable, which is good for water sports and renowned for its oysters, Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate.
Will I be able to get accommodation on campus?
To qualify for a room on campus entrants must meet all conditions of their offer and return the accommodation card to the University by 31 July, together with an advance accommodation fee (currently 150 GBP). Even if entrants can't meet this deadline, it is possible that they may be able to get accommodation on campus if it is still available.
Further information can be found on the University's accommodation webpages.
Why should I undertake a PhD?
There are many possible motivations for doing a research degree, including:
- To contribute to research and build on the recent incredible advances in computing
- To investigate an area of computer science in great depth and be the expert in one small section of computing
- As training to become a university academic
- To explore your own intellectual potential to its limits
When can I start a research degree?
Research degrees are not constrained to the usual academic year, and so research students can start at any time. However, the Laboratory provides a training program for new research students, which coincides with the beginning of the first term (usually late in September). Hence, those research students starting at other times of the year may not get the full benefit from this program.
How do I get a PhD?
A PhD is examined by a thesis, written by the candidate, which describes some original research in the field. A typical research degree progresses along three main tasks:
- firstly a research student has to gain sufficient background in the field to get a grasp of what constitutes an original piece of work
- secondly they must decide on and implement an original idea;
- thirdly they write up the work in a thesis.
Although it varies, broadly each of these sections might be considered one year of work for a full time PhD student. Along the way other students and members of staff, but particularly the supervisor, provide support and guidance.
What academic support is there to help me get my degree?
The principal source of support is the academic supervisor, a member of staff. Occasionally, when a research topic reaches across research interests there is more than one supervisor. A student meets with their supervisor on a regular basis, for instance once a week.
Students must attend a specialist taught course in their first year, which is designed to help them with research and teaching activities. Amongst the skills taught are tips and help for the presenting research work. A useful side effect of this course is that it allows research students to interact more closely, so encouraging the exchange of ideas and support.
In addition to regular supervision, each student is allocated a supervisory panel of three members - the supervisor plus two other members. In normal circumstances the Head of the student's Research Group will serve on the panel, and the Graduate Studies Committee will formally approve the membership of each panel. Panels will normally meet twice a year to prepare the progress reports submitted to the Committee.
In the first year, the department requires each student to produce a mini-thesis. Each mini-thesis will then be examined by two senior members of academic staff within the Laboratory. At the end of the second and subsequent years the supervisory panel will hold a short interview with the student to ascertain their progress.
What administrative support is there to ensure my PhD goes smoothly?
The Graduate Studies Committee supervises all aspects of postgraduate research study activity. It meets twice yearly and consists of:
- Head of Research (Chair)
- Heads of Research Groups
- Postgraduate Admissions Officer
- Two student representatives (non-reserved business only)
- Research Support Administrator (co-opted member)
The Committee pays particular attention to student progress. It receives regular progress reports from the supervisory panel of each research student. The Committee is also responsible for the appropriate training for postgraduate research students. All first year students are invited to attend the Research Methods and Issues module of the taught course MSc in Distributed Systems and Networks.
Student welfare is also an important issue. Students are able to liaise with staff, in particular the Head of Research, over issues such as working environment (e.g. computing provision or printer credits), training provision, seminars and so on. Two student representatives sit on the Graduate Studies Committee and canvass student opinion prior to the committee meetings. In doing so, the Committee acts as a forum for discussion of staff/research student liaison issues.
How is a PhD examined?
The candidate produces a thesis, which is read by the examiners. A viva then takes place where the candidate is quizzed on the content of thesis by the examiners. There are usually two examiners, an internal (from the University of Kent) and external (from some other University). Outright fails are not common, because usually if the examiners are not happy with aspects of the thesis, they will ask for it to be resubmitted. When only small sections of the thesis need alteration the examiners may pass the candidate on completion of satisfactory corrections.
What different classes of PhD are there?
There is no notion of class of degree and no facility for gaining a distinction. The degree is a pass or fail.
What careers are open to research postgraduates?
A PhD is a great help in becoming an academic. Some jobs, such as financial research and computer science research companies and organisations actively look for computer science PhD students. Other jobs in computing will not be hampered by having a PhD.
What funding is available and how do I apply for it?
Every year the Computing Laboratory offers a small a number of bursaries to outstanding candidates, and assigns a few awards provided by the UK government body, the EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council). The details of available awards, deadlines and the application procedure is on our funding web page.
Other sources of funding include those listed here.
Why was I rejected for a place?
The reasons for rejection include:
- We could not find a supervisor for you amongst the academic staff.
- You failed to meet our entry requirements.
How much are your fees?
The lastest information on fees can be found at: http://www.kent.ac.uk/studying/funding/postgraduate/costs/academic.html.
How can I ask a question not given here?
Email us: computer-science@ukc.ac.uk