Centre for Doctoral Training in Machine Learning Systems PhD with Integrated Study

The programme is a 4-year PhD with integrated study where you will take 180 credits of courses over years 1-3, while carrying out your PhD project research. As part of your studies, you will do an internship either in a company or the public sector (usually for 3-6 months) or an alternative form of engagement.

In the first year, you will take courses on Machine Learning Systems, Machine Learning Practical and Controversies in a Data Society. There will also be an introductory research project which will form the basis of your PhD project.

The programme is flexible to accommodate students from varying backgrounds, and the final programme of study will be agreed between the student, supervisors, and Doctoral Programme organisers.

The learning objectives for this PhD programme are:

• world-leading research in an area of ML Systems and distributing that research through methods such as publication

• develop expertise in an area of ML-Systems with an understanding of the full ML-Systems stack

• experience of interacting with researchers from other areas of expertise

• knowledge of different research environments in academia, companies and the public sector

• deep understanding of the ethical, societal and international issues on the use and deployment of ML methods

• skills in communicating to technical and non-technical audiences

• active involvement in knowledge transfer and public engagement

• organisation and leadership skills and experience

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

You will usually do an internship as part of the programme, but alternatives to company internships can be arranged if you prefer.

You will be supported in your study by:

• two supervisors

• a team of researchers associated with the research group

• peer interaction and learning opportunities

• training delivered by Edinburgh staff and invited lecturers

• opportunities for entrepreneurship training

• outreach and public communication training

• dedicated administrative staff for the programme

You will be part of the vibrant world-class and interdisciplinary research community in the Informatics Forum and Bayes Centre. This will give you access to state-of-the-art computational infrastructure through the School of Informatics and EPCC including large GPU cluster computing in the EIDF.

Business analysts predict AI-enhanced consumer products will be the highest contributor to UK economic gains in the next decade. Therefore, there is a growing demand for PhD graduates in this area to lead this innovation. This is evidenced by the rapid growth in starting salaries and the increasing distinction between Data Scientists and ML Systems Engineers.

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in an area relevant to the CDT, for example, informatics, computer science, AI, cognitive science, mathematics, physics, engineering, or in another field with sufficient additional evidence of capability in the required areas.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Academic Technology Approval Scheme

If you are not an EU, EEA or Swiss national, you may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance certificate in order to study this programme.

• Academic Technology Approval Scheme

The CDT programme is fully funded and covers a stipend, tuition fees (both UK and overseas) and research and travel grant for 4 years, or 8 years for part-time study.

The funding does NOT cover visa fees and IHS for international students; these costs have to be covered by the student.

By applying to the CDT programme you automatically apply for the full funding. There is no need to apply for any additional sources.

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding