PHD Computing and Informatics

Study Mode Part-time
Year of Entry 2025/26
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PHD

Computing and Informatics

Part-time Computing

Undertake a period of intensive, supervised study where you critically investigate and evaluate an approved topic and make an original contribution to knowledge.

Everything you need to know...

  • Pound sign

    What is the fee?

    Home: See fees section below
    International/EU: £8,865 per year

  • Time

    How long will I study?

    7 Years

  • Location

    Where will I study?

    City Campus

  • Date

    When do I start?

    October 2025
    February 2026
    May 2026


Course summary

  • Conduct supervised research into computing and informatics.
  • Develop your skills to become an independent researcher.
  • Study in the cutting-edge Industry and Innovation Research Institute (I2RI).
  • Benefit from supervision, resources and opportunities with excellent student satisfaction.

The PhD in Computing and Informatics allows you to undertake research into a wide range of relevant areas. You’ll have the advantage of experiencing applied research first-hand, in a dynamic and diverse environment. You’ll have all the support you need to develop your skills, learning to become an independent successful researcher and make a significant contribution to knowledge in applied computing and/or informatics.


How you learn

At Sheffield Hallam, all our courses are designed to engage you with the world and challenge you to think in new ways. You’ll get to collaborate with others, and you’ll be taught in a supportive environment where you can thrive.

Your supervisory team will include a Director of Studies and one or more second supervisors with expertise and interest in your research area. You’ll carry out much of the work independently, demonstrating the initiative, motivation and commitment you’ll need to succeed. Your supervisors will help you to define your research programme, agree any associated training requirements, and provide direction while encouraging you to develop as an independent researcher.

You learn through

  • supervised study
  • independent research
  • workshops and seminars
  • mentoring sessions
  • attending seminars and conferences
  • interacting with other research students in a dynamic environment

You’ll be able to choose from research areas such as sensor networks, data mining, biometrics, self-adaptive systems, authentication and authorisation, software development process, text analysis, assistive technology, robotics, machine intelligence, conceptual structures, human-computer interaction, computer vision, IoT, visualisation, sentiment-aware fake news detection on online social networks, improving software development practises and exploring the learning of numbers using robotic hands.

Course leaders and tutors

Marjory Da Costa Abreu
Marjory Da Costa Abreu
Associate Professor in Ethical Artificial Intelligence and Transforming Lives Fellow

Staff profile for Marjory Da Costa Abreu, PhD, MPhil, BSc, SFHEA, Associate Professor in Ethical Artificial Intelligence and Transforming Lives Fellow

Applied learning

We recognise that research students arrive with a diversity of skills and experience – so we provide flexible training and development opportunities covering a range of research-related skills. These include transferable skills, research ethics and integrity (mandatory), data management and career planning. Your development needs are identified and agreed with your supervisory team at the start of your degree and reviewed and updated as appropriate.

We offer two interdisciplinary conferences on the themes of 'method' and 'impact' – focusing on discussions of research practice and pathways to impact, and providing a supportive training ground to test an emerging thesis.

Networking opportunities

You’ll be part of the university's community of researchers, with the opportunity to attend and/or contribute to a range of discipline, college and university-wide presentations, training and conferences.


Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in

  • research and leadership roles in the digital and computing industries
  • highly-qualified roles in academia
  • government, NGOs and charities
  • supporting roles in all different areas that use computing solutions

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

City Campus

City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.

City Campus map | City Campus tour 


City Campus map
Location

Howard Street
Sheffield
S1 1WB

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Adsetts library

Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

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Equipment and facilities

On this course you work with

  • industry-standard laboratories
  • cutting-edge facilities and equipment

We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.

Entry requirements

All students

All applicants should hold a strong undergraduate degree (2.1 or above) and/or a relevant masters qualification (or expectation of the same).

All applicants must submit a completed postgraduate application form including a 1500 word research proposal.

You are encouraged to find out more about our staff and their current research to inform the development of your research proposal and to ensure it aligns with our research themes. Before submitting your proposal, please contact the member(s) of staff listed against the relevant research theme.

Applicants are required to give a short 10–15 minute presentation followed by an interview. Interview panel members will include the head of research degrees for the relevant research area or centre, a local postgraduate research tutor and a prospective director of studies.

Where English is not your first language, you must show evidence of English language ability to the following minimum level of proficiency: an overall IELTS score of 7.0 or above, with at least 6.5 in each component or an accepted equivalent. Please note that your test score must be current, i.e. within the last two years.

Additional information for EU/International students

If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.

For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.


Fees and funding

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK postgraduate research students will be aligned to the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) fees which have not yet been confirmed for 2025/26. For an indication of the tuition fees, please view the 2024/25 course page. An additional bench fee may also be charged for this course, depending on the nature of your project and requirements for specialist facilities. Information on whether a bench fee is chargeable can be provided by the relevant Research Institute, and will be confirmed in your offer letter.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

Our tuition fee for International/EU postgraduate research students starting part-time study in 2025/26 is £8,865 per year. There will be a final writing up fee of £500. (Note that this course is not suitable for students requiring a Tier 4 visa). An additional bench fee may also be charged for this course, depending on the nature of your project and requirements for specialist facilities. Information on whether a bench fee is chargeable can be provided by the relevant Research Institute, and will be confirmed in your offer letter.

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Doctoral student loans

Up to £25,700 available to help you while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.

Doctoral student loans

Additional course costs

The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

General course additional costs

Additional costs for School of Computing and Digital Technologies (PDF, 131.3KB)

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.

 

How do I apply?

You apply for this course via our online application form.

You can also use the application form above to apply for future years of entry.

Not ready to apply just yet?

Why not come to our next open day? Open days are the perfect place to talk to staff and students, visit our campuses and get all the information you need. Alternatively, feel free to ask us a question.

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Why choose us?

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Teaching

We are Gold rated in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for the outstanding quality of our teaching and student outcomes

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Accommodation

We guarantee to find you an affordable place to live that’s close to campus and comes with all bills included

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Employment

95% of our UK graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating (2021/22 Graduate Outcomes Survey)

Where next?

Find out more about Sheffield Hallam's postgraduate opportunities and community.

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You can chat to teaching and admissions staff, view our facilities and learn more about your funding options.

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Information for international students

Information for international students including entry requirements by country and funding.

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