Information and Communication Systems PHD

Overview
Themes and facilities

Entry requirements

Fees and funding

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Why choose this course

The University of Surrey’s Institute for Communication Systems is the largest academic research centre in the UK specialising in information and communications technology, with over 160 academics, research fellows and PhD students. You’ll be taught by leading experts in the field, gain excellent employment prospects and become part of our thriving postgraduate research community.

We’re specialists in mobile and wireless networks, satellite communications and networks, internet of things, cloud computing, cybersecurity, big data, future networks architecture and protocols. We’re widely recognised for our original contributions to society, our rigorous use of new technologies and techniques, and our impact on the wider economy.

Our strong track records in research include high quality publications, patents and excellent PhD graduates working in network operators, manufacture, regulators and standard organisation activities. We’re deeply involved in research programmes funded by UK Research Councils, the European Framework programme, European Space Agency and industries. We also have strong collaborative research internationally with universities and research institutes in China, Europe, US, Japan and Korea.

You’ll benefit from our cutting-edge facilities, including a 5G, satellite and internet of things testbed, an anechoic chamber and wideband channel sounder.

ShanghaiRanking’s Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) ranked our telecommunication engineering as the 35th best in the world in 2017.

What you will study

It normally takes three to four years of full-time study to complete our PhD.

You’ll be assigned two supervisors, who will guide you through your PhD. Your supervisors will give you direction and experience of the cutting-edge technologies in their areas of expertise. They’ll also give you the support you need to complete your PhD, from giving you guidance and feedback on your work to helping you frame your research proposal. Though you’ll primarily be in contact with your two supervisors, you’ll also work with other staff within the Institute for Communications Systems, and may have the opportunity to become a team member on particular research projects.

You’ll be required to write a confirmation report on your research, and be examined by two examiners. After that, you’ll submit a thesis in your third or fourth year, and complete a viva examination with both internal and external examiners.

Course facts

Qualification	Study mode	Course length	Start date
PHD	Full-time	48 months	October 2019
PHD	Part-time	96 months	October 2019
PHD	Full-time	48 months	January 2019
PHD	Full-time	48 months	April 2019
PHD	Full-time	48 months	July 2019
PHD	Part-time	96 months	January 2019
PHD	Part-time	96 months	April 2019
PHD	Part-time	96 months	July 2019

Location:

Stag Hill

Research support

The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College, which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate Careers and Employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.

Code of practice for research degrees

Surrey’s postgraduate research code of practice sets out the University's policy and procedural framework relating to research degrees. The code defines a set of standard procedures and specific responsibilities covering the academic supervision, administration and assessment of research degrees for all faculties within the University.

Download the code of practice for research degrees (PDF).

Terms and conditions

When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our policies and regulations, and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions and our generic registration terms and conditions as a guide as to what to expect.

Please note: our offer terms and conditions will be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will vary to take into account specifics of your course.

Disclaimer

This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read more.

Research themes

We research areas related to IT, mobile and satellite communications and networks, including:

5G network and technologies
Air interface
Cognitive networks and future internet
Cognitive radio
Radio access system optimisation
Security
Knowledge and data engineering
Satellite communication systems and networks.

Our academic staff

See a full list of all our academic staff within the Institute for Communication Systems.

Research facilities

You’ll be allocated space in our new 5G Innovation Centre (5GIC), home to over 170 researchers. The 5GIC is the world’s largest academic research centre dedicated to next generation mobile and wireless connectivity, and features the following facilities:

5G testbed
Antennas and propagation labs
Future internet platform
Models and tools
Networks lab testbed
Satellite networking testbed
Wireless ad-hoc testbed
Wireless network testbed
Wireless sensor network lab.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a first or upper-second class degree in a relevant discipline (or equivalent overseas qualification), or a lower second plus a good Masters degree (distinction normally required).

View entry requirements by country

English language requirements

IELTS Academic: 6.5 or above (or equivalent) with 6.0 in each individual category.

View the other English language qualifications that we accept.

If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here. The University of Surrey is also an IELTS test centre.

Selection process

Selection is based on applicants meeting the expected entry requirements, assessment of application, successful interview and suitable references where required.

Students are initially registered for a PhD with probationary status and, subject to satisfactory progress, subsequently confirmed as having PhD status.

Fees

Study mode	Start date	UK/EU fees	Overseas fees
Full-time	October 2019	To be confirmed	£21,400
Part-time	October 2019	To be confirmed	£10,700
Full-time	January 2019	£4,260	£20,800
Full-time	April 2019	£4,260	£20,800
Full-time	July 2019	£4,260	£20,800
Part-time	January 2019	£2,130	£10,400
Part-time	April 2019	£2,130	£10,400
Part-time	July 2019	£2,130	£10,400

For fees payable in 2018/19, these will increase by 4 per cent, rounded up to the nearest £100 for subsequent years of study. Any start date other than October will attract a pro-rata fee for that year of entry (75 per cent for January, 50 per cent for April and 25 per cent for July).

Overseas students applying for 2018 entry should note that annual fees will rise by 4% rounded up to the nearest £100.

View a complete list of all fees for our research programmes.

Additional costs

There are additional costs that you can expect to incur when studying at Surrey. Find out more.

Funding

There are various opportunities to support your doctoral studies.

Postgraduate Doctoral Loan

A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.

Scholarships

The University is pleased to be able to offer:

Fee scholarships: We have 37 scholarships available to support talented international doctoral researchers. These awards consist of a scholarship to cover the difference between overseas and UK/EU tuition fees. Apply now.
25 per cent partial fee scholarships: We have 14 scholarships to support prospective international PhD students. Successful applicants will benefit from a 25 per cent international tuition fee reduction. Apply now.

Studentships

We have many studentship opportunities available, including our new Vice Chancellor’s Studentship Award and Doctoral College Studentship Award.

Future communication networks beyond 2030

Funding information:

A directly funded project available to students worldwide. £20,800 p.a. for tuition fees. A stipend of £13,863 p.a.

Find out more

Doctoral College Studentship Award 2019

Funding information:

This competition funded studentship (UK and European students only) covers home/EU fees and stipend of £15,000, a research training support grant of £500 and financial support for research materials and consumables (if successfully applied for) up to the value of £1,000.

Find out more

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Course	Status
Information and Communication Systems PHD Full-time, October 2019	Applications open Closing date: Monday 19 August 2019
Apply
Information and Communication Systems PHD Part-time, October 2019	Applications open Closing date: Monday 19 August 2019
Apply
Information and Communication Systems PHD Full-time, January 2019	Applications open Closing date: Monday 26 November 2018
We are still accepting high-quality applications. Apply
Information and Communication Systems PHD Full-time, April 2019	Applications open Closing date: Monday 18 February 2019
Apply
Information and Communication Systems PHD Full-time, July 2019	Applications open Closing date: Monday 20 May 2019
Apply
Information and Communication Systems PHD Part-time, January 2019	Applications open Closing date: Monday 26 November 2018
We are still accepting high-quality applications. Apply
Information and Communication Systems PHD Part-time, April 2019	Applications open Closing date: Monday 18 February 2019
Apply
Information and Communication Systems PHD Part-time, July 2019	Applications open Closing date: Monday 20 May 2019
Apply