Information and Communication Systems PhD

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

We’re specialists in mobile and wireless technologies, including satellite communications, internet of things, cybersecurity, future network architectures and protocols. As home to the 5G and 6G Innovation Centre (5G/6GIC), we’re recognised as world leaders in end-to-end research and practical implementation for 5G and beyond 5G mobile communications. 

Our strong track record in research includes high quality publications, patents and world-class implementations. We’re heavily involved in collaborative research across the UK, Europe, Asia and the Americas, funded by governments and industry. Our PhD graduates are well known and gain good positions across industry and academia. 

ShanghaiRanking’s Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) ranked our telecommunication engineering subjects as the 48th best in the world in 2020.

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

You’ll be assigned two supervisors, who’ll guide you through your studies. 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 ICS and you 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.

Your final assessment will be based on the presentation of your research in a written thesis, which will be discussed in a viva examination with at least two examiners. You have the option of preparing your thesis as a monograph (one large volume in chapter form) or in publication format (including chapters written for publication), subject to the approval of your supervisors.

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.