Information and Communication Systems PhD

The University of Surrey’s Institute for Communication Systems (ICS), home of the 5G/6G Innovation Centre (5G/6GIC), is the one of the UK’s major academic research centres specialising in information and communications technology. You’ll be taught by leading experts in the field, become part of our thriving community of academics, researchers and PhD students, and gain excellent employment prospects.

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

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 secure good positions across industry and academia in the UK and worldwide.

Shanghai Ranking’s Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2023 ranked our telecommunication engineering subjects as 51-75 best in the world.

It normally takes three to four years of full-time study to complete this PhD. Your research can be based on a topic of your choice, or may be dictated by industry sponsorship or government funding.

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 research projects.

You’ll be required to write a confirmation report on your research in your first year, and you will be examined by two 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.