University of Edinburgh
School of Informatics

The School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh is a world-class institution for teaching and research. It has been rated number one in the UK by the Guardian Newspapers 2011 University League Table study and delivers more world leading research (4*) for Computer Science than any other UK institute according to the globally recognised Research Assessment Exercise. Not only is the school considered excellent for teaching and research but it is also one of the largest computer science departments in Europe and the World. More...

Facilities and resources

The School has state-of-the-art computing facilities and student laboratories with 24-hour access. Our research community is based in the Informatics Forum, an award winning purpose-built research facility located in the city centre, on the University's main campus. The Forum sits alongside new teaching, conference and technology transfer facilities in Appleton Tower.

Degrees offered

• 1-year taught Masters
• 1-year research - Masters By Research
• 2-year research - MPhil
• 3-year research - Doctorate (PhD)
• 3-year research – Doctorate (PhD) in Neuroinformatics
• 1+3-year MSc/PhD in Neuroinformatics
• Entry qualifications: first/upper second class degree or equivalent.

Entry qualifications: first/upper second class degree or equivalent.

Taught masters

Taught Masters courses, modular in structure, are offered in: Artificial Intelligence; Cognitive Science; Computer Science and Informatics. The breadth and depth of research in Informatics at Edinburgh gives access to more relevant courses than anywhere else, all taught by leading researchers. There are over 50 courses to choose from, grouped into the following specialist areas:

• Analytical and Scientific Databases
• Bioinformatics, Systems and Synthetic Biology
• Computer Systems and Software Engineering
• Fundamentals of High Performance Computing Systems
• Intelligent Robotics
• Knowledge Representation and Reasoning
• Learning from Data
• Music Informatics
• Natural Language and Language Engineering
• Neural Computation and Neuroinformatics
• Theoretical Computer Science

Research degrees

The School's research portfolio is vast. We can accommodate a great number of student research projects in Computer Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Cognitive Science, Theoretical Computer Science, Computational Linguistics, Neuroinformatics, Software Engineering, Machine Learning, Hardware Architectures, Agent Systems, Planning and Logistics, Algorithms, Databases, Bioinformatics, Speech Technology, Robotics, Machine Vision, Concurrency, Distributed Systems, Formal Methods, to name but a few of the areas covered.

Applicants should visit our research topics information to identify a research area that is of interest to them and a potential supervisor. We also encourage our applicants to propose research topics, so if you have an idea, please approach us.

Doctoral Training Centre in Neuroinformatics and Computational Neuroscience

We offer two neuroinformatics programmes intended to enable students with backgrounds in the physical, mathematical and computer sciences to obtain training in neuroscience and the cognitive sciences that will equip them to carry out original research in neuroinformatics. Both programmes lead to a PhD degree at the end of three to four years.

The MSc/PhD (“1+3”)course covers the areas of computational neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, neuromorphic and neural engineering, and software systems for these studies, such as simulation, modelling, visualisation, databasing and data analysis. 

The European Study Programme in Neuroinformatics (EuroSPIN) combines neuroscience and informatics research to develop and apply computational tools and approaches that are essential for understanding the structure and function of the brain. The course is offered jointly with the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden, the National Centre for Biological Science (NCBS), India and the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg (ALUF), Germany. For more information please see: http://www.kth.se/studies/phd/eurospin?l=en_UK

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships for Masters studies in Scotland are offered by the Scottish Executive and the University for overseas students. The School of Informatics also has Collaborative Training Account funding for some UK/EU students plus some quota awards from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland for Scottish and EU students. At least 50 research studentships are available for PhD study in the School for both UK/EU and students worldwide. Further information is at www.inf.ed.ac.uk/postgraduate/.

Student profile

"I joined the School of Informatics in 2002 as an undergraduate student. I was delighted to be awarded the Software Engineer of the Year Award 2006 for my final year project and this encouraged me to go on to postgraduate study. I approached my supervisor with an idea for a research project and I'm now studying towards a PhD. I chose to stay in Edinburgh because I've had a tremendous experience during my time at the School and I would recommend it to everyone with an interest in artificial intelligence or computer science. I don't think there is another university that I would have done as well at or helped me so successfully to realise my potential."

"The social life is great too. Edinburgh is a welcoming city with a large and diverse population from all over the world. The School of Informatics alone has a population of approximately 360 postgraduate students from over 50 countries. In terms of entertainment, there really is something for everyone - fantastic restaurants, clubs, theatres, cultural and sporting events - you're bound to find something to your taste."

Contact details

Address

School of Informatics
University of Edinburgh
Appleton Tower
11 Crichton Street
Edinburgh
EH8 9LE

Contacts for research degrees

Tel: +44 (0)131 650 3091
Fax: +44 (0)131 650 2957
Email: phd-admissions@inf.ed.ac.uk

Contacts for taught Masters

Tel: +44 (0)131 650 2706
Fax: +44 (0)131 650 2957
Email: msc-admissions@inf.ed.ac.uk

Web site: www.inf.ed.ac.uk/postgraduate/