Why apply?
The SLT CDT offers you the following benefits:
Four-year fully-funded studentship covering all fees (regardless of Home or International fees status) and an enhanced stipend (£19,000 per year, tax free).
Laptop and dedicated desk in the CDT workspace equipped with external monitors, keyboard and mouse, and headset.
Generous personal allowance (approx £2,500 per year) for research-related travel, conference attendance and specialist equipment.
A full-time PhD with integrated PGDip incorporating six months of foundational SLT training prior to starting your research project.
Bespoke cohort-based training programme running over the entire four years.
Every PhD project underpinned by a real-world application, many supported by industry partners.
Support for internships* with external organisations.
Supervision from a team of over 20 internationally leading SLT researchers, covering all core areas of modern SLT research, and a broader pool of over 50 academics in cognate disciplines with interests in SLTs and their application.
Exposure to the cross-disciplinary approaches and co-creation of novel SLT methods and applications with external partners.
A dedicated workspace purely for CDT students within a collaborative and inclusive research environment hosted by the Department of Computer Science.
Work and live in Sheffield – a cultural centre on the edge of the Peak District National Park which is in the top ten most affordable UK university cities (1st in the Unifresher Cheapest Cities In The UK For Students To Live In 2022; 3rd in the NatWest Student Living Index 2022).
*Due to UK Government visa restrictions beyond our control, international students can only undertake non-salaried placements which form an integral part of their research project.
How to apply
Entry requirements
Applicants should have, or be expecting to obtain, a minimum of a 2:1 undergraduate degree or masters (ideally distinction) degree in a relevant discipline.
Suitable backgrounds are (but not limited to):
Computer Science
Engineering (e.g., electrical and electronic engineering, control engineering, etc.)
Informatics
Cognitive Science
Linguistics
Mathematics
Physics
Psychology
Regardless of background, you must be able to demonstrate strong mathematical aptitude (minimally to UK A-Level standard or equivalent) and good experience of programming.
We will also consider applicants with a professional background, so long as they are able to provide evidence of demonstrable academic skills as well as practical experience.
We particularly encourage applications from members of groups that are underrepresented in technology.
If English is not your first language, you will need to meet our English Language Requirements. We ask for IELTS 7.5 overall, with no less than 7.0 in each component.
Equivalent scores in other other English language qualifications are welcome; see the University’s guidance for more information on permitted qualifications.
How to apply
Round 2 of applications for Cohort 5 (starting in September 2023) is open with a deadline of 30 April. If you applied in Round 1, there is no need to re-apply.
You can apply through the University of Sheffield’s Postgraduate Online Application System. Please ensure you follow our Application Instructions which will guide you through the application process.
Applications will be reviewed and short-listed applicants will be invited to interview. Interviews will be held in Sheffield or via videoconference. Shortlisting may take up to 6 weeks following the deadline.
If you have any questions about applying please take a look at our FAQ. If you can’t find an answer to your question there, please email us at sltcdt-enquiries@sheffield.ac.uk
Please note we will retain your email address for the purpose of communicating with you about applying to study at the CDT only. Your contact details will not be used for any other topic, nor passed on to anybody else.
Home and International Eligibility
All students (regardless of Home or International fees status) are eligible to apply and, if successful, receive the full stipend and all fees are paid. However, UKRI limits the proportion of international students that the CDT can appoint each year meaning international places are highly competitive.
To be classed as a home student, you must meet one of the following criteria:
Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements)
Have settled status
Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements)
Have indefinite leave to remain or enter
If you do not meet the criteria above for Home eligibility, you will be classed as an international student. For full eligibility details, please refer to the UKRI Training Grant Guidance (p23).
When applying, please indicate in your personal statement whether the criteria above classify you as a home student or an international student.
