Research profile
Research in Computer Science at Brunel is internationally recognised, ranked 5th in the UK in the Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers for World Universities and 1st in the UK for H-index (source NTU 2018). We have particular strengths in research into computing methodologies (Intelligent data analysis, artificial intelligence, simulation and modelling), software engineering, human-centred computing (HCI and interactive multimedia systems) and digital economy (including IoT, trust, privacy and cybersecurity). Our research delivers creative computing solutions to industrial and societal challenges, with applications including healthcare, overseas development, education, ecology, finance and manufacturing.
Browse the work of subject-relevant research groups
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Find a supervisor
Our researchers create knowledge and advance understanding, and equip versatile doctoral researchers with the confidence to apply what they have learnt for the benefit of society. Find out more about working with the Supervisory Team.
You are welcome to approach your potential supervisor directly to discuss your research interests. Search for expert supervisors for your chosen field of research.
PhD topics
While we welcome applications from students with a clear direction for their research, we are providing you with some ideas for your chosen field of research:
- Advanced Deep Learning for Medical Imaging, supervised by Yongmin Li
- AI (Artificial Intelligence) enabled autonomous robots for non-disruptive inspection of utility and sewage systems, supervised by Md Nazmul Huda
- AI system for historical handwritten text recognition (HTR), supervised by Md Nazmul Huda
- AI-enhanced biological network modeller software: A new horizon in bio-modelling, supervised by Alina Miron and Leila Ghanbar
- Ambient Vibration-Based Calibration of Finite Element Models of Bridges, supervised by Michael Rustell
- Applications for education and/or healthcare: Exploring the potential of ‘human-like’ computing, supervised by Arthur Money
- Artificially intelligent conversational agents: exploring their value in education and/or healthcare, supervised by Arthur Money
- Autonomous Drone Surveys and Convolutional Neural Networks for Bridge Maintenance: A Predictive Approach Using Finite Element Analysis, supervised by Michael Rustell
- Bridging the Gap: Integrating Neural Radiance Fields and Micro-drones for Enhanced 3D Volumetric Finite Element Analysis, supervised by Michael Rustell
- Decision making for stratified medicine life cycle, supervised by Yang Yang
- Decision making for stratified medicine life cycle, supervised by Yang Yang
- Design and implementation of Explainable Trustworthy Artificial Intelligent System, supervised by Tatiana Kalganova
- Development of a miniature capsule robot for capsule endoscopy, supervised by Md Nazmul Huda
- Development of an Optical Shape Sensing Method Using Optoelectronic Sensors for Soft Flexible Robotic Manipulators in Minimally Invasive Surgery, supervised by Yohan Noh
- Few-Shot Medical Segmentation Using Deep Learning, supervised by Alina Miron
- Generative AI for Digital Marketing, supervised by Yongmin Li
- Large Language Modeling (LMM) for unstructured dialogues, supervised by Tatiana Kalganova
- Large Language Models (LLM) for Automated Finite Element Analysis, supervised by Michael Rustell and Tatiana Kalganova
- Multi-omics data analysis for critical disease prediction, supervised by Yang Yang
- Natural Language Processing for Business Intelligence, supervised by Yongmin Li
- NLP for Business Intelligence, supervised by Yongmin Li
- Optimising end to end delay in 5G and Beyond networks, supervised by Nila Nilavalan
- PhD in multiscale simulation of migration patterns in response to environmental stressors, supervised by Derek Groen
- PhD opportunity in AI-powered social virtual humans for children’s immersive experiences, supervised by Nadine Aburumman
- PhD opportunity in real-time environmental monitoring and response using machine learning-enhanced simulations, supervised by Derek Groen
- PhD opportunity in UX/UI design with interactive and generative AI, supervised by Yongmin Li and Fotios Spyridonis
- PhD project in force-based haptics for enhanced metaverse navigation for the vision-impaired, supervised by Nadine Aburumman
- PhD project in human augmentation through artificial intelligence (AI), supervised by Fotios Spyridonis and Yongmin Li
- PhD project in modelling internal displacement with agent-based simulations and policy scenarios, supervised by Derek Groen
- PhD project in scalable cloud-based simulations for urban planning in megacities, supervised by Derek Groen
- Precision control of Nano-fuel production, supervised by Yang Yang
- Responsible artificial intelligence for small and medium enterprises in the Global South, supervised by Steven Sam
- Smart Homes: Intelligent Data Collection and Processing using Lynsyn, supervised by Tatiana Kalganova
- Use of Large Language Models (LLM) as a Structural Engineering Design Assistant, supervised by Michael Rustell and Tatiana Kalganova
Research journey
This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.
Find out about what progress might look like at each stage of study here: Research degree progress structure.
Research support
Research support
Excellent research support and training
The Graduate School provides a range of personal, professional and career development opportunities. This includes workshops, online training, coaching and events, to enable you to enhance your professional profile, refine your skills, and plan your next career steps as part of the Researcher Development Programme. The researcher development programme (RDP) offers workshops and seminars in a range of areas including progression, research management, research dissemination, and careers and personal development. You will also be offered a number of online, self-study courses on BBL, including Research Integrity, Research Skills Toolkit, Research Methods in Literature Review and Principles of Research Methods.
Library services
Brunel's Library is open 24 hours a day, has 400,000 books and 250,000 ebooks, and an annual budget of almost £2m. Subject information Specialists train students in the latest technology, digital literacy, and digital dissemination of scholarly outputs. As well as the physical resources available in the Library, we also provide access to a wealth of electronic resources. These include databases, journals and e-books. Access to these resources has been bought by the Library through subscription and is limited to current staff and students.
Dedicated research support staff provide guidance and training on open access, research data management, copyright and other research integrity issues.
Find out more: Brunel Library
Careers and your future
You will receive tailored careers support during your PhD and for up to three years after you complete your research at Brunel. We encourage you to actively engage in career planning and managing your personal development right from the start of your research, even (or perhaps especially) if you don't yet have a career path in mind. Our careers provision includes online information and advice, one-to-one consultations and a range of events and workshops. The Professional Development Centre runs a varied programme of careers events throughout the academic year. These include industry insight sessions, recruitment fairs, employer pop-ups and skills workshops.
In addition, where available, you may be able to undertake some paid work as we recognise that teaching and learning support duties represent an important professional and career development opportunity.
UK entry requirements
The general University entrance requirement for registration for a research degree is normally a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree (1st or 2:1).
An interview will be required as part of the admissions process and will be conducted by at least two academic staff members remotely via MS Teams, Zoom, or face to face.
Applicants will be required to submit a personal statement and a research statement.
Please contact your proposed supervisor, where possible, to receive feedback and guidance on your research statement before submitting it. Learn how to prepare a research statement here.
EU and International entry requirements
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2024/5 entry
International
£23,615 full-time
£11,805 part-time
UK
£4,786 full-time
£2,393 part-time
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.
Some courses incur additional course related costs. You can also check our on-campus accommodation costs for more information on living expenses.
Brunel offers a number of funding options to research students that help cover the cost of their tuition fees, contribute to living expenses or both. Recently the UK Government made available the Doctoral Student Loans of up to £25,000 for UK and EU students and there is some funding available through the Research Councils. Many of our international students benefit from funding provided by their governments or employers. Brunel alumni enjoy tuition fee discounts of 15%.
