PhD

PhD Computer Science

Push the boundaries of computing research

Online only

3–5 years60 creditsEnglish

Begin your application Explore programme

Overview

The PhD Computer Science programme at FollowLap supports original research in artificial intelligence, distributed systems, cybersecurity, and software engineering. After doctoral coursework, you will join a research group aligned with your interests, contribute to publications, and defend a dissertation that advances the state of the art. Our faculty maintain active collaborations with European and African universities, offering co-supervision and exchange opportunities.

Research groups meet weekly with paper readings and prototype demos. GPU cloud credits support ML dissertations. Co-supervision with partner universities in Europe and Africa is available for comparative systems research.

Who This Programme Is For

MSc graduates aiming for academic or industrial research careers
Senior engineers contributing publishable novel systems work
Entrepreneurs building IP-heavy deep-tech ventures

Faculty spotlight

Professor James Okello leads the Security & Systems lab; Dr. Elena Vasquez directs the Responsible AI research cluster.

How you can study

Digital only

Study online

100% tuition-free online

Every programme can be completed fully online with zero tuition fees — study from anywhere in the world.

✦ Tuition: £0 / $0
✦ Course exams from $80 — 95% sponsorship rate
✦ Learn from anywhere · Live online seminars

Apply online →

What You Will Learn

Conduct publishable research in a specialised area of computer science
Master advanced mathematical and experimental methods in computing
Present research at international conferences and in peer-reviewed journals
Supervise MSc students and contribute to departmental research culture
Translate research into open-source tools or industry partnerships
Submit papers to peer-reviewed venues with supervisory support
Open-source research artefacts with documented reproducibility

Curriculum

Research training

Code	Course	Credits
PHD-701	Systems and audiences: Foundations Students specify a small system or work, its users, and the interface between parts. The central problem in Systems and audiences: Foundations A worked case drawn from Systems and audiences: Foundations Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim An assessed task in Systems and audiences: Foundations that a reviewer can mark	3
PHD-702	Making and testing: Cases Students implement or review a component and show how it was tested or critiqued. The central problem in Making and testing: Cases A worked case drawn from Making and testing: Cases Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim An assessed task in Making and testing: Cases that a reviewer can mark	3
PHD-703	Running the work: Practice Students describe release, failure, and the record an operator or producer would need. The central problem in Running the work: Practice A worked case drawn from Running the work: Practice Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim An assessed task in Running the work: Practice that a reviewer can mark	3
PHD-704	Studio project: Inquiry Students deliver a supervised build or design and defend the trade-offs. The central problem in Studio project: Inquiry A worked case drawn from Studio project: Inquiry Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim An assessed task in Studio project: Inquiry that a reviewer can mark	3

Advanced seminars

Code	Course	Credits
PHD-705	Systems and audiences: Seminar Students specify a small system or work, its users, and the interface between parts. The central problem in Systems and audiences: Seminar A worked case drawn from Systems and audiences: Seminar Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim An assessed task in Systems and audiences: Seminar that a reviewer can mark	3
PHD-706	Making and testing: Field work Students implement or review a component and show how it was tested or critiqued. The central problem in Making and testing: Field work A worked case drawn from Making and testing: Field work Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim An assessed task in Making and testing: Field work that a reviewer can mark	3
PHD-707	Running the work: Studio Students describe release, failure, and the record an operator or producer would need. The central problem in Running the work: Studio A worked case drawn from Running the work: Studio Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim An assessed task in Running the work: Studio that a reviewer can mark	3
PHD-708	Studio project: Synthesis Students deliver a supervised build or design and defend the trade-offs. The central problem in Studio project: Synthesis A worked case drawn from Studio project: Synthesis Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim An assessed task in Studio project: Synthesis that a reviewer can mark	3
PHD-709	Systems and audiences: Foundations Students specify a small system or work, its users, and the interface between parts. The central problem in Systems and audiences: Foundations A worked case drawn from Systems and audiences: Foundations Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim An assessed task in Systems and audiences: Foundations that a reviewer can mark	3
PHD-710	Making and testing: Cases Students implement or review a component and show how it was tested or critiqued. The central problem in Making and testing: Cases A worked case drawn from Making and testing: Cases Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim An assessed task in Making and testing: Cases that a reviewer can mark	3

Confirmation and thesis

Code	Course	Credits
PHD-801	Confirmation of the research design A formal check that the question, method, and ethics review are ready. The central problem in Confirmation of the research design A worked case drawn from Confirmation of the research design Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim An assessed task in Confirmation of the research design that a reviewer can mark	6
PHD-802	Doctoral thesis An original research thesis, examined on its question, method, and evidence. The central problem in Doctoral thesis A worked case drawn from Doctoral thesis Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim An assessed task in Doctoral thesis that a reviewer can mark	24
PHD-803	Oral examination The viva on the thesis. No separate credit is attached. The central problem in Oral examination A worked case drawn from Oral examination Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim An assessed task in Oral examination that a reviewer can mark	0

Code

Course

Credits

PHD-801

Confirmation of the research design

A formal check that the question, method, and ethics review are ready.

The central problem in Confirmation of the research design
A worked case drawn from Confirmation of the research design
Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim
An assessed task in Confirmation of the research design that a reviewer can mark

PHD-802

Doctoral thesis

An original research thesis, examined on its question, method, and evidence.

The central problem in Doctoral thesis
A worked case drawn from Doctoral thesis
Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim
An assessed task in Doctoral thesis that a reviewer can mark

PHD-803

Oral examination

The viva on the thesis. No separate credit is attached.

The central problem in Oral examination
A worked case drawn from Oral examination
Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim
An assessed task in Oral examination that a reviewer can mark

Career Paths

University Researcher or Professor
Industrial Research Scientist (Google, Microsoft, etc.)
R&D Lab Director
Technical Fellow / Distinguished Engineer
Startup CTO with deep research credentials

Programme Highlights

Research groups in AI, Systems, Security, and HCI
Open-access publication support and conference travel grants
Co-supervision with partner universities
Access to GPU cloud compute for ML research
Annual doctoral seminar series with external examiners
Conference travel grants for accepted doctoral presentations
Industry advisory panel for applied research tracks

Assessment

Modules are assessed through a published mix of coursework, applied projects, and examinations. Exam windows are announced in advance so students in other time zones are not forced into overnight sittings. Alternative arrangements are available where documented.

Admission requirements

Academic entry

Master's degree in a related discipline from an accredited institution

English language

English proficiency: IELTS 5.5 or equivalent for research writing

Documents

Three academic references, at least one from a previous supervisor

Research & interview

Research proposal (1,500–2,000 words) aligned with faculty research areas
Interview with the doctoral admissions panel (online)
Evidence of prior research output (publications, thesis, or professional reports) preferred

Programme questions

How long is the PhD Computer Science?

The published duration is 3–5 years. Teaching language: English. Actual time-to-complete depends on mode and any recognised prior learning.

Can I study this from my country?

This is a fully online award. You study from your country. No student visa and no campus relocation are required.

What does it cost?

Degree tuition for this award is published as £0 / tuition-free on the online pathway. Examination or administrative fees may apply at checkout — never an annual tuition invoice. Check the Fees page for any extras.

What are the entry requirements?

Requirements are grouped on this page (academic, English, documents, research). Equivalent qualifications are considered. English may be waived after prior English-medium study.

How is the programme assessed?

Assessment is typically a mix of coursework, projects, and examinations. Doctoral awards include a thesis or dissertation and an oral examination. Details sit in the programme specification and module outlines.

Will this award be recognised where I live?

Recognition of the award for local employment, professional licence, or ministry attestation is decided by your employer or regulator. FollowLap University publishes verification pages for certificates. We do not claim automatic equivalence in every country.

How do I apply?

Start an application on this website. Progress is saved from the first step. Admissions: admissions@followlap.com.

Recognised & Accredited

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