General

Is my academic background suitable to apply for the CDT? 

We are flexible on academic backgrounds; your suitability for the CDT will be determined based on the details of the course content of your Bachelor and/or Master degrees once you have applied (via transcripts). However, you must be able to demonstrate mathematical aptitude and experience of programming. Naturally, a strong interest in an area of SLT research is essential. The focus of the CDT is around AI and the use of computational approaches (e.g., machine learning) in the creation of SLTs – this should be a prime interest for applicants.

Should I provide a project proposal? 

No; we don’t require a project proposal for application. The first six months of the programme allows exploration of a range of SLT topics. Projects are defined in collaboration with our industrial partners after the start of the course. 

What should I put in my supporting statement?

Your supporting statement should include a brief outline of your research areas of interest and why you wish to pursue this area of research. On average it should be one to two (max) A4 pages in length in a single spaced and clear font. 

Where can I find the course under the programmes list on the admissions system? 

The course can be found when you select- Doctoral Training– Full time–  Speech and Language Technologies CDT. Please do not select PhD with Integrated PGDip. 

Am I able to use an employer as a reference? 

We ask for two academic references which include their personal opinion of your ability to undertake postgraduate research. If you have been out of education for the last two years, you can send at least one academic reference and, if relevant, a reference from a current or previous employer. 

Please note: References should be on headed paper and signed by the referee. It is preferred that you upload a PDF of the reference to your application. If this is not possible, you can send a link to your referee(s) to upload their statement directly. If you choose to do this, it is your responsibility to ensure they are uploaded by the referee. Your application cannot be reviewed without them. 

When will I get a response about my application? 

We aim to let applicants know the outcome of their application within four weeks of the admissions deadline.

What if I miss the deadline? 

We have two admissions rounds. The first round of admissions is open October to the end of January. The second round of admissions is open from March to the end of May and will fill any remaining places. We’d encourage you to apply early where possible. 

If you are applying but you do not meet the residency requirements, your application will not be considered until the second round has closed.

Eligibility and Funding

Am I eligible to apply for the studentship? 

Eligibility for the studentship is based on residency. UKRI, the main funder of the studentships, requires most students to meet certain residency requirements: a student must have no restrictions on how long they can stay in the UK and have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least 3 years prior to the start of the studentship. A summary of eligibility is here: https://slt-cdt.ac.uk/programme/#funding with further details on UKRI conditions on their website: https://epsrc.ukri.org/skills/students/help/eligibility/ 

If eligible, the funding covers all fees for the 4-year period, provides an enhanced stipend (higher than the EPSRC standard), as well as an individual training budget.

Are any fully funded scholarships for international applicants?

The CDT may have some limited opportunity to accept a very small number of students who do not meet the above residency criteria; however, we cannot guarantee this (this is partly determined at an institutional level). If there are such places, they will be extremely competitive and limited due to availability of University funding. 

Would I be able to self-fund a place on the programme? 

Unfortunately we are unable to accept applications from self-funded students.

Do I need to apply for the funding element separately from applying for a place on the CDT programme?

No – you make a single application. We view the two elements as inextricably linked; if you are offered and accept a place on the CDT programme, you will automatically receive funding.

English Language Requirements

If I don’t have an IELTS qualification can I submit an equivalent? 

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 (please note this is higher than the standard University requirement due to the competitive nature of these studentships). You will be able to provide an updated IELTS certificate should you need to.

Equivalent scores in other English language qualifications are welcome; see the University’s guidance for more information on permitted qualifications. There are websites available (such as https://www.ets.org) which allow TOEFL and IELTS scores to be compared. 

If your course was over five years ago, we would need evidence on ongoing use of English, such as a letter from your employer. If you completed your degree recently, we will not need further evidence.

My degree was from a non-UK university but taught entirely in English, does this count towards my English Language qualification? 

If you have successfully completed a first degree or postgraduate diploma taught in English, it is only acceptable in lieu of an English language qualification if it was delivered in a majority native English speaking country. If not, in most cases you will need to complete an acceptable English language qualification.