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 six 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.