PhD/MSc programmes

The AI research group are heavily involved in multiple PhD and Masters programmes.

 Picture of a large open library space in dim light.

PhD Programmes

  • Sussex AI PhD programme (New for 2024)

    Sussex AI is offering an elite PhD programme as part of our newly established interdisciplinary centre of excellence, with 3 fully-funded (including internationals) studentships per year. Students on this programme will conduct innovative research into a range of theoretical, applied and interdisciplinary AI topics. To learn more and find out how to apply please see the Sussex AI PhD programme page.

  • Sussex Neuroscience 4-year PhD programme

    The Sussex Neuroscience 4 year PhD programme is an elite 4 year programme with a taught first year including 3 lab rotations. It is run by Sussex Neuroscience, a university research programme, bringing together labs from across four schools. You can learn more, read about Sussex Neuroscience and find out how to apply.

Besides the specific programmes listed above, we are always open for applications of talented students with other sources of funding. Current funding opportunities can be found on the Sussex PhD funding pages.

Masters Programmes

  • MSc Artificial Intelligence and Adaptive Systems

    The study of natural and artificial intelligent and adaptive systems is at the heart of rapidly developing areas. These range from artificial intelligence and autonomous robotics to neuroscience, consciousness and cognitive science. The AIAS MSc provides a solid grounding in the major themes of the area. This well established programme (formally the EASy MSc) is taught by leading experts and there are many opportunities to interact with the thriving local community of researchers in this field. More information is available in the AIAS course prospectus.

  • MRes in Advanced Artificial Intelligence (Coming in 2024)

    This programme provides advanced training in state-of-the-art AI research approaches. Modules will cover machine learning, bioinspired AI, AI research methods as well as applications and implications of AI technology. MRes students will perform an in-depth original research project, supervised by one of our world-leading researchers. This programme is suitable for students with a technical background who are already confident in the fundamentals of AI and want to learn the skills for high-quality AI research and development. More details will be made available in the next few months, for additional information please contact the convenor Dr Ivor Simpson.

  • MSc Data Science

    This MSc programme covers the theory and practice of state-of-the-art data science with applications ranging from mathematics to physics, and from biology to computer science. While it is taught in four streams, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Life Sciences, the overarching principles of how to tackle big data and the tools and techniques used to extract useful knowledge from it are surprisingly similar across the board. You will learn about these techniques, acquire the skills to apply them to the different application domains and so learn how take advantage of the explosion of data across science and society. The syllabus and other details are available in the Data Science course prospectus.

  • MSc Human and Social Data Science

    This MSc is aimed at understanding how and why data is used, and the societal and ethical implications of doing so. It relates closely to how data is collected, processed and stored throughout modern life, ranging from simple business interactions, our education, government, to our online presence on social media and otehr platforms. Taught content covers both, practical skills for getting involved with data science and reflections on the ethical implications and how to improve ethical use and interpretability. Nore details including the syllabus are in the HSDS course prospectus.

Recent PhD Programmes

Members of the AI group were heavily involved in running two Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarship Programmes (DSP) that are no longer accepting applicants. These were prestigious, inter-disciplinary doctoral training centers with generous provisions, including for student-led activities, summer schools and research equipment.

  • Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarship Programme: Sensation and Perception to Awareness

    Directors: Prof Anil Seth and Prof Jamie Ward

    The Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarship Programme (DSP) in ‘From sensation and perception to awareness’ is one of twelve DSPs in the UK that started in 2018, funded in a part by a generous £1M grant from the Leverhulme Trust. The programme bring together researchers from across neuroscience, robotics, psychology, and the arts, with the ultimate aim of advancing our understanding of interactions between sensing, perceiving, and awareness in humans, animal, and machines. Reflecting the interdisciplinary ethos at the heart of the programme, the 21 Leverhulme Scholars are working under the supervision of supervisors from across five of Sussex's Schools (Psychology, Informatics, Medicine, Life Sciences, and Media, Film and Music), and tackle important questions ranging from embodied music to the Neuroscience of visual perception. More details about the programme are on its web pages, including descriptions of the projects of the Leverhulme Scholars.

  • be.AI: Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarship Programme in biomimetic embodied Artificial Intelligence

    Directors: Prof Thomas NowotnyProf Andrew Philippides and Prof Paul Graham

    The be.AI Doctoral Scholarship Programme is supported in a part by a generous £1M grant from the Leverhulme Trust awarded in late 2020. The first intake of 6 Leverhulme Scholars will commence work on their PhDs in September 2021. They will explore how intelligence arises from the interaction of a brain with the body and the environment and what we can learn for new approaches and applications of AI. This involves many disciplines ranging from Biology to Music, Computer Science to Philosophy. There will be three intakes of students with applications open from December for a start in September the following year. You can learn more, read about our research themes and find out how to apply.