Cognitive Science PhD : University of Sussex

Back to Course menu

Key information

Duration:: 4 years full time, 6 years part time
Start date:: Choose to start in September 2019, January 2020 or May 2020

Are you interested in the nature of cognition, be it natural or artificial?

Our pioneering, interdisciplinary approach brings together faculty and research students from artificial intelligence, psychology, linguistics, neuroscience and philosophy – you’ll find Sussex a great place for your research in cognitive science.

Back to Course menu

Degree requirements	You’re normally expected to have an upper second-class (2.1) undergraduate honours degree or above.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.

Please select your country from the list.

Argentina

Undergraduate degree requirement	Licenciado/Titulo with a final mark of at least 7.5-8.5 depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Australia

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with second-class upper division.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Azerbaijan

Undergraduate degree requirement	Magistr or Specialist Diploma with a minimum average mark of at least 4 or 81%
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Bahrain

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with CGPA 3.0/4.0 (Grade B).
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Bangladesh

Undergraduate degree requirement	Masters degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Brazil

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bacharel, Licenciado or professional title with a final mark of at least 7.5 or 8 depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Brunei

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors (Honours) degree with second class upper division or GPA 3.1/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Canada

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with CGPA 3.3/4.0 (grade B+).
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Chile

Undergraduate degree requirement	Licenciado with a final mark of 5-5.5/7 depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

China

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with an overall mark of at least 72%-85% depending on your university. As evidence of completing your degree you must provide both a Degree Certificate and Graduation Certificate.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Undergraduate degree requirement

Bachelors degree with an overall mark of at least 72%-85% depending on your university.

As evidence of completing your degree you must provide both a Degree Certificate and Graduation Certificate.

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Colombia

Undergraduate degree requirement	Licenciado with ‘Acreditacion de alta calidad' and a GPA of 3.5.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Cyprus

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree or Ptychion with a final mark of at least 7.5.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Ecuador

Undergraduate degree requirement	Licenciado with a final mark of at least 17/20.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Egypt

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree from a university with an overall grade of at least 70%-75% depending on your university
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

France

Undergraduate degree requirement	Licence with mention bien or Maîtrise with final mark of at least 13.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Germany

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree or Magister Artium with a final mark of 2.4 or better.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Ghana

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree from a public university with second-class upper division.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Greece

Undergraduate degree requirement	Ptychion from an AEI with a final mark of at least 7.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Hong Kong

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors (Honours) degree with second-class upper division.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

India

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with an overall mark of at least 55-70% depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Indonesia

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree from an 'A' accredited university with GPA 3.0/4.0. Bachelors degree from a 'B' accredited university with GPA 3.2/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Undergraduate degree requirement

Bachelors degree from an 'A' accredited university with GPA 3.0/4.0.

Bachelors degree from a 'B' accredited university with GPA 3.2/4.0.

Subject-specific requirements

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Iran

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree (Licence or Karshenasi) with a final mark of at least 15.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Italy

Undergraduate degree requirement	Diploma di Laurea with an overall mark of at least 105.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Japan

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with a minimum C/GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Jordan

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 80%.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Kazakhstan

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with an overall mark of 4 or better (on a scale of 1-5)/GPA 3,33.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Kenya

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors (Honours) degree with second-class upper division.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Kuwait

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or B+
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Lebanon

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with CGPA 3.5/4.0 or 14/20.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Malawi

Undergraduate degree requirement	Masters degree, depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Malaysia

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Mexico

Undergraduate degree requirement	Licenciado with a final mark of at least 8/10.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Nepal

Undergraduate degree requirement	Masters degree with overall mark of 80%
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Nigeria

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with second-class upper division or CGPA of at least 3.0-3.5/5.0 depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Norway

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with an overall grade of B.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Oman

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with CGPA of at least 3.3/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Pakistan

Undergraduate degree requirement	Four-year bachelors degree with overall grade of 65% or Masters with 60%
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Palestine

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with at least 80% or GPA of at least 3.0/4.0
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Paraguay

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors with a final mark of at least 7.5/10.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Peru

Undergraduate degree requirement	Licenciado with a final mark of at least 13/20 from a public university or 15/20 from a private university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Philippines

Undergraduate degree requirement	Masters degree with 1.5/5.0 (where 1 is the highest) or 3.7/4.0
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Qatar

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with an overall CPGA of at least 3 (on a scale of 4).
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Russia

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bakalavr or Specialist Diploma with a minimum average mark of at least 4.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Saudi Arabia

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with a CGPA 3.5/5.0 or 3/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Singapore

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors (Honours) degree with second-class upper division or CAP 4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

South Africa

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors (honours) degree with second-class division 1.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

South Korea

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with a CGPA of at least 3.3/4.5 or 3.1/4.3 or B+
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Spain

Undergraduate degree requirement	Licenciado with a final mark of at least 2/4 or 7/10.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Sri Lanka

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors Special degree with upper second honours.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Switzerland

Undergraduate degree requirement	Licence or Diplôme with 5/6 or 8/10.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Taiwan

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with overall mark of at least 67%-80% depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Thailand

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with CGPA of at least 2.8 - 3.0/4.0 or equivalent depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Turkey

Undergraduate degree requirement	Lisans Diplomasi with CGPA of at least 2.8 - 3.0/4.0 or equivalent depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

United Arab Emirates

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

USA

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with CGPA of at least 3.3-3.5/4.0 depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Vietnam

Undergraduate degree requirement

Bachelors degree (with a Graduate Thesis/research component) with CGPA of at least 3.3/4.0 or 7.5/10.

As evidence of completing your degree you must provide both proof of graduation in addition to your transcript.

Subject-specific requirements

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Zambia

Undergraduate degree requirement	Masters degree with GPA of 2.0/2.5 or equivalent.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Zimbabwe

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors (Honours) degree with second-class upper division.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

My country is not listed

If your country is not listed, you need to contact us and find out the qualification level you should have for this course. Contact us

Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.

English language requirements

IELTS (Academic)

Standard level (6.5 overall, including at least 6.0 in each component).

Check your IELTS qualification meets all of our entry requirements and find out more about IELTS

Alternative English language qualifications

Proficiency tests

Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE)

For tests taken before January 2015: grade B or above.

For tests taken after January 2015: 176 overall, including at least 169 in each skill

We would normally expect the CAE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.

You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about Cambridge English: Advanced

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

For tests taken before January 2015: grade C or above.

For tests taken after January 2015: 176 overall, including at least 169 in each skill.

We would normally expect the CPE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.

You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about Cambridge English: Proficiency

Pearson (PTE Academic)

62 overall, including at least 56 in all four skills.

PTE (Academic) scores are valid for two years from the test date. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about Pearson (PTE Academic)

TOEFL (iBT)

88 overall, including at least 20 in Listening, 19 in Reading, 21 in Speaking, 23 in Writing.

TOEFL (iBT) scores are valid for two years from the test date. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about TOEFL (iBT)

The TOEFL Institution Code for the University of Sussex is 9166.

English language qualifications

AS/A-level (GCE)

Grade C or above in English Language.

Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE)/ AS or A Level: grade C or above in Use of English.

GCE O-level

Grade C or above in English.

Brunei/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.

Singapore/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.

GCSE or IGCSE

Grade C or above in English as a First Language (Grade 4 or above in GCSE from 2017).

Grade B or above in English as a Second Language.

German Abitur

A score of 12 or above in English.

Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate

If awarded before 1993: grades 1-6 in English language.

If awarded between 1993 and 2005: grades A-D in English language.

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)

Level 4, including at least 3 in each component in English Language.

Indian School Certificate (Standard XII)

The Indian School Certificate is accepted at the grades below when awarded by the following examination boards:

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) – English Core only: 70%

Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) - English: 70%

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)

English A or English B at grade 5 or above.

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education

Grades A - C in English language

Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) 1119/GCE O-level

If taken before the end of 2008: grades 1-6 in English Language.

If taken from 2009 onwards: grade C or above in English Language.

The qualification must be jointly awarded by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES).

West African Senior School Certificate

Grades A1-C6 (1-6) in English language when awarded by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the National Examinations Council (NECO).

Country exceptions

If you are a national of one of the countries below, or if you have recently completed a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree or higher in one of these countries, you will normally meet our English requirement. Note that qualifications obtained by distance learning or awarded by studying outside these countries cannot be accepted for English language purposes.

You will normally be expected to have completed the qualification within two years before starting your course at Sussex. If the qualification was obtained earlier than this, we would expect you to be able to demonstrate that you have maintained a good level of English, for example by living in an English-speaking country or working in an occupation that required you to use English regularly and to a high level.

Please note that this list is determined by the UK’s Home Office, not by the University of Sussex.

List of exempt countries:

Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Canada**
Dominica
Grenada
Guyana
Ireland
Jamaica
New Zealand
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
United Kingdom
USA

** Canada: you must be a national of Canada; other nationals not on this list who have a degree from a Canadian institution will not normally be exempt from needing to provide evidence of English.

English language support

If you don’t meet the English language requirements for your degree, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course

Visas and immigration

Find out how to apply for a student visa

Admissions information for applicants

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) for international students	Yes. You should apply for this course as early as possible so that you have time to apply for ATAS clearance. Find out more about ATAS
Research proposal	If you are applying for a PhD on a self-funding basis, you’ll need to write a research proposal. Find out how to write a research proposal.

If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us

Back to Course menu

How to apply

If you’d like to join us as a research student, there are two main routes:

browse funded projects in this subject area
browse our potential supervisors and propose your own research project.

Find out how to apply for a PhD at Sussex

Full-time and part-time study

Choose to work on your research full time or part time, to fit around your work and family life. For details about part-time study, contact us at enquiries@enginf.sussex.ac.uk

PhD or MPhil?

You can choose to study for a PhD or an MPhil. PhD and MPhil degrees differ in duration and in the extent of your research work.

For a PhD, your research work makes a substantial original contribution to knowledge or understanding in your chosen field.
For an MPhil, your work is an independent piece of research but in less depth than for a PhD. You’ll graduate with the degree title Master of Philosophy. You might be able to change to a PhD while you study for an MPhil.

Back to Course menu

Our supervisors

Explore our research interests and find a potential supervisor.

Creative Technology
Our Creative Technology research is concerned with the interfaces between humans and digital technology and how these are changing.

We investigate interaction in the broadest sense, considering it in relation to digital technologies, connected physical artifacts, people’s experience and cognition, and their practices with mobile, immersive, ubiquitous and pervasive computing.

Miss Pollie Barden

Contact

View Pollie Barden's profile

Dr Natalia Beloff

Senior Lecturer in Software Engineering

Research interests

Ambient intelligence, Big Data Analytics, Blockchain Applications, Business models for Digital innovation, E-Business Models, Internet of Things (IoT), Medical Informatics, Numerical Analysis, Remote Sensing & Earth Observation

Contact

N.Beloff@sussex.ac.uk

View Natalia Beloff's profile

Prof Peter Cheng

Professor of Cognitive Sciences

Research interests

Cognitive Science, Human computer interaction, Knowledge visualisation / information visualisation / visual analystics, Tactile graphics - cognitive science of, User-authentication - cognitive biometric

Contact

P.C.H.Cheng@sussex.ac.uk

View Peter Cheng's profile

Mr Giovanni Contreras Garcia

Lecturer in Product Design

Contact

G.J.Contreras@sussex.ac.uk

View Giovanni Contreras Garcia's profile

Prof Judith Good

Professor of Interaction Design and Inclusion

Research interests

Autism Spectrum Disorders, Game Based Learning, Game Creation for Learning, Learning, Learning Programming, Mobile Computing, Multimedia, Simulations for Learning, technology for autism

Contact

J.Good@sussex.ac.uk

View Judith Good's profile

Dr Kate Howland

Senior Lecturer in Interaction Design

Research interests

End-user programming, Game Based Learning, Game Creation for Learning, Human computer interaction, Interaction design, Novice programming, Participatory Design, Technology Enhanced Learning

Contact

K.L.Howland@sussex.ac.uk

View Kate Howland's profile

Prof Ann Light

Professor of Design & Creative Technology

Contact

Ann.Light@sussex.ac.uk

View Ann Light's profile

Dr Diego Martinez Plasencia

Lecturer in Interactive Graphics

Contact

D.Martinez-Plasencia@sussex.ac.uk

View Diego Martinez Plasencia's profile

Dr Gianluca Memoli

Lecturer in Novel Interfaces and Interactions

Research interests

Acoustics, Building/Room Acoustics, Experimental Fluid Dynamics, Metamaterials, Microbubbles, Microfluidics, Optical Tweezers, Physical Acoustics, Psychoacoustics, Soundscapes, Ultrasound

Contact

G.Memoli@sussex.ac.uk

View Gianluca Memoli's profile

Dr Paul Newbury

Senior Lecturer In Multimedia Systems

Research interests

Technology Enhanced Learning, Virtual Prototyping

Contact

P.Newbury@sussex.ac.uk

View Paul Newbury's profile

Prof Marianna Obrist

Professor of Multisensory Experiences

Research interests

Gustatory Interfaces, Human-Computer Interactions, Interaction design, Mid-air Touch, Multisensory Experiences, Olfactory interaction, Sensory experience and methodologies, Smell, Taste, Touch

Contact

M.Obrist@sussex.ac.uk

View Marianna Obrist's profile

Ms Diane Simpson-Little

Senior Teaching Fellow

Contact

D.Simpson-Little@sussex.ac.uk

View Diane Simpson-Little's profile

Prof Sriram Subramanian

Professor of Informatics

Research interests

Display Devices, Haptic Technology, HCI - User Interaction, Music and Acoustic User Interfaces, Shape-memory Alloys

Contact

Sriram@sussex.ac.uk

View Sriram Subramanian's profile

Dr Phil Watten

Media Technology Manager

Contact

P.L.Watten@sussex.ac.uk

View Phil Watten's profile

Dr Martin White

Reader in Computer Science

Research interests

3D Reconstructions, Blockchain Applications, Digital Heritage, Healthy Living Applications

Contact

M.White@sussex.ac.uk

View Martin White's profile
Data Science
The Data Science Research Group addresses the challenges associated with deriving knowledge from large heterogeneous datasets – with a particular focus on machine learning and natural language processing.

Prof John Carroll

Professor of Computational Linguistics

Research interests

Computational Linguistics, Computational/Corpus Linguistics, Machine Learning (AI), Medical Informatics, Natural Language Processing

Contact

J.A.Carroll@sussex.ac.uk

View John Carroll's profile

Dr Bill Keller

Senior Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence

Research interests

Computational Linguistics, Computational/Corpus Linguistics, Linguistics, Machine Learning (AI), Natural Language Processing, Probabilistic Methods, Semantics And Pragmatics

Contact

billk@sussex.ac.uk

View Bill Keller's profile

Dr Novi Quadrianto

Senior Lecturer in Machine Learning

Research interests

Bayesian Methods, Causality, Computer Vision - Machine Learning, Ethical Machine Learning, Kernel Methods, Machine Learning (AI), Optimisation (AI), Probabilistic Methods, Time Series

Contact

N.Quadrianto@sussex.ac.uk

View Novi Quadrianto's profile

Dr Julie Weeds

Lecturer in Computer Science

Research interests

Applied machine learning, Computational Linguistics, Computational/Corpus Linguistics, Data Science, Natural Language Processing, Semantics And Pragmatics

Contact

juliewe@sussex.ac.uk

View Julie Weeds's profile

Prof David Weir

Professor Of Computer Science

Research interests

Computational Linguistics, Data Science, Natural Language Processing

Contact

D.J.Weir@sussex.ac.uk

View David Weir's profile
Evolutionary and Adaptive Systems (EASy)
The EASy group has been internationally prominent since it was established in the early 1990s. It is concerned with the interfaces between the biological and computational sciences, particularly with reference to furthering understanding of brains and minds.

Dr Luc Berthouze

Reader in Informatics

Research interests

Biomedical Signal Processing, Computational Neuroscience, Developmental Robotics, EEG, EMG, Motor Control, Network Theory and Complexity, Neuronal network, Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos

Contact

L.Berthouze@sussex.ac.uk

View Luc Berthouze's profile

Prof Maggie Boden

Research Professor of Cognitive Science

Contact

M.A.Boden@sussex.ac.uk

View Maggie Boden's profile

Dr Christopher Buckley

Senior Lecturer in Neural Computation

Contact

C.L.Buckley@sussex.ac.uk

View Christopher Buckley's profile

Dr Ron Chrisley

Reader in Philosophy

Research interests

Artificial Intelligence, Cognition, Cognitive Science, Consciousness, Language & Philosophical Logic, Logic, Philosophy, Philosophy Of Mind, Philosophy of Science & Mathematics, & Mathematical Logic, Robotics

Contact

R.L.Chrisley@sussex.ac.uk

View Ron Chrisley's profile

Prof Phil Husbands

Research Professor Of Artificial Intelligence

Research interests

Adaptive Systems, Artificial Intelligence, artificial life, Bio-inspired Neural Computing, Bio-inspired Robotics, Complex System Design, Computational Neuroscience, Digital Art & Design, Evolutionary Computation, evolutionary robotics, History of Science/Medicine/Technology, Machine Learning (AI), Mobile Robots, Nervous system, Optimisation Problems, Systems neuroscience

Contact

P.Husbands@sussex.ac.uk

View Phil Husbands's profile

Prof Thomas Nowotny

Professor Of Informatics

Research interests

Biomimetics, Chemical Sensing, Computational Neuroscience, Dynamic Clamp, Electronic Nose, GPU Computing, High Performance Computing, Insects, Ion channels, Machine Learning (AI), Neural networks, New Computing Paradigms, Olfaction, Robotics, Systems neuroscience

Contact

T.Nowotny@sussex.ac.uk

View Thomas Nowotny's profile

Prof Andy Philippides

Professor of Biorobotics

Research interests

Bio-inspired Computation, biorobotics, computational biology, Computational Neuroscience, Computer Vision - Machine Learning, Evolutionary Computation, Insect Visual Learning, neuroethology, Robotics, visual navigation

Contact

andrewop@sussex.ac.uk

View Andy Philippides's profile

Prof Anil Seth

Professor of Cognitive & Computational Neuroscience

Research interests

Cognitive Neuroscience, Computational Neuroscience, Consciousness, EEG, Neuroimaging, neuropsychiatry, Neuropsychology, Psychology, Time Series, Virtual Reality

Contact

A.K.Seth@sussex.ac.uk

View Anil Seth's profile

Dr Chris Thornton

Lecturer in Computing Science

Research interests

Information Theory, Predictive Processing, Theoretical Cognitive Science

Contact

C.Thornton@sussex.ac.uk

View Chris Thornton's profile

Dr Sharon Wood

Senior Lecturer in Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence

Research interests

Artificial Intelligence, Cognitive Modelling, Cognitive Science

Contact

S.Wood@sussex.ac.uk

View Sharon Wood's profile

Back to Course menu

Funding and fees

How can I fund my course?

Funded projects and scholarships

Our aim is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to despite financial barriers, so that we continue to attract talented and unique individuals. Don’t miss out on scholarships – check the specific application deadlines for funding opportunities. Note that funded projects aren’t available for all our PhDs.

China Scholarship Council (CSC) / University of Sussex Joint Scholarships

Up to 10 scholarships for outstanding PhD students from China

Find out more

Commonwealth Scholarships Commission / University of Sussex

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are for candidates from low and middle income Commonwealth countries, for full-time doctoral study at a UK university.

Find out more

Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarship Programme: 'From Sensation and Perception to Awareness'.

The University of Sussex invites applications for PhD studentships within the Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarship Programme.

Find out more

Postgraduate Doctoral Loans

As a PhD applicant, you may be eligible for a loan of up to £25,000. You can apply for a PhD loan if you’re ordinarily resident in the UK or EU, aged 60 or under when the course starts and are not in receipt of Research Council funding.

As an MPhil student, you may be eligible for a Postgraduate Masters Loan of up to £10,609 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2018. This is not available for students registering for a PhD.

Applying for USA Federal Student Aid?

If any part of your funding, at any time, is through USA federal Direct Loan funds, you will be registered on a separate version of this degree which does not include the possibility of distance learning which is prohibited under USA federal regulations. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid.

Part-time work

We advertise around 2,500 part-time jobs a year so you can make money and gain work experience. We have a special scheme to employ students on campus, wherever possible.

Find out more about careers and employability

How much does it cost?

Fees for self-funding students

UK/EU students: Fees are not yet set for entry in the academic year 2019/20. Fees will become available once set by Research Councils UK.

Channel Islands and Isle of Man students: Fees are not yet set for entry in the academic year 2019/20. Fees will become available once set by Research Councils UK.

International students: £20,750 per year

Home and EU PhD student fees are set at the level recommended by Research Councils UK (RCUK) annually, rising in line with inflation. Overseas fees are subject to an annual increase - see details on our tuition fees page

Living costs

Find out typical living costs for studying at Sussex

Return to top of page