Centre for Doctoral Training in Designing Responsible Natural Language Processing PhD with Integrated Study Level: Postgraduate research Subject: Computing and Informatics Year of entry: 2027 Study options Key facts School School of Informatics College College of Science and Engineering Programme website Programme website School location Central Area Apply now 17 to 19 November 2026: Postgraduate Virtual Open Days Join us live to explore postgraduate taught and research study at Edinburgh and gain key insights before you apply. Browse sessions and register Overview About the degree programme The Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Designing Responsible Natural Language Processing (NLP) aims to develop doctoral graduates that represent a new paradigm of interdisciplinary NLP researchers: individuals who can harness the full potential of NLP-based systems and create richer interactions between humans and AI. Our training will give you foundational knowledge across five fundamental skills domains, along with expertise in at least one of these areas. The training programme aims to create an NLP practitioner culture of responsibility, with graduates who are confident in combining technical expertise with:ethicsgovernanceconsideration of users and use contextsYou will train together in cohorts formed from various disciplines and background experiences. You will be supported to collaborate on 'team science' applied NLP projects. Through these projects, you will also get the chance to work with some of our 70+ partners in the following sectors:industrypublicnon-profitresearch Study options This programme offers:a full-time option (4 years of study)a part-time option (6 years of study, available to students not requiring visa sponsorship only)If you are interested in part-time study, we highly recommend contacting the CDT Team to discuss specifics and ensure we can plan appropriate support. Applying How to apply Detailed application guidance is available on the CDT website.Application details on the CDT website When to apply The deadline for initial applications is 30 November 2026.Application details on the CDT website Application fee There is no fee to apply to this programme. Funding, fees and costs Funding The CDT programme is fully funded and covers a stipend, tuition fees (both UK and overseas) and research and travel grant for 4 years full-time study (or part-time equivalent).The funding does not cover visa fees and IHS for international students; these costs have to be covered by the student.By applying to the CDT programme, you automatically apply for the full funding. There is no need to apply for any additional sources. Tuition fees Funding covers tuition fee costs for all students on this programme. Costs Accommodation and living costs You will need to pay for your accommodation and living costs (such as rent, food and utility bills) for the duration of your programme.For 2026-2027, we estimate that it will cost an average of £18,504 each year (£1,542 each month) to live in Edinburgh as a postgraduate.The exact amount you spend will depend on different factors, especially the accommodation you choose.Living costs: estimates explained Entry requirements These entry requirements are for the 2027-28 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2028-29 academic year will be published in early Oct 2027. Qualifications A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in an area related to the topic of the CDT, for example informatics, computer science, AI, cognitive science, mathematics, design, linguistics, psychology, philosophy, law, and social and political science. International equivalent qualifications To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list. Where you studied - Select a country or region - Afghanistan Albania Algeria Angola Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Chile China Colombia Costa Rica Côte d'Ivoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czechia Democratic Republic of Congo Denmark Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia Finland France Gabon The Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Guatemala Guinea Haiti Honduras Hong Kong-SAR China Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kosovo Kuwait Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Lithuania Luxembourg Macau-SAR China Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Mali Malta Mauritius Mexico Moldova Montenegro Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nepal Netherlands, The New Zealand Nicaragua Nigeria North Macedonia Norway Oman Pacific Islands Pakistan Palestine Panama Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Qatar Romania Russia Rwanda Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Somalia South Africa South Korea South Sudan Spain Sudan Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tanzania Thailand Togo Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United States of America Uruguay Uzbekistan Venezuela Vietnam West Indies and Caribbean Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe My country or region is not listed English language requirements You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:an English language test (restrictions apply)a degree that was taught and assessed in English (restrictions apply)certain professional qualifications English language tests we accept We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher: IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements. TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition) before 21 January 2026: total 92 with 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition) from 21 January 2026: total 4.5 with at least 4.5 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component. Oxford ELLT: total 7 with at least 6 in each component. We do not accept Oxford ELLT Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements. Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 145 with at least 135 in each component. How old your English language tests can be Tests no more than two years oldThe following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:IELTS AcademicTOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)Oxford ELLTOxford Test of English AdvancedTests no more than three and a half years oldAll other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality. Degrees taught and assessed in English We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.UKVI list of majority English speaking countriesWe also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).Approved universities in non-MESCHow old your degree can beIf you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country. Find out more about our English language requirements Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.English language requirements Programme details Programme structure As part of the structure of our PhD with integrated studies, you must study taught courses while completing the research elements of the traditional PhD programme. We have designed the programme to be flexible in the way credits are acquired. However, all students must successfully complete 180 taught credits over the first 2 years, plus the equivalent of 3 years of PhD research, spread over the 4-year programme. Out of the 180 credits, you will achieve 110 through mandatory courses that all CDT students take, and the remaining 70 credits from option courses at the appropriate SCQF level. Find courses for this programmeFind out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed.The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme.Full-timeDesigning Responsible Natural Language Processing PhD with Integrated Study (4 years) (2026-2027)Part-timeCDT Designing Responsible Natural Language Processing PhD with Integrated Study (6 years) (2026-2027)We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative. Work placements and internships Every student will have a placement, no more than 3 months long, during Years 2 or 3. The placements will involve you working in our partner’s teams, gaining hands-on industry experience and using skills developed through their training. We expect around two-thirds of placements to be with industry or in international research labs. Support You will gain the skills, knowledge and experience to study and design real-world applications of NLP in an interdisciplinary training environment, hosted by the Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI).Edinburgh Futures InstituteThe training programme brings together world-leading researchers at our University to supervise students and guide them in their training and learning. Their expertise covers a range of subjects, including:informaticsdesignlinguisticsspeech sciencepsychologylawphilosophyinformation sciencedigital humanitiesAs well as the formal credit-bearing courses all CDT students will be enrolled on, we have a variety of other training initiatives and activities within the CDT to:enhance the learning opportunities for studentsbuild links between students across different cohortspersonalise student’s training plansExamples include:entrepreneurship and innovation-oriented trainingthe Annual CDT Festival where students present their workannual Partners' Summitplacements with partnerspolicy workshops and fellowshipsresponsible NLP speakers and masterclassessupport for student-led training Facilities You will be involved in the vibrant world-class and interdisciplinary research community at the EFI, with access to cutting-edge computational, design, fabrication and testing facilities across:the School of InformaticsEdinburgh College of Artthe EPCCThis includes access to multiple state-of-the-art GPU clusters that enable work with large language models. Careers Career opportunities We expect many students will seek diverse career pathways after their PhD such as in:academiaindustrial research and developmententrepreneurship and social innovationcreating start-upsEach cohort of students will participate in Fast-Track Impact training for PhD students in Year 1.You will also be able to participate in various events designed to foster both an intra- and an entrepreneurial mindset, delivered in collaboration with:Edinburgh Innovationsthe Bayes CentreAdditionally, the Bayes Centre and Edinburgh Innovations will provide students with access to University support to facilitate the commercialisation of their research. The support will include:mentoringaccess to business advisorsincubatorsacceleratorsa network of investors and peers Careers Service Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. With the Careers Service, you can: access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengthstry different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you developget help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobsattend careers events and practice interviewsget information and advice to help you make informed decisions Visit the Careers Service website Life at Edinburgh What our students say Hear from Informatics students and staff as they share their experiences of studying on Central Campus. Hear from Informatics students and staff as they share their experiences of the School community. Accommodation We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programmeaccept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 Julystudy at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in SeptemberUniversity accommodation websiteAccommodation guarantee criteriaWe also offer accommodation options for couples and families.Accommodation for couples and familiesIf you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place Societies and clubs Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.SocietiesSport Clubs The city of Edinburgh Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. Find out more about living in Edinburgh Hear from Informatics students and staff as they share their experiences of living in Edinburgh. Exercise, leisure and support facilities Outside of your studies, we offer a range of facilities that you might find useful day-to-day, including:sport and active wellbeing facilitiesUniversity cafes and cateringEdinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) venues and shopsa multi-faith chaplaincy for all faiths and nonea University nursery (based at King’s Buildings campus) Health and wellbeing support You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.The support services we offer include: a student counselling service a health centre (doctor's surgery) support if you're living in University accommodation dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustmentsHealth and wellbeing support services Disability and Learning Support Contact General enquiries CDT Manager, Stefania PasareCDT in Designing Responsible Natural Language ProcessingSchool of Informatics, 10 Crichton StreetEdinburgh EH8 9AB responsiblenlp@ed.ac.uk Phone:+44 (0)131 651 7112
