Centre for Doctoral Training in Artificial Intelligence for Biomedical Innovation PhD with Integrated Study Level: Postgraduate research Subject: Computing and Informatics Year of entry: 2026 Study options Key facts School School of Informatics College College of Science and Engineering Programme website Programme website PhD by Distance Not available School location Central Area Apply now 19 to 21 November 2025: Postgraduate Virtual Open Days Join us live to explore postgraduate taught and research study at Edinburgh and gain key insights before you apply. Register now Overview About the degree programme Artificial intelligence has immense potential to tackle the major global health challenges, optimise healthcare systems and improve patient outcomes. The greatest challenge to realising this potential is its translation into real-world use. Our programme aims to address this challenge by training interdisciplinary researchers who would possess the technical skills, biomedical domain knowledge, and experience developing and implementing innovative AI approaches in the private and public sectors.Who this programme is forOur programme is especially suitable for those with relatively little prior exposure to computer science and mathematics. This includes clinicians, allied health professionals, and biological/biomedical scientists. Our graduates will acquire technical skills from computer science, mathematics and statistics, and domain knowledge from biomedical and clinical sciences. You will know how to:practice responsible and open AI research and innovationadopt the best practice for minimising the risk of bias in AIunderstand the importance of model explainability for clinical useFour themesThe research programme is organised into four thematic areas, each with an expert theme leader supported by groups of at least twenty project supervisors from across the University:AI for Genomic MedicineAI for Biomedical ImagingAI for Cellular and Molecular Systems MedicineAI for Biomedical & Health InformaticsProgramme aimsOur programme provides well-rounded training and development, collaboration and engagement opportunities to turn you into a highly competent, sought-after researcher suited to a variety of careers both inside and outside of academia.It aims to:train PhD students to use machine learning approaches to address real-world problems in inter-disciplinary biomedical, clinical, and health research settingsconduct a broad range of co-designed state-of-the-art PhD research projects with external partners in the public and private sectordevelop the innovation and entrepreneurship skills of our students through bespoke training programmes and spin-out supportfoster ethical, reproducible, and open research practices among our studentsprovide experience of conducting research in external organisations through 3-month placement projectspromote participation in the programme by students from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds Applying How to apply Only complete applications will progress forward to the academic selection stage. AI4Bi application guidance Application fee There is no fee to apply to this programme. What you need to apply Your application will include submission of:a Curriculum Vitae (CV)a covering letter describing your motivations, interests and suitability for the CDT programmedegree certificates and official transcripts of all completed and in-progress degrees (plus certified translations if academic documents are not issued in English)two academic references 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 Tuition fees by award and duration Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year. Costs Accommodation and living costs You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.Living costs include:foodutility billstravel, clothes, books and stationeryrecreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)Living costsAccommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.University postgraduate accommodation options and costs Entry requirements These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026. Qualifications A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in an area related to the topic of the CDT, for example, computer science, AI, cognitive science, mathematics, physics, engineering, biomedical science, biological science, and clinical & public health sciences. International qualifications To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list. Where you studied - Select a country or region -AfghanistanAlbaniaAngolaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDemocratic Republic of CongoDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFinlandFranceGabonThe GambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGuatemalaGuineaHaitiHondurasHong Kong-SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKorea, Republic ofKuwaitLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLithuaniaLuxembourgMacau-SAR ChinaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMauritiusMexicoMoldovaMongoliaMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNetherlands, TheNew ZealandNicaraguaNigeriaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPacific IslandsPakistanPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTajikistanTaiwanTanzaniaThailandTogoTrinidad and TobagoTurkeyTurkmenistanUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVenezuelaVietnamWest Indies and CaribbeanZambiaZimbabweMy 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 testa degree that was taught and assessed in Englishcertain 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): total 92 with at least 20 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. Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components. Oxford ELLT: total 7 with at least 6 in each component. 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)Trinity ISEOxford 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 Our programme is a 4 year PhD with integrated study, which means it combines PhD research with taught courses, transferrable skills training and partner engagement.In Years 1 to 3, you will take a selection of compulsory and elective courses to establish a solid knowledge base to best match your interests and development needs, and to help you conduct innovative and productive research at the highest level.You will also complete a broader training programme designed to help you develop into an effective and independent critical thinker with valuable transferrable skills. The training includes aspects such as:ethicsresponsible researchentrepreneurshippatient and public involvementcommunication Work placements and internships You will complete a 3-month placement dissertation project, within which you will undertake a separate small research project in collaboration with an external partner. This will enable you to experience another environment and/or research challenge/technical area during your studies. The project may take place on-site with the partner organisation but could also be conducted from the University if those arrangements better suit you and the partner organisation.The exact profile and timing of the placement project will be formulated in consultation between you, the supervisor team and the CDT. Many students will also choose to undertake separate internships during their studies. Support You will gain an understanding of key challenges and opportunities for the application of AI in clinical, biomedical and public health settings. You will gain the skills, knowledge and experience to develop and implement AI solutions in interdisciplinary research environments and practice responsible research innovation.Teaching and learning methods will include traditional lectures, tutorials and workshops in the various courses as well as masterclasses, hackathons and group mini-projects.Training will be delivered by Edinburgh staff, invited lecturers, staff from industry and external partners, facilities/service staff.Entrepreneurship training through 'PhD Max', 'Venture Builder Incubator' and other bespoke training through the Bayes Centre Entrepreneurship team and the programme’s Innovation training lead.Outreach and Public Communication Training from specialist external providers, including the Alan Turing Institute.Public Patient Involvement and Engagement training and working with stakeholders to ensure research is well targeted and developed with the interests of all parties considered.Responsible Research and Innovation training in collaboration with the Alan Turing Institute and experts from the University and the CDT’s external partners.You will be supported by an experienced team of academic and professional service staff. Each year group will have a dedicated mentor who will work closely with our research and training leads, the CDT management group, external advisory board and partners to support you. Facilities You will be embedded in the vibrant world-class and interdisciplinary research community within the Informatics Forum and Bayes Centre with access to state-of-the-art computational infrastructure through the School of Informatics and Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre. This includes access to large CPU and GPU cluster compute in the Edinburgh International Data Facility. Careers Career opportunities Graduates with interdisciplinary skills and experience at the interface between biomedical and computational science are in huge demand, with a well identified skills shortage in the UK and globally. You will have the opportunity to work directly and learn from external partners in the public and private sectors, and will receive bespoke co-delivered career training in the programme. 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 exercise 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, Ekaterina ChurkinaInformatics Graduate School10 Crichton StreetCentral CampusEdinburghEH8 9AB ai4bicdt@ed.ac.uk Phone:+44 (0)131 651 7112
