Centre for Doctoral Training in Quantum Informatics PhD with Integrated Study Level: Postgraduate research Subject: Computing and Informatics Year of entry: 2026 Study options Full-time PhD with Integrated Study | 4 years | Start date: September 2026 Key facts School School of Informatics College College of Science and Engineering Programme website CDT Quantum Informatics 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 Quantum informatics brings about the potential for unprecedented problem-solving capability and transformative networking and communications. In the words of the World Economic Forum: “Quantum computing is real, and organisations need to take notice now”. However, there are barriers to innovation through quantum informatics. Industrial, governmental and scientific organisations currently lack the knowledge to realise quantum advantage in practice, and there are fundamental knowledge gaps in quantum software architecture. As such, the Quantum Informatics CDT (QI CDT) offers an exciting research programme, informed by knowledge across various disciplines, including: computer sciences mathematics physics engineering As a student of this programme, you will gain an understanding of the structure and behaviour of quantum hardware, software and applications, as well as the interactions between them. Study options The Quantum Informatics PhD with Integrated Study offers:a full-time option (4 years of study)a part-time option (8 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. While working in the quantum industry, I fell in love with research and set out to deepen my experience within a strong research group. The breadth of work in the Quantum Software Lab, combined with exceptional mentoring from both my supervisors and senior researchers, has been invaluable in helping me learn and contribute to such a complex field. The cohort-style intake is a fantastic opportunity to make friends in a new city, and through it, I’ve built strong bonds with my peers, some of which have even led to academic collaborations. María Gragera Garcés 2nd Year CDT Quantum Informatics with Integrated Study Student Applying How to apply You must submit an application through the EUCLID application portal and provide the required information and documentation by the application deadline. Carefully read the details provided in the 'What you need to apply' section before you start your online application.For comprehensive application guidance, visit the Quantum Informatics CDT website, where you can find detailed information about the PhD programme, instructions for submitting an application and answers to frequently asked questions.Quantum Informatics CDT websiteWe only progress forward complete applications to the academic selection stage. When to apply Start dateDeadlineSeptember 20268 January 2026 Application fee There is no fee to apply to this programme. What you need to apply We summarise here the documents you must submit with your application. However, refer to the full guidance provided on the CDT Quantum Informatics website.Quantum Informatics CDT websiteA statement of intent (instead of a research proposal)This two-page document is your chance to explain why you are interested in the programme and why you think you will make a success of it. Describe previous experiences to demonstrate your motivation and ability; this could be undergraduate or MSc research projects, or projects from previous employment, but does not have to be about quantum informatics.A curriculum vitaeThis two-page document can take any form you like, for example narrative, to best highlight your suitability.Degree certificates and official transcripts of all completed and in-progress degrees Also include certified translations if academic documents are not issued in English.Two referencesIdeally, these should be from people that know you well and can speak to your motivation and ability for the programme. You can either provide letters on headed paper, signed and dated less than a year before the start of the programme, or provide contact details of two referees (professional email addresses). Apply Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for. Select programme - Select a programme -PhD with Integrated Study Quantum Informatics (4 years) After you apply We receive a very high number of applications, and we need to rely on you to be proactive in keeping up to date with your application’s lifecycle. You will only be notified of any missing documents through your Applicant Hub.Once you submit your application:Look out for an email to your correspondence email address from ‘University_of_Edinburgh’ from an email called ‘EUCLID_Support’ which will contain your login credentials to access your Applicant Hub. This can happen either immediately after you submit your application, or at any point up to 5 working days afterwards.Check your spam folder if you cannot locate this email. It will be sent to the email you input in the 'Correspondence address' part of your EUCLID application.Log in to create your account and check whether any documents are missing (and read the notes our Admissions Team write to explain any missing elements). Consult our FAQs for further information.FAQs for Postgraduate Research applicants CDT Quantum Informatics FAQs Academic Technology Approval Scheme If you need to apply for a student visa, you may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance certificate in order to study this programme. Academic Technology Approval Scheme 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. Full-time PhD with Integrated Study Quantum Informatics (4 years) tuition fees 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, mathematics, physics, engineering, or a related discipline. 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 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component. TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 22 for Listening, 24 for Reading, 25 for Speaking, and 24 for Writing. We do not accept TOEFL 'My Best Score' to meet our English language requirements. C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 176 in each component. Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components. Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 7 in each component. Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 with at least 145 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 As this programme offers an integrated PhD, in Year 1, you will take a mix of taught courses and projects to establish a base level of quantum informatics knowledge necessary to succeed in your studies. In doing so, you will combine expertise from across disciplines, such as:computing sciencesmathematicsphysicsengineeringYou will undertake several compulsory courses, consisting of 140 credits, as well as several elective courses, totalling 40 credits. You will be taught by experienced staff who are experts in their field. Year 1 also includes a residency programme at the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC). Towards the end of Year 1, you will be matched with a research project and supervisory team. During Year 1, you will reside in Edinburgh, but in Year 2 you will relocate to your primary supervisor’s institution, which could be either:University of OxfordUniversity College London,University of StrathclydeHeriot-Watt UniversityUniversity of EdinburghThroughout Years 2 to 4, you will focus on PhD research, but will reunite with your cohort through regular events such as spring schools and residential symposia. Read more about the programme on the QI CDT website Find out the aims and structure for each year of study on this programme. Full-time PhD with Integrated Study Quantum Informatics (4 years) (2025-2026) We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative. Work placements and internships It is possible to be jointly supervised by experts from quantum hardware and software companies. If so, you will be able to undertake research with these partners, and you will also be able to undertake hands-on experience in placements or internships where appropriate. You will also have the option to take part in entrepreneurship training through Venture Builder or ConceptionX programmes. Facilities For your research project, you can use the following computing facilities: bespoke quantum hardware provided by the NQCC and industry partnershigh-performance computing resources facilitated by the Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre (EPCC) Your computing needs will be supported by the programme’s Computing Officer. Careers Career opportunities There is a shortage of talent in quantum technology. Demand for qualified personnel is significantly higher than supply, both in industry and academia. You will be well-prepared for an academic career through scientific research, including training in tutoring, academic ethics, article writing, and research presentations. You will also have the opportunity to undertake an extended international research visit, where appropriate. You will be well-prepared for a career in industry through co-supervision by quantum hardware and software company experts, placements and internships, and research projects with industry partners. You will also be well-prepared for a career as an entrepreneur through dedicated optional programmes. 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 Jared de Bruin, CDT ManagerInformatics Graduate SchoolOffice 3.39, Informatics Forum10 Crichton StreetCentral CampusEdinburghEH8 9AB info@quantuminformatics-cdt.ac.uk Phone:+44 (0)131 651 5635
