Overview

Digital infrastructures are at the heart of our societal fabric. They range from traditional critical infrastructures, for example, water, power to emerging ones such as smart cities, intelligent transportation, Fintech and future banking, through to large social and business interaction platforms.

Cyber security is a hard challenge in any system. The ever-increasing interconnectivity and dependencies across the boundaries of such infrastructures make it an even harder one. Legacy (often insecure) and contemporary (secure or with hitherto undiscovered vulnerabilities) hardware, software and services are connected together, often on-the-fly, due to millions of user interactions. This is compounded by complex and changing supply chains with varying levels of security assurances and trust.

This next frontier in cyber security requires highly skilled professionals to proactively anticipate and address the implications for security and resilience through innovative fundamental research that will underpin future infrastructure architectures and products and services therein. However, there continues to be a major shortage of skilled cyber security professionals.

PhD-level graduates are key to addressing this major shortage as they are the future research leaders with the capability to anticipate the challenges and develop innovative solutions.

Our Cyber Secure Everywhere Centre for Doctoral Training offers research students an immersive challenge-led training approach by providing a unique co-creation experience with user partners to research overarching but linked thematic challenges. During our four-year programme, students learn from world-leading researchers from the Universities of Bristol and Bath, from each other as an interdisciplinary cohort, and also from industry experts.

Our approach is fundamentally different from regular research training. Students learn from leading experts within multiple disciplines, including psychology, management, engineering, sociology and computer science. This approach provides a holistic understanding that is more attuned to the realities of tackling cyber security problems across complex IT, OT and IIoT systems.

Full details of our programme, projects, cohort activities, supervisors and industry partners can be found on the Centre for Doctoral Training in Cyber Security website.

Programme structure

The Cyber Secure Everywhere CDT is a four-year training programme with emphasis on challenge-led approach combined with collaborative teamwork that brings students from different backgrounds together to learn as a cohort in a flipped classroom mode and regular group work. Our specially designed taught first year is delivered through teaching, masterclasses, placements, sandpits and guided self-study including peer-supported learning and group work.

During the first year of the programme, you will undertake a range of units allowing you time to build knowledge and ignite your curiosity. In addition, there will be opportunities for transferable skills training and participation in public engagement activities leading to your professional development.

Following your first year of structured units, you will progress to the research component of the programme. At this stage you will be able to perform your own research at an internationally publishable standard. You will also be able to document and communicate your findings to peers and expert practitioners in the field.

Visit the Cyber Security programme details page for full details of our challenge-led, interdisciplinary and unique co-creation approach to training that underpins our four-year research programme.

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold/achieve a minimum of an upper-second class honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline.

Cyber security is an interdisciplinary challenge, and the CDT focuses on both social and technical challenges of cyber security. Applications are welcome from those with a range of disciplinary backgrounds including (but not limited to): computer science, psychology, management, electrical and electronics engineering, civil engineering, criminology, and social sciences. Candidates should be willing to work across disciplinary boundaries and inform their research from different disciplinary perspectives.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

Go to admissions statement

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level B.

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Fees and funding

Home: full-time
£4,850 per year
Home: part-time
£2,425 per year
Overseas: full-time
£26,700 per year

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Alumni discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding and scholarships

The Centre for Doctoral Training in Cyber Security (Cyber Secure Everywhere) offers a number of Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) studentships to eligible applicants covering tuition fees, maintenance stipend, and research travel expenses.

Applications received from self-funded/sponsored international and EU students are welcome and will be considered.

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career prospects

Graduates will be prepared for a variety of careers all over the globe, including world-leading research. Others could work as consultants or as part of large-scale engineering industries, software development organisations, telecommunication and infrastructure providers.

Meet our supervisors

The following list shows potential supervisors for this programme. Visit their profiles for details of their research and expertise.

awais.rashid@bristol.ac.uk;daniel.page@bristol.ac.uk;claudia.peersman@bristol.ac.uk;barney.craggs@bristol.ac.uk;f.dupressoir@bristol.ac.uk;alma.oracevic@bristol.ac.uk;sana.belguith@bristol.ac.uk;sridhar.adepu@bristol.ac.uk;matthew.john.edwards@bristol.ac.uk;joseph.hallett@bristol.ac.uk;chloe.martindale@bristol.ac.uk;csxbw@bristol.ac.uk;mike.fraser@bristol.ac.uk;seth.bullock@bristol.ac.uk;nirav.ajmeri@bristol.ac.uk;ola.michalec@bristol.ac.uk;marvin.ramokapane@bristol.ac.uk;joe.gardiner@bristol.ac.uk;inah.omoronyia@bristol.ac.uk;richard.owen@bristol.ac.uk;e.pantano@bristol.ac.uk;ana.javornik@bristol.ac.uk;emma.slade@bristol.ac.uk;dimitra.simeonidou@bristol.ac.uk;g.oikonomou@bristol.ac.uk;r.j.piechocki@bristol.ac.uk;theo.tryfonas@bristol.ac.uk;weiru.liu@bristol.ac.uk;ryan.mcconville@bristol.ac.uk;matthew.bisatt@bristol.ac.uk;j.bober@bristol.ac.uk;g.liveley@bristol.ac.uk;a.j.charlesworth@bristol.ac.uk;sveta.milyaeva@bristol.ac.uk;

Contact us

Contact

Cyber Security CDT Enquiries

Email

enquiries@cybersecurity-cdt.ac.uk