About PhD Program,
The four-year programme includes in its first year intensive courses that provide a comprehensive introduction to theoretical and systems neuroscience and machine learning (see Teaching). Multidisciplinary training in other areas of neuroscience is also available.
We offer a supportive and interdisciplinary environment with close links to the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviours (SWC) and the ELLIS Unit at UCL. Students are encouraged to work and interact closely with researchers at SWC and the ELLIS Unit to benefit from this uniquely multidisciplinary environment. Projects involving collaboration with researchers at and/or external to UCL are welcome.
Students study toward a PhD in either machine learning or computational and theoretical neuroscience, with minor emphasis in the complementary field. Exceptionally, some students with pre-secured studentships have joined us to study for an MPhil degree in one of these fields. Students from other PhD programmes can also carry out all or part of their research in the unit. We do not offer taught undergraduate and Master’s degree programmes, nor a research Master’s degree programme.
Around 90% of our alumni students and postdoctoral fellows work in a scientific setting, with over 60% holding an academic position and about 30% working in research development in companies such as Google DeepMind and Facebook.
Visit the People page to learn more about our faculty and PhD students and the Research page for a brief overview of some common research themes in the unit.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Applicants must have a strong analytical and mathematical background, a keen interest in neuroscience and/or machine learning, and a relevant first degree (for example, in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, Statistics, Mathematics, Neuroscience, or Cognitive Psychology). Students seeking to combine work in neuroscience and machine learning are particularly encouraged to apply.
Entry requirements vary between academic departments and research centres. However, research applicants will normally be required to hold a first or upper-second class Bachelor’s degree from a UK university in an appropriate subject, or a recognised taught Master’s degree. Overseas qualifications of an equivalent standard from a recognised higher education institution are also accepted.
Candidates offered a place on the Gatsby Unit PhD programme will be required to meet UCL’s standard admissions requirements. This includes UCL’s English language proficiency requirements; the required English language level for this programme is Level 3. Please review the relevant UCL web pages carefully before applying.
Applicants who require a visa to study in the UK are advised to check, prior to applying, that their chosen mode of attendance is permitted.
Student visa holders are permitted to study on a full-time basis only. See UK Government website for further information.
Please note that students can’t be registered for a programme at UCL at the same time as being registered (or re-sitting examinations) for another programme at UCL or any other Higher Education Institution.
PhD Funding Coverage,
Full funding is available to all students, regardless of nationality. Our PhD studentships cover UCL tuition fees for both home and international students and include an annual tax-free stipend as well as travel budget for attending conferences and workshops. We also welcome applications from students with pre-secured funding or who are currently applying for other scholarships/studentships.
Application Requirement
- Secondary school
- University degrees (with copies of transcripts, see below)
- Research experience
- Awards, prizes, scholarships or other relevant notable achievements
- Highlight up to three relevant advanced mathematics or mathematics-based courses that you have taken. We are particularly interested in subjects such as linear algebra, statistical theory, multivariate analysis, differential equations, or functional analysis. You may also include science or engineering courses with a large mathematical component such as classical, quantum or statistical mechanics, control theory, or signal processing.
- English proficiency. Candidates offered a place on this PhD programme will be required to meet UCL’s English language proficiency requirements; the required English language level for this programme is Level 3. Please check the information carefully before answering the question(s).
We will ask you to upload copies of your degree transcripts. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at this point. If you have more than one transcript for a single degree, please combine them into a single file before uploading.
This statement is to help us gauge your motivation and the depth of your thought about problems in machine learning or neuroscience.
You should identify one or more scientific questions of interest in machine learning or neuroscience and explain why you find them interesting, why you think they are important, and how they would align with research in the Gatsby Unit. We are not seeking a thesis project proposal nor do we hold anyone to areas identified in this statement if they join us. Do not use the statement to describe research experience, although you may find it helpful to highlight experience of any sort that fits with or motivates the questions you discuss. (As a guide, the text should be ~2 pages in length.)
You will be asked to enter the names and contact information of at least two (ideally three) academic referees who have agreed to comment on your ability and suitability for doctoral research. The best referees have directly supervised your research. You may also ask professors with whom you have studied, particularly if you interacted extensively enough that they can judge your potential. A director of studies or similar mentor may be able to provide a useful overview, provided that they know you well.
To give them adequate time you should submit the referee information as soon as you know who your referees will be, even if the rest of the application is still incomplete. Once you submit the referee information, an email request will be sent automatically. You will receive an email confirmation when each reference is received. References must reach us by 12 November 2024 (i.e., one day after your application deadline). It is your responsibility to follow up with your referees to ensure the references arrive on time.
Applications must be submitted via the Gatsby Recruitment Application Portal; please select ‘Gatsby Unit PhD Programme 2025’. Applications by any other means will not be accepted.
Application for 2025 entry will open on 23 September 2024.
Application Deadline,
The deadline for applicants is 23:59 GMT on Monday 11 November 2024
Application Fee,
There is no application fee.
