Selection Process
The figure below illustrates the CDT MLSystems selection process from application stage to offer stage.
Find out about the MLSystems selection process and timeline.
The MLSystems CDT Selection Process from application stage to offer stage.
What we are looking for when selecting candidates
We take an evidence-based assessment against competencies to select and appoint the best students on the CDT. When assessing your application and conducting interviews, we will be looking for proofs of all the below competencies which are essential to conducting an excellent PhD in a cutting-edge and challenging field.
You may have different sources of evidence for the different competencies and these can be drawn from a wide range of activity and experience (studies, professional experience, volunteerism or hobby etc.) but they need to be reflected in your application and in your performance at interview.
- Substantial knowledge of the background methodology
- Good mathematical understanding and capability: a confidence and competence in handling mathematical ideas, and manipulations.
- Clear computational and software engineering experience
- Good basic computer science understanding
- Substantial proactivity
- Clear experience of doing research and a level of capability at that research
- Evidence of scientific writing capability
- Evidence of diligence, rigour, scholarliness, and accuracy
- Evidence of collegiality, a care for others, a willingness to help out, good working with others, and commitment to working partnerships
- Evidence of excellence (awards and prizes, publications, achievements of all sorts, community engagement, project lead etc.)
The CDT Interviews
Interviews are organised and led by the supervisor you have identified (or we have advised) as a prospective supervisor for your PhD project. An additional independent interviewer CDT will also be on the panel, and will act as CDT representative. The panel could potentially also include other parties, e.g. a prospective secondary supervisor as a third member. The interview will cover both technical knowledge and competencies, and the more general motivation and competency required to do a PhD.
Interviews last typically an hour and may be either in-person and online depending on the panel’s availability and student location. Supervisors will contact students directly to arrange interviews. If you have any concerns round your interview or require adjustments, you can confidentially get in touch with the CDT admission team at any time.
If you attend your interview in-person, the CDT will refund up to £100 of expenses (travel and accommodation).
The Post-offer Visit
If you receive a studentship funding at the end of our selection process and if you have not attended your interview in person, we will invite you to a post-offer visit so that you can come over to the School of Informatics in the University of Edinburgh, meet your prospective supervisors as well as the CDT management team. There will also be a chance to speak with current CDT students. This will give you a good idea of your future PhD environment and will help with your decision.
A virtual visit including a similar content will be offered to students who cannot come to Edinburgh in person.
Anticipated dates of post-offer visits:
In-person: Tuesday 11 March: 10:00-12:00 Online: Wednesday 12 March: 10:00-12:00
If you attend an in-person post-offer visit, the CDT will refund up to £100 of expenses (travel and accommodation).
Indicative Recruitment Timeline
| Applications open | Beginning of October |
|---|---|
| Application deadline | 3rd week of January |
| Shortlisting and Interviews by supervisors | End of January to 3rd week of February |
| Final selection of candidates | End of February |
| First round of offers | Beginning of March |
| Post-offer visits and first-round offer acceptance deadline | By end of March |
| Second round of offers (reserve list) | Until end of May |
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