About this opportunity
The UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training in Dependable and Deployable AI for Robotics is accepting applications for full-time PhD studentships starting in September 2027. The programme is offered jointly by Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh and runs over four years, with the next cohort beginning in September 2027.
Studentships are fully funded and cover tuition fees and monthly stipends at the UKRI research council rate, with the centre noting that precise fees and stipend rates will be confirmed at a later date. Students also receive a budget with funding for travel, small pieces of equipment and an optional international placement.
The centre states that studentships are limited but open to all nationalities, and its FAQ confirms that both UK-based and international applicants may apply, with a small number of studentships each year for international applicants covering all university fees. Those international positions are expected to be highly competitive.
Entry requires an undergraduate degree at UK 2:1 level or above, or a higher degree, in computer science, engineering or a related discipline. Applicants from other disciplines with an interest in robotics are considered where they can show substantial exposure to computing or engineering concepts, quantitative methods and programming.
Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency, with a minimum of IELTS 6. 5 or equivalent and no individual component below 6.
0. The first-round
Application timeline
is Friday 27 November 2026, and all supporting documents, including the two reference letters, must arrive by that date. The centre aims to send first-round decisions in January 2027, with successful applicants invited to an online interview and the remaining offers expected by March 2027.
What you receive
- Four-year full-time PhD studentship starting September 2027
- Tuition fees and monthly stipends covered at the UKRI research council rate
- A budget for travel, small pieces of equipment and an optional international placement
- Cohort-based training delivered jointly by Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh
- Open to all nationalities, with a small number of studentships each year for international applicants covering all university fees
Who can apply
- An undergraduate degree at UK 2:1 level or above, or a higher degree, in computer science, engineering or a related discipline
- Applicants from other disciplines are considered where they can show substantial exposure to computing or engineering concepts, quantitative methods and programming
- Open to all nationalities, both UK-based and international applicants
- Evidence of English language proficiency if English is not your first language, minimum IELTS 6.5 with no component below 6.0
- The programme is in-person and full-time, and students are expected to be based near Edinburgh
Documents to prepare
- A current CV
- Previous transcripts and degree certificates, with a certified English translation for any document not in English
- A scan of the front cover and information pages of your passport
- A completed CDT-D2AIR Supplementary Information Form, used in place of a research proposal or personal statement
- Two reference letters, emailed directly by the referees to cdt-d2air@hw.ac.uk with the applicant's name clearly indicated
- Evidence of English language proficiency if English is not your first language
How to apply
- Read the CDT-D2AIR programme and research themes before you begin
- Submit the application through the Heriot-Watt Postgraduate Programmes application website
- Under On-Campus Programmes select Postgraduate Research, for example PhD or MPhil
- Select Edinburgh as the location of study, then the programme Dependable and Deployable Artificial Intelligence for Robotics, PhD
- For the study option select Dependable and Deployable Artificial Intelligence for Robotics, PhD, Edinburgh, September 2027, Full-Time
- In the funding section select Scholarship and enter CDT-D2AIR as the name of the scholarship or sponsor, leaving research project information and primary supervisor blank
- After the confirmation email arrives, upload your supporting documents and attach the CDT-D2AIR Supplementary Information Form in place of the project proposal
- Ask both referees to email their reference letters directly to the centre, and make sure everything reaches the programme by 27 November 2026
Selection process
- Applications are reviewed by the CDT-D2AIR team after the 27 November 2026 deadline
- First-round decisions are aimed for January 2027
- Selected applicants are invited to an online interview
- Decisions on first-round offers are expected by March 2027, for a cohort starting in September 2027
Sources and verification
Questions applicants ask
Is CDT-D2AIR open to international applicants?
Yes. The centre states that studentships are open to all nationalities, either UK-based or international applicants, and that a small number of studentships for international applicants covering all university fees are available each year.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline for submitting applications is Friday 27 November 2026, and all required supporting documents including reference letters must be received by that date.
Do I need to contact a supervisor before applying?
No. Applicants do not need to contact a potential supervisor before applying, although some choose to. During the first year of the programme students define their research project.
Do I submit a research proposal?
No. All applicants submit a completed CDT-D2AIR Supplementary Information Form in place of a research proposal or personal statement.
When will I hear back?
Reviewing takes several weeks and does not begin until applications close. First-round decisions are aimed for January 2027, with the remaining offers expected by March 2027.
Important disclaimer
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