How To Apply

Find out how to apply to our CDT programme.

Applications for 2027 entry

Applications for September 2027 entry will open in October.

Application Process

This is the sequence you should follow to apply for the CDT programme. Each step is described in more detail below.

  1. Review the CDT programme structure and expectations
  2. Check what applicants the CDT is looking for
  3. Prepare supporting documents
  4. Complete online application form
  5. Wait for shortlisting results
  6. Review project proposals and decide which are of interest to you
  7. Approach the supervisors of the projects of interest
  8. Interview for your chosen project
  9. If successful, submit application to University of Edinburgh

(1) Review the CDT programme structure and expectations

Study the information on the CDT website and other channels carefully and aim to attend one of the virtual open days. You can also email us any questions you have about the programme. 

Remember this is something you would be committing to for 4 years, so it’s important to make sure the programme seems like the right fit for you.

(2) Check what applicants the CDT is looking for

Make sure to review what attributes we're looking for in our CDT students. Consider how they resonate with you and how you can demonstrate these attributes in your application. 

 

(3) Prepare supporting documents

Your application must include all the supporting documents listed below. If any of the documents are missing, your application will be considered incomplete and rejected before review. Click on the name of each document for more details.

Make sure to review the applicant attributes at this stage and provide relevant evidence for these in your supporting statement and CV.

Please note you are not expected to pick your PhD project topic or approach any potential supervisors prior to applying. All applications will be considered for their suitability to the CDT programme. Only applicants shortlisted for interview will be presented with this year's project proposals and will need to pick their top choice then.

Detailed instructions about the content of the supporting statement will be published in autumn, once the next recruitment round opens.

We encourage applicants, if they would like to, to let us know of any challenges or barriers that they may have experienced that they feel has impacted their academic progression, ability to gain relevant experience, or indeed any other aspect they think is relevant to our consideration of their application.


Provide an up-to-date CV which includes details on your education (including all degrees completed and in progress), experience, skills and achievements, etc. If you have any conference or journal publications (including preprints), participation in public engagement or poster presentations, please make sure to include details of those too. Provide links to your code repositories (e.g. GitHub or similar), if you have any.

Please do NOT attach your photo or mention your age, race or any other characteristics in the CV.

You can view some sample CVs below that are examples of good practice. These have been submitted by our 2024 & 2025 students when they were applying to the CDT.


Sample CVs of our CDT students (at the point of application)

You need to submit official documents that confirm any degrees or qualifications you have been awarded.

A degree certificate is the official document which you usually receive at your graduation ceremony and confirms that the degree has been awarded to you. A transcript is an additional document which comes with your certificate and details the grades you have achieved per course/module each semester/academic year. Please ensure that your transcript includes information for the total duration of your studies.

Please also provide additional transcripts from Institutions you have studied in as a visiting student or as part of an exchange programme.

If your degree is currently in progress, please submit an interim transcript.


See the detailed guidance on providing official certificates.


If your degree certificate and/or transcript are not in English, you will need to provide a translation of all these documents.

The translation does not have to be officially certified at this point, but if you are successful and offered a place on the programme, you will need to provide a certified translation before your offer can be made unconditional.


(4) Complete online application form

Application form can be accessed by following the link below. Make sure you review all your responses carefully before submitting.

(5) Wait for shortlisting results

The shortlisting will be based on your suitability for the CDT programme. 

Applicants shortlisted for interview will be presented with the list of PhD projects on offer for 2027 start, and will need to pick their top choice project to focus on at the interview.

Please note if you have not been shortlisted in the first instance, you may still be considered at later stages, if we have any spaces remaining unallocated after the first round of interviews.

(6) Review project proposals and decide which are of interest to you

Start by finding and reading through a few academic publications that cover the same or adjacent topic as your project of interest. You can try searching via the platforms listed below.

The University of Edinburgh Research Explorer will allow you to access peer-reviewed papers free of charge, and you can search by the project supervisor to find all their publications to date.

Perplexity is another great tool to suggest relevant publications, concept explanations and other resources to start with.

This stage should give you a general idea of the research topic, current trends, developments and methodologies, and ultimately help you consider if this is an area you see yourself working in for the next 4 years.

(7) Approach the supervisors of the projects of interest

We strongly recommend approaching the primary supervisor before the interview. This will help you get a better idea about the project as well as the supervisor who you’d potentially be working with for the next 4 years.

For your introductory email to the supervisor:

  • Include “AI4BI CDT” in subject line
  • Introduce yourself and briefly describe your background: what you have studied so far, any relevant professional/research experience.
  • Explain why you are interested in the project, how it fits with your interests, aspirations and experience.
  • Make sure to tailor your email to a particular supervisor and project. Do not send a general email to several people at once: it will only demonstrate to them you’re not willing to put in effort into communication with them and will make them far less likely to engage.
  • Be brief and stick to the point: there is no need to write an essay.
  • Attach your up-to-date CV to the email.

It is normal to ask the prospective supervisor to put you in touch with one or several of their current PhD students. This would help you get an external perspective about working with that supervisor and decide if it matches your expectations.

(8) Interview for your chosen project

Based on steps 6-7, you should be able to identify your top choice project you would like to interview for. The interview will include tailored questions on your project of choice, along with other topics which will be communicated to you at the point of interview invitation.

(9) Submit your documents via the University of Edinburgh applicant portal - if you're offered a CDT place

If your application for the CDT studentship is successful and you would like to accept it, you will need to submit your documents to the University of Edinburgh applicant system (EUCLID). This is required to verify your eligibility requirements and for your formal University offer letter to be issued.

You will be sent a link to the application portal by the CDT.

 

Upload the same supporting statement you included with your original application to the CDT.


Upload the same CV you included with your original application to the CDT.


You need to specify two referees, which should ordinarily be written by academics and teachers who can provide good quality and authentic assessments of your academic skills, achievements, and potential. If you currently work in industry and don’t have recent academic referees, a reference from your employer is suitable too, provided that it covers the above points.

When you submit your application the system will automatically request a reference from your referees, but if you have already obtained references you’ll be able to upload these directly.


You need to submit official documents that confirm any degrees or qualifications you have been awarded.

A degree certificate is the official document which you usually receive at your graduation ceremony and confirms that the degree has been awarded to you. A transcript is an additional document which comes with your certificate and details the grades you have achieved per course/module each semester/academic year. Please ensure that your transcript includes information for the total duration of your studies.

Please also provide additional transcripts from Institutions you have studied in as a visiting student or as part of an exchange programme.

If your degree is currently in progress, please submit an interim transcript.


See the detailed guidance on providing official certificates.


If your degree certificate and/or transcript are not in English, you will need to provide a certified translation of these documents. 

Note this is different from the CDT application, which didn't require certified translation.


You must demonstrate a level of English language competency that will enable you to succeed in your studies. This can be via your degree certificate or one of the approved tests. See the University guidance for details on what evidence is acceptable.


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