Doctoral training programme in AI for decision making in complex systems (UKRI CDT)

This 4-year doctoral training programme in AI for decision making in complex systems is offered by the Universities of Manchester and Cambridge. Applicants need an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree or equivalent, along with proof of English proficiency. Funding covers tuition fees and provides a stipend, with international students limited to 30% of the cohort.

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Country of study: United Kingdom · Manchester
Target level: Doctorate
Fields of study: All fields
Languages: English: level not specifiedRequiredAccepted certificates: IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6 in writing and listening, and 5.5 in all other sub-tests, TOEFL iBT: At least 90 overall with no subtest below 20, Pearson Test of English (PTE): At least 70 overall with no subtest below 59, Successful completion of a pre-sessional English course run by the University Language Centre
Minimum grade: Upper second-class (2:1) honours degree in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD (or international equivalent) or any upper second-class (2:1) honours degree and a Master's degree at merit in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD (or international equivalent).
Other conditions: Constraints applied by EPSRC limit the number of international students we can accept to a maximum of 30% of the cohort size.Organisation’s wording: Constraints applied by EPSRC limit the number of international students we can accept to a maximum of 30% of the cohort size.

The real funding

What the opportunity pays, what is left for you to pay and the money to plan before leaving.

Paid: Tuition
Length of the funding: 48 months

Dates

Applications close: 4 December 2026
Results announced: March / April 2027
Studies start: September 2027

Application steps

In the order set by the programme. Open a step to see the details.

Step 1: Choose a project and contact the relevant supervisor for more information
With whom
You (the applicant)
Step 2: Submit the online application on The University of Manchester website, selecting the programme 'PhD Artificial Intelligence CDT' and the funding source 'Research Council'
With whom
You (the applicant)
By when
4 December 2026 — before 4 December 2026
Official link
Open the official page (opens in a new tab)
Step 3: Attend the interview if selected (first stage January/February 2027, second stage February/March 2027)
With whom
Supervisory panel, then admission panel

Where to apply

The University of Manchester (opens in a new tab) · The University of Manchester and the University of Cambridge

Official title (in English): UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training in Decision Making for Complex Systems

Edition Intake 2027 · Verified on 31 October 2026

Apply on the official website

Official website of The University of Manchester: manchester.ac.uk

See the official page of the opportunity

Quoted passages 11

Information backed: Languages
All applicants will need to demonstrate competency in English language. Applicants who do not already possess an acceptable English Language qualification will need to take a recognised test and attain a minimum IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6 in writing and listening, and 5.5. in all other sub-tests.
www.ai-decisions-cdt.ac.uk/apply/ (opens in a new tab)Consulted on 31 October 2026
Information backed: Minimum grade
The standard academic entry requirement for this PhD is an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD (or international equivalent) or any upper-second class (2:1) honours degree and a Master’s degree at merit in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD (or international equivalent).
www.ai-decisions-cdt.ac.uk/apply/ (opens in a new tab)Consulted on 31 October 2026
Information backed: Other conditions
Constraints applied by EPSRC limit the number of international students we can accept to a maximum of 30% of the cohort size.
www.ai-decisions-cdt.ac.uk/apply/ (opens in a new tab)Consulted on 31 October 2026
Information backed: Applications close
Application deadline: December 4, 2026
www.ai-decisions-cdt.ac.uk/apply/ (opens in a new tab)Consulted on 31 October 2026
Information backed: Results announced
Decisions: March / April 2027
www.ai-decisions-cdt.ac.uk/apply/ (opens in a new tab)Consulted on 31 October 2026
Information backed: Studies start
New projects for September 2027 are currently available.
www.ai-decisions-cdt.ac.uk/apply/ (opens in a new tab)Consulted on 31 October 2026
Information backed: Length of the funding
The UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Decision Making for Complex Systems is a 4-year programme that will educate the next generation of AI researchers to develop and deploy new machine learning models that can efficiently cope with uncertainty in complex systems.
www.ai-decisions-cdt.ac.uk/ (opens in a new tab)Consulted on 31 October 2026
Information backed: Tuition
Tuition fees fully covered.
www.ai-decisions-cdt.ac.uk/apply/ (opens in a new tab)Consulted on 31 October 2026
Information backed: Step 1
Before submitting your application, you must select a project. Browse our projects and get in touch with the relevant supervisor for more information.
www.ai-decisions-cdt.ac.uk/apply/ (opens in a new tab)Consulted on 31 October 2026
Information backed: Step 2
Complete your application on The University of Manchester website.
www.ai-decisions-cdt.ac.uk/apply/ (opens in a new tab)Consulted on 31 October 2026
Information backed: Step 3
Interviews: First stage - January / February 2027 (Supervisory panel) / Second Stage- February / March 2027 (Admission panel interviews).
www.ai-decisions-cdt.ac.uk/apply/ (opens in a new tab)Consulted on 31 October 2026

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