Study in UK | University of Edinburgh Fully-Funded PhD Scholarship 2026
Prepared to transform your interest in cyber threats into impactful research? The University of Edinburgh, a consistently leading global institution in Computer Science, has commenced applications for its PhD in Cybersecurity, Privacy and Trust for entry in 2026. This is your opportunity to become part of a formidable research environment at the School of Informatics, College of Science & Engineering, located in the center of one of Europe’s most vibrant technology centers.
What makes this PhD significant
With ransomware, AI-driven fraud, and nation-state assaults, the risks in cybersecurity have reached unprecedented levels. Edinburgh’s PhD program addresses this challenge from all perspectives—security engineering, privacy-preserving computation, usable security, trust, risk, law, policy, economics, and real-world implementation—ensuring your research is not only theoretically sound but also practically applicable.
- Mode of study: Full-time, 3 years, various start dates
- Location: Central District, Edinburgh (PhD by Distance not offered)
- School size: approximately 1,750 students and 150 faculty members in Informatics—immediate community, guidance, and teamwork.
- Reputation: In REF 2021, the School was ranked 1st in the UK for research power in Computer Science & Informatics—anticipate state-of-the-art labs, exceptional supervision, and significant publication pathways.
Discover Edinburgh—Your New Research Hub
Edinburgh regularly places among the most desirable cities globally and is one of the UK’s rapidly expanding tech hubs. You will be among startups, scaleups, accelerators, and public sector partners eager for solutions in cyber resilience, digital trust, and privacy-by-design.
Financing: what’s being offered?
The majority of Informatics PhD students obtain comprehensive scholarships that include tuition and living expenses. Other options consist of University/School-level scholarships (with some available through a separate Scholarships Portal), loans, employer sponsorship, savings, or earnings from work. International students ought to explore highlighted funding opportunities from the School of Informatics and the broader University simultaneously with their PhD application.
What they seek (and how to make an impression)
This programme requires intensive research. Demonstrate that you’re prepared to advance the discipline:
- A concise and targeted research proposal (3–5 pages unless your chosen project indicates differently)
- An applicable foundation in computing, security, cryptography, data privacy, AI/ML security, HCI/usable security, formal methodologies, networks, or policy/regulation concerning new technologies.
- Demonstrated research capability (projects, preprints/publications, code, internships, competitions, contributions to open-source).
What you can Research
- Privacy-preserving ML & data sharing (federated learning, homomorphic encryption, differential privacy)
- Software & systems security (program analysis, formal verification, vulnerability identification, supply chain security)
- Network and cloud security (zero trust, 5G/edge/IoT, secure virtualization)
- Human-centred security & trust (practical security, verification, risk awareness, choice-making)
- Cyber policy, law & governance (data privacy frameworks, security, AI hazards, platform responsibility)
- Adversarial AI & robust ML (contamination, avoidance, explainability)
- Critical infrastructure resilience (healthcare, finance, intelligent cities, energy networks).
How to Apply
Key Application Deadlines to Remember
Applications are accepted throughout the year for the Fully-Funded PhD in Cyber Security 2026 at the University of Edinburgh, featuring various start dates in 2026. However, to be considered for funding, aim for Round 1 by 24 November 2025 (with offers released by 30 April 2026); a Round 2 (to be confirmed) is also anticipated, with offers made by 30 April 2026 as well
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