PhD in Computer Science and Informatics

Four years $6,000 per academic year

Overview

This PhD programme in Computer Science and Informatics (PhD-CSI) is designed to help students in the Kurdistan region to pursue their postgraduate studies by employing advanced and cutting-edge computer technologies, which will eventually prepare them to be leaders in the fields of computer science and information technology and help the Kurdistan region continue to flourish. The plan of having PhD-CSI would include the candidate’s competence, knowledge and skills from a societal and corporation-oriented perception. Students will undertake coursework, engage in independent research and collaborate with faculty members and peers. The programme typically begins with foundational coursework to build a strong theoretical and practical understanding of the core principles and methodologies.

Admission Requirements

• Candidates seeking admission to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at UKH must have MSc in Computer Science or Information Technology from highly regarded, recognised, and accredited universities.
• Candidates must have an average of not less than 60 and 70 in BSc and MSc respectively.
• English Language Proficiency: Minimum English Language requirement is 56 in PTE – 6.5 in IELTS -85 in TOEFL iBT or 120 in Duolingo.
• An equalised transcript is required for students who have graduated from international institutions.
• Note! Applicants dismissed for any reason from any university, school or college will not be considered.
• A diagnostic test in the school will be conducted to select those with the highest scores.

• Application Form: Online application form is required.
• Official Transcripts: Provide a copy of your undergraduate transcript with your application.
• Letters of Recommendation: Two recommendation letters are required to be submitted with your application, preferably one of which will be from a university academic.
• Interview: Applicants who meet all of the academic entrance requirements will be invited to attend an interview at which they may be asked questions regarding their intended programme of study. The interview is a compulsory stage of the selection process.
• Applicants with high quality publications are preferred.
• A copy of your CV.
• A copy of your passport/ID.
• One passport size photo.

Curriculum

The PhD-CSI modules list includes Data Science and Big Data Analytics, Cybersecurity and Information Security, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Computer Graphics and Visualisation and Independent Research Methodology.

Skills Development

The PhD-CSI programme will enable students to undertake a research project that makes up a considerable part of the overall assessment. The students will be capable to choose a research subject and develop a proposal to work on. In addition, other skills such as learning how to take initiative and responsibility, solve problems in creative and innovative ways, continue to learn independently and to develop professional capacity will be practiced. Upon completing the coursework, students focus on their research, which forms the core of their PhD studies. They work closely with their faculty supervisors to identify research areas and formulate research questions. The research topics may vary widely depending on the interests of the student and the faculty expertise available at the institution. The students are supported by one or more supervisors who guide the candidate through the research process. Throughout their doctoral research, students are expected to conduct original investigations, collect and analyse data, develop and test innovative engineering solutions and contribute new knowledge to the field. Students are expected to present their findings in conferences and publish their work in scientific journals. Successful PhD experience requires substantial independent research work. Students often work with experts from various fields to gain a holistic understanding of complex environmental problems and develop solutions, such collaboration and interdisciplinary interactions are highly encouraged.