How to Apply

We are no longer accepting applications for 2026/27 Entry

Applications for 2026/27 Entry (Now Closed)

We are no longer accepting applications for 2026/27 entry, however, we will start recruitment for 2027/28 entry in October 2026, so please do check back then. 

Our PhD programme brings together talented students from a wide range of backgrounds to explore both the foundations and applications of quantum technologies, supported by world-leading researchers. By joining us, you will become part of a vibrant and collaborative community at the forefront of quantum science and innovation.

2026/27 Recruitment Timeline

  • 8th October 2025: Applications Open
  • 19th November 2025: QI CDT Applicant Webinar
  • 8th January 2026: Application Deadline
  • Mid-March 2026: Notification of Interview
  • Late March to Early April 2026: Interviews Take Place
  • Mid-April 2026: Notification of Interview Outcome and Offers Issued
  • September 2026: Start of PhD programme with the QI CDT

For the 2027/28 entry recruitment timeline, please check back in October 2026.

 

 

Eligibility and Funding

As a minimum, applicants must have or expect to obtain a UK first-class or upper second-class (2:1) honours undergraduate degree, or an equivalent qualification, in a relevant subject. For the full QI CDT-specific entry requirements, please click here, including for international degree equivalent qualifications.

These 4-year fully funded PhD studentships include both tuition fees and stipends (tax free). Stipends will differ for home and international students, with international students receiving the standard UKRI rate (for the 2025/26 academic year, this is currently £20,780). Home students starting their studies in September 2026 will also receive the standard UKRI rate, plus an additional £10,000 per year as part of the UK Government’s TechExpert Pilot (see our FAQs for further details).  

In addition, students will receive a Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) to fund costs associated with their research during their PhD, for example, conference attendance, systems and software access, or additional training needs.

Fully funded studentships are available to both home and international applicants:

UK Home Studentship Fee Status

To be eligible for a fully funded UK home studentship you must:

  • Be a UK national or UK/EU dual national or non-UK national with settled status / pre-settled status / indefinite leave to remain / indefinite leave to enter / discretionary leave / EU migrant worker in the UK or non-UK national with a claim for asylum or the family member of such a person, and
  • Have ordinary residence in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or British Overseas Territory, at the Point of Application, and
  • Have three years residency in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, British Overseas Territory or EEA before the relevant date of application unless residency outside of the UK/ EEA has been of a temporary nature only and of a period less than six years.

If you do not meet the above criteria, you are an international student.

International Studentship Fee Status

There are a limited number of international studentships for exceptional candidates who do not meet the UK home studentship status eligibility requirements.

The funding arrangements for international students are the same as that of home students, i.e., you are eligible for a fully funded studentship and are not required to pay any additional international tuition fees (top up fees). This is because our partner institutions have agreed to waive the difference between home and international tuition fees.

Depending on your country of origin, you may be required to provide ATAS clearance. Please note, this will only be required if you are made an offer. 

 

 

Application Requirements and Submission

The information below covers key topics, including (1) our application requirements, such as the necessary documentation and completion of our Demographics Survey, and (2) how to submit your application. Please take the time to read through the guidance carefully to ensure the best possible outcome for your application.

For your convenience, the list of application requirements is:

  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Statement of Intent
  • References (two required)
  • Certificates and Transcripts
  • English Language Qualifications (if applicable)
  • Demographics Survey

Application Requirements

Curriculum Vitae

This two page document (max) should highlight your suitability for the programme by describing your background.

It can take any form you like, from bullet points listing education, employment, and other activities, to a more narrative form.

Please see the below guidance on how to write a CV:

Statement of Intent

This two page document (max) is your chance to explain why you are interested in the programme and why you think you will make a success of it. Please describe previous experiences to demonstrate your motivation and ability; this could be undergraduate or MSc research projects, or projects from previous employment, but does not have to be about quantum informatics.

Please note that we do not require a research proposal for this application. As such, upload your Statement of Intent via the online application system when asked for your “Research Proposal”.

The CDT will work with you to establish and allocate a PhD research project towards the end of your first year, at which point you will begin working with your supervisory team to develop the topic.

References

You will need two references; one must be academic, however, the other can be either academic or professional.

There are two options as to how you can submit references via the University of Edinburgh’s online application system, i.e., you can upload a reference as a supporting document, or you can enter your referee’s contact details, and the University of Edinburgh will contact them to request a reference on your behalf. Please note that you can provide your references via a combination of these two options. 

Option 1: Uploading as part of your application
You can upload references via the online application system, along with the rest of your application documentation. Your reference(s) should be on official headed paper, should be signed by the referee(s), and must be dated within the last 12 months.  

Option 2:  Entering contact details as part of your application
You can enter your referee(s) contact details (email address) via the online application system, and the University of Edinburgh will email them requesting they submit a reference on your behalf (this happens automatically only once you have fully submitted your application). When your referee provides a reference, you will be sent an email to confirm that the University of Edinburgh has received this. Before you provide your referee(s) contact details, please ensure you have sought agreement from them in advance, advising them that they will need to provide your reference(s) within 10 days, or by 15th January 2026 if sooner (one week after applications close). 

Certificates and Transcripts

Please upload certificates and transcripts for any previous degrees you have completed or are close to completing, to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility criteria. All certificates and transcripts must be translated into English.

If your application is successful, you will also need to provide valid proof of English language competency before you can be offered a place on the programme. This does not need to be submitted at the time of application and can be provided later.

For the full QI CDT-specific entry requirements, please click here, including for international degree equivalent qualifications.

Demographics Survey

  • We are committed to creating an environment in which everyone can thrive and to ensuring fairness across all our practices, from recruitment through to training. To help us achieve this, and to meet the requirements of our funder (EPSRC), we collect information about applicants’ personal characteristics. This information enables us to monitor and improve our recruitment processes with respect to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

    Please be assured that your responses will not be linked to your application documents and will not be visible to the Academic Selection Panel. They will be accessible only to a small group of CDT staff and used solely in aggregate form for reporting to our funder and Advisory Board, once the recruitment process has concluded.

  • After you have submitted your application and received your applicant number, please complete our Demographics Survey.

    Completion of this Survey is mandatory. You may select “Prefer not to say” for any question, and this will not affect your application; however, failure to complete the Survey will invalidate your application.

Application Submission

All applications must be submitted via the University of Edinburgh’s online application system.

As the online application system is standardised, only certain sections are relevant for QI CDT applications. Please refer to the tabs below for guidance on which sections you need to complete and what information and documentation to provide and/or upload.

Please Note:

  • If you need more general guidance on how to navigate the online application system, please refer to the guidance videos provided by the University of Edinburgh here. 
  • Applications will be reviewed by the CDT’s Academic Selection Panel, which comprises members from our Management Committee, Supervisory Network, and Industry Network (industry partners). In addition, applications will be reviewed and processed by administrative members of the CDT Team.

Complete this section in full. For country of permanent residence, please only select UK if you hold pre-/settled status in the UK, otherwise select the same country as your nationality

Complete this section in full. Please ensure you are using a valid email address that you will retain access to until September 2026, as this will ensure we can stay in contact with you

Write “See supporting documents” in each mandatory field

  • Academic Qualification
    Enter the details for the most recent qualification you have achieved or are in the progress of achieving. If you hold several degrees, no need to enter the additional information here, but make sure to include it in your CV
  • English Language Qualification
    Complete in full
  • Professional Qualifications
    Select “No” here and list any relevant professional qualifications in your CV instead

Leave this section blank, making sure to include the relevant information in your CV

Select “No” and enter “Not Applicable”. All applicants selected for the programme will automatically be awarded funding, so this question is not applicable

Complete in full if you would like for your referees to be contacted directly, or only include their names here if you already have the references and are going to upload them yourself

Make sure to upload all supporting documents, including CV, Statement of Intent, details of references, and certificates and transcripts. Your application will be considered incomplete without them, and will not be considered by the CDT

Please Note:

  • All uploads should be in PDF format, and must not exceed 4MB in size
  • As a research proposal is not required as part of this application, instead, please upload your Statement of Intent in the “Research Proposal” field
  • If you have two or more degree certificates or transcripts, please combine them into one document before uploading. If you do not, the University of Edinburgh Admissions team or CDT team will have to prompt you to provide the remaining transcripts at a later date later, potentially delaying your application

Interviews

Applications will be reviewed by an Academic Selection Panel, and shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview before final decisions are made. To ensure fairness for all candidates, interviews will be conducted online, following the same duration and format. Interview questions will also be provided in advance to all invited applicants.

You can expect to be notified of the outcome of shortlisting by mid-March 2026, with interviews scheduled between late March and early April 2026. Please note that this timeline may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances; if so, we will keep applicants informed.