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Research Degree: Quantum Computation and Quantum Communications

London, Bloomsbury

This is the programme information for 2025 entry

If you require details of the previous year's programme, Quantum Computation and Quantum Communications MPhil/PhD (2024), click here

This PhD programme equips students with the necessary expertise and practical knowledge to fulfil the potential of this ground-breaking field. We offer an entry stream for engineers and computer scientists with little or no prior experience in quantum mechanics, as well as students with a physics background, as part of the Intensive Training Programme (ITP).

The aim of the ITP is to provide a common skills background, as well as allowing students to specialise their interests via their Introductory Project, leading to the selection of their PhD topic. Students will undergo a comprehensive and rigorous cross-disciplinary training programme, collaboratively designed by a diverse team of UCL academics and our extensive network of partners.

UK students International students

Study mode

UK tuition fees (2025/26)

See Fees Note

Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)

See Fees Note

Duration

4 calendar years

8 academic years

Programme starts

October 2025

Applications accepted

All applicants: 14 Oct 2024 – 03 Feb 2025

Applications closed

Entry requirements

Masters-level qualification in Physics or Computer Science or Mathematics or Chemistry or Materials Science or any related physical science subject or any Engineering discipline. A Bachelors-level qualification at first class honours (or equivalent) in any of the aforementioned disciplines can be considered if there is evidence of significant relevant experience outside of the university context (e.g. relevant work experience in quantum computation or quantum communications)

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

For this programme, please contact our UCL Graduate Admissions team.

About this degree

The fields of quantum computation and quantum communications are at a pivotal juncture, as the next decade will determine whether the long-anticipated technological advancements can be realised in practical, commercially-viable applications.

With a wide-ranging spectrum of research group activities at UCL, the programme is uniquely situated to offer comprehensive training across all levels of the quantum computation and quantum communications system stacks. This encompasses advanced algorithms and quantum error-correcting codes, the full range of qubit hardware platforms, quantum communications, quantum network architectures, and quantum simulation.

Who this course is for

An outstanding academic record in a relevant technical discipline (for example Physics, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Materials, Chemistry) coupled with a broad outlook and a strong interest in quantum computation and/or quantum communications. We will be looking for applicants who will have achieved the equivalent of a good UK Masters (e.g. MSci, MPhys, MEng or MSc) degree by the time they join us. The programme will not accept applications from candidates who are only qualified to Bachelors level. We strongly encourage applications from communities which are currently under-represented in quantum technologies research, including under-represented genders and ethnic groups.

Read about what it takes to become a UCL graduate research student

What this course will give you

Quantum computation and quantum communications are a rapidly growing area of research in both academic, and increasingly, industrial environments. There is a need for highly skilled researchers to lead this developing field, with a rare and diverse range of skills and expertise. Graduates of this doctoral programme will be highly employable both in academic research and as leaders of these new industrial areas.

Find out how your research could have an impact

The foundation of your career

CDT PhD graduates are employed at various academic institutions and companies, among others; Phasecraft, NPL, OQC, Morgan Stanley, Quantinuum, Universal Quantum, Quantum Mortion, Odyssey Therapeutics, Toshiba, UKRI.

Employability

There is an immediate demand in UK industry for a diverse community of research leaders who are fluent in multidisciplinary and systems-based approaches, as well as having in-depth knowledge of the underlying science and technology. UK commercial quantum computation and quantum communications activity has received around £250M in venture capital and government funding. More quantum start-ups are based in the UK than any other European country. Coupled with the founding of NQCC, this rapid expansion of the sector has led to a chronic skills shortage in both industry and academia. A 2022 report by the consultancy McKinsey established that there is a critical talent gap in quantum computation, with job demand outpacing the supply from universities by a ratio of 3:1.

Networking

The programme provides a supportive network of colleagues to help you through the start of your research career. All doctoral programme students receive funding to attend international schools, conferences and industrial site visits throughout the programme providing excellent networking opportunities to develop their careers.

Teaching and learning

A wide range of teaching and learning strategies are deployed across the Intensive Training Programme (ITP) and Research Project Phase (RPP) stages, and students are expected to engage in the wider research culture of their area of work. The summative written assessments will include oral and poster presentations, written lab reports, coursework exercises, written dissertation and viva voce examination.

UCL offers a programme for the development of generic research and personal transferable skills to help you develop the skills necessary not only for successful completion of your degree but also to equip you for later life and the workplace.

The Intensive Training Programme (ITP) features assessment by oral and poster presentation, written report and written coursework exercise. The Research Project Phase (RPP) is assessed by written dissertation and viva voce examination.

During the Intensive Training Programme, students spend approximately 12-15 hours per week in lectures, tutorials, seminars and lab activities, and a further 20-25 hours per week in independent self-directed study.

Research areas and structure

Research environment

UCL is consistently placed in the global top 20 across a wide range of university rankings - and is currently 9th in the QS World University Rankings 2025, and 4th in the UK for Physics & Astronomy in the QS World University Rankings by subject. The UCL Physics REF 2021 submission ranking is 5th highest nationally for research power in the latest Research Excellence Framework.

The six months Intensive Training Programme (ITP) gives each student, irrespective of their disciplinary background, a thorough grounding in all experimental and theoretical aspects of quantum computation and quantum communication (qc & qc). The overall aim of the ITP is to give the students both a broad awareness of the critical research challenges in the field and the technical skills which will allow them to design and write their own PhD proposals.

This is achieved by a combination of lectures, tutorial classes, seminars, experimental work (including three partner-delivered laboratory weeks), transferable skills training, research case studies and an introductory research project.

The ITP is followed by the Research Project Phrase (RPP). The primary activity in the RPP is a programme of novel experimental and/or theoretical research leading to publications in peer-reviewed journals, international conference presentations and ultimately a PhD dissertation which will be defended in a viva examination with two established intellectual leaders in quantum computation or quantum communications.

At this level, the RPP is no different from any other PhD at UCL. The intra- and inter-cohort activities which the programme will organise during the RPP, however, will give our students additional skills, experiences and contacts which will maximise the impact and effectiveness of their PhD work and prepare them in a targeted way for a future career in the quantum workplace.

Visit UCL’s Quantum Science and Technology Institute for more information.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students

Fee description	Full-time	Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26)	See Fees Note	See Fees Note
Tuition fees (2025/26)	See Fees Note	See Fees Note

Programme is fully funded.

Additional costs

There are no programme-specific costs.

An enhanced budget of £10,000 is typically available per student for consumables, equipment, classes etc. There is an additional budget available for travel and placements.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

The programme offers fully funded studentships covering tuition fees and a stipend at an enhanced rate (currently £22,237 per annum tax-free) to cover living costs. Students also receive generous support for training, research expenses and travel during their studies.

A limited number of funded places are available for non-UK candidates which will additionally cover the higher tuition fees charged for those students.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

: CSC-UCL Joint Research Scholarship

Value: Fees, maintenance and travel (Duration of programme)

Criteria Based on academic merit

Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Next steps

Shortlisted applicants who can travel to LCN during the interview week in March 2025 will have the opportunity to meet staff and students in-person and see all the facilities we have on site.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

This programme requires two references. Further information regarding references can be found on this Selecting your references page.

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.