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Through technical expertise and socio-political awareness, you will develop into a leader capable of tackling the complexities of both cyber and physical security.
Why study with us?
Our programme offers a unique opportunity to train at the forefront of the rapidly evolving field of cyber-physical risk, where you will engage with cutting-edge interdisciplinary research. As part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT), located at UCL and partnered with leading defence and security agencies, you will be prepared to confront the growing national and international demand for experts in managing hybrid threats.
Academic excellence
As part of our Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT), you’ll receive comprehensive training delivered through clear quality gates at every stage of your journey, from admission to graduation. UCL’s structured admission process ensures that only the most qualified candidates are selected, based on professional achievements, academic excellence, and leadership potential.
We prioritise matching students with outstanding supervisors and require that each applicant has support from at least two academic supervisors. The selection process involves a competitive review and a structured interview to ensure that each student is aligned with our commitment to excellence. This ensures that students receive the best possible research experience and opportunities.
Leadership development
Our programme will equip students with the tools, guidance, and hands-on experience needed to develop strong leadership skills in both academic and entrepreneurial settings. It includes workshops focused on essential leadership competencies such as strategic thinking, decision-making, team management, and communication.
Students will be encouraged to take on leadership roles within research teams, academic initiatives, and entrepreneurial ventures, empowering them to guide projects, influence decisions, and shape the direction of their work. They will receive support to develop into confident and capable leaders, ready to make a significant impact in both research and industry—whether it’s transferring research findings to governmental agencies, creating a spin-out company, contributing to charitable organisations, or completing high-impact placements with global industry leaders.
Structured support and mentorship
Once admitted, you’ll benefit from strong supervision and mentorship. Each student is assigned a primary and secondary supervisor, to make sure you receive personalized support throughout your studies. This dual-supervisor system is a UCL standard, designed to provide additional security in case of long-term staff absences, and ensures that you always have access to the guidance you need to succeed.
Your progress will be closely monitored through regular meetings with your supervisors, faculty members, and directors, along with structured feedback from various committees. We also provide opportunities for students to voice concerns through feedback mechanisms, including staff-student consultative committees and a dedicated CDT student board.
An integral component of the programme is leadership mentorship, where students are paired with experienced faculty, researchers, and industry professionals who support them in realising their ambitions. For students following the AlbionVC-supported Venture PhD pathway, you'll receive adequate entrepreneurial training and mentoring, to suport you develop deeptech spinout companies and gain hands-on experience in innovation and commercialisation.
Research environment
The programme is led by UCL Security and Crime Science - the first university unit in the world devoted to Crime Science - and UCL Computer Science - one of the most prestigious computer science departments in the UK, which ranked first in England for research power in REF2021. Both departments have a proven track record of delivering EPSRC-funded research training in security and cyber risk.
UCL Security and Crime Science takes an interdisciplinary approach to crime prevention, with established links to police forces, policymakers, and international security organisations. Similarly, UCL Computer Science has a distinctive interdisciplinary ethos, contributing to major national initiatives like REPHRAIN and PETRAS, focused on privacy, harm reduction, and IoT cybersecurity.
UCL offers unparalleled research opportunities in emerging fields like machine learning, cybersecurity, and sustainability. With strong industry and academic partnerships, you’ll have access to cutting-edge resources and networks that ensure your research makes a real-world impact.
Research culture
We are committed to fostering a research environment based on equality, diversity, and inclusion. The CDT actively recruits students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, ensuring that everyone is respected, valued, and empowered to contribute. We also encourage participation in student-led initiatives and societies, which helps to build a more inclusive and supportive community.
UCL Computer Science achieved the Athena SWAN Gold award (2024) for its commitment to inclusive practices, while UCL Security and Crime Science holds a Bronze award. More broadly, UCL is committed to fairness in student recruitment, selection, education, and assessment, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds.
UCL's 10-year Research Culture Roadmap, created in partnership with the research community, sets out how the institution will develop a fair, collaborative and inclusive research culture.
Academic development and networking
We offer a variety of resources and opportunities to support your academic development and professional networking:
- Induction and networking events
A two-day induction event each year to welcome new students, where they meet industry partners, alumni, and mentors, helping them familiarize themselves with the programme and establish connections. Additionally, networking events will provide opportunities to meet industry partners, alumni, and mentors who offer a student perspective on the programme.
- International networking and cohort bonding
Participation in the Equinox School, held in a European city, helps students build a professional network, sparks interdisciplinary discussions, exposes them to different cultures, and raises the programme’s international profile.
- Interdisciplinary learning and collaboration
The programme includes an intensive 6-month foundational programme with cohort-based activities, including group exercises, student presentations, and interdisciplinary discussions. The Security Simulation & Modelling course, which involves project work, simulation, and experimentation, allows students to collaborate and develop skills in interdisciplinary areas.
- Mentoring and peer support
Year 2 students act as mentors for incoming students, providing guidance and networking opportunities across cohorts. Reflexive workshops and engagement with the UCL Centre for Engineering Education support further academic development.
- Workshops and seminars
Students participate in research seminars and semi-monthly student presentations to the cohort, as well as reflexive workshops focused on research project preparation, writing for specific audiences, and other essential academic skills. Workshops aimed at developing professional competencies, including research design, ethics, and storytelling, further enhance students' academic experience.
- Industry and academic partnerships
Collaboration with UCL’s network of industry partners and public/private sector organisations allows students to engage in real-world research and development. Students spend up to 25% of their time at a partner organisation to gain industry experience. Additionally, participation in executive training schemes aprovides valuable skills in networking, dissemination, and impact activities.
- Electives and additional training
Students can take elective courses based on their professional development needs, such as research methods, data science, programming, and entrepreneurship programmes, further enriching their academic experience and network.
- Co-curricular activities
Engagement in cohort-bonding activities, including social, cultural, and sporting events, helps build relationships and academic networks outside of formal learning contexts.