Doctoral program in Computing 36 months Postgraduate Program By Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech (UPC) |Top Universities
Subject Ranking

# =88QS Subject Rankings

Program Duration

36 monthsProgram duration

Tuitionfee

2,001 EURTuition Fee/year

Scholarship

YesScholarships

Program overview

Main Subject

Computer Science and Information Systems

Degree

PhD

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

The doctoral programme in Computing was designed to adapt the doctoral programme in Software, created in 1985, to EHEA requirements. The new framework that emerged with the introduction of the Bologna guidelines necessitated the adaptation of postgraduate courses. As a result, in 2005, an integrated master's-doctoral programme was designed to provide rigorous, competitive training for students wishing to undertake research on topics in the areas of computing covered by the programme. The current programme is the result of a process of adaptation to Royal Decree 99/2011, the reconfiguration of UPC master's degrees in the area of information technology, and the restructuring of the Department of Computer Science. In accordance with Royal Decree 99/2011, which regulates official doctoral studies, the programme was validated by the Catalan University Quality Assurance Agency (AQU Catalunya) in October 2012. The doctoral programme in Computing covers research topics in a set of disciplines related to computing: programming, algorithmics, big data, bioinformatics, visualisation and virtual reality. These topics build on studies for the bachelor’s degree in Informatics Engineering, specialisation in Computing; the bachelor's degree in Mathematics, specialisation in Discrete Mathematics and Algorithmics; the new bachelor's degree in Data Science and Engineering, and other related degrees. The topics that the programme focuses on are covered in two related master’s degrees in which the department has teaching responsibilities—the master’s degree in Innovation and Research in Informatics (MIRI) and the master’s degree in Advanced Mathematics and Mathematical Engineering (MAMME)—and in other related degrees. These areas are also linked to the activity of companies in the IT sector and research topics of interest at the international level.The need for the course is also evident in the high level of participation of research groups involved in the programme in competitively funded research projects (most with European or national funding), the number of new students the programme attracts each year, and the number of graduates who find employment in industry and at universities and other research institutions.Graduates are employed at research institutes (including the Alan Turing Institute) and universities abroad. Others have set up companies (e.g. Nelio Software) or hold positions at leading companies in the sector (including Google and Amazon). These results demonstrate that graduates are highly employable.In order to focus scientific and methodological skills on specific topics, the programme is structured around the core areas that the research groups involved work on. This approach links research to internationally renowned research groups, which makes it possible to maintain the programme’s research areas within the main lines of research over the years. In addition to technical support, each research group offers courses at the master’s level and research seminars. The training programme also includes activities focusing on complementary skills, offered by the UPC Doctoral School. Two related master’s degrees qualify applicants for admission to the doctoral programme in Computing: the master’s degree in Innovation and Research in Informatics, with specialisation in Advanced Computing, Computer Graphics and Virtual Reality, or in Data Science; and the master’s degree in Advanced Mathematics and Mathematical Engineering, with specialisation in Discrete Mathematics and Algorithmics.The doctoral programme in Computing has provided critical support for much of the research conducted in the Department of Computer Science (CS), formerly known as the Department of Software (LSI). The programme has attracted students from Catalonia and around the world. The positive response from students, the programme’s international dimension, and the quality of doctoral theses produced has allowed the programme to earn and maintain a Ministry of Education quality award (from 2003 on) and then a Pathway to Excellence award (which replaced the quality award) until its expiry in 2013 (MEE2011-0425).The academic staff for the programme have a proven track record in international research. The five research groups involved in the programme have been recognised as consolidated research groups by the Government of Catalonia, and two of them also obtained financial support in the 2017 call for funding. Two professors on the programme have received the García Santesmases Prize for lifetime achievement, one of the national prizes awarded by the Computer Science Society of Spain (SCIE).

Program overview

Main Subject

Computer Science and Information Systems

Degree

PhD

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

The doctoral programme in Computing was designed to adapt the doctoral programme in Software, created in 1985, to EHEA requirements. The new framework that emerged with the introduction of the Bologna guidelines necessitated the adaptation of postgraduate courses. As a result, in 2005, an integrated master's-doctoral programme was designed to provide rigorous, competitive training for students wishing to undertake research on topics in the areas of computing covered by the programme. The current programme is the result of a process of adaptation to Royal Decree 99/2011, the reconfiguration of UPC master's degrees in the area of information technology, and the restructuring of the Department of Computer Science. In accordance with Royal Decree 99/2011, which regulates official doctoral studies, the programme was validated by the Catalan University Quality Assurance Agency (AQU Catalunya) in October 2012. The doctoral programme in Computing covers research topics in a set of disciplines related to computing: programming, algorithmics, big data, bioinformatics, visualisation and virtual reality. These topics build on studies for the bachelor’s degree in Informatics Engineering, specialisation in Computing; the bachelor's degree in Mathematics, specialisation in Discrete Mathematics and Algorithmics; the new bachelor's degree in Data Science and Engineering, and other related degrees. The topics that the programme focuses on are covered in two related master’s degrees in which the department has teaching responsibilities—the master’s degree in Innovation and Research in Informatics (MIRI) and the master’s degree in Advanced Mathematics and Mathematical Engineering (MAMME)—and in other related degrees. These areas are also linked to the activity of companies in the IT sector and research topics of interest at the international level.The need for the course is also evident in the high level of participation of research groups involved in the programme in competitively funded research projects (most with European or national funding), the number of new students the programme attracts each year, and the number of graduates who find employment in industry and at universities and other research institutions.Graduates are employed at research institutes (including the Alan Turing Institute) and universities abroad. Others have set up companies (e.g. Nelio Software) or hold positions at leading companies in the sector (including Google and Amazon). These results demonstrate that graduates are highly employable.In order to focus scientific and methodological skills on specific topics, the programme is structured around the core areas that the research groups involved work on. This approach links research to internationally renowned research groups, which makes it possible to maintain the programme’s research areas within the main lines of research over the years. In addition to technical support, each research group offers courses at the master’s level and research seminars. The training programme also includes activities focusing on complementary skills, offered by the UPC Doctoral School. Two related master’s degrees qualify applicants for admission to the doctoral programme in Computing: the master’s degree in Innovation and Research in Informatics, with specialisation in Advanced Computing, Computer Graphics and Virtual Reality, or in Data Science; and the master’s degree in Advanced Mathematics and Mathematical Engineering, with specialisation in Discrete Mathematics and Algorithmics.The doctoral programme in Computing has provided critical support for much of the research conducted in the Department of Computer Science (CS), formerly known as the Department of Software (LSI). The programme has attracted students from Catalonia and around the world. The positive response from students, the programme’s international dimension, and the quality of doctoral theses produced has allowed the programme to earn and maintain a Ministry of Education quality award (from 2003 on) and then a Pathway to Excellence award (which replaced the quality award) until its expiry in 2013 (MEE2011-0425).The academic staff for the programme have a proven track record in international research. The five research groups involved in the programme have been recognised as consolidated research groups by the Government of Catalonia, and two of them also obtained financial support in the 2017 call for funding. Two professors on the programme have received the García Santesmases Prize for lifetime achievement, one of the national prizes awarded by the Computer Science Society of Spain (SCIE).

Admission requirements

160+
72+
59+
5.5+

Applicants must hold a Spanish bachelor’s degree or equivalent and a Spanish master’s degree or equivalent, provided they have completed a minimum of 300 ECTS credits on the two degrees (Royal Decree 43/2015, of 2 February(open in new window))

In addition, the following may apply:

  • Holders of an official degree awarded by a university in Spain or any other country in the European Higher Education Area, pursuant to the provisions of Article 16 of Royal Decree 1393/2007, of 29 October, which establishes official university course regulations, who have completed a minimum of 300 ECTS credits on official university degrees, of which at least 60 must be at the master's degree level.
  • Holders of an official Spanish bachelor’s degree comprising at least 300 credits, as provided for by EU regulations. Holder of degrees of this kind must complete bridging courses unless the curriculum of the bachelor’s degree in question included research training credits equivalent in value to those which would be earned on a master's degree.
  • Holders of an official university qualification who, having passed the entrance examination for specialised medical training, have completed at least two years of a training course leading to an official degree in a health-sciences specialisation.
  • Holders of a degree issued under a foreign education system. In these cases, homologation is not required, but the UPC must verify that the degree certifies a level of training equivalent to an official Spanish master's degree and qualifies the holder for admission to doctoral studies in the country where it was issued. Admission on this basis does not imply homologation of the foreign degree or its recognition for any purpose other than admission to doctoral studies.
  • Holders of a Spanish doctoral qualification issued under previous university regulations.
  • Note 1: Doctoral studies entrance regulations for holders of an undergraduate degree awarded before the introduction of the EHEA (CG 47/02 2014)

3 Years
Sep
  • Candidates are required to submit references or letter(s) of recommendation for acceptance
  • Candidates are required to submit an essay(s) for acceptance

Tuition fee and scholarships

Domestic Students

2,001 EUR
-

International Students

2,001 EUR
-

One of the important factors when considering a master's degree is the cost of study. Luckily, there are many options available to help students fund their master's programme. Download your copy of the Scholarship Guide to find out which scholarships from around the world could be available to you, and how to apply for them.

In this guide you will find:
opportunities

Where to look for scholarship opportunities

how_to

How to apply to scholarships relevant to you

list

A list of available scholarships around the world

checklist

A scholarship application checklist

banner
download_icon Download Scholarship Guide

More programs from the university

Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech is a public institution of Higher Education and Research.

UPC offers 66  bachelor’s degrees (some 100% taught in English) in the knowledge areas:

Aerospace Engineering  

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering  

Applied Sciences: Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Optics and Photonics

Architecture and Urban Planning

Civil, Environmental and Geological Engineering

Computer Science

Engineering for Industry: Energy, Biomedical, Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical and Materials Engineering  

Naval, Maritime and Nautical Engineering

Telecommunications and Electronic Systems Engineering


All of them are official Spanish degrees that allows the access to master's  and doctoral programmes .

30,275 students are trained to become professionals in engineering, architecture, sciences and technology who have the knowledge, abilities and skill to take on new challenges in keeping with technological efficiency and sustainability criteria.

Student’s participation and leadership in research projects and work placements foster their relations with the world of work and bolster their autonomy and initiative. The University is therefore a space for knowledge that stimulates learning and personal growth with a dynamic, motivating teaching model.

In the 2021 edition of QS World University ranking by Subject, the UPC is ranked 20th in the world in Architecture and 29th in Civil and Structural Engineering. It is also among the world’s top 50 universities in Telecommunications, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and among the world's top 100 universities in the field of Engineering and Technology and in the subjects of Computer Science, and Mechanical, Aeronautical and Industrial Engineering. It is the first Spanish University in Engineering and Technology and in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Telecommunications, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Computer Science.

The  Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech (UPC) is a public institution dedicated to higher education and research, specialised in the areas of Architecture, Engineering, Science and Technology offers 81  master’s degrees , 34 of them taught fully in English.

UPC is the Spanish university with the highest number of international university students. Last year, the 55% doctoral students were international (79% of them non EU).

As a leading member of international networks of excellence, the UPC has a relationship with global organisations. As a result, it’s at an advantage when it comes to attracting international talent.

Its offers 45  doctoral programmes in five research areas:

Architecture, Urbanism and Construction

Civil Engineering

Industrial Engineering

Information and Communications Technologies Engineering

Sciences

UPC also participate in Erasmus Mundus programme . This programmes shared between at least three European universities that have the support of the European Union. Erasmus Mundus are part of a cooperation and mobility programme for European higher education that aims to improve its quality and promote dialogue and understanding between people and cultures by means of cooperation with third countries.

In the 2021 edition of QS World University ranking by Subject, the UPC is ranked 20th in the world in Architecture and 29th in Civil and Structural Engineering. It is also among the world’s top 50 universities in Telecommunications, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and among the world's top 100 universities in the field of Engineering and Technology and in the subjects of Computer Science, and Mechanical, Aeronautical and Industrial Engineering. It is the first Spanish University in Engineering and Technology and in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Telecommunications, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Computer Science.

Postgrad programs 103