Distinctive features
- Our longstanding, strong and dynamic research culture has given rise to our international reputation for world-class research.
- The School supports work in this area with a substantial investment in research facilities and infrastructure.
- Vibrant research culture that includes School and themed seminar programmes and conference/travel opportunities.
- Dedicated support and training to boost your research-themed knowledge and skills.
- Examples of our research in cybersecurity include the machine classification of malware in various forms (eg binary executables and web links), mathematical models for the quantification and forecasting of network security risk, security of industrial control systems (eg SCADA systems), and Cloud security.
Visit the programme website for more information
Programme Structure
Research area:
- Our research covers a number of evolving, state-of-the-art topics, many of which are listed as priorities in our research.
- When considering whether to join us as a research student in this area, you should review these topics and activities to make sure that you have similar interests. Please contact a lead member of staff in this area to help identify a suitable supervisor with whom you can discuss the nature and direction of your research work.
Check out the full curriculum
Admission requirements
Academic requirements
GPA: Upper Second Class
English requirements
- TOEFL iBT: 90
- PTE Academic: 69
- IELTS: 6.5
Other requirements
- A 2:1 Honours undergraduate degree or a master's degree, in computing or a related subject. Applicants with appropriate professional experience are also considered. Degree-level mathematics (or equivalent) is required for research in some project areas.
- Your research proposal should be no longer than 2000 words and should include the following. Please note that proposals longer than 2000 words will be rejected at the initial application stage.
Your research proposal should include:
- a summary of your chosen research area, which briefly describes the state-of-the-art and lists the shortcomings and questions that your study will address
- an outline of the methods and techniques that you propose applying
- the name of a prospective supervisor, and a description of how your proposal relates to their research interest and expertise
- a list of references that you have cited in the above
Make sure you meet all requirements
Fees and funding
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are shown in AUD and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.
- International (Non-residents): 50,857 AUD / year (≈ 26,700 GBP / year)
- Domestic (Citizens or residents): 9,535 AUD / year (≈ 5,006 GBP / year)
Additional Details: Part-time tuition fees: £2,503
Living costs
Cardiff, United Kingdom: 1,196-2,030 AUD / month
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Funding
Scholarships
Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Data Privacy and Cybersecurity. In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.
Available Scholarships:
- Fulbright-Cardiff University scholarship - Merit-based, Deadline 07 Oct 2026, Provided by university, Various benefits
- Cardiff University Marshall Scholarship - Merit-based, Deadline Not specified, Provided by university, Various benefits
- Fulbright U.S. Student Program - Deadline 07 Oct 2026, Provided by independent provider, Various benefits
- ACES Scholarships - Deadline 15 Nov 2026, 3500 USD, Independent provider
- ServiceScape Scholarship - Deadline 30 Nov 2026, 1000 USD, Independent provider
- Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility - Merit-based, Deadline Not specified, Independent provider
- Martingale Scholarship - Need-based, Deadline 19 Oct 2026, Independent provider
- Scholarships for PhD Students - Merit-based, Deadline Not specified, 19000 GBP
- Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship - Merit-based, Deadline 28 Feb 2027, Independent provider
- $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship - Merit-based, Deadline 31 Oct 2026, 1000 USD
- Women Scholarship for International Students - Merit-based, Deadline 28 Aug 2026, 5000 USD
- Voice Talent Online Scholarship - Deadline 01 Mar 2027, 1000 USD
- The PhD Prep Fellowship - Merit-based, Deadline 01 Sep 2026, 10000 USD
- Dream Chaser Scholarship - Merit-based, Deadline 13 Jan 2027, 1000 USD
- Scholarship for students with disabilities - Need-based, Deadline 31 Dec 2026, 3000 USD
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids - Deadline Not specified, 22500 GBP
- The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship - Deadline Not specified, 1500 USD
- Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme - Deadline 11 Jan 2027, 12000 USD
