PhD Vision, Speech and Signal Processing

at University of Surrey

Assessment

Your final assessment will be based on the presentation of your research in a written thesis, which will be discussed in a viva examination with at least two examiners. You have the option of preparing your thesis as a monograph (one large volume in chapter form) or in publication format (including chapters written for publication), subject to the approval of your supervisors.

Research support

The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College, which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate Careers and Employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.

Research themes

Our research activities within CVSSP are grouped into the following areas: 
 

• Creative vision and sound focuses on machine audition, developing audio signal processing technology relating to speech recognition, and blind source separation as well as multimedia communications, including audio-visual coding, annotation, search, broadcast and streaming technologies. It also focuses on computer vision and machine learning for visual media, specialising in 3D and 4D content production for film, TV and VR, including performance capture, animation, visual action recognition and audio-visual scene understanding. 

• Security focuses on biometric- and security-related technologies, specialising in facial biometrics and lip tracking. 

• Robotics focuses on cognitive systems, covering a broad range of technologies relating to visual interaction with computers. These include sign language recognition and robotics.

• Healthcare focuses on medical imaging technologies and works closely with leading healthcare institutions. 

• Data focuses on the application of AI for audio-visual information search, understanding and preservation including visual recognition, distributed ledger technologies and the understanding of AI systems.

• Distributed ledger technologies focuses on alternative uses for distributed ledger technology, including safe online identity, healthcare, and secure digital archives.

Our six research themes cover a range of topics, including – but not limited to – the following: 
 

• Computer vision 

• Machine learning 

• Robotics and autonomous systems 

• 3D and 4D video 

• 3D spatial audio 

• Biometrics 

• Blind source separation 

• Coding and transmission 

• Facial analysis 

• Human motion analysis 

• Media adaptation 

• Media networking 

• Medical image acquisition 

• Medical image analysis 

• Quality of experience 

• Sign and gesture analysis 

• Speech and audio processing 

• Surveillance 

• Video and audio retrieval 

• Interfaces/visual interaction.

Applicants are expected to hold a first or upper-second class degree in a relevant discipline (or equivalent overseas qualification), or a lower second plus a good Masters degree (distinction normally required).

To apply for one of our postgraduate courses that require a UK 2:1, you must achieve at least 60% or 65% in the final two years of your undergraduate study depending on the institution you have completed your degree.

To apply for one of our postgraduate courses that require a UK 2:2, you must achieve at least 55% or 60% in the final two years of your undergraduate study depending on the institution you have completed your degree.

For courses that require a UK first-class degree to be eligible for a scholarship, you must achieve at least 65% or 70% in the final two years of your undergraduate study depending on the institution you have completed your degree.

English language requirements
 

• IELTS Academic: 6.5 or above (or equivalent) with 6.0 in each individual category.

If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.

Annual Tuition Fees:
 

• UK: £4,596

• Overseas: £23,400