The University of Leeds is offering a fully funded PhD opportunity through its School of Computer Science Studentship Competition for the 2026/27 academic year.
The scholarship provides full academic tuition fees and a tax-free maintenance grant of £21,805 per year for 3.5 years. The funding is available to both UK and international applicants, with one funded place available for the specific research project “Mixed precision methods for numerical linear algebra at exascale.”
The project will involve developing scalable numerical algorithms for high-performance computing and supercomputers, particularly methods that use mixed-precision arithmetic to improve computational performance while maintaining numerical accuracy.
University of Leeds Computer Science Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: United Kingdom
- University: University of Leeds
- School: School of Computer Science
- Study Level: PhD
- Field: Computer Science / Computational Science
- Eligible Countries: All nationalities, including UK applicants
- Funding: Fully funded
- Tuition: Full academic fees
- Living Stipend: £21,805 per year
- Duration: 3.5 years
- Start Date: 1 February 2027
- Deadline: 30 September 2026
- Number of Awards: 1
About the School of Computer Science Studentship
The School of Computer Science Studentship is a highly competitive doctoral funding opportunity at the University of Leeds.
For the 2026/27 entry, the university is offering one funded place for a talented researcher to join its School of Computer Science. Selection is based on academic merit, and applicants are considered through the School of Computer Science Studentship Competition.
The specific funded project linked to this scholarship is Mixed precision methods for numerical linear algebra at exascale, supervised by Dr Massimiliano Fasi.
The research focuses on developing scalable algorithms for numerical linear algebra on supercomputers. It addresses the increasing use of hardware accelerators designed for artificial intelligence, which can deliver high performance using low-precision arithmetic but may not provide sufficient accuracy for many scientific applications.
Benefits of the University of Leeds Computer Science Scholarship
Successful applicants will receive:
1. Full Tuition Fee Coverage
The studentship covers the successful candidate’s full academic tuition fees for the duration of the funded award.
2. Annual Living Stipend
Recipients will receive a tax-free maintenance grant of £21,805 per year, paid at the standard UKRI rate.
3. 3.5 Years of Funding
The funding is provided for 3.5 years, allowing the successful candidate to complete the PhD with substantial financial support.
4. Research Environment
The successful candidate will join the University of Leeds School of Computer Science and work within an active research environment alongside researchers working in computational science and related fields.
Important Funding Note
The official scholarship page states that travel, research expenses, conference attendance and other additional costs are not covered by this award.
International students are also responsible for relocation-related costs such as visa expenses, the Immigration Health Surcharge and flights.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the School of Computer Science Studentship, applicants must:
- Be eligible for either UK/Home or international fee status.
- Apply for the relevant PhD research project.
- Not have previously been awarded a PhD.
- Not currently be registered on a PhD programme.
- Be prepared to take up the scholarship by 1 February 2027.
- Live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds while receiving the scholarship.
Applicants who previously studied for a PhD but did not complete it may still be considered.
Academic Requirements
Applicants to research degree programmes at Leeds should normally hold a first-class or upper-second-class UK Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent international qualification in an appropriate discipline.
Applicants should also demonstrate that their academic background and skills are suitable for the proposed research project.
For this particular project, applicants should have a background relevant to computer science, numerical linear algebra, computational mathematics, high-performance computing or a closely related field.
English Language Requirements
International applicants must meet the University of Leeds’ English language requirements.
For research postgraduate study in the School of Computer Science, the stated minimum is:
- IELTS 6.5 overall
- 6.5 in writing
- 6.0 in reading, listening and speaking
An accepted equivalent English-language qualification may also be used.
Therefore, applicants should not assume that IELTS is waived simply because some scholarship listings describe the opportunity as “No IELTS Required.”
Research Project
The scholarship is linked to the project:
- Mixed precision methods for numerical linear algebra at exascale
- The project investigates scalable algorithms for numerical linear algebra on modern supercomputers.
- Applicants interested in the opportunity should demonstrate a clear understanding of the research area and explain how their academic background, technical skills and research interests align with the project.
Proposed Supervisor
The proposed supervisor for the project is: Dr Massimiliano Fasi
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the supervisor before applying to discuss their suitability and interest in the project.
How to Apply for the University of Leeds Computer Science Scholarship
Follow these steps to apply:
Step 1: Review the Research Project
Review the official project page and make sure your academic background and research interests are relevant to Mixed precision methods for numerical linear algebra at exascale.
Step 2: Contact the Supervisor
Potential applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Massimiliano Fasi for an informal discussion about the project before submitting an application.
Step 3: Apply for the PhD
Submit a formal research degree application through the University of Leeds application system.
For the application:
- Select Research Degrees, Research Postgraduate as the application type.
- Select the 2026/27 academic year.
- Select PhD Computer Science Full Time as the planned course of study.
- Use 1 February 2027 as the proposed research start date.
- State that you are applying for Mixed precision methods for numerical linear algebra at exascale.
- Name Dr Massimiliano Fasi as the proposed supervisor.
- In the Finance section, state that you are applying for the School of Computer Science Scholarship 2025/26: Mixed Precision.
Step 4: Submit Supporting Documents
Upload your transcripts, personal statement, CV and any required English-language evidence before the deadline.
Step 5: Complete the Funding Competition
Academic admission and scholarship funding are separate processes. Being offered a place on the PhD does not automatically mean that you will receive the studentship.
Applications will be reviewed after the deadline. Shortlisted candidates may be interviewed before the final funding decision is made.
Selection Process
The university’s stated process is:
- Applications are processed after the 30 September 2026 deadline.
- Applications are circulated to supervisors.
- Supervisors shortlist and interview candidates.
- Selected candidates are put forward for School of Computer Science funding.
- A School Selection Panel determines the successful and reserve candidates.
- Academic and funding offers are expected to be issued by 10 November 2026.
- Unsuccessful applicants are expected to be notified by 20 November 2026.
📋 Required Documents
- Full transcripts for all degree-level study, including the grading scheme
- Personal statement explaining your interest in the research project
- Evidence of English-language proficiency, where required
- Curriculum vitae (CV)