Applying to StatML
How to apply
You can apply to StatML at Imperial College London, University of Oxford, or both! Each institution has a separate application form so you will need to complete two applications if you would like to be considered at both institutions.
Admissions for 2026 entry will open in Autumn 2025. Typically, the application deadline is around January with interviews for shortlisted candidates in February. Shortlisted candidates will be sent a list of available mini-projects prior to interview.
Imperial admissions
For more details, consult the programme’s Imperial webpage here.
Applications should be submitted via My Imperial (powerappsportals.com).
For applying to StatML, you should select “EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Statistics and Machine Learning (CDT) (PhD 4YFT)” (course code G1703.1). If you have any general questions, including enquiries about part-time opportunities, please contact statml.io.admissions@imperial.ac.uk .
Oxford admissions
For more details, consult the programme’s Oxford webpage here. If you have any general questions, please contact Frédérique Godin at statmlcdt@stats.ox.ac.uk .
Entry Requirements
The minimum requirement for applications is a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in mathematics, statistics, physics, computer science, engineering, or in a closely related subject. However, most successful applicants will also have a masters degree in a related subject and/or some experience working on a research project (which could be as part of your degree or a separate project).
We accept applications for both full-time and part-time study. We welcome applications from members of under-represented groups or with non-traditional career paths, including from those with established careers or caring responsibilities.
We are looking for a blend of potential, motivation, academic strength and enthusiasm for the CDT training model. We look at the candidates and their journey as whole. If this resonates with you, we are looking forward to receiving your application!
Funding
StatML only offers fully funded places. This means that all successful candidates will have their tuition fees covered, receive a tax-free stipend to cover living costs (calculated at the UKRI rate – i.e. £22,780 per annum from October 2025), and enjoy a generous travel and equipment allowance. This also applies to part-time students at the corresponding pro-rata rate.
Some of our studentships will be industrially funded. These studentships often come with additional benefits including interactions with the industrial partner, but are usually restricted to a specific research project. Such projects will be sign-posted in the mini-project booklet shortlisted candidates receive.
While the majority of our funded studentships are available only to those who qualify for ‘Home’ student status (see FAQs), we offer a limited number of scholarships for overseas applicants.
Please note that the programme does not accept self-funded applications.
Timeline and Application Process
Application
You should submit you application to the Admissions Portal for Oxford and/or Imperial.
Supporting Documents
You will be required to provide supporting documents such as:
- Resume
- Up to date transcripts of all degrees studied
- Names and contact details of your referees. You should check that your referees are willing to write you a reference before listing them. They will then be contacted by the appropriate university and asked to provide a reference. The references should be submitted by the application deadline.
- Statement of purpose. You are not required to write a research proposal, only a statement of purpose. This should include information such as:
- Your motivation for wanting to do a PhD
- Your motivation for choosing to apply to StatML
- Explanation of which domains or questions in statistics and machine learning interest you the most and why. You may want to include any links between theses research interests and those of StatML supervisors.
- Anything we need to know to better understand your CV/transcript/references (e.g. if you had mitigating circumstances, let us know, but we do not need to know the details of the circumstances).
- Please read this statement guide for further guidance.
Questions?
See our FAQ page
Interviews
Shortlisted applicants are likely to have two interviews:
- The first will be an online 10-15 minute interview with the StatML management committee to discuss their motivation for doing a PhD and applying to StatML. Questions for this interview will be circulated in advance.
- Shortlisted applicants will receive a list of mini-projects available for the coming academic year and asked to rank their preferences. Supervisors of the mini-projects will then decide which candidates they would like to interview for their project. This interview will be 30 minutes and could be more technical. The purpose of this interview is to assess fit to a specific research project.
We will publish the dates of both interviews on the website when they are confirmed. We ask that candidates remain flexible with scheduling within these periods.
Offers
We aim to make the first offers by February/March. It is possible that additional offers will be made to waitlisted applicants after this date.
You can find out more about the admissions process here:
University of Oxford
For more details, consult the programme’s Oxford webpage here. If you have any general questions, please contact statmlcdt@stats.ox.ac.uk
Imperial College London
For more details, consult the programme’s Imperial webpage here. If you have any general questions, please contact statml.io.admissions@imperial.ac.uk .