Vision, Speech and Signal Processing

At the Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing (CVSSP), we re developing exciting and ground-breaking technologies. These include facial recognition for security and medical imaging, and 3D spatial audio and 3D reconstruction from video for visual-effects production in films, games and virtual reality.

Key course information

Start date: April 2027, July 2027, October 2027, January 2028 (Full-time & Part-time options available)
Duration: 4 years (Full-time), 8 years (Part-time)
Subject area: Electrical and electronic engineering

Why choose this programme?

Join us to push the boundaries of machine perception and help shape how intelligent machines see, hear and understand the world.

One of the largest audio and vision research groups in Europe, we re internationally recognised for our pioneering research and novel technologies in audio-visual machine perception. We bring together a unique combination of cutting-edge sound and vision expertise with more than 170 researchers, and we ve currently attracted more than 30 million in research grants.

As a PhD researcher, you ll work on fundamental challenges in audio-visual machine perception developing machines that can interpret images, video, sound and the wider world around them. We have expertise and activities in computer vision, digital signal processing, machine learning and artificial intelligence, computer graphics and human computer interaction, and data science for media, medical image analysis and multimedia communication.

We often collaborate with industry and our research has led to frequent technology transfer and exploitation, with previous research projects having resulted in award-winning spin-out companies in biometrics, communications and medical technologies, and in the creative industries.

Studentships

Smart optical design: AI tools for the next generation of cinematic camera lenses

Fully funded studentship opportunity covering home and international (waiver) university fees, additional research training, travel funds and UKRI standard rate ( 21,805 for 2026/27 academic year).

What you will study

Our PhD programme takes a maximum of four years of full-time study to complete. You ll be allocated two Surrey-based academic supervisors, in addition to any external collaborative supervisors. Your principal supervisor will be an expert in your area of research and they will monitor your research progress on a regular basis.

Your supervisors will help you define the initial objective and scope of your research, and to refine these as your project evolves. They ll direct you to resources and they ll be able to advise you on how to complete your PhD and your thesis. We often appoint external collaborative supervisors to contribute specific expertise or to allow access to external resources or organisations.

You ll also be assigned to a research group that includes a team of academics, postdoctoral researchers, guest scientists and fellows. Lots of our research at the Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing is interdisciplinary and you ll have the opportunity to collaborate with scientists at universities, research establishments and industries around the world.

We encourage active interaction with your peers and our researchers and academics, and we offer a friendly environment that nurtures openness and collaboration. You ll be encouraged to present your research at renowned national and international conferences to gain experience and establish networks with leading researchers.

Seminars and conferences

Our monthly seminars are open to all postgraduate researchers and we host leading experts from other institutions within the UK and from overseas, who give talks to members of CVSSP in specific areas of research. In addition, our postgraduate researchers also attend regular internal seminars, where you ll be able to present your individual research or practice presentations you d like to give at conferences or events.

The University also holds an annual postgraduate researcher conference on campus, where you ll be able to showcase your work and network with other researchers and academics.

Assessment

After 12 months, you ll write a confirmation report, which is assessed by two independent examiners.

Your final assessment (after a minimum of three years of full-time study) 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.

Location

This course is based at Stag Hill campus.

Research areas

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
Interfaces/visual interaction
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.

Research themes

Our research activities within the Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing are grouped into the following areas:

Creative vision and sound: Focuses on machine perception, spatial audio and machine audition, specialising in 4D immersive VR content production for film and games, including performance capture, animation, visual action recognition and audio-visual scene understanding.
Healthcare: Focuses on medical imaging technologies and works closely with leading healthcare institutions.
Robotics: Focuses on autonomous systems, covering a broad range of technologies relating to visual interaction with computers, this includes sign language recognition and autonomous vehicles.
Security: Focuses on biometric and security-related technologies, specialising in facial biometrics and lip tracking.
Data: Focuses on understanding and preservation including visual recognition, distributed ledger technologies and the understanding of AI systems.
Distributed ledger technologies: Focuses on alternative uses for DLT, including safe online identity, healthcare and secure digital archives.

Academic staff

Dr Jean-Yves Guillemaut is your Vision, Speech and Signal Processing PhD supervisor. See a full list of all our academic staff within the Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing.

Support and facilities

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.

Facilities

We host a number of cutting-edge laboratory facilities in CVSSP to support the exciting research being carried out by all its members and associates.

4D computer vision: The Audio-Visual Lab hosts a state-of-the-art capture studio with unique multiple UltraHD cameras supporting research in real-time audio-visual processing and visualisation. We collaborate with companies specialising in film, TV, games, and virtual and augmented reality.
Spatial audio and machine audition: The Audio Lab facilities include a purpose-built audio booth and the Surrey Sound Sphere, which is the centrepiece of our cutting-edge audio and acoustics research. It includes 64 Genelec speakers with audio interfaces, 48 configurable channels, a pre-amplified microphone array and an acoustically isolated audio booth.
Biometrics and face recognition: We have state-of-the-art equipment supporting research into 3D face recognition, including facial feature types, emotion recognition and face models for biometrics.
Robotics: Our Robot Lab supports research into autonomous systems, collaborative mapping, autonomous navigation and robotic machine learning, and links closely with our expertise in computer vision, artificial intelligence and machine learning. Facilities include a Baxter robot and various mobile robot platforms.

Hear from our students

Surrey s Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing (CVSSP) is the number one department in the UK for Computer Vision. There was no doubt in my mind that amazing research is done here at the university and that's something I wanted to be a part of. George N., Student: Vision Speech and Signal Processing PhD

The Centre for Vision Speech and Signal Processing, or CVSSP as it s known, is a great place to undertake a PhD in machine learning or machine perception. It has a diverse range of research groups all with their own areas of expertise. Lewis Bridgeman, Student: Vision, Speech and Signal Processing PhD

Entry requirements

UK qualifications

Applicants are expected to hold a first or upper second-class (2:1) UK degree in a relevant discipline (or equivalent overseas qualification), or a lower-second (2:2) UK degree plus a good UK masters degree - distinction normally required (or equivalent overseas qualification).

English language requirements

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

Selection process

Selection is based on applicants:

Meeting the expected entry requirements and providing all relevant documents including a satisfactory research proposal
Being shortlisted through the application screening process
Completing a successful interview
Providing suitable references.

Fees and funding

Funding

A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.

Studentships

Smart optical design: AI tools for the next generation of cinematic camera lenses

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Application process

Applicants should contact potential supervisors before submitting an application via the website. Please refer to section two of our application guidance.

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At Surrey we offer a friendly university campus set in beautiful countryside, with the convenience and social life of bustling Guildford on your doorstep.

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Surrey s postgraduate research code of practice sets out the University's policy and procedural framework relating to research degrees. The code defines a set of standard procedures and specific responsibilities covering the academic supervision, administration and assessment of research degrees for all faculties within the University.

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Disclaimer

This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate; some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.