PhD CS: MQA / FA7170 PhD IT: MQA / FA7090

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Computer Science & Information Technology

Advance boundary-pushing doctoral research at Universiti Malaysia Sabah. Full research mode degrees covering 24 specialized fields across Computer Science and Information Technology.

Doctoral Research Objectives

The Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (MQA/FA7170) and Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology (MQA/FA7090) at UMS FCI are research-mode doctoral degrees designed to foster independent, original intellectual inquiry in computing and information systems.

Supervised by active professors and expert researchers, candidates engage in cutting-edge research to develop novel algorithms, computational frameworks, information system architectures, and digital technologies driving IR 4.0.

Research Specializations (24 Fields)

1. Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
2. Data Science & Big Data
3. Computer Vision & Image Processing
4. Natural Language Processing
5. Cybersecurity & Cryptography
6. Internet of Things & Sensor Networks
7. Metaheuristics & Evolutionary Optimization
8. Software Engineering & System Modeling
9. Human-Centric & Immersive Computing
10. Quantum & Emerging Computing Paradigms
1. Human-Computer Interaction
2. User Experience
3. Gamification & Serious Games
4. Creative Computing
5. Decision Support Systems
6. Information Systems
7. Digital Transformation
8. E-Commerce
9. Visual Analytics and Information Visualization
10. Innovation and Digital Entrepreneurship

Search PhD Supervisors & Academic Expertise

UMS Expertise Directory

Identifying an academic supervisor whose research aligns with your proposal is an essential step in doctoral studies. Prospective candidates can search the official UMS Expertise Directory to locate professors and active researchers by specialization field, publication index, or research grants across both Computer Science and Information Technology.

  • Filter faculty by specific computing or IT domain (e.g., AI, HCI, Data Mining, Enterprise Systems)
  • View recent Scopus/WoS indexed publications and active research grants
  • Initiate preliminary academic contact with potential supervisors prior to applying
UMS Expertise Directory Search FCI Academic Staff
Find Supervisor

Admission Requirements

MQF Level 7 Pre-requisite
1
Computing Master's Degree Entry:

A Master's degree (Level 7, MQF) in Computing or related fields accepted by the University Senate.

2
Non-Computing Master's Entry (≥ 5 Years Experience):

A Master's degree in Non-Computing fields with a minimum of 5 years working experience in computing/IT must undergo prerequisite courses determined by faculty.

3
Non-Computing Master's Entry (< 5 Years Experience):

Master's degree in Non-Computing with less than 5 years experience must undergo prerequisite courses and rigorous assessment by faculty.

4
Master's Fast-Track / Upgrade Pathway:

Currently registered Master's candidates at UMS approved for upgrading by the University Postgraduate Committee and Senate.

English Language Proficiency (International Applicants):

Must achieve minimum MUET Band 4 or equivalent CEFR Mid B2 (IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 60, PTE 59) or fulfill general university language requirements.

PhD Program Eligibility Evaluator

Interactive Tool

Graduate On Time (GOT) Roadmap

6 Semesters Standard Timeline
Semester 1 Research Proposal & Methodology

Attend Research Methodology Course, write research proposal, learn Mendeley & LaTeX.

Pass Proposal Defence
Semester 2 Introduction & Research Literacy

Write Thesis Chapter 1 (Introduction), attend Research Literacy Course.

Pass Progress Report
Semester 3 Literature Review & Survey Publication

Write Thesis Chapter 2 (Literature Review), write and submit review/survey paper to Scopus/WoS journal.

Submit Scopus Review Paper
Semester 4 Research Methodology & Design

Write Thesis Chapter 3 (Methodology) and attend Research Literacy Course.

Pass Progress Presentation
Semester 5 Experiments, Results & Conference Presentation

Conduct experiments/field work, write Chapter 4 (Results), present at conference (Scopus proceedings), submit article to Scopus/WoS journal.

Present at Conference
Semester 6 Thesis Completion, Pre-Viva & Oral Defence

Write Thesis Chapter 5 (Conclusion), prepare complete thesis, undergo Pre-Viva and final Oral Defence (Viva Voce).

Viva Voce & Thesis

PhD Tuition Fee Schedule

Apply & Fees Portal Currency: MYR (RM)
Component / Term Local (Full Time) Local (Part Time) International (Full Time)
Registration Fee 780.00 780.00 3,130.40
Semester 1 2,143.00 2,033.00 4,620.00
Semester 2 2,118.00 2,008.00 4,620.00
Semester 3 2,143.00 2,033.00 4,620.00
Semester 4 2,118.00 2,008.00 4,620.00
Semester 5 2,143.00 2,033.00 4,620.00
Semester 6 2,118.00 2,008.00 4,620.00
Semester 7 (Int'l / Ext.) - - 4,620.00
Viva Voce Exam Fee 1,500.00 1,500.00 1,500.00
3-Year Total Fee RM 15,063.00 RM 14,403.00 RM 36,970.40

Fee Notes:

  • * Total fee is for standard 3 years studies
  • * Fee does not include SST
  • * Re-viva additional RM1K
  • * Apply online & view fee details: https://mohon.ums.edu.my/pasca/

Doctoral Research Inquiry

Direct Faculty Contact
PhD inquiry received! UMS FCI Postgraduate Secretariat will reply via email at pejfki@ums.edu.my.