Machine Unlearning for Privacy-Preserving Cross-Modal Retrieval Systems

Entry requirements: Minimum 2:1 honours degree
Fees for 2024-25 (per academic year): (Self-funded)

UK: £4,786

International: £27,500
Fees for 2025-26 (per academic year): (Self-funded)

UK: To be confirmed

International: £28,600
Fees: (Self-funded)
Dependent on start date. See below.
Full-time: 3 years
Start date: July 2025, October 2025, January 2026, April 2026
Application deadline: 1 July 2026
Project reference: CO/GC-SF6/2025
Location: Loughborough
Subject area(s): Computer Science

Project details

This PhD project addresses the critical challenge of selective information removal and privacy preservation within cross-modal retrieval systems. Contemporary cross-modal architectures require effective mechanisms to selectively forget specific data points across multiple modalities whilst maintaining retrieval performance - a fundamental requirement in privacy-conscious and adaptable multimedia retrieval systems.

Background:
Cross-modal retrieval has revolutionised traditional multimedia search systems through deep learning implementations. Whilst current approaches, including vision-language pre-training models (CLIP, ALIGN), Transformer-based architectures, and GNN-based frameworks, demonstrate impressive capabilities in aligning different modalities, they lack robust mechanisms for selective information removal. This limitation becomes particularly crucial when handling privacy requests, outdated content, or the need to correct misaligned multi-modal pairs.

Machine unlearning in cross-modal retrieval presents unique challenges beyond traditional unlearning scenarios. The complex relationships between different modalities (text, images, video, audio) mean that removing specific information can have cascading effects across modalities and impact overall retrieval performance. Additionally, simply deleting information without considering cross-modal relationships can lead to semantic gaps and inconsistencies in retrieval results, potentially compromising the system's effectiveness.

Current unlearning approaches, primarily designed for single-modality tasks, prove inadequate for cross-modal systems due to the unique challenges of maintaining semantic alignment across modalities whilst selectively removing information. Recent research indicates promising directions in developing specialised unlearning strategies for multi-modal systems, but fundamental challenges remain in balancing effective forgetting with maintained cross-modal retrieval performance.

Aim:
This project aims to advance the field of cross-modal retrieval by addressing crucial privacy and adaptability requirements, with direct applications in privacy-preserving multimedia search engines, cross-modal recommendation systems, secure multi-modal information retrieval, and adaptable visual-semantic platforms.

Research Objectives:
1. Develop novel machine unlearning methodologies specifically designed for cross-modal retrieval systems, focusing on selective forgetting across multiple modalities whilst preserving semantic alignment and maintaining retrieval performance on retained information across different modalities.

2. Create comprehensive evaluation frameworks for cross-modal unlearning effectiveness, incorporating metrics for cross-modal forgetting quality, semantic alignment preservation, retention performance, and privacy protection measurement.

3. Design efficient compensation mechanisms that enable the replacement of forgotten information across modalities with suitable alternatives, maintaining semantic consistency and cross-modal relationships whilst ensuring privacy and retrieval accuracy.

4. Investigate the impact of different cross-modal architectural choices and multi-modal data characteristics on unlearning effectiveness, developing guidelines for unlearning-aware cross-modal retrieval system design.

94% of Loughborough’s research impact is rated world-leading or internationally excellent. REF 2021

Supervisors

Primary supervisor: Professor Georgina Cosma

Entry requirements

Our entry requirements are listed using standard UK undergraduate degree classifications i.e. first-class honours, upper second-class honours and lower second-class honours. To learn the equivalent for your country, please choose it from the drop-down below.

Country / region

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in computer science or a related subject. A relevant Master’s degree and/or experience in one or more of the following will be an advantage: artificial intelligence, information sciences, mathematics with experience in programming.

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Masters	95%	85%	70%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Diplomë e Nivelit të Pare (First Level (University) Diploma (from 2010)	9.5	8.5	8

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licence (4 year) / Diplome d'Inginieur d'Etat / Diplôme d'Etudes Supérieures	16	14	12

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licenciatura/ Licenciado (4 year)	8.5	7.5	6.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bakalavri Kochum required but typically a Magistrosi Kochum	90% or 3.9	80% or 3.5	70% or 3.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Honours degree (AQF level 8)	First Class, 80%	Upper Second, 70%, H2A	Lower Second, 60%, H2B
Ordinary degree - AQF Level 7 pass (mark 46 or 50)	High Distinction (80% or 85%)	Distinction (75% or 80%)	Distinction (70% or 75%)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Degree / Diplomstudium / Fachhochschuldiplom (Diplom (FH))	A (or 1.5) mit Auszeichnungbestanden	60% / B / (or 2)	60% / B / (or 2)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bakalavr Diplomu/ Diplomu (Specialist Diploma)	4.5 or 90%	4 or 80%	3.5 or 70%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Degree from University of the West Indies only	1st (GPA 3.6)	2:1 (GPA 3.0)	2:2 (GPA 2.5)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale	3.5	3.0	2.8

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 year Bachelor of Science in Engineering (IEB and BAETE accredited courses only)	1st (70%) / 3.5	2nd (60%) / 3.0	2nd (55%) / 2.75
Masters (1-2 years) following a 3 or 4 year degree	80% / 4.0	65% / 3.25	50% / 2.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
University of the West Indies, Honours degree	1st (GPA 3.6)	2:1 (GPA 3.0)	2:2 (GPA 2.5)
Barbados Community College	1st or GPA 3.75	2:1 or GPA 3.5	2:2 or GPA 3.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Specialist Diploma (5Yr)	9	7	5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bachelor degree/Licenciaat/Licencie	80% or 17	70% or 14	60% or 12

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Degree from University of the West Indies only	1st (GPA 3.6)	2:1 (GPA 3.0)	2:2 (GPA 2.5)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Maitrise	18	15 or Bien	12 or Assez Bien

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Degree from University of the West Indies only	1st (GPA 3.6)	2:1 (GPA 3.0)	2:2 (GPA 2.5)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
A Licenciado, 4 years Private (public/private)	85/78	75/66	67/55

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Diploma Visokog Obrazovanja / Diplomirani	10	9	8

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Master's degree	A or 80%	B or 70%	C or 60%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Brazil - 4 yr Bacharel or Licenciado/Licenciatura or Título Profissional	8.5	7.5	6.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Brunei	First	Upper Second (60%/B/3.1)	Lower Second (50% or C or 2.5)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
5 yr Diploma za Zavarsheno Visshe Obrazovanie (Diploma of Completed Higher Education)	6	5	4

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Masters or Diplôme d'Études Approfondies or Diplôme Ingénieur (professional title)	18	15/20 (Bien)	12.5/20 (Assez Bien)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Masters	80% or B+ or 3.5	70% or B or 3.0	60% or C+ or 2.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bachelor degree or Diplome d'Etudes Superiures de Commerce or Diplome d'Ingenieur or Diplôme d'Ingénieur de Conception or a Maitrise, 4 year Licence or Master 1 (M1)	1st / 3.6 or 15/Tres Bien	2:1 / GPA 3.0 or 14 / Bien	2:2 / GPA 2.5 or 12.5/ Assez Bien

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0/Percentage	3.7/85%	3.3/75%	2.7/68%
Out of 9	8	6	5
Out of 12	10	8	6

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Grado de Licenciado / Título (Profesional) de [subject area] (4 years)	6	5.5	5

Students are required to have a bachelor degree (4 years) for entry to a postgraduate programme. The University uses the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities to identify the required final mark, as outlined on the table below:

	First class (70%)	Mid 2:1 (65%)	2:1 (60%)	Mid 2:2 (55%)	2:2 (50%)
Shanghai Rank Top 250	83%	79%	75%	73%	70%
Shanghai Rank 251-500	88%	84%	80%	78%	75%
Shanghai Rank 501+	92%	87%	84%	82%	80%

The University will consider students from Affiliated Colleges in the following way:

Applicants from colleges affiliated to universities in the top 250 Shanghai rankings will be considered if they have achieved or are likely to achieve final marks of 75%-84%.

Applicants from colleges affiliated to universities which are 251-500 in the Shanghai rankings will be considered if they have achieved or are likely to achieve final marks of 80%-87%.

Applicants from colleges affiliated to universities which are above 500 in the Shanghai rankings will be considered as follows:

School of Business and Economics: not considered
All other programmes if they have achieved or are likely to achieve final marks of 80%-87%.

Applicants from a small number of Chinese universities that specialise in business, management, finance or creative arts will be given special consideration by the University. The full list of these universities and the Shanghai band under which they will be considered can be found below:

Table of Chinese universities for special consideration

‌*Special consideration for programmes in School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences and Institute for Sport Business only.

Students who do not meet the above requirements may occasionally be considered if they have a relevant degree, can show good grades in relevant subjects, and/or have substantial relevant work experience.

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licenciado / Título de [subject area]	4.5	3.75	3.2

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licenciado	9	8 or 80	7 or 75

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Baccalaureus / Prvostupnik	4.5	3.8	3.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4-year Titulo de Licenciado / Licenciatura	5	4	3

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Cyprus	8.5	7.0	6.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bakalár (after 2001) 6 yr integrated Magistr	1	1.5	2

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
5 year Candidatus/Candidata Magisterii or Bachelor degree (7 point scale)	12	10	7

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 year Licenciado or Título de [subject area]	3.8	Magna Cum Laude or 3.5 or 85%	Cum Laude or 3.2 or 82%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Título de Licenciado / Título de [subject area]	8.5 / 85%	8 / 80%	7 / 70%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Egypt	3.5	3.2	2.8
Universities only	BA 90%, BSc 85%	BA 80%, BSc 75%	BA 65%, BSc 65%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
5 year Licenciado, Título de Ingeniero/Arquitecto	8.5, 85%	7.5, 75% or Muy Bueno	6.5, 65% or Bueno

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bakalaureusekraad or Magister or Magistrikraad	5 or 91% or A	4 or 81% or B	3 or 71% or C

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Master's	A/GPA 4.0	A/GPA 3.5	B/GPA 2.8

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Kandidaattii/Kandidat or the Maisteri/Magister	3 (out of 3) or 4.5 (out of 5)	2 (out of 3) or 3 (out of 5)	1 (out of 3) or 2.5 (out of 5)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licence (3 years)/ Maitrise/ Diplôme d'Ingénieur	14	13	11

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4-year degree (% = new system)	5 (95%)	4.0 (85%)	3.5 (75%)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
German Bachelor/ Diplom, Magister Artium / Zeugnis über den Zweiten Abschnitt der Ärztlichen Prüfung	1.5	2.5	3.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Ghana	First	Upper second/60%	Lower second/50%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Universities	8.5	7.0	6
TEI and non-University Institutions	8.5	7	6.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Degree from University of West Indies - classification	1st, 70% (GPA 3.6)	2:1, 60% (GPA 3.00)	2:2, 50% (GPA 2.5)
Degree from University of West Indies - grade / percentage	A	B / 75%	C / 55%
Degree from University of West Indies - GPA	3.6	3.0	2.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Liceniado / Titulo de (subject area) - 4 years	90% (public university) / 95% (private university)	80% (public university) / 85% (private university)	60% (public university) / 70% (private university)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Master's	GPA 4	GPA 3.5	3.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Título de Licenciado / Grado Académico de Licenciatura (4 year degree) - GPA out of 5	GPA 5 or 90%	GPA 4 or 80%	GPA 3.5 or 70%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
1st or 3.5/4	2:1or 3/4	2:2 or 2.5/4	2.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Alapfokozt or Egyetemi Oklevel / Bachelor	4.5	3.5	3

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Baccalaurreatus degree or Kandidatsprof/Candidatus Mag	8.5	7.5	6.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Institutions listed on the National Institutional Ranking Framework	65% (First)	60% (First)	55% (Upper second)
All other Indian institutions	70% (First with distinction)	65% (First)	60% (First)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Sarjana I (S1) from accredited Universities	3.3	3.0	2.8

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Iran	17	15	13

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Iraq	80%	75%	70%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Republic of Ireland	First (70%)	Upper second (60%)	Lower second (50%)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
3 yr Bachelor Degree	90%	80%	70%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Diploma di Laurea	109/110	100/110	90/110

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures	16	14 (Bien)	12 (Assez Bien)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
For degrees studied at The University of West Indies or degrees accredited by UCJ and CCCJ	1st (GPA 3.6)	2:1 (GPA 3.0) or B	2:2, 50% (GPA 2.5)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Gakushi – GPA 4.0 scale	85% or A or 3.5	80% or B or 3.0	70% or C or 2.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale	3.5	3 or 3.5/5 or 75%	2.5 (or 3.0/5) / 63%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 5.0/percentage scale	4.5 or 90%	4 or 85%	3.5 or 80%
GPA 4.33 scale	3.9	3.7	3.2
GPA 4.0 scale	3.7	3.4	3

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Kenya	First / 70% / A	Upper second / 60% / B	Lower second / 50% / C

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Kosovo	10	9	8

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale	3.6	3.0	2.6

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Latvia	9	7	6

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
American	90% (3.5)	80% (3.2)	70% (2.8)
French	18	15	12

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Master's	4.0 or 90%	3.5 or 85%	3 or 80%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
BSc Engineering, Architecture, Medicine	85 (3.6)	75 (3.0)	65 (2.5)
Other bachelor's degree from a university	90 (4.0)	85% (3.6)	75% (3.0)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Lithuania	9	8	7

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Luxembourg	18 (excellent)	16 (tres Bien)	14 (bien)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Macau	1st or GPA 3.7	2:1 or GPA 3.0	2:2 or GPA 2.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Magistar Дипломиран / Баццалауреус / Баццалауреа (Bachelor degree)	10	9	8

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Master's only	MSc 75%	MSc 70%	MSc 65%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Classification	First Class	2.1	GPA 2.5
GPA 4.0 scale	3.5	3.0	2.8

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Malta	1st (80%)	2:1 (70%)	2:2 (55%)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Mauritius	1st or 70%	2:1 or 60%	2:2 or 50%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licenciatura / Licenciado/ Título (Profesional) de [subject area]	8.5	8	7

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Diploma de Licenţă (Diploma of Licentiate)	9	8	7

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Диплом Специалиста (Specialist Diploma)	90% or 3.5	80% or GPA 3.2	70% or GPA 3.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Diploma of Completed Undergraduate Studies or Diploma of Professional Undergraduate Studies	10 (or 5.0)	9 (or 4.5)	8 (or 4.0)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Diplôme d'Ingénieur d'État, Diplôme d'Écoles Nationales de Commerce et de Gestion, Licence / Licence d'Études Fondamentales / Licence Professionnelle	16	14	12

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Mestrado/ Grau de Mastre	16	14	12

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
2 year Master's degree	5 or 85%	5 or 75%	4.5 or 65%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4-year Bachelor Honours (post 2008) or Masters	80% or A	70% or B	60% or C

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Master's (after 3 year bachelor degree)	80% or 3.7 GPA	65% or 3.3 GPA	60% or 3.0 GPA

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Netherlands	8	7	6

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 Year Honours degree (480 credits) - Level 8	First (7.0)	Upper Second (6.0)	Lower Second (4.0)
3 Year degree (360 credits) - Level 7	A+ (9.0)	A- (7.0)	B+ (6.0)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licenciatura (4 year)	90%	80%	70%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
7 point Scale	6	5	3.0 (on 5 point scale)
5 point scale	4.5	3.8	3.5
4 point scale	3.5	3	2.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Norway	A / 1.8	B / 2.3	C / 3.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale	3.5	3.0	2.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 Year degree only (the higher of the 2 options)	A- or GPA 3.7	B or GPA 3.0	C+ or GPA 2.6
2 or 3 year Bachelor plus Masters	1st (60%) plus GPA 3.7	2nd (55%) plus GPA 3.0	2nd (50%) plus GPA 2.6

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bachelor (4-years)	(85%) 3.5	(80%) 3.0	(70%) 2.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 Year Licenciado / Título de [subject area]	91 (A)	81 (B)	71 (C)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bachelor (Honours) Degree	1st	2:1	2:2

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 Year Título de Licenciado / Título de [subject area]	4.5 (85%)	4 (80%)	3.5 (75%)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 Year Título de Licenciado / Título de [subject area]	14	13	12

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Degree from prestigious state universities or Centres of Excellence (COE)	Summa Cum Laude 4.0 / 96% / 1.0	Magna cum Laude 3.5 / 92% / 1.5	Cum Laude 3.0 / 87%/ 2.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bachelor Degree (post 2003) Magister (pre- 2003)	5	4.5	4

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Diploma de Estudos Superiores Especializados (DESE) or Licenciado	18	16	14

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale	3.5	3.0	2.8

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Diploma de Licenta/ Diploma de Inginer	9	8	7

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bakalavr/Specialist Diploma/Magistr	4.5	4.0	3.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 year bachelor (Hons) degree (480 credits)	1st, 16/20 (80%)	2:1,14/20 (70%)	2:2, 12/20 (60%)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale	3.5	3.0	2.8
GPA 5.0 scale	4.5	3.75	3.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees	16/20 or Tres Bien	14/20 or Bien	12/20 or Assez Bien

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Diplomirani/ Bachelor's degree	9	8	7

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Honours degree or masters	1st (70%)	2:1 (60% or B)	2:2 (50% or C)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bachelor (Hons)	First	Upper second	Lower second
GPA 4.0 scale	3.7	3.0	2.7
GPA 5.0 scale	4.5	3.5	3.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bakalár (from 2005) Magister / Inzinier	1.5 or B	2.0 or C	2.5 or C/high D

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
University Diplom	9	8	7

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bachelor (Honours) or B Tech after 4 yrs study	1st or 75%	2:1 or 70%	2:2 or 60%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA out of 4.5	4.0 / A	3.5 / B	3.0 / C+
GPA out of 4.3	4.0 / A	3.0 / B	2.7 / C+

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licenciado / Título de Ingeniero / Título de Arquitecto	8.5	7	6.5
UCM grading	3.0	2.0	1.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 year Professional degree or Bachelor Special or Honours degree	90%, GPA 3.70	80%, GPA 3.30	70%, GPA 3.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 year degree	1st, 70%, B+	2:1, 66%	mid 2:2, 60%, B

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Kandidatexamen or Magisterexamen	Overall grade of VG with a minimum of 120 credits at VG	B or Overall grade of VG with a minimum of 90 credits at VG	C or Overall grade of G with a minimum of 90 credits at G

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bachelor Degree, Diplom or Lizentiat (10/6/5)	10 / 6 / 1	8 / 5 / 2	6 / 4 / 3

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
State universities 4 years of study	80%	70%	60%
Private universities 4 years of study	90%	80%	70%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Category 1 (4 year degree)	80%	75%	70%
Category 2 (4 year degree)	85%	80%	75%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Диплом специалиста - Specialist Diploma	5	4.5	4

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Tanzania	1st	2:1	2:2

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale	3.5	3.0	2.8

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
For degrees studied at The University of West Indies or degrees accredited by ACTT	1st or GPA 3.6	2:1 or GPA 3.0	2:2 or GPA 2.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licence, Maîtrise, Diplôme National d'Ingénieu	16 (tres bien)	14 (bien)	11 (assez bien)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Lisans Diplomasi or a Műhendis Diplomasi	3.5	3	2.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 Yr Bakalavr, Specialist Diploma or Magistr	5	4.5	4

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Uganda	1st or 4.4	2:1 or 3.8	2:2 or 3.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Dyplom Magistra or a Bachelors degree (11 / 5)	4.5	4.0	3.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale	3.5	3.0	2.6

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale	3.5	3.2	2.8

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licenciado (4 year)	9	8	7

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Majistr Diplomi / Diplomi (Specialist Diploma)	90% or GPA 4.5	80% or GPA 4.0	70% or GPA 3.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licenciado/Professional title. (4 year)	18/20 or 8/9	16/20 or 7/9	14/20 or 6/9

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
10-point scale	8.0	7.0	6.0
4-point scale	3.5	3.0	2.8

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Master's	A or 4.0 or 80%	B+, 3.5 or 70%	B or 3.0 or 60%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
3/4 year degree	1st or 75%	2:1 or 65%	2:2 or 60%

English language requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2024-25 entry

UK fee

£4,786 Full-time degree per annum

International fee

£27,500 Full-time degree per annum

Tuition fees for 2025-26 entry

UK fee

To be confirmed Full-time degree per annum

International fee

£28,600 Full-time degree per annum

Fees for the 2024-25 academic year apply to projects starting in October 2024, January 2025, April 2025 and July 2025. Fees for the 2025-26 academic year apply to projects starting in October 2025.

Find out more about research degree funding

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, IT equipment and other support services. University fees and charges can be paid in advance and there are several methods of payment, including online payments and payment by instalment. Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures.

How to apply

All applications should be made online. Under programme name, select Computer Science. Please quote the advertised reference number: CO/GC-SF6/2025 in your application.

To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you submit a CV and the minimum supporting documents.

The following selection criteria will be used by academic schools to help them make a decision on your application. Please note that this criteria is used for both funded and self-funded projects.

Please note, applications for this project are considered on an ongoing basis once submitted and the project may be withdrawn prior to the application deadline, if a suitable candidate is chosen for the project.

Apply now

Qualification(s) available: PhD

Project details

Supervisors

Entry requirements

English language requirements

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2024-25 entry

UK fee

International fee

Tuition fees for 2025-26 entry

UK fee

International fee

How to apply

Contact us

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Machine Unlearning for Privacy-Preserving Cross-Modal Retrieval Systems

Qualification(s) available: PhD

Project details

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