Academic Centres of Excellence in Cyber Security Research

The NCSC and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) jointly recognise Academic Centres of Excellence in Cyber Security Research (ACE-CSR).

Following the most recent assessment panel, 17 universities have been recognised as ACE-CSR. These universities have met tough minimum standards and proven they have:

• commitment from the university's leadership team to support and invest in the university's cyber security research capacity and capability
• a critical mass of academic staff engaged in leading-edge cyber security research
• a proven track record of publishing high impact cyber security research in leading journals and conferences
• sustained funding from a variety of sources to ensure the continuing financial viability of the research team's activities

You can find out more about the 17 universities recognised as ACEs-CSR by clicking the following links.

• Queen’s University Belfast
• University of Birmingham
• University of Bristol
• University of Cambridge
• Cardiff University
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Kent
• King's College London
• Lancaster University
• Imperial College London
• University College London
• Royal Holloway, University of London
• Newcastle University
• University of Oxford
• University of Southampton
• University of Surrey
• University of Warwick

Doctoral studentships

In order to further stimulate cyber security research in the UK, the NCSC supports Doctoral students across the ACE-CSRs, as well as at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)- and EPSRC- funded Centres for Doctoral Training (the University of Oxford and Royal Holloway, University of London). The NCSC does not select students for Doctoral studentships; all applications must be made directly to the relevant university. 

By 2021, it is expected that almost 150 new Doctoral Students will have completed research studies in important cyber security topics.