Psychology
We provide an excellent environment for research in psychology with guidance from acclaimed researchers and access to outstanding facilities.
This programme comprises student-led, frontier translational research spanning the entire discipline of psychology and enables you to conduct research and training in your chosen area.
You will have the opportunity to contribute to significant advances in knowledge under the supervision of active researchers, many of whom are internationally acclaimed experts in their field.
Programme aims
To offer knowledge and expertise for a career in a range of areas related to research undertaken in the School.
Distinctive features
- Research in the specialist areas is conducted in a large number of purpose-built laboratories that have all been refurbished within the last five years
- The broad range of expertise within the School allows us to provide training in an unusually wide range of methodological techniques
- Our integration across different disciplines provides unique opportunities for multidisciplinary research projects
- Outstanding research facilities: Over 1,100 square metres of specialised laboratory space; a wide range of brain imaging facilities including one of Europe’s most powerful brain scanners; dedicated developmental psychology facilities including a sensory room, observation labs and specially designed laboratory space for studies of children and adults
Key facts
| Mode of study | Full-time, part-time |
|---|---|
| Qualification | PhD |
| Full-time duration | 3 years |
| Part-time duration | Opportunities available |
| Start dates | January, April, July, October |
Research training is a strong feature of our Psychology PhD programme. Postgraduate researchers in Social Psychology may complete the MSc in Social Science Research Methods (or equivalent) prior to registration for their PhD.
For students funded through the ESRC Wales Doctoral Training Partnership ESRC this is mandatory.
During the PhD, you will have opportunities to be trained in many techniques relevant to your topic area, and to gain experience from projects beyond your own, in order to strengthen your research expertise and future employment prospects.
By the time our students have completed their PhDs, the majority will have published scientific papers in leading peer-reviewed journals, and go on to secure positions in academic or academic-related domains.
Assessment
This programme is assessed based on the research outcome produced (thesis of 80,000 words and viva voce).
The research undertaken in the School ranges from ‘synapse to society’, and includes normal behaviour in development and adulthood, the breakdown of cognition after stress, trauma and in neurological and/or genetic conditions, as well as key psychological issues of broad importance to society, such as prejudice, reproductive health and optimising performance at work.
We undertake outstanding interdisciplinary scientific research under four contemporary research themes:
- Neuroscience, including behavioural neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, and imaging science
- Cognitive Science, including cognitive psychology, and perception and action,
- Developmental and Health Psychology
- Social and Environmental Psychology, including social psychology, and risk and environment
Detailed information on each of these research areas is available on the research pages of the School website.
Supervisors
A full list of academic staff can be found on the Staff pages of the School website.
Research facilities
Full details of research facilities can be found on the Facilities pages of the School website.
UK government postgraduate doctoral loans
Candidates for the Professional Doctorate programme may be eligible to apply for a UK government postgraduate doctoral loan.
Find out more about UK government postgraduate doctoral loansFunding
We offer three types of funded opportunities:
- Open studentships
- Specific funded projects
- Partner-linked opportunities.
See our latest PhD studentships and projects and find out more about other funding opportunities.
Tuition fees
Students from the UK
Get the latest information on postgraduate fees.
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
Get the latest information on postgraduate fees.
Students from the rest of the world (international)
To begin your application, please fill in the ‘Apply’ form and select your preferred programme, mode of study and entry year.
When you have an idea of what you would like to research, we recommend that you take a look at our academic staff profiles to see which staff member(s) have similar research interests to you. You can then contact them and give them a brief idea of what you would like to research.
Please note you should only contact full members of staff and not research associates. If they agree that they would be interested in receiving an application from you, then you should apply in the normal way.
Students who have already made contact with the relevant tutor are far more likely to be accepted than those who apply without doing this.
With all applications please include an academic reference, a current CV and personal statement.
Funded studentships
Our funded PhD studentships page will list postgraduate research opportunities when funding becomes available.
Search for funded PhD studentships.
With all applications please include a current CV and personal statement.
Please note that you can only submit one application form per start date. If applying to multiple funded advertised projects with the same start date, please submit one application form and provide a cover letter to each supervisor for each project, clearly stating the project name, supervisor name and funder. Please include a current CV and personal statement with all applications.
A 1st or upper 2nd class UK honours degree, or equivalent, in Psychology or a related discipline, is usually required.
English language requirements
A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 will be required (a minimum of 6.5 in each component).
Please read our English language requirements for more details.
