PhD/MPhil Cognitive Neuroscience / Programme details

Our PhD/MPhil Cognitive Neuroscience programme enables you to undertake a research project that will improve understanding of Cognitive Neuroscience.

Cognitive Neuroscience is a dynamic and emerging field of research that seeks to understand how we think, feel and act. The focus of our research is on revealing the mechanisms responsible for these complex neuropsychological functions.

Our wide expertise here in Manchester is centred on understanding cognition in both the normal brain as well as abnormal neurological and psychiatric disorders. Thus, a major target for our research is the establishment of translational advances for the treatment of various neuropsychiatric disorders that emerge across the lifespan.

While our primary focus is on understanding human cognition, we also use complementary and translational animal models of these processes to reveal aspects of cognition at the neural level.

A major focus in Manchester is the vital integration of behavioural measurement with various cutting-edge approaches to record and manipulate on-going brain activity (eg by using MRI, fMRI, MEG, EEG, transcranial magnetic stimulation).

The large number of laboratories and wide range of research techniques available to PhD students allows us to support projects that can investigate cognitive processes at many levels. This significantly enhances the student experience and opportunities on offer for training and collaboration.

Our major research themes include:

• Autism
• Alzheimer's disease and other dementias
• Aphasia
• Declarative and episodic memory
• Emotion and valuation
• Language development
• Psycholinguistics
• Perception, action and decision making

To search for specific project keywords, disciplines, topics and/or supervisors visit our research project pages.

Training and development

All of our postgraduate researchers attend the Doctoral Academy Training Programme delivered by the Researcher Development team . The programme provides key transferable skills and equips our postgraduate researchers with the tools to progress beyond their research degree into influential positions within academia, industry and consultancy. The emphasis is on enhancing skills critical to developing early-stage researchers and professionals, whether they relate to effective communication, disseminating research findings and project management skills.

PhD/MPhil programmes are based on individual research projects that last three to four years (PhD) or one to two years (MPhil), working with a specific Primary Supervisor and Co-Supervisor(s).

Applicants are specifically matched with a Primary Supervisor and individual project based on their research interests and background.

International applicants interested in this research area can also consider our PhD programme with integrated teaching certificate .

This unique programme will enable you to gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning, whilst also carrying out independent research on your chosen project.

Find out more about what it's like to undertake a postgraduate research degree at Manchester on the Doctoral Academy Blog and the support available through our Faculty Doctoral Academy.

You will have access to a range of  research and learning facilities  across the University and at some of our partner organisations.