Doctor of Philosophy / Master of Philosophy
PhD/MPhil Psychology
Tackle real-world challenges in psychology and study the mind to shape better outcomes in life and health.
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Discover more about postgraduate research
Overview
Programme overview
- Undertake research across cognitive, developmental, social, and clinical psychology using experimental and applied approaches.
- Collaborate within teams within the Division of Psychology Communication and Human Neuroscience including the Body, Eyes and Movement Lab , the Time Perception Lab , the Child Study Centre , exploring cognitive, social, and clinical aspects of human behaviour.
Visit our Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health postgraduate research page to start your journey.
Open days
Visit our Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health postgraduate research events page to find out about upcoming open days and events.
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
- Contact name
- Admissions
- Telephone
- +44 (0)161 275 5608
- FBMH.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/
- School/Faculty overview
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Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Programmes in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.
Entry requirements
Academic entry qualification overview
We require applicants to hold, or be about to obtain, an Upper Second class Honours degree, or the equivalent qualification gained outside the UK, in a related subject area for entry to a PhD programme. A Lower Second class Honours degree may be considered if applicants also hold a Master's degree with a Merit classification.
English language
For applicants whose first language is not English, or if you have not studied recently in the UK, you must provide evidence of how you meet the English Language requirement.
We mainly accept IELTS or TOEFL tests. Please note IELTS and TOEFL are only valid for two years.
We require a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 overall or TOEFL iBT 100. For the writing component, we expect that you have achieved a minimum of 7.0 (IELTS) or 25 (iBT).
If your IELTS or TOEFL expires before the start of your programme, you will need to take another official English test before we can issue you with a CAS for your visa application. This is a requirement of UKVI.
For more information about English language tests see English language requirements .
Please contact us at fbmh.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk for further information.
English language test validity
Other international entry requirements
Professional entry qualification
In addition to meeting the standard entry requirements, applicants wishing to study through Distance Learning will need to meet some additional requirements. If these requirements cannot be met, the Doctoral Academy reserves the right to reject any requests for Distance Learning, but this will not be associated with the academic assessment of an applicant (ie an academic offer for standard attendance can still be considered).
The Distance Learning PhD maximises flexibility and decreases the need for travel and actual presence on campus. It does not decrease the time and commitment required for serious and successful PGR study. Distance Learning students must prove that they have the time, commitment, language ability and facilities available needed to work remotely.
As part of their application, students should demonstrate that they have:
- 2.5 days per week minimum study time (part-time students) or full-time hours (full-time students)
- Access to study sites and research participants
- If seconded from employment to undertake the programme - written approval and support from employer for study time
- Adherence to University and home environment ethics and research governance procedures
- Consistent computer and IT access
- Broadband connection: minimum downstream 2 Mb, upstream 256k
- up-to-date Windows/Mac software
- Webcam and microphone
Applicants should submit an online application form in the usual way, selecting Distance Learning as the form of study. Applicants will then be asked to complete the `DL proforma' which asks for further confirmation of meeting the above requirements, outlining the reasons for wishing to undertake the programme by DL and plans for attending the University as explained in the Teaching and Learning section of the Programme details page.
Fees and funding
Fees
Fees for entry in 2026 have not yet been set. For reference, the fees for the academic year beginning September 2025 were as follows:
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PhD (full-time)
UK students (per annum): Standard £5,006, Low £11,500, Medium £17,500, High £23,500
International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard £27,000, Low £29,500, Medium £35,000, High £41,500 -
PhD (part-time)
UK students (per annum): Standard £2,503, Low £5,750, Medium £8,625, High £11,750
International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard £13,500, Low £14,750, Medium £17,500, High £20,755 -
PhD (full-time distance learning)
UK students (per annum): Standard £5,006, Low £11,500, Medium £17,500, High £23,500
International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard £27,000, Low £29,500, Medium £35,000, High £41,500 -
PhD (part-time distance learning)
UK students (per annum): Standard £2,503, Low £5,750, Medium £8,625, High £11,750
International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard £13,500, Low £14,750, Medium £17,500, High £20,755
Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.
Scholarships/sponsorships
In the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health we offer a wide range of fully funded studentships and scholarships covering postgraduate research tuition fees, research costs and an annual stipend for living costs.
Application and selection
How to apply
- Browse our project listings and funded programmes to discover a project you’re passionate about and check you meet eligibility criteria.
- Understand how your project is funded and, if it’s listed as self-funded, consider our funding opportunities for self-funded projects or other funding opportunities .
- Speak to the listed supervisor about your suitability for their project or programme before you apply.
- Visit our ‘How to apply’ page to find out more and ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission.
Visit our Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health postgraduate research page to find out more.
Advice to applicants
Before you start your application, you should:
- Discover more about the research area you’re interested in.
- Identify the programme or find the specific research project you'd like to apply for.
- Contact the listed project supervisor and speak to them about your suitability for the project.
- Understand how your project is funded and, if you are applying for a self-funded project, consider how you plan on funding your project and discuss this with the listed supervisor.
If you already have your own funding:
- Find a specific self-funded project and contact the project supervisor to talk to them about your suitability for the project; OR
- Determine your own research project and title, find a potential supervisor in this research area and contact them to discuss potentially supervising your research.
Supporting documents
You'll also need to make sure you have the following documents before you start your application:
- Personal statement
- Certificates and transcripts
- CV
- Confirmation of funding (if you are self-funded)
- English language ability
- Names and details of two referees to support your application
Visit our ‘How to apply’ page to find out more about the information required for each of these supporting documents.
Any missing information may delay the processing of your application.
Application deadlines
The deadline for applying for postgraduate research in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health depends on when you intend to start your research and how your project is funded.
If you are applying for one of our funded programmes, please refer to the deadlines detailed on the relevant page .
If you’re applying for a project that isn’t part of one of these programmes, our final application deadlines are:
- January 2026 entry: Wednesday, 15 October 2025
- April 2026 entry: Thursday, 15 January 2026
- September 2026 entry: Tuesday, 15 June 2026
Programme details
Programme description
Our PhD/MPhil Psychology programme enables you to undertake a research project from across the broad spectrum of topics that are integral to improving our understanding of psychological function.
These include (but are not limited to):
- audiology and hearing
- cognition and cognitive neuroscience
- dementia
- forensic psychology
- health psychology
- integration of psychological explanation to derive understanding and intervention in therapeutic settings
- interpersonal and family environments
- language and communicative development and disorders
- memory
- mental illness
- neuroscience and aphasia
- perception, action and decision making
Special features
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.
What our students say
Visit our PhD life page to discover life as a postgraduate researcher at Manchester or read our postgraduate research student blog .
Disability support
Careers
Career opportunities
Your postgraduate research degree will open up a range of career opportunities after you graduate. Find out more on the Careers page.
Regulated by the Office for Students
The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website.
You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website.