PhD/MPhil Psychology

Year of entry: 2025

Overview

Degree awarded
PhD/MPhil
Duration
3-4 years PhD, 1-2 years MPhil
Entry requirements

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.

Full entry requirements

How to apply

Apply online

Before applying you must:

  • Choose a programme or find a project you want to apply for and check you’re eligible.
  • Speak to the listed supervisor about your suitability for their project or programme.
  • Understand how your project is funded and, if it is self-funded, consider how you plan on funding it.
  • Read 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.

Programme options

Full-time Part-time Full-time distance learning Part-time distance learning
PhD Y Y Y Y
MPhil Y Y Y Y

Programme overview

  • Undertake research in a field you’re passionate about and join a project addressing leading challenges in the area while working with some of Europe's leading researchers and academics.
  • Choose to research at a university ranked and 6th in the UK (QS World University Rankings, 2025) and 2nd in the world for social and environmental impact (THE Impact Rankings, 2024), where 93% of research activity is ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ (Research Impact Framework, 2021)
  • Access some of the best research facilities in the world at the University, through our industry partners, and at hospitals around Greater Manchester.
  • Benefit from dedicated support throughout your PhD journey, from pre-application to graduation and everything in between, through our Doctoral Academy
  • Undergo training in transferable skills critical to developing early-stage researchers and professionals through the Doctoral Academy's training programme and progress into a career in research, academia or industry.

Visit our Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Postgraduate Research page to find out more.

Open days

Visit our Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Postgraduate Research page to find out about upcoming open days and events.

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2025, the tuition fees are as follows:

  • PhD (full-time)
    UK students (per annum): Standard £TBC, 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 £TBC, 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 £TBC, 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 £TBC, 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.

Contact details

School/Faculty
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Contact name
Admissions
Telephone
+44 (0)161 275 5608
Email
Website
https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/
School/Faculty
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

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Other international entry requirements

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. For these and general requirements, including English language, see  entry requirements from your country .

Professional entry qualification

Postgraduate Research Study by Distance Learning

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.

Application and selection

How to apply

Apply online

Before applying you must:

  • Choose a programme or find a project you want to apply for and check you’re eligible.
  • Speak to the listed supervisor about your suitability for their project or programme.
  • Understand how your project is funded and, if it is self-funded, consider how you plan on funding it.
  • Read 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:

  • 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 or, if you are self-funding, you should have an idea of how you are funding your project and have discussed this with your supervisor.

If you already have 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 supervising your research.

Supporting documents

You'll also need to make sure you have the following documents before you apply:

  • 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

You must submit your application for a postgraduate research programme before the relevant deadline to be considered. You will not be able to apply after these deadlines have passed.

  • January entry: 15 October (of the year prior entry)
  • April entry: 15 January (year of entry)
  • September entry: 15 June (year of entry)

Interview requirements

Candidates will be required to attend an interview with their prospective supervisor as well as an independent Postgraduate Tutor. If it is not possible for you to attend in person, we are able to interview by Zoom/video conferencing.

Disclosure and Barring Service check

Depending on the project you undertake, you may be required to undertake DBS screening.  We will notify of you this requirement if appropriate.

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):

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.

Teaching and learning

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.

Attendance Requirement for Distance Learning Programme 

Students must maintain expected virtual presence and communication with their Supervisor in order to remain registered on the programme and follow all online progression milestones as for any PGR student.

Students must attend, in person, the Welcome and Induction activities organised by the Doctoral Academy in September.  As a result, a September start date is preferable.  Students should also attend, in person, the compulsory `Life as a PhD Student' training.

Students are encouraged to consider undertaking additional training offered via the Doctoral Academy Training Programme .

It is expected that students will spend a minimum of one working week (5 days) in attendance at the University (in addition to welcome/induction days).  This may coincide with formal study weeks (ie in NMSW) and will present the opportunity for the student to spend time with their Supervisory team, visit the Library or local research facilities.

Students must participate in the formal Annual Review meeting, ideally in person, but attendance via Zoom/video conferencing etc can be considered.

The final oral examination will be held at the University of Manchester.  Only in very exceptional circumstances will a student be allowed to undertake the viva remotely.

Scholarships and bursaries

Funded programmes and projects are promoted throughout the year. Funding is available through UK Research Councils, charities and industry. We also have other internal awards and scholarships for the most outstanding applicants from within the UK and overseas. 

For more information on available the types of funding we have available, please visit the  funded programmes  and  funding opportunities  pages.

What our students say

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.

Facilities

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

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk

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.