PhD in Psychology & Behavioural Sciences

A PhD in psychology or the behavioural sciences is a research degree. Over several years you pursue an original question, for example how memory changes with age, why some treatments for anxiety work better than others, how children learn language or what drives decisions about health and money, and you present the results in a thesis examined by experts. Research may involve laboratory experiments, brain imaging, large online studies, clinical samples, fieldwork in schools or workplaces, or analysis of existing data, and you are usually expected to publish during the degree.

The format depends on the country. In the United Kingdom and Australia a PhD usually takes three to four years and is research from the start, typically after a master's or a strong bachelor's with honours. North American programmes often take five years or more, begin with advanced courses and qualifying examinations, and may include teaching. In Germany, many doctoral candidates are employed on funded research projects. A research PhD is distinct from professional doctorates, such as the UK clinical psychology doctorate or the American PsyD, which focus on training practitioners.

Funding shapes the decision. Many psychology PhDs are paid for through studentships on defined projects, research council or government grants, university scholarships and teaching or research assistantships, and some North American doctoral programmes fund admitted students as standard. Studies involving people need ethics approval, which affects timelines. Before applying, read the recent papers of potential supervisors, contact them with a short outline of your interests, and ask about funding, the culture of the research group and where earlier doctoral students went next.

Applicants usually need a master's in psychology or a related field such as neuroscience, cognitive science or statistics, although a strong bachelor's with research experience is often enough in North America and, with honours, in Australia. Supervisors look for strong grades, a dissertation or other research, sound statistical skills and references from academics who know your work. In the UK, Australia and Germany a research proposal is commonly required unless you apply to an advertised project.

Funded places are competitive, and many deadlines fall in the autumn or winter before an autumn start, with North American programmes often closing in December. In Germany, finding a professor willing to supervise you is often the first step. Clinical research projects may need extra checks, such as a police clearance, before you work with patients. English test requirements apply as at other levels, though applicants educated in English may be exempt, so check each university's own page.