Psychology PhD/MSc (Research)

We offer excellent research opportunities, supported by our links with local hospitals and clinics, local schools and nurseries, other University departments, industrial companies and departments of local and national government, both in this country and overseas. There are facilities for Erasmus exchanges with the Universities of Leuven (Belgium), Nijmegen (Netherlands), Copenhagen, Paris and Padova (Italy).

For details of research opportunities see the programme overview section below. Also see FindaPhD for opportunities.

Course fact file

Type of Course: Doctoral research

Study Options: Full time, part time

Duration: PhD – 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time; MSc by Research – 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

Start date: September

Contact

Read FAQ's for this programme

Admissions Tutor: Dr Linda Wheeldon

If you complete our contact form we will respond to your enquiry within two business days. Alternatively, you can contact us on +44 (0)121 414 2864/2752 or by email : psychology-phd@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Details

We offer excellent research opportunities, supported by our links with local hospitals and clinics, local schools and nurseries, other University departments, industrial companies and departments of local and national government, both in this country and overseas. There are facilities for Erasmus exchanges with the Universities of Leuven (Belgium), Nijmegen (Netherlands), Copenhagen, Paris and Padova (Italy).

Johnny Lau - I chose to study in Birmingham because it is a world class university and it is highly rated as a research institute

Why study this course

Iraida Neira Doctoral Researcher from Miami, Florida "I chose to study at Birmingham originally because I was attracted to the reputation and as I looked into it further I realised that it actually had a really strong background in psychology research, right up there with Oxford and Cambridge..."
Watch Iraida's video

International student Johnny Lau talks about the research he is undertaking and the facilities at his disposal for his Psychology PhD within the School of Psychology.
Video transcript here

Fees and funding

Standard fees apply

Learn more about fees and funding

International students please note: This is a Band C course

Scholarships and studentships

There will be studentships available for applicants across the college of Life and Environmental Sciences for excellent home/EU students. Up to 120 hours work per year as a paid teaching assistant is available to most research students. For more information contact the School’s Postgraduate Admissions Team. Email: pg-psychology-admissions@contacts.bham.ac.uk or tel: +44 (0)121 414 2864/2752. 

Alternative contact:

For further information contact the School directly or get in touch with the Student Funding Office via the online enquiries system.

Entry requirements

You should have a good Honours degree in Psychology or a related discipline appropriate to your intended studies. For MSc by Research we require at least a lower second-class Honours degree; for PhD we require at least an upper second-class Honours degree or a Masters qualification. If you have a lower second-class Honours degree you can apply initially for an MSc by Research and transfer to PhD if you are successful in your MSc examination.

International students

Academic requirements

We accept a range of qualifications, our country pages show you what qualifications we accept from your country.

English language requirements

You can satisfy our English language requirements in two ways:

How to apply

When clicking on the Apply Now button you will be directed to an application specifically designed for the programme you wish to apply for where you will create an account with the University application system and submit your application and supporting documents online. Further information regarding how to apply online can be found on the How to apply pages

Apply now

Contact

Read FAQ's for this programme

Admissions Tutor: Dr Linda Wheeldon

If you complete our contact form we will respond to your enquiry within two business days. Alternatively, you can contact us on +44 (0)121 414 2864/2752 or by email : psychology-phd@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Research interests of staff

Behavioural Neuroscience

  • MRI techniques, combining fMRI and EEG, epilepsy, sleep.
    Contact: Dr Andrew Bagshaw
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3683
    Email: a.p.bagshaw@bham.ac.uk
  • Computational models of neural population activity, simultaneous EEG/fMRI, cortical networks, anaesthesia and TMS effects
    Contact: Dr Ingo Bojak
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4913
    Email: i.bojak@bham.ac.uk
  • Study of neural substrate of apathy in adult brain injury using advanced neuroimaging
    Contact: Professor Shoumitro Deb
    Tel: 0121-414-7130
    Email: s.deb@bham.ac.uk
  • Psychobiology of appetite. Learning and memory influences on eating behaviour and drug taking.
    Contact: Dr Suzanne Higgs
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4907
    Email: s.higgs.1@bham.ac.uk
  • Predictive sensory-motor control; motor learning; co-ordination; brain imaging; EEG, fMRI and TMS.
    Contact: Professor Chris Miall
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 2867
    Email: r.c.miall@bham.ac.uk
  • Biologically motivated models of offending behaviour; emotional and social cognitive deficits in basal ganglia disease
    Contact: Dr Ian Mitchell
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 7197
    Email: i.j.mitchell@bham.ac.uk
  • Neuropsychology of language; language and deafness; spelling; dyslexia; computer models of cognition.
    Contact: Dr Andrew Olson
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3328
    Email: a.l.o.olson@bham.ac.uk
  • Sensory-motor function; active touch, timing and rhythm.
    Contact: Professor Alan Wing
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 7954
    Email: a.m.wing@bham.ac.uk
  • The neural mechanisms of memory and addiction.
    Contact: Dr Joff Lee
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 2607
    Email: j.lee@bham.ac.uk
  • Top-down and bottom-up processes in attention and perception; combined brain stimulation (TMS, tDCS) and brain imaging techniques (fMRI, EEG); Autism, ADHD.
    Contact: Dr Carmel Mevorach
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4910
    Email: c.mevorach@bham.ac.uk 

Developmental, Social and Applied Psychology

  • Language, cognition and perceptual systems. Cognitive development; theory of mind; executive functions.
    Contact: Dr Ian Apperly
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3339
    Email: i.a.apperly@bham.ac.uk
  • Counterfactual and future thinking; uncertainty and knowledge; tool making and problem solving.
    Contact: Dr Sarah Beck
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4902
    Email: s.r.beck@bham.ac.uk
  • Typologies of sex offenders; evaluation of treatment programmes for sex offenders.
    Contact: Professor Anthony Beech
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 7215
    Email: a.r.beech@bham.ac.uk
  • Violent fantasy; care pathways in forensic mental health services; cognitive behaviour therapy
    Contact: Dr Richard Bennett
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3763
    Email: r.bennett@bham.ac.uk
  • Psychosis: cognitive approaches; early detection and intervention; emotional dysfunction; cognitive therapy; community services.
    Contact: Professor Max Birchwood
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 7214
    Email: m.j.birchwood.20@bham.ac.uk
  • Childhood obesity, children’s feeding and eating problems, parent-child interaction, parental mental health.
    Contact: Dr Jackie Blissett
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3340
    Email: j.blissett@bham.ac.uk
  • Social psychology of homelessness; attitudes; stereotyping.
    Contact: Dr Julie Christian
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4927
    Email: j.n.christian@bham.ac.uk
  • Coping with addiction in the family; addiction treatment outcomes; dual diagnosis.
    Contact: Dr Alex Copello
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 7414
    Email: a.g.copello@bham.ac.uk
  • Management of problem behaviours in adults with intellectual disability
    Contact: Professor Shoumitro Deb
    Tel: 0121-414-7130
    Email: s.deb@bham.ac.uk
  • Psychology and neurophysiology of pain: fMRI.
    Contact: Dr Stuart Derbyshire
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4659
    Email: s.w.derbyshire@bham.ac.uk
  • Assessment, prevention and intervention of intimate partner violence/homicide and child maltreatment. Aetiology of intimate partner violence in male and female perpetrators. Resilience in children affected by intimate partner violence. Group/gang aggression and criminality
    Contact: Dr Louise Dixon
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 7218
    Email: l.dixon.1@bham.ac.uk
  • Combined psychosis and substance abuse.
    Contact: Dr Hermine Graham
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 7204
    Email: h.l.graham@bham.ac.uk
  • Health beliefs and behaviours, work and wellbeing, resilience, psychology and cancer, health and built (urban) environment
    Contact: Dr Beth Grunfeld
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3402
    Email: e.a.grunfeld@bham.ac.uk
  • Child maltreatment; witnessing family violence; early institutionalisation of children; resilience and attachment; internet grooming (victims).
    Contact: Dr Catherine Hamilton-Giachritsis
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4925
    Email: c.hamilton.1@bham.ac.uk
  • Factors influencing the role of treatment effectiveness with sexual offenders, including the role of process issues and psychopathy, and assessment of risk in sexual offenders.
    Contact: Dr Leigh Harkins
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3665
    Email: l.harkins@bham.ac.uk
  • Infant/child feeding and appetite regulation; childhood eating disorders; child abuse and attachment disorders.
    Contact: Dr Gillian Harris
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4934
    Email: g.harris@bham.ac.uk
  • Health psychology; psychology of cancer and its treatment.
    Contact: Dr Ruth Howard
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 7191
    Email: r.a.howard.20@bham.ac.uk
  • Processing of emotional material in schizophrenia.
    Contact: Dr Chris Jones
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3341
    Email: c.a.jones@bham.ac.uk
  • Learning disabilities.
    Contact: Dr Biza Kroese
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4919
    Email: b.stenfert-kroese@bham.ac.uk
  • Using phenomenological and qualitative research to explore culture and experience in health and mental health settings, particularly: metaphor and experience; anomalous experiences; loss of control; coping in families and relationships; empathy; psychological interventions. Culture and experience in mental health settings; addiction; psychosis; consent; qualitative research.
    Contact: Dr Michael Larkin
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 6036
    Email: m.larkin@bham.ac.uk
  • Culture and experience in mental health settings; addiction; psychosis; consent; qualitative research.
    Contact: Dr Michael Larkin
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 6036
    Email: m.larkin@bham.ac.uk
  • Stigma of child mental health; child and family illness beliefs and adjustment to physical ill health; adolescent disorders.
    Contact: Dr Gary Law
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 6296
    Email: g.law@bham.ac.uk
  • Developmental neuroscience, autism, social and language development.
    Contact: Dr Joseph McCleery
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 9775
    Email: j.p.mccleery@bham.ac.uk
  • Health psychology, particularly applied to diabetes; psychology of pain.
    Contact: Dr Arie Nouwen
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 7203
    Email: a.nouwen@bham.ac.uk
  • Applied behaviour analysis; severe learning disability; behavioural phenotypes.
    Contact: Professor Chris Oliver
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4909
    Email: c.oliver@bham.ac.uk
  • Addictive behaviour; family relations; community psychology.
    Contact: Professor Jim Orford
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4918
    Email: j.f.orford@bham.ac.uk
  • Older adults; ageing; dementia; bereavement; caregiving.
    Contact: Dr Jan Oyebode
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4904
    Email: j.r.oyebode@bham.ac.uk
  • Brain injury rehabilitation.
    Contact: Dr Theresa Powell
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 7207
    Email: t.powell@bham.ac.uk
  • Brain injury rehabilitation, carers, sexual health.
    Contact: Dr Gerry Riley
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4923
    Email: rileyga@bham.ac.uk
  • Intellectual Disabilities; Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Caregivers
    Contact: Dr John Rose
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3341
    Email: j.l.rose@bham.ac.uk
  • Adolescent brain development; onset of severe mental illness; cognitive and imaging predictors of clinical outcome in early psychosis; clinical staging of severe mental illness
    Contact: Prof Stephen Wood
    Tel: +44(0)121 414 4917
    Email: s.j.wood@bham.ac.uk
  • Investigative Psychology, policing, serial and sexual offending
    Contact: Dr Jessica Woodhams
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 6937
    Email: j.woodhams@bham.ac.uk  

Language, Cognition and Perceptual Systems

  • Computational modelling of cognitive processes.
    Contact: Dr Dietmar Heinke
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4920
    Email: d.g.heinke@bham.ac.uk
  • Neurocognitive factors underlying hallucination and instances of anomalous cognition. Perspective-taking and embodiment in relation to hallucinations of the self.
    Contact: Dr Jason Braithwaite
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 2862
    Email: j.i.braithwaite@bham.ac.uk
  • fMRI and TMS of binocular vision, depth perception and cue combination.
    Contact: Dr Andrew Welchman
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 2863
    Email: a.e.welchman@bham.ac.uk
  • Psycholinguistic processes in reading.
    Contact: Dr Steven Frisson
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 8202
    Email: s.frisson@bham.ac.uk
  • Gestures and language in adults and children.
    Contact: Dr Sotaro Kita
    Tel: 44 (0)121 414 6203
    Email: s.kita@bham.ac.uk
  • Learning and brain plasticity in the young and ageing brain: combining behavioural, brain imaging and computational methods.
    Contact: Professor Zoe Kourtzi
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 8509
    Email: z.kourtzi@bham.ac.uk
  • Language acquisition in children; brain responses during adult language processing (ERP).
    Contact: Dr Andrea Krott
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4903
    Email: a.krott@bham.ac.uk
  • Visual perception; psychophysics and computational modelling of visual texture perception.
    Contact: Dr Andrew Schofield
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 5644
    Email: a.j.schofield@bham.ac.uk
  • Cognitive/linguistic processes; speech production; prosodic processing.
    Contact: Dr Linda Wheeldon
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 7048
    Email: l.r.wheeldon@bham.ac.uk 

Related research

Contact

Read FAQ's for this programme

Admissions Tutor: Dr Linda Wheeldon

If you complete our contact form we will respond to your enquiry within two business days. Alternatively, you can contact us on +44 (0)121 414 2864/2752 or by email : psychology-phd@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Employability

We offer excellent research opportunities, supported by our links with local hospitals and clinics, local schools and nurseries, other University departments, industrial companies and departments of local and national government, both in this country and overseas. This PhD will equip you to work in organisations such as these.

Iraida Neira - I get that university experience but also I'm getting clinical experience... and it's just really invaluable when it comes to your CV

Contact

Read FAQ's for this programme

Admissions Tutor: Dr Linda Wheeldon

If you complete our contact form we will respond to your enquiry within two business days. Alternatively, you can contact us on +44 (0)121 414 2864/2752 or by email : psychology-phd@contacts.bham.ac.uk