| Degrees |
|
|---|---|
| Duration |
| Start date | September, January or April |
|---|---|
| Location | Streatham Campus |
| Study modes | Full time or part time |
Overview
Research in the School is organised into four research groups:
- Animal Behaviour
- Clinical Psychology
- Cognition
- Social, Environmental and Organisational Psychology
Contact
Web: Enquire online
Phone: 0300 555 6060 (UK)
+44 (0)1392 723044 (non-UK)
Internationally respected and fast developing social, environmental and organisational psychology research group, and a major centre for cognitive, clinical and neuroscience research
11th in the UK for internationally excellent research in Psychology
REF 2021 based on 4* and 3* research, submitted to UoA4 Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience
Top 10 in the UK for Psychology
8th in the Complete University Guide 2025 and joint 9th in the Guardian University Guide 2025
Extensive research facilities including eye tracking, EEG/ERP and TMS laboratories, audio-visual recording suite and MRI scanner
Internationally respected and fast developing social, environmental and organisational psychology research group, and a major centre for cognitive, clinical and neuroscience research
11th in the UK for internationally excellent research in Psychology
REF 2021 based on 4* and 3* research, submitted to UoA4 Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience
Top 10 in the UK for Psychology
8th in the Complete University Guide 2025 and joint 9th in the Guardian University Guide 2025
Extensive research facilities including eye tracking, EEG/ERP and TMS laboratories, audio-visual recording suite and MRI scanner
Research overview
Our MPhil/PhD students are actively involved in work at the cutting edge of research activities within Psychology at the University of Exeter. Ranked in the top 100 in the world for Psychology (QS World University Rankings 2017) and with state-of-the-art facilities, a steadily growing postgraduate community and a substantial increase in external research funding, we offer an ideal environment in which to undertake an MPhil/PhD.
Acceptance of an application for the MPhil/PhD programme is contingent on the availability of appropriate supervision. Hence potential applicants are strongly advised to contact one or more potential supervisors prior to applying, and to develop preliminary ideas on a research topic with them.
For further details of specific staff interests please see our staff profiles.
Research in the School is organised into four research groups:
We are uniquely placed as one of the few international groups providing a bridging link between traditional questions of human psychology (cognition, learning, memory, social and developmental processes) and animal models providing experimental and evolutionary research opportunities. We explore the causes, functions and evolution of animal behaviour and how it adapts each species to its natural environment.
We conduct research into the advancement of theoretical knowledge and clinical practice in clinical psychology, including:
- mood disorders, with a particular interest in psychological processes implicated in unipolar and bipolar depressive disorder and evidence-based approaches to treatment;
- addiction;
- obesity;
- executive control and associative learning;
- ageing and cognitive health, with the aim of improving the lives of older people and people with dementia through research.
- Associative Learning and Memory
- Control of Cognition
- Clinical Neuropsychology
- Social psychology
- Social identity theory
- Group behaviour
- Social cognition
- Environmental psychology
- Organisational psychology
The quality of study at Exeter is very good, especially for psychology students looking to commence further study in a social psychology area. The faculty and staff are brilliant in every way.
Psychology postgraduate
Research student
How to apply
Entry requirements
Before you apply you must meet the Entry requirments of this programme:
Many of our postgraduate students first register for one of our taught MSc programmes on the grounds that these provide the best preparation for a research degree.
Students who have completed equivalent Masters-level programmes in other institutions may be permitted to start immediately on the MPhil/PhD programme. This may also be allowed even where there is no prior postgraduate qualification, but students in this position will be required to take a number of MSc modules as research training integrated into their MPhil/PhD programme.
Students apply for an MPhil and then upgrade to PhD by the end of their first year.
Start date
You can start in September, January or April but we strongly encourage a you to enrol in Term 1 in September as induction events are focused around this start date. However, we do permit MSc by Research/MPhil/PhD students to enrol either at the start of Term 1, Term 2 or Term 3 (see the University's term dates), or on the 1st of any other month except August, September and October.
Requirements for international students
If you are an international student, please visit our international equivalency pages to enable you to see if your existing academic qualifications meet our entry requirements.
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2: view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
PhD and Research Programme application process
The information below applies to self-funded PhD, MPhil and Masters by Research applicants, but if you are applying for a funded PhD studentship, please follow the specific instructions related to that application.
- Pinpoint your PhD research area
- Investigate whether this area is available at Exeter
- Ensure that you meet our English language entry requirements (international students only)
- Construct and refine your PhD research proposal
- Approach your potential supervisor(s)
- Apply online
PhD studentships pages can be accessed in our Funding lists on Finance tabs under each research topic page, and are also available from the Postgraduate Research search results pages on this site, on the PhD projects tab.
Full details of the application process can be found on our Apply now webpage.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees per year 2025/26
- Home: £5,006 full-time; £pro-rata part-time
- International: £28,600 full-time
For those studying for more than one year, our fees are expected to increase modestly in line with Consumer Price Inflation measured in December each year. More information can be found on our Student Finance webpages.
Tuition fees per year 2024/25
- Home: £4,786 full-time; £pro-rata part-time
- International: £27,500 full-time
For those studying for more than one year, our fees are expected to increase modestly in line with Consumer Price Inflation measured in December each year. More information can be found on our Student Finance webpages.
Our Postgraduate Funding webpage provides links to further information. If you are considering a PhD in the future, in addition to University of Exeter funding, we have been successful at securing postgraduate funding for PhD research through our Funded centres.
Current available funding
| Award | Value | Application deadline | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exploring the efficacy of Virtual training for x-ray scanning image interpretation in aviation security – PhD (Funded) | For eligible students the studentship will cover Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £19,237 for 4 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study | Mon 31st Mar 2025 | For eligible students the studentship will cover Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £19,237 for 4 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study |
| The impact of climate change on the mental health of parents & carers-PhD (Funded) | UK or International tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 per year | Tue 15th Apr 2025 | UK or International tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 per year |
| Understanding the mechanisms driving the reduction of repetitive negative thought, Psychology – PhD (Funded) | For eligible students the studentship will cover Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 for 4 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study. | Thu 17th Apr 2025 | The University of Exeter’s Department of Psychology is inviting applications for a PhD studentship fully-funded by Wellcome Trust and the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences to commence in Sept 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. For eligible students the studentship will cover Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £19,919 for 4 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study. |
| Sanctuary Scholarship | Full tuition fee waiver plus annual living cost grant | Fri 2nd May 2025 | The Sanctuary Scholarship scheme enables individuals seeking asylum and refugees who are not able access student finance to study at the University of Exeter. |
| Examining the cognitive, emotional, and social consequences of encephalitis occurring in childhood and how these consequences compare to those associated with other acquired brain injuries | UK tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 per year | Mon 5th May 2025 | University of Exeter Psychology Department is inviting applications for a PhD co-funded by the Eden Dora Trust (EDT) & co-supervised by EDT & a NHS Paediatric Neuropsychology service to start 22 09 2025. The studentship will cover Home fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 for 3 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study. The PhD will characterise the consequences of childhood encephalitis relative to acquired brain injuries & develop training to support understanding. |
| University of Exeter Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences PhD Studentships in Communications, Drama and Film | Home (UK) or International tuition fees and an annual maintenance allowance at Research Council current rate of £20,780 per year (2025/6 rate) plus additional stipend top-up to help with visa fees and health surcharge costs, where applicable. | Mon 19th May 2025 | Home (UK) or International tuition fees and an annual maintenance allowance at Research Council current rate of £20,780 per year (2025/6 rate) plus additional stipend top-up to help with visa fees and health surcharge costs, where applicable. |
| University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship 2025/26 | 20% reduction in the first year tuition fee | There is no application for this award. You will be automatically considered. | A tuition fee discount for University of Exeter alumni who start a postgraduate degree with us in 2025/26 |
| University of Exeter Class of 2025 Progression Scholarship | 20% reduction in the first year tuition fees | There is no application for this award. You will be automatically considered. | A tuition fee discount for current University of Exeter students completing a degree in 2025 and progressing directly to a standalone postgraduate programme with us in 2025/26 |
Supervision
We ensure that undertaking a postgraduate degree in Psychology is a challenging, but ultimately rewarding experience. Each student receives an effective and appropriate level of support, through tailored research training and regular supervision. You will study within a close-knit, inclusive environment as part of a community of fellow research students, academics, and technical and administrative staff.
You will have a first supervisor and second supervisor. Some students may identify a mentor as part of their supervisory team, though this is not essential in all cases as the Director of Postgraduate Research and their deputy will offer such mentoring (as required) on an individual basis. You will have regular contact with your first supervisor and a formal discussion of progress each term. Depending on the supervisory arrangement, you may also meet regularly with your second supervisor, though this is likely to be less frequent. You will be expected to meet with your identified mentor or Director of Postgraduate Research/Deputy Director of Postgraduate Research (as appropriate) once a term.
The staff that supervise your research projects and lead your seminars are known nationally and internationally in their fields. They place a strong emphasis on theoretical, experimental and observational contributions to the growing field of psychology.
Training
Doctoral students, full-time and part-time, who have not completed a Psychology-based MSc at Exeter, may be required to undertake some additional training to support their programme of study. This may involve completion of particular MSc modules; you may be exempt from parts of the programme if there is clear evidence that you have covered the same ground in assessed programmes elsewhere. The training provides the necessary skills to carry out doctoral research and is a great opportunity to meet others like yourself who are beginning PhD research. Any such training will be negotiated with supervisors and the Director of Postgraduate Research at the commencement of your training. In addition, you are encouraged to attend our research seminar programme through which you will have the chance to hear external speakers who are leading experts in their field.
All students are encouraged to participate in the University's Researcher Development Programme. This offers training in a wide range of generic and transferable skills in key areas such as research management, personal effectiveness, communication skills, networking, teamworking, and career management.
