Neuroscience and Psychology

Entry requirements

A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent.

Months of entry

Anytime

Course content

We strive to understand the central nervous system at multiple levels of function, from cells to cognition to social interactions. Our approaches range from molecular, cellular and experimental systems to the brain imaging of human behaviour and cognition as well as social level investigations.

Discovering how the central nervous system functions normally and how it is affected by disease and injury present major challenges for biological and medical research in the 21st century. Over the last two decades there has been an explosion of interest in understanding the normal function of the brain illustrated by launching of the Human Brain Project and the Brain Initiative. In parallel the huge burden of neurological and psychiatric disorders on society and the current lack of effective treatments means there is an urgent need to develop new approaches.

Four centres of excellence

• Neuroscience
• Stroke and Brain Imaging
• Cognitive Neuroimaging
• Social Interaction

Via their interactions, our centres aim to understand brain networks at multiple levels of function, from cells to cognition with a strong emphasis on imaging and computational analyses of each level. Our translational efforts are directed at a range of disorders including pain, stroke, spinal cord injury, neurodevelopmental disorder and schizophrenia.

Our staff and students have access to world-class imaging infrastructure and supporting high-performance computing facilities. This provides strong unifying technological and methodological links across the different centres of the INP, including a state-of-the-art platform of cognitive imaging in humans, a high field small bore animal scanner, dedicated confocal and electron microscopy facilities, as well as cutting edge equipment to measure dynamic social signals.

A PhD programme in Neuroscience and Psychology is based on individual research projects covering an exciting range of topics including:

• non-invasive multimodal brain imaging using fMRI
• dynamics of auditory and visual processing
• functions of brain oscillations
• neuroendocrine effects on social interactions
• neuromodulation via TMS
• spinal cord and brainstem circuits in pain
• molecular mechanisms of synaptic transmission and plasticity
• neural control of respiration
• schizophrenia
• spinal cord injury
• rett syndrome
• imaging in acute stroke
• stroke clinical trial and design
• stem cells as treatment for stroke
• experimental stroke
• cortical circuits mediating perception and memory
• circadian rhythms

Information for international students

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)

• 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
• IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Fees and funding

Prices are based on the annual fee for full-time study. Fees for part-time study are half the full-time fee.

Irish nationals who are living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status, and Internationals with Indefinite Leave to remain status can also qualify for home fee status.

Fee status and policies

Alumni discount

We offer a 20% discount to our alumni on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed a Study Abroad programme, Exchange programme, International Summer School or Erasmus programme with us. This discount can be awarded alongside most University scholarships. No additional application is required.

Possible additional fees

• Re-submission by a research student £540
• Submission for a higher degree by published work £1,355
• Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed £350
• Submission by staff in receipt of staff scholarship £790

Depending on the nature of the research project, some students will be expected to pay a bench fee (also known as research support costs) to cover additional costs. The exact amount will be provided in the offer letter.

• External funding information