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Opportunities

Distance Learning

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PhD Funding for 2013

This year we have five fully funded PhD studentships available (cover home fees and provide a stipend of £13500/year). Our faculty can offer supervision within any of these key areas of Psychological and Neuroscience research:

    • Human Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience
    • Behavioural Neuroscience
    • Perception
    • Origins of Mind
    • Social Psychology

See our research pages for more information on research areas covered by the School and potential supervisors in each area.

How to apply

Please look at the staff profiles to find a potential supervisor with research interests that match your own.  We encourage you to then contact the member of staff directly and discuss potential research projects. With guidance from your potential supervisor you should then complete the online application form, which includes a research proposal.  Further information can be found on our "How to apply" page.

To be considered for these studentships we must receive your application by the 1st February 2013.  Interviews will be completed before March 2013.

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology - PhD

For each PhD student, there is an individualised programme of study including formal courses, seminars and tutorials.  All students prepare a thesis at the end of the first year which is examined within the School. Your overall performance will be evaluated at the end of the first year.  The work must be of a quality that justifies permission to proceed to the final years of the PhD programme. Except in the case of part-time students, PhD students are strongly encouraged to complete their work and present their dissertation within a three-year period.

The goal of the PhD programme is to provide you with an individualised training programme that suits your needs. At the beginning of each year you will meet with your supervisor to identify the training that you need for the upcoming year and then to formulate a plan to obtain it.  Training can be provided to you from tutorials with your supervisors and other members of staff, from taught courses in the School of Psychology & Neuroscience and related departments, from University units (such as the Careers Advisory Service) and from external organisations such as SUPPORT and the UK GRAD programme.  In addition, participation in conferences, seminars and workshops in your research area can provide invaluable experience and therefore we also consider this a form of training.

Master of Research in Psychology - MRes

The MRes in Psychology is based on a recent initiative in the Social Sciences to provide interdisciplinary training in the social sciences plus advanced research training in psychology. The MRes is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as an approved course. An overview of the formal, taught modules is shown below:

Interdisciplinary training in the Social Sciences

      • SS5000 Social Science Research Training Modules

Advanced Research Training in Psychology

      • Methods of Data Analysis in Psychology
      • PS5002 Research Project (to be updated)

Master of Science Conversion to Psychology - MSc

This course offers a conversion route into psychology for students who hold an honours degree in a subject other than psychology.

On completion, students should be equipped with the necessary skills to facilitate research at MPhil or PhD level in the area of psychology or to go on to a clinical training programme. In addition, we also want to facilitate conversion to psychology from business and economic backgrounds to improve employability for a wider range of job opportunities. The programme will provide a detailed knowledge of the core areas of psychology and principal theoretical and methodological issues in the field. The programme will also provide students with the statistical and methodological skills necessary to undertake research in psychology.

We recommend that prospective students prepare for the course by reading a first year Psychology textbook such as "Psychology: The science of mind and behaviour. Holt, Bremner, Sutherland, Vliek, Passer & Smith 2012 McGraw-Hill" before arrival.

The course is now BPS accredited.

Master of Science in Evolutionary and Comparative Psychology: The Origins of Mind - MSc

The main aim of this programme is to provide advanced research training in a range of intellectual and practical skills associated with evolutionary and comparative approaches to the study of mind. On completion, students should be equipped with the necessary skills to facilitate research at MPhil or PhD level.

The programme will provide a detailed knowledge of the evolutionary and comparative literature and principal theoretical and methodological issues in this field. The programme will also provide students with the statistical and methodological skills necessary to undertake research in evolutionary psychology. This programme is distinctive because it tackles fundamental issues associated with the origins of human cognition via a wide range of theoretical and methodological approaches.

More information about the people involved in this programme can be found on the Origins of Mind research page.

Master of Philosophy in Behavioural and Neural Sciences - MPhil

The Institute of Behavioural and Neural Sciences offers a one-year (12 month) research degree that leads to the award of a Master of Philosophy (MPhil). For further information please visit the Institute of Behavioural and Neural Sciences pages.

      • MPhil handbook coming soon.

Distance Learning: Postgraduate Programmes

The School of Psychology runs two distance learning courses. The following pages hold futher details.

      • Distance Learning - Adults with learning disabilities who have significant and complex needs - MSc
      • Distance Learning - Adults Support, Protection and Safeguarding - Postgraduate Certificate

Master of Science in Health Psychology - MSc

This is a one-year programme consisting of six taught modules and a research project, with the opportunity for placements in clinical settings. The MSc is taught jointly with, and is administered by, the School of Medicine in collaboration with NHS Fife. The award of the MSc provides the recognised Stage 1 training for British Psychological Society, Health Psychology Chartership; however, applicants must have, or be eligible for, Graduate Basis of Registration with the BPS. The course covers all topics required in the recommended curriculum, utilising a variety of novel methods of teaching and assessment.

Further information can be found on the School of Medicine web site.

Exploring the evolutionary roots of cultural complexity, creativity and trust.

Applications are invited to join an interdisciplinary research programme directed by Professors Kevin Laland (School of Biology) and Andrew Whiten (School of Psychology) at the University of St Andrews’ renowned Centre for Social Learning and Cognitive Evolution. “Exploring the Evolutionary Origins of Culture Complexity, Creativity and Trust” is funded through a major grant from the John Templeton Foundation. Successful candidates at PhD student level will join a team of over 20 researchers working on the project, studying aspects of social learning, innovation and cultural evolution in monkeys, apes and human participants, or through mathematical and statistical analysis. Funding is available for three years, commencing either September 2013 or September 2014. Closing date: Feb 28 2013.

Further Particulars for PhD applicants concerning “Exploring the evolutionary roots of cultural complexity, creativity and trust” (supervisors Prof Andrew Whiten / Dr Gillian Brown can be found via the link below.

Further Particulars for PhD applicants (Word, 155 KB)

Stipend: £13,390 per annum. Fees and research expenses covered in full.