phd neuroscience distance learning

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The field of neuroscience deals with the biology, anatomy, physiology and chemistry of the brain and its relationship to the functions of the human body. Neuroscientists study all aspects of the brain and its functions, and perform research to discover new information about the brain and its systems, including treatment of brain diseases.

Some neuroscientists are medical doctors who work in the field of patient research and treatment, while others are traditional research scientists who only work with patients in an auxiliary capacity, and spend their time focusing on laboratory experiments and data.

A neuroscience PhD does not provide a medical degree; those who wish to work as neurosurgeons or pathologists also pursue a separate medical degree. Neuroscientists with a PhD normally limit themselves to theoretical work, although they may participate in treatments and operations for research purposes.

What Do You Need?

A degree in neuroscience requires students to be proficient in sciences, especially life sciences. Neuroscientists must study all aspects of the body to see how physical systems interact with the brain, and must have a good foundational understanding of medicine and how treatments affect the neurosystems of the body.

A candidate for a neuroscience degree will also need good skills in math, and should possess good critical thinking skills. Neuroscientists will also need a certain amount of interpersonal skills if they are to work with subjects or patients.

Neuroscience is divided into several subcategories depending on which aspect of this science a student is pursuing. Most programs require students to be proficient in more than one area, although specialization at the PhD level is common. Neuroscience generally focuses on the structure and function of the brain itself, such as in the fields of biochemistry and anatomy; the applied sciences related to the treatment of the brain, such as pharmacology and medical imaging; and the theoretical research about the function of the brain in humans, such as learning and memory.

Neuroscience PhD Programs

There are over 340 schools in the United States which offer some form of neuroscience PhD programs, whether online, offline, or hybrid. Not all schools offer specializations in all fields, and some fields require very specialized training and equipment. Prospective students should research the specific programs available at the school of their choice to ensure that the school offers the sub-area in which they are interested.

This type of graduate program is heavily reliant on laboratory work; therefore, most programs will be limited in the amount of online classes offered, although traditional classes may supplement curriculum by online study and demonstration.

Below are a few representative schools which offer both online and offline versions of the neuroscience PhD.

University of Greenwich

The University of Greenwich offers a PhD in Consciousness Studies, a field related to neuroscience. This program can be completed completely online, and is useful in the fields of nursing, chiropractic, and social work. Practitioners of alternative medicine disciplines may also wish to expand their knowledge by pursuing this field. Many research opportunities are available all over the world with holistic medical practices.

University of Greenwich, Taylors Road, Norfolk Island, South Pacific, 2899. www.cms.gre.ac.uk .

Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt offers an Interdisciplinary Graduate Program (IGP) in the biological sciences leading to a PhD in neuroscience. The Vanderbilt Brain Institute is a state-of-the-art facility offering extensive research opportunities for students, and is a leading facility for research of the brain.

Vanderbilt offers two tracks for neuroscience graduates: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, and Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience. Most classes will be held on campus in a laboratory setting, although some of the content classes may be available online or through hybrid venues. This research university offers financial aid for potential candidates and is set in a large-city environment with access to several research hospitals.

Vanderbilt University, 702 Light Hall, 1161 21st Avenue SE, Nashville, TN 37232. 615-322-7001. bret.mc.vanderbilt.edu .

University of Virginia

UVA offers degrees in several biomedical fields, including neuroscience. Research specialties include Behavior Neuroscience, Clinical Neuroscience, Developmental Neuroscience, Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, and Neurophysiology.

While the first two semestersí classes may be offered in online or hybrid formats, the remaining classes will likely be hands-on laboratory research classes. Financial aid must be arranged through outside agencies. The setting for the college is a smaller town, but research opportunities at major hospitals are located a short distance away in both the Washington Metro and Baltimore areas and other cities in Virginia.

University of Virginia, Biomedical Sciences Graduate Programs, P.O. Box 800738, Charlottesville, VA 22908. 434-924-2181. www.medicine.virginia.edu .

Texas A&M University

The graduate program at Texas A&M offers PhD degrees in Biochemistry & Structural Biology (BSB), Systems & Integrative Biology (CIB), Cell & Molecular Biology (CMB), Microbial & Molecular Pathogenesis (MMP), Neurosciences (NS), and Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics (PET). Students in these programs can also choose an interdisciplinary research project jointly with students in other areas.

While online classes are not common, some curriculum may be offered in at least a hybrid format. Financial aid must be obtained through outside sources, but the small campus and intimate setting provide a great deal of one-on-one training and mentoring during the program. Research opportunities abound outside of College Station at major Texas research hospitals.

Texas A&M University Science Health Center, College of Medicine, Medical Science Interdisciplinary Program, 110 Reynolds Medical Building, College Station, TX 77843. 979-845-0370. medicine.tamhsc.edu .

University of Alabama at Birmingham

For students wishing to focus on the function of vision in neuroscience, the University of Alabama offers a specific PhD in vision-related fields of neuroscience through their School of Optometry. This program uses interdisciplinary research to focus on applied and theoretical research related to vision. Financial aid is offered, and opportunities for practical, hands-on research are numerous.

University of Alabama at Birmingham. UAB School of Optometry, 1530 3rd Avenue SO, WORB 601A, 924 South 18th Street, Birmingham, AL 35294. 205-934-8227. www.uab.edu .

Wake Forest University

Wake Forest offers joint degrees of PhD/MBA in the field of neuroscience. The program is structured around applied research and offers research opportunities in several related biology and neuroscience fields. Located in the ìresearch triangleî of North Carolina, research laboratories are numerous and students can craft a program which meets their specific research needs. Financial aid is not available through the school but research grants and other monies may be secured through outside sources.

Wake Forest University, Biomedical Science, Bowman Gray Campus, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157. 336-716-9437. graduate.wfu.edu .

Washington State University

Washington State University offers a campus-based program leading to a PhD in Neuroscience in the field of veterinary medicine. A heavily research-based program, the PhD degree typically takes from four to five years to complete. Few online classes are offered. Financial aid packages are available, and the small-town setting and small classes offer more personal attention than larger universities. Research opportunities are available at regional animal hospitals and medical centers, as well as through government veterinary agencies.

Washington State University, P.O. Box 646520, 110 McCoy Hall, Pullman, WA 99164-6520. 509-335-7675. www.vetmed.wsu.edu .

Cornell University

Cornell offers a PhD in neuropharmacology, the science of using drugs to treat brain disorders and improve brain functions. Located in New York City, this research university offers many opportunities for practical application and research at area hospitals and research facilities. Financial aid is not available through the school, although private scholarships and funds may be available.

Cornell University. 1300 York Avenue, Box 70, New York, NY 10065. 212-746-6250. www.cornell.edu .

Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech offers a PhD degree in Applied Physiology, which focuses on motor functions and treatment of motor diseases. This program is campus-based and offers opportunities for cooperation with other disciplinary areas.

Financial aid is not offered through the school for this program, although research grants and other forms of financial assistance can be applied for through outside agencies. Located in downtown Atlanta, research opportunities for this program abound at area research facilities, hospitals, and joint efforts with other schools.

Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Applied Physiology. 281 Ferst Drive, Weber 113, Atlanta, GA 30332-0356. 404-894-1029. www.ap.gatech.edu .

Loyola University Chicago

Loyola offers a PhD in Neurobiology, the study of the structure and function of the brain. This campus-based program also includes study in Cell Biology and Anatomy. The degree is geared toward a career in research of neuroscience topics in pure science, although some applied topics may also be available.

Financial aid is not available through the school, but the small setting allows research candidates to receive personal attention for their topics. Research opportunities are available at regional hospitals.

Loyola University Medical Center, 2160 First Avenue, Maywood, IL 60153. 708-216-3603. www.stritch.luc.edu .

Northwestern University

Northwesternís Interdisciplinary Biological Science department, IBiS, covers over 70 areas of biological science, allowing students to choose from a multitude of possible theoretical and applied research topics. Classes are campus-based and lead to a PhD in neuroscience with concentrations in specific fields chosen by candidates based on research preferences. With an average price per year of $50,000, IBiS provides $27,000 per year in stipends, health insurance through the University, and tuition remission. Other financial aid is available from various sources.

Northwestern University. 2-100 Hogan Hall, 2153 North Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208-3500. 847-467-0451. www.ibis.northwestern.edu .

Roehampton University

Roehampton offers a course in Clinical Neuroscience with focus on recent medical advances in this field. Students may choose theoretical or applied programs with research in functions of neuroscience. Financial aid is available from various sources for both British and international students. Research opportunities with London hospitals are also available.

Roehampton University, Downshire House, Roehampton Lane, London, England, SW15 4HT. 011+44-20-8392-3192. www.roehampton.ac.uk .

Job Outlook for Neuroscience PhDs

According to www.bls.gov , the outlook for jobs in all medical science fields remains strong. Medical scientists with dual degrees in science and medicine, such as a PhD in neuroscience and an MD, will experience the most opportunity for job growth, although all medical science jobs are expected to grow at a much faster than average rate in the next ten years as healthcare needs continue to increase.

As the federal government has experienced an increase in healthcare funding, more research grants are being made available, providing more jobs for these scientists. Students with both medical and theoretical degrees have a competitive edge in securing funding from both public and private grants, and have greater opportunities to work in a hands-on environment to conduct research. Medical scientists of all types are less likely to lose their jobs during recessionary times than other fields.

Top Ranked Doctoral Programs

Search for other great programs, 9 responses to “neuroscience programs”.

Hello. Your listing regarding a Drexel University Online PhD program in neuroscience is incorrect. Please note that Drexel University Online does not offer a PhD in this specialty. Julia Hardy Richardson Marketing Manager Drexel University Online

I am looking for an online school that offers a neuroscience bachelors degree. Either that or a bachelors in Psychology with an emphasis in neuroscience. Something like that. Please help!

Although educational offerings are growing, it may be difficult to find a bachelor level degree in neuroscience. It is not really until the graduate level that begin to specialize like that. Your best bet is either psychology with biological electives or vice versa.

i have done M.Sc. in zoology (3 years bachelor +2 years masters) can i apply for phd. program in neuroscience.can i obtain a scholarship for the same :i am not financially sound are there any means i can do phd. with a job ? what is actually neuroscience.

can anyone after reading neuroscience practice medicine. can anyone after doing 4 years bachelors in pharmacy; medical lab technology(BMLT) ;BPH(public health) ;speech pathology(BASLP) apply for phd. in neuroscience. After phd. in neuroscience what can we become ? a medical doctor or a professor. can anyone with a bachelor in science(bsc) apply for phd. in neuroscience.

Can anyone tell me if the U of Greenwich is legitimate? I have tried to look for the website and such on the net and have not found anything that offers credibility to the university. The program on consciousness sounds so interesting…but. thanks.

I am looking for an online PhD in a field related to neuroscience. I contacted the University of Greenwich UK to ask about the PhD in consciousness studies and they said that they do not offer any such degree. Any help please?

I am looking for an online university that offers neuroscience PHD degree.

I am looking for an online university that offers PHD in computational neuroscience. any help?

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Neuroscience, PhD

School of medicine.

The Department of Neuroscience offers an interdisciplinary program designed to train doctoral students for independent research and teaching in neuroscience. It is the goal of the program to ensure that candidates for the Ph.D. and M.D./Ph.D. degrees obtain a background covering molecular, cellular, systems, and cognitive approaches to neuroscience, as well as receive training that brings them to the forefront of research in their particular area of interest. A series of core courses in neuroscience, along with advanced electives, seminar series, laboratory rotations, and original independent dissertation research, form the Neuroscience Graduate Training Program.

Students enter the program from different backgrounds and the laboratories in which they elect to work cover different disciplines; therefore, the program is tailored to fit the needs of individual students. The academic year at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is divided into four quarters plus a summer semester. Courses are designed so that students have ample time to become involved in laboratory rotations. These laboratory rotations expose the student to a variety of current research techniques in neuroscience and provide an opportunity for the student to select a laboratory in which to conduct dissertation research. Scheduling of the three rotations is adjusted to make the most convenient schedule for each student. The rotations are usually completed by the end of the first full year in the program. Most students begin their thesis research at the beginning of their second year.

For more information, please visit The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience webpage: http://neuroscience.jhu.edu.

Financial Aid

The program provides tuition remission plus a stipend at or above the National Institutes of Health Predoctoral level for all students. All entering and first-year students are encouraged to apply for individual fellowships such as those sponsored by the National Science Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Vivien Thomas PhD Scholars at JHU The  Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative (VTSI)  is a new endowed fellowship program at Johns Hopkins for PhD students in STEM fields. It provides full tuition, stipend, and benefits while also providing targeted mentoring, networking, community, and professional development opportunities. Students who have attended a historically black college and university ( HBCU ) or other minority serving institution (MSI) for undergraduate study are eligible to apply. More information about the VTSI program is available at this link:  https://provost.jhu.edu/about/vivien-thomas-scholars-initiative/ . To be considered for the VTSI, all application and supplementary materials must be received by  December 1st .

Admission Requirements

We use a holistic approach to evaluating applicants and look forward to reading your application. We are most enthusiastic about applicants who have taken full advantage of the opportunities available at their undergraduate institution and through other summer or postbac experiences. Our class size is typically ~18 students per year.

Applicants are expected to have received a B.S. or B.A. prior to enrolling in the graduate program. Laboratory research experience prior to enrollment is also desirable. If you have research experience, please describe your research in your Statement of Interest and Career Objectives and indicate the number of months engaged in full-time and part-time research on your CV. Students who do well in our program typically have a strong academic foundation in areas of biological or physical sciences. Some of the courses that prepare students well include general biology, neuroscience, mathematics through calculus, general physics, general chemistry, organic chemistry, statistics, engineering, or computer science.

NOTE: The Neuroscience Program DOES NOT require GRE scores. 

Program Requirements

A year-long core course provides an integrated overview of molecular and cellular neuroscience, neuroanatomy and systems, and cognitive neuroscience. This course is aimed at providing Neuroscience graduate students with a foundation for posing meaningful questions in their area of interest.  During the first two years, students are required to take 6 graduate level core courses that provide rigorous training in principles of neuroscience research. In addition, students in the first year attend research symposia and complete lab rotations to introduce them to research. Students in the program are also required to participate in core program activities such as seminars, journal clubs, a quantitative analysis boot camp, career development courses and various program events. In addition, each student selects advanced electives offered by members of the Neuroscience Training Program or other departments at the Medical School.

Seminar Program

The Neuroscience Training Program conducts several seminar series to ensure that students are exposed to recent work by researchers from across the country and the world as well as by Hopkins faculty and fellows. Graduate trainees participate actively in these series throughout their training, including inviting and hosting three speakers each year. A weekly lecture is given by an outstanding researcher in some field of neuroscience. Seminars are selected so that an overall balance of subject matter is covered yearly. Students are given an opportunity to meet with each speaker for questions and discussion. Weekly lunchtime talks are presented on current literature by graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Since an ability to communicate scientific work clearly is essential, graduate students receive close guidance in preparing and evaluating their journal club presentations. Once a month, the faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and students from one laboratory present and discuss the ongoing research in that laboratory. This provides an informal setting to discuss research being conducted in the laboratories of the Neuroscience Training Program and gives advanced graduate students and postdoctoral fellows a forum for presenting their work.

Requirements for the PhD Degree

A minimum residency of two academic years is required. During the course of graduate study, the student must successfully complete the required course requirements. An oral examination, conducted as prescribed by the Doctor of Philosophy Board, must be completed by the end of the second year. The student must then conduct original research and describe this research in a written thesis dissertation, which must be approved by the students Thesis Committee and the Doctor of Philosophy Board.

Training Facilities

The Training Program is centered in the Department of Neuroscience. The Training Program utilizes laboratory facilities located in the Department of Neuroscience plus several other basic and clinical departments closely associated with the Neuroscience Department. All of these laboratories are within a short distance of each other. Modern state of the art facilities for research in molecular biology, neurophysiology, pharmacology, biochemistry, cell biology, and morphology are available. The Mind/Brain Institute, located on the Homewood Campus of the University, is a group of laboratories devoted to the investigation of the neural mechanisms of higher mental function and particularly to the mechanisms of perception. All of the disciplines required to address these questions are represented in the Institute. These include neurophysiology, psychology, theoretical neurobiology, neuroanatomy, and cognitive science. All of the faculty in the Mind/Brain Institute are members of the Neuroscience Graduate Program.

Combined M.D./Ph.D. Program

A subset of the current predoctoral trainees in the Neuroscience Program are candidates for both Ph.D. and M.D. degrees. Applications for admission to the combined program are considered by the M.D./Ph.D. Committee of the School of Medicine. Application forms for the School of Medicine contain a section requesting information relevant to graduate study. Applicants interested in the combined M.D./Ph.D. program should complete this section also, and indicate specifically their interest in the “Neuroscience Training Program”. If application to the combined M.D./Ph.D. program proves unsuccessful and the applicant wishes to be considered for graduate studies, they must notify the Admissions Office of the Neuroscience Training Program by separate letter.

Neuroscience Education

Harvard delivers neuroscience education and training at multiple levels.

Graduate Programs

The Harvard PhD Program in Neuroscience (known as PiN) is an interdepartmental PhD program that offers options for thesis research throughout Harvard, including labs at Harvard Medical School, the Cambridge campus and Harvard-affiliated teaching hospitals. Currently there are over 150 affiliated faculty members and over 100 students enrolled in PiN. These students come from diverse scientific, personal and cultural backgrounds. 

Harvard also offers these related graduate programs:

• Harvard PhD in Molecules, Cells & Organisms
• Harvard PhD in Biological and Biomedical Sciences
• Harvard PhD in Biophysics
• Secondary PhD Field in Mind, Brain & Behavior
• Harvard Graduate School of Education (GSE),   Ed.M in Mind, Brain & Education 
• Harvard Systems Biology PhD Program
• Immunology PhD Program at Harvard Medical School concentration in Neuroimmunology

Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate students have a variety of opportunities to explore neurobiology and neuroscience.  Harvard offers undergraduate general studies courses in neurobiology, as well as majors or concentrations across disciplines related to the brain sciences.

• Harvard Faculty of Arts & Sciences Courses in Neurobiology 
• Neurobiology Concentration
• Mind, Brain & Behavior Track or Secondary
• Life Science Concentrations for Undergraduates

Alternatively, use our A–Z index

Attend an open day

PhD/MPhil Neuroscience / Overview

Year of entry: 2024

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We require applicants to hold, or be about to obtain, an Upper Second class Honours degree, or the equivalent qualification gained outside the UK, in a related subject area for entry to a PhD programme. A Lower Second class Honours degree may be considered if applicants also hold a Master's degree with a Merit classification.

Full entry requirements

See full guidance on how to choose a project and submit an application on our websi te . You should then complete the online admissions application form to apply for this programme. Ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission, or this may delay the processing of your application.

Application deadlines

You must submit your application for a postgraduate research programme before the relevant deadline to be considered. You will not be able to apply after these deadlines have passed.

• January entry: 15 October (of the year prior entry)
• April entry: 15 January (year of entry)
• September entry: 15 June (year of entry)

Programme options

Programme overview.

• Learn from some of Europe's leading researchers while undertaking your own project.
• Access some of the best research facilities in the world at both the University and in hospitals around Greater Manchester.
• Undergo training in transferable skills critical to developing early-stage researchers and professionals through the Doctoral Academy's training programme.
• Conduct research at a university ranked 6th in the UK (QS World University Rankings 2023).

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:

• PhD (full-time) UK students (per annum): Standard £4,786, Low £11,000, Medium £17,500, High £23,000 International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard £27,000, Low £28,500, Medium £34,500, High £40,500
• PhD (part-time) UK students (per annum): Standard £2393, Low £5,500, Medium £8,750, High £11,500 International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard £13,500, Low £14,250, Medium £17,250, High £20,250

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

Contact details

Programmes in related subject areas.

Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.

• Biosciences

Regulated by the Office for Students

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website .

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website .

PhD in Educational Neuroscience

The  PhD in Educational Neuroscience  (PEN) Program at Gallaudet University is inviting prospective students to apply to our Ph.D. program to start in Fall 2022. This doctoral program is a research-focused program where students develop a specific research focus, conducting supervised research within their mentor's lab as well as developing their own lines of research through independent research projects. Students accepted into the program receive four years of funding as follows: tuition scholarship for up to the domestic rate + $25,200 annual stipend + health insurance option. 

We actively encourage applications from diverse applicants, including deaf and hard of hearing students, students with disabilities, and students from underrepresented racial/ethnic backgrounds.

Educational Neuroscience is a growing field that focuses on children's learning and cognitive development. Meaningful discoveries will be communicated with society. Students in our pioneering, bilingual American Sign Language-English program gain state-of-the-art cognitive neuroscience training in how humans learn, with a focus on the neuroplasticity of visual learning.

Students in the PEN program become experts in at least one cutting edge cognitive neuroscience method (e.g., fNIRS, EEG, fMRI), study neuroethics, and gain strong critical analysis and reasoning skills in science. Students will develop their own research project under close mentorship from faculty while becoming experts in both neuroimaging and behavioral experimental science. 

As an interdisciplinary program housed in VL2, PEN enjoys a close relationship with its national resource hubs:

• Action & Brain Lab (ABL)
• Brain and Language Center for Neuroimaging  (BL2)
• Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Lab (CAN)
• Early Education and Literacy Lab  (EL2)
• Motion Light Lab  (ML2)
• Numeracy and Educational Neuroscience Lab (NENS)
• Translation in the Science of Learning Lab  (TL2)

PEN students benefit from Gallaudet University’s local university consortium, which provides students access to courses taught in the Washington, D.C. area, and a national network of cognitive neuroscience labs throughout the world.

PEN students can expect to receive fellowship support through a combination of University and grant funding, direct mentoring support from individual advisors, and opportunities to apply for additional resources through a fund managed by the VL2 Student Network.

Ready to take the plunge? Start your  online application   TODAY!

For information on how to apply and admission criteria, visit  our application requirements page . ​​Contact us at  [email protected] .

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Neuroscience and behaviour

This research area is centred on the Neuroscience Research Cluster, a multidisciplinary grouping of approximately 20 faculty, research technicians and postgraduate research students based primarily in the School of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences. The cluster contains a wide range of neuroscience research expertise, encompassing everything from fundamental cellular and molecular approaches used in the study of neural functioning through to behavioural analyses of complex cognition, mental health and wellbeing.

Our research focuses on the fundamentals of neurobiology and how they underpin cognition and behaviour and how they are impacted in the context of various disease conditions.

Key themes of our research include:

• Atypical cognition, encompassing research in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric conditions, as well as the neurobiology of mental health
• Learning, memory and attention
• Motivation Mood and affective state
• Pathogen avoidance behaviours and disgust
• Understanding the genetic, biological and cognitive underpinnings of nervous system disorders across the lifespan
• Neurophysiology and neuropathology
• Neurovascular biology, focusing on neurovascular architecture, the blood brain barrier and disorders of the neurovascular system

Entry requirements

Minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent). If you are not a UK citizen, you may need to prove your knowledge of English . 

Potential research projects

• Development and application of a sophisticated 3D model of the CNS blood-brain barrier
• Neurobiological and behavioural hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases
• Behavioural and cognitive impacts of affective disorders

Current/recent research projects

• Investigating sensory and motor deficits in ADHD
• Role of vascular tone in clearance of beta amyloid from the brain
• Establishing invertebrate models of pathogen avoidance behaviour

Potential supervisors

• Dr Duncan Banks – Ageing and cognitive impairment
• Dr Francesco Crea – lncRNA biology in neural cells
• Dr Christopher Heath – Behaviour and cognition in neurodegenerative diseases
• Dr Daniel Johnson – Ion channel/electrophysiology studies
• Dr Llias Kounatidis  – Neuronal inflammation and ageing
• Dr Laura Lopez-Cruz – Behaviour and cognition in affective disorders
• Dr Jane Loughlin – Glial cell biology and 3D cell model systems
• Dr Rachel McMullan – Neuronal regulation of immunity, pathogen avoidance behaviours and disgust
• Dr Kerry Murphy – Huntington’s disease
• Dr Shaun Mutter  – Protein structure alterations inneuro degenerative diseases
• Dr Payam Rezaie – Neuropathology and glial cell biology
• Prof Ignacio Romero – Blood-brain barrier biology and nanocarriers
• Dr Claire Rostron – Behavioural neuroscience, biological psychology
• Dr Ilona Roth

For detailed information about fees and funding, visit Fees and studentships .

To see current funded studentship vacancies across all research areas, see Current studentships .

• School of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences
• Neuroscience in the School of Life Health and Chemical Sciences
• Neuroscience Research Cluster Publications

Get in touch

If you have an enquiry specific to this research topic, please contact:

Administrative support Email: STEM-LHCS-Admin Phone: +44 (0)1908 655808

If you’re interested in applying for this research topic, please take a look at the application process .

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DPhil in Neuroscience (1+3)

• Entry requirements
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College preference

• How to Apply

About the course

The four-year DPhil in Neuroscience (1+3) has an outstanding record of achievement in terms of the publications and future careers of the students who have graduated to date. The programme is highly regarded internationally and many of its alumni are now leading neuroscientists.

The programme takes an integrated approach to neuroscience and provides a wide range of skills training in experimental and theoretical methods that is intended to enable you to ask questions and tackle problems that transcend the traditional disciplines from which this field has evolved.

Course structure

The first year follows the taught MSc in Neuroscience  course, during which you will undertake two extended research projects from a choice of over one hundred offered annually by the extensive neuroscience research community in Oxford. You will also attend the graduate programme lecture series, which provides a broad education covering molecular, cellular, systems, computational and cognitive neuroscience.

After successful completion of the MSc, students continue with a three-year doctoral research project (DPhil). Toward the end of the MSc year, you will decide which laboratories and supervisor(s) you wish to work with and prepare a proposal for your three-year doctoral research project. This project can take place in any area of neuroscience within the Oxford network of laboratories and approved supervisors.

During your first year, you will join those students taking the stand-alone MSc in Neuroscience. Having a larger cohort of students enhances and expands the training opportunities available, helping you to make a more informed decision about the topic and design of your doctoral research project.

The MSc year begins in late September and is divided into three terms. The first term provides an introduction to neuroscience and research methods, while the second and third terms combine advanced taught courses, essay writing and two laboratory rotations (research projects).

Each of the MSc research projects lasts for about 16 weeks and is selected from a very extensive list of approved abstracts.  With over 100 abstracts submitted each year, there is always plenty of choice, but if you are interested in a particular lab or research topic then you are welcome to discuss a potential project independently with an appropriate supervisor. Many of these projects lead to publications.

Years two to four

Early in May of the first year, you will meet with the course director and course lecturer to discuss the process for selecting your DPhil project. It is recommended that you talk to several potential supervisors and, in many cases, collaborative projects are proposed.

You may opt to continue one of the MSc lab rotations as your DPhil project, or combine the subject areas or methods encountered during both MSc lab rotations as a collaborative DPhil project, whereas others choose a research area that they have not previously tried out during the MSc year.

You will begin the DPhil in October of the second year. At this point, you will become integrated within your chosen department(s) and follow the same progression as other research students who work there. 

Supervision

Students on this programme choose their own project and supervisor and the proposal is assessed in Summer of the MSc year by the Organising Committee. It is expected that all students will meet their supervisors at least once per month and with the Directors of the programme annually. The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Medical Sciences Division and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Medical Sciences Division.

In the first year, each of the MSc projects are written up as dissertations. The course concludes the following September with an oral examination.

In the second year, you are initially accepted as Probationary Research Students (PRS) and transfer to full DPhil status by the end of the fourth term. This involves the preparation of a transfer report and an interview to discuss the research you have carried out so far and your future plans with two independent scientists who have relevant expertise.

During the final years of the course you will write a thesis which you will need to defend orally ( viva voce ).

Graduate destinations

This course has been running since 1996 and more than 100 students have now successfully graduated. It was previously known as the Doctoral Training Programme in Neuroscience (1+3).

Over 75% of the programme's graduates remained in academia as post-doctoral research scientists, either securing prestigious personal fellowships or positions on a grant, and most of the others secured positions in science communication, science administration or went into medicine. Only 5% opted to leave science altogether.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

Entry requirements for entry in 2024-25

Proven and potential academic excellence.

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

Please be aware that any studentships that are linked to this course may have different or additional requirements and you should read any studentship information carefully before applying. 

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in any scientific discipline.

The department encourages applicants with a physical sciences background, as well as those who have studied a biological subject, such as psychology, biochemistry or neuroscience, at undergraduate level. 

If in doubt about the eligibility of your qualifications, please contact the department.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.5 out of 4.0.

If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.

GRE General Test scores

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience

• Previous research experience as a vacation student or intern can provide an advantage.
• Although it is often the case that applicants for this programme have one or more publications, this is not a requirement.

English language proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's  higher level . If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. The minimum scores required to meet the University's higher level are detailed in the table below.

*Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) † Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of your course. Our Application Guide provides  further information about the English language test requirement .

Declaring extenuating circumstances

If your ability to meet the entry requirements has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (eg you were awarded an unclassified/ungraded degree) or any other exceptional personal circumstance (eg other illness or bereavement), please refer to the guidance on extenuating circumstances in the Application Guide for information about how to declare this so that your application can be considered appropriately.

You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the types of reference that are required in support of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Supporting documents

You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the supporting documents that are required as part of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Performance at interview

Interviews are normally held as part of the admissions process.  

A shortlist is drawn up based on the academic excellence, potential and motivation for research of the applicants. Approximately 30 candidates will be shortlisted. Interviews usually take place three weeks after the application deadline. All shortlisted applicants will be asked to attend an interview in Oxford or, if overseas, to participate in an interview.

The interview panel will typically comprise five to seven members of the Organising Committee, with a range of expertise in neuroscience, and candidates will be required to give a ten-minute presentation on a research project in which they have been involved. The panel will then question the candidates about their presentation and also ask more general questions that explore their motivation for and interest in carrying out neuroscience research.

How your application is assessed

Your application will be assessed purely on your proven and potential academic excellence and other entry requirements described under that heading.

References  and  supporting documents  submitted as part of your application, and your performance at interview (if interviews are held) will be considered as part of the assessment process. Whether or not you have secured funding will not be taken into consideration when your application is assessed.

An overview of the shortlisting and selection process is provided below. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide  more information about how applications are assessed . 

Shortlisting and selection

Students are considered for shortlisting and selected for admission without regard to age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief (including lack of belief), sex, sexual orientation, as well as other relevant circumstances including parental or caring responsibilities or social background. However, please note the following:

• socio-economic information may be taken into account in the selection of applicants and award of scholarships for courses that are part of  the University’s pilot selection procedure  and for  scholarships aimed at under-represented groups ;
• country of ordinary residence may be taken into account in the awarding of certain scholarships; and
• protected characteristics may be taken into account during shortlisting for interview or the award of scholarships where the University has approved a positive action case under the Equality Act 2010.

Initiatives to improve access to graduate study

This course is taking part in a continuing pilot programme to improve the selection procedure for graduate applications, in order to ensure that all candidates are evaluated fairly.

For this course, socio-economic data (where it has been provided in the application form) will be used to contextualise applications at the different stages of the selection process.  Further information about how we use your socio-economic data  can be found in our page about initiatives to improve access to graduate study.

Processing your data for shortlisting and selection

Information about  processing special category data for the purposes of positive action  and  using your data to assess your eligibility for funding , can be found in our Postgraduate Applicant Privacy Policy.

Admissions panels and assessors

All recommendations to admit a student involve the judgement of at least two members of the academic staff with relevant experience and expertise, and must also be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies or Admissions Committee (or equivalent within the department).

Admissions panels or committees will always include at least one member of academic staff who has undertaken appropriate training.

Other factors governing whether places can be offered

The following factors will also govern whether candidates can be offered places:

• the ability of the University to provide the appropriate supervision for your studies, as outlined under the 'Supervision' heading in the  About  section of this page;
• the ability of the University to provide appropriate support for your studies (eg through the provision of facilities, resources, teaching and/or research opportunities); and
• minimum and maximum limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted to the University's taught and research programmes.

Offer conditions for successful applications

If you receive an offer of a place at Oxford, your offer will outline any conditions that you need to satisfy and any actions you need to take, together with any associated deadlines. These may include academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course. These conditions will usually depend on your individual academic circumstances and may vary between applicants. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide more information about offers and conditions . 

In addition to any academic conditions which are set, you will also be required to meet the following requirements:

Financial Declaration

If you are offered a place, you will be required to complete a  Financial Declaration  in order to meet your financial condition of admission.

Disclosure of criminal convictions

In accordance with the University’s obligations towards students and staff, we will ask you to declare any  relevant, unspent criminal convictions  before you can take up a place at Oxford.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

Some postgraduate research students in science, engineering and technology subjects will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate prior to applying for a  Student visa (under the Student Route) . For some courses, the requirement to apply for an ATAS certificate may depend on your research area.

An MSc office, within the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics in the heart of the University Science Area, provides a base for MSc in Neuroscience students. IT support is provided by an in-house team and all the MSc lectures are given in this department.

This office provision is most important: the department is very conscious that people on interdisciplinary courses that span different departments are prone to suffer from a lack of identity, as compared to students who work within a designated department. 

The Radcliffe Science Library is the main library facility for students throughout the four year programme and students also have access to their college libraries. During the first year, lab rotations are available in at least nine University departments or research centres that contribute to the MSc. The DPhil project in year two to four can also be carried out in these same departments, giving students the opportunity to choose from a very wide range of research areas.

The Cortex Club, a student-led organisation for those studying neuroscience in Oxford, provides an extensive series of seminars and social events where students from all departments can meet to exchange ideas. This is in addition to the seminars and other events that are organised at both divisional and departmental level.

Departments offering this course

This course is offered jointly by the following departments:

Neuroscience

With this large concentration of resources and a wide range of research and teaching expertise, two innovative graduate courses are offered: the four-year  Doctoral Training Programme in Neuroscience (1+3)  and the one-year  MSc in Neuroscience .

The aim is to provide formal training in the theory and practical technology of neuroscience, from the most basic molecular mechanisms right up to clinical issues, coupled with the opportunity to conduct research projects selected from well over 100 active laboratories.

The courses are designed to give students a better technical and conceptual grasp of neuroscience than traditional graduate courses, expose them to a wide range of laboratory techniques and provide training in organisational and research skills. 

View all courses   View taught courses View research courses

Medical Sciences Doctoral Training Centre

The Medical Sciences Doctoral Training Centre (MSDTC) accommodates the interdisciplinary, cross-departmental DPhil programmes in medical sciences.

Most are structured DPhil programmes, which provide students with the opportunity to undertake two or three 'rotation' projects and relevant course work in their first year of each four-year structured programme. The main doctoral project starts in the second year of each programme. Most of our programmes receive external core-funding, and currently from the Wellcome Trust (WT), British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK and EPSRC.

The MSDTC also accommodates the NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholars’ Programme, the DPhil in Cancer Science programme funded by CRUK which welcomes applications from clinicians, basic scientists, and medical undergraduates, and the new DPhil in Inflammatory and Musculoskeletal Disease which is funded by the Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research and is open to Oxford University medical students wishing to undertake DPhils in the fields of musculoskeletal disease, inflammation and immunology.

The department also offers an exciting new programme (the DPhil in Advanced Bioscience of Viral Products) run in collaboration with Oxford Biomedica, which aims to deliver the next generation of bioscience leaders to advance research on the underpinning bioscience of viral products for future gene therapies and vaccines.

Each programme has a distinctive intellectual flavour, designed to nurture independent and creative scientists. Students are supported in their development through:

• supervision and mentoring by world-class academics training in a wide range of research techniques
• development of student resilience and maintenance of mental health and wellbeing from the start and throughout each programme.

The University expects to be able to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across the collegiate University in 2024-25. You will be automatically considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships , if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential. 

For further details about searching for funding as a graduate student visit our dedicated Funding pages, which contain information about how to apply for Oxford scholarships requiring an additional application, details of external funding, loan schemes and other funding sources.

Please ensure that you visit individual college websites for details of any college-specific funding opportunities using the links provided on our college pages or below:

Please note that not all the colleges listed above may accept students on this course. For details of those which do, please refer to the College preference section of this page.

Further information about funding opportunities for this course can be found on the following websites: 

• Funding information  from Oxford Neuroscience
• Funding information  from Medical Sciences

Annual fees for entry in 2024-25

During the first year of the course you will be charged course fees at the  MSc in Neuroscience  fee rate. These fees are shown in the table below.

Annual MSc in Neuroscience (first year) fees for the 2024-25 academic year

Further details about fee status eligibility can be found on the fee status webpage.

In each subsequent year, you will be charged course fees at the DPhil fee rate for that year of study. For an indication of costs, the table below shows the annual DPhil course fees for the 2024-25 academic year.

Annual DPhil in Neuroscience fees for the 2024-25 academic year

Information about course fees.

Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). For courses lasting longer than one year, please be aware that fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on changes to fees and charges .

Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. They also don’t cover any additional costs and charges that are outlined in the additional information below.

Continuation charges

Following the period of fee liability , you may also be required to pay a University continuation charge and a college continuation charge. The University and college continuation charges are shown on the Continuation charges page.

Where can I find further information about fees?

The Fees and Funding  section of this website provides further information about course fees , including information about fee status and eligibility  and your length of fee liability .

Additional information

There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees (or, after fee liability ends, continuation charges) and living costs. However, as part of your course requirements, you may need to choose a dissertation, a project or a thesis topic. Please note that, depending on your choice of topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel expenses, research expenses, and field trips. You will need to meet these additional costs, although you may be able to apply for small grants from your department and/or college to help you cover some of these expenses.

Living costs

In addition to your course fees, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.

For the 2024-25 academic year, the range of likely living costs for full-time study is between c. £1,345 and £1,955 for each month spent in Oxford. Full information, including a breakdown of likely living costs in Oxford for items such as food, accommodation and study costs, is available on our living costs page. The current economic climate and high national rate of inflation make it very hard to estimate potential changes to the cost of living over the next few years. When planning your finances for any future years of study in Oxford beyond 2024-25, it is suggested that you allow for potential increases in living expenses of around 5% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation. UK inflationary increases will be kept under review and this page updated.

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. Please note that ‘college’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 43 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as societies and permanent private halls (PPHs). 

If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. Before deciding, we suggest that you read our brief  introduction to the college system at Oxford  and our  advice about expressing a college preference . For some courses, the department may have provided some additional advice below to help you decide.

The department recommends that you indicate a preference for a college where a member of the Programme Organising Committee is a fellow from the  list of colleges  on the Neuroscience website.

However, all of the following colleges do accept students on the DPhil in Neuroscience:

• Balliol College
• Brasenose College
• Christ Church
• Corpus Christi College
• Exeter College
• Green Templeton College
• Harris Manchester College
• Hertford College
• Jesus College
• Keble College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• Lincoln College
• Magdalen College
• Merton College
• New College
• Oriel College
• Pembroke College
• The Queen's College
• Reuben College
• St Anne's College
• St Catherine's College
• St Cross College
• St Edmund Hall
• St Hilda's College
• St Hugh's College
• St John's College
• St Peter's College
• Somerville College
• Trinity College
• University College
• Wadham College
• Wolfson College
• Worcester College
• Wycliffe Hall

Before you apply

We strongly recommend you consult the Medical Sciences Graduate School's research themes to identify the most suitable course and supervisor .

Our  guide to getting started  provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application.  You can use our interactive tool to help you evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

If it's important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline – eg under a December or January deadline in order to be considered for Oxford scholarships – we recommend that you aim to complete and submit your application at least two weeks in advance . Check the deadlines on this page and the  information about deadlines and when to apply  in our Application Guide.

Application fee waivers

An application fee of £75 is payable per course application. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:

• applicants from low-income countries;
• refugees and displaced persons; 
• UK applicants from low-income backgrounds; and 
• applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria.

You are encouraged to  check whether you're eligible for an application fee waiver  before you apply.

Readmission for current Oxford graduate taught students

If you're currently studying for an Oxford graduate taught course and apply to this course with no break in your studies, you may be eligible to apply to this course as a readmission applicant. The application fee will be waived for an eligible application of this type. Check whether you're eligible to apply for readmission .

Application fee waivers for eligible associated courses

If you apply to this course and up to two eligible associated courses from our predefined list during the same cycle, you can request an application fee waiver so that you only need to pay one application fee.

The list of eligible associated courses may be updated as new courses are opened. Please check the list regularly, especially if you are applying to a course that has recently opened to accept applications.

Applying for the DPhil in Neuroscience (1+3)

Please note that if you are applying for this course and your application is unsuccessful, your application will automatically be considered for the MSc in Neuroscience (unless you have requested otherwise in your statement of purpose/personal statement). You will not need to make an additional application for the MSc course or pay an additional application fee to be considered for both courses under these circumstances.

Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?

It is recommended that you contact Dr Deborah Clarke before you apply, using the contact details that can be found under  Further information and enquires .

Completing your application

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents .

For this course, the application form will include questions that collect information that would usually be included in a CV/résumé. You should not upload a separate document. If a separate CV/résumé is uploaded, it will be removed from your application .

If any document does not meet the specification, including the stipulated word count, your application may be considered incomplete and not assessed by the academic department. Expand each section to show further details.

Referees/letters of recommendation: Three overall, academic and/or professional

Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete. Please note that you may still be required to ensure your third referee supplies a reference for consideration.

Both academic and professional references are acceptable.

Your references will support intellectual ability, academic achievement, motivation, ability to work in a group, aptitude for research, and evidence of a genuine interest in neuroscience.

Official transcript(s)

Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.

More information about the transcript requirement is available in the Application Guide.

Statement of purpose/personal statement: A statement of a maximum of 500 words, plus an extended statement of a maximum of 1,000 words

You should provide a statement of your research interests, in English, describing how your background and research interests relate to the programme. If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.

The statement should focus on academic or research-related achievements and interests rather than personal achievements and interests.

This will be assessed for:

• your reasons for applying;
• evidence of motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study;
• the ability to present a reasoned case in English;
• capacity for sustained and focused work; and
• understanding of problems in the area and ability to construct and defend an argument.

It will be normal for students’ ideas and goals to change in some ways as they undertake their studies, but your personal statement will enable you to demonstrate your current interests and aspirations.

Extended statement (mandatory for all applicants)

You must also submit an extended statement in addition to your statement of purpose/personal statement. The extended statement should be written in English and be a maximum of 1,000 words.

Your statement of purpose/personal statement and extended statement should be submitted as a single, combined document with clear subheadings. Please ensure that the word counts for each section are clearly visible in the document.

The extended statement should be used to provide further detailed evidence of your motivation, relevant skills and/or experiences that enable further insight into your potential as a DPhil student. You might want to highlight in more detail your research outputs or research skills (wet lab or data analysis) and how that links to your project choice. If you have undertaken a team-based research project, please detail your role in that project. If you have had to overcome any personal or research project adversities, please highlight these in this extended statement.

Further consideration of unsuccessful applications

Please note that if your application to this course is unsuccessful, it will automatically be considered for the MSc in Neuroscience  (you will not need to pay an additional application fee). If you do not want your application to be considered for the MSc in Neuroscience, you should state this clearly in your statement of purpose/personal statement.

Start or continue your application

You can start or return to an application using the relevant link below. As you complete the form, please  refer to the requirements above  and  consult our Application Guide for advice . You'll find the answers to most common queries in our FAQs.

Application Guide   Apply

ADMISSION STATUS

Closed to applications for entry in 2024-25

Register to be notified via email when the next application cycle opens (for entry in 2025-26)

12:00 midday UK time on:

Friday 1 December 2023 Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships Final application deadline for entry in 2024-25

*Three-year average (applications for entry in 2021-22 to 2023-24)

This course was previously known as the Doctoral Training Programme in Neuroscience (1+3)

Further information and enquiries

This course is offered jointly by  Oxford Neuroscience , and the  Medical Sciences Doctoral Training Centre

• Course page on the Ox. Neuroscience website
• Course page on the Medical Sciences website
• Funding information from Oxford Neuroscience
• Funding information from Medical Sciences
• Academic and research staff
• Departmental research
• Medical Sciences Graduate School
• Residence requirements for full-time courses
• Postgraduate applicant privacy policy

Course-related enquiries

Advice about contacting the department can be found in the How to apply section of this page

✉ Dr [email protected]  (lecturer) ☎  +44 (0)1865 271342

Application-process enquiries

See the application guide

Other courses to consider

You may also wish to consider applying to other courses that are similar or related to this course:

View related courses

Behavior, Cognition, and Neuroscience

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Study the Brain and the Mind

The PhD in Behavior, Cognition, and Neuroscience (BCaN) is a multidisciplinary, interdepartmental program that applies biological and psychological principles to behavior and cognition . In this program, you will gain academic expertise through laboratory experience and core coursework while broadening your knowledge and research skills through electives and special seminars.

We apply a flexible approach to your education, providing a broad-based curriculum, specialized research training , and quality teaching opportunities. Our doctoral students concentrate on one of the traditional areas of behavior, cognition, or neuroscience or combine portions of these areas for individually tailored regimens specifically suited to their interests.

Our faculty members are active scientists with fully equipped laboratories who provide individual mentorship throughout the program. You will receive in-depth, apprenticeship-style training, working closely with faculty. Our complete program of classes, research, teaching practica, and grantsmanship training will prepare you for an academic teaching position and to perform independent and funded research in behavioral neuroscience.

This program is designated as a STEM degree program.

Rigorous, Research-Centered Education

The BCaN PhD is a rigorous and uniquely flexible 54-credit hour program. Focusing on one of the traditional areas of behavior, cognition, or neuroscience or combining elements of these areas, you will develop an individualized course of study to pursue your academic and research interests.

You will build a solid foundation in biology and psychology through required and elective coursework and take advantage of faculty expertise by engaging in special topic seminars. In the course of your in-depth laboratory research training, you will perform original experiments under the guidance of a faculty member. With this apprenticeship-style training, your master’s thesis, and your dissertation research, you will engage in research every semester . This combination of an advanced scientific education and extensive hands-on experience will prepare you for your research career .

Students who enter the program without an MA in psychology will complete one over the course of the doctoral program. Students are admitted for full-time study only. See complete Admissions & Course Requirements .

Active Scientists Dedicated to Your Success

BCaN is a multidisciplinary research program , and our faculty works in diverse areas of specialization. The faculty includes distinguished experts from our psychology, biology, chemistry, health studies, computer science, and physics departments. The small program size allows you to work closely with our dedicated faculty. Rather than rotating through different laboratories, you will work with a single mentor throughout the program. With this one-on-one mentorship , you will develop the laboratory and professional skills necessary to succeed in your field of interest.

Study and Work in the Neuroscience Research Hub

Boasting a number of private and public research institutions, the capital area is a national hub for neuroscience research . AU’s strategic position in DC and our affiliations with prestigious area institutions such as the National Institutes of Health, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and Georgetown Medical School provide countless resources and opportunities for collaboration.

The world’s largest neuroscience conference, the Society for Neuroscience meeting, is held in DC once every three years, providing AU students with the unique opportunity to attend lectures by leading experts, present their own findings , and network with researchers from around the world.

Your Path to a Successful Career

Our graduates typically take post-doctoral positions in clinics or laboratories. There, they utilize their skills and training to pioneer exciting new research in their fields of expertise. Those with a passion for teaching find plenty of opportunities to share their insights with students of every level.

Though our graduates work around the world, some choose to stay in the nation’s capital. The DC area offers career paths in research and science policy , at federal agencies, or at area institutions such as the National Science Foundation, American Association for the Advancement of Science, or the MITRE Corporation. No matter the path they take, students leave the program with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.

• 94%   of our research overall in Biological Sciences was assessed to  be world leading or internationally excellent   (REF 2021)  

We aim to understand the nervous system and various neurological disorders. You’ll be guided and supervised through your research project by experts in fields such as:

• synaptic physiology
• the molecular and cellular mechanisms of learning and memory.

You’ll be based in the newly refurbished Neuroscience Centre, using a range of techniques from molecular biology to electrophysiology and multiphoton microscopy. 

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.

Masters and P h D events

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Entry requirements

• UK requirements
• International requirements

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Philippines

Saudi arabia, south africa, south korea, switzerland, united arab emirates, my country is not listed.

If your country is not listed, you need to contact us and find out the qualification level you should have for this course. Contact us

English language requirements

Ielts (academic).

High level (6.5 overall, including at least 6.0 in each component).

IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.  Find out more about IELTS

We accept IELTS One Skills Retake.

We do not accept IELTS Online.

Check full details of our English Language requirements and find out more about some of the alternative English language qualifications listed below

Alternative English language qualifications

Proficiency tests, cambridge advanced certificate in english (cae).

169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill.

We would normally expect the CAE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.

You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about Cambridge English: Advanced

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

We would normally expect the CPE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.

You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about Cambridge English: Proficiency

LanguageCert International ESOL SELT

High level (International ESOL SELT B2 with a minimum of 39 in each component)

LanguageCert International ESOL scores are valid for two years from the test date. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about LanguageCert SELT

We only accept LanguageCert when taken at SELT Test Centres. We do not accept the online version.

Pearson PTE Academic

High level (62 overall, including at least 59 in all four skills)

PTE (Academic) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about Pearson (PTE Academic)

We do not accept the PTE Academic Online test.

TOEFL (iBT)

High level 88 overall, including at least 20 Listening, 19 in Reading, 21 in Speaking, 23 in Writing.

TOEFL (iBT) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about TOEFL (iBT)

We do not accept TOEFL (iBT) Home Edition.

The TOEFL Institution Code for the University of Sussex is 9166.

English language qualifications

As/a-level (gce).

Grade C or above in English Language.

Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE)/ AS or A Level: grade C or above in Use of English.

GCE O-level

Grade C or above in English.

Brunei/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.

Singapore/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.

GCSE or IGCSE

Grade C or above in English as a First Language (Grade 4 or above in GCSE from 2017).

Grade B or above in English as a Second Language.

Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate

If awarded before 1993: grades 1-6 in English language.

If awarded between 1993 and 2005: grades A-D in English language.

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)

 Level 4, including at least 3 in each component in English Language.

Indian School Certificate (Standard XII)

The Indian School Certificate is accepted at the grades below when awarded by the following examination boards:

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) – English Core only: 70%

Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) - English: 70% 

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)

English A or English B at grade 5 or above.

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education

Grades A - C in English language

Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) 1119/GCE O-level

If taken before the end of 2008: grades 1-6 in English Language.

If taken from 2009 onwards: grade C or above in English Language.

The qualification must be jointly awarded by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES).

West African Senior School Certificate

Grades A1-C6 (1-6) in English language when awarded by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the National Examinations Council (NECO).

Country exceptions

Select to see the list of exempt english-speaking countries.

If you are a national of one of the countries below, or if you have recently completed a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree or higher in one of these countries, you will normally meet our English requirement. Note that qualifications obtained by distance learning or awarded by studying outside these countries cannot be accepted for English language purposes.

You will normally be expected to have completed the qualification within two years before starting your course at Sussex. If the qualification was obtained earlier than this, we would expect you to be able to demonstrate that you have maintained a good level of English, for example by living in an English-speaking country or working in an occupation that required you to use English regularly and to a high level.

Please note that this list is determined by the UK’s Home Office, not by the University of Sussex.

List of exempt countries: 

• Antigua and Barbuda
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• The British Overseas Territories
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United Kingdom

** Canada: you must be a national of Canada; other nationals not on this list who have a degree from a Canadian institution will not normally be exempt from needing to provide evidence of English.

English language support

If you don’t meet the English language requirements for your degree, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course

• Visas and immigration

Admissions information for applicants

If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us

• How to apply

If you’d like to join us as a research student, there are two main routes:

• browse funded projects in this subject area
• browse our potential supervisors and propose your own research project.

Find out how to apply for a PhD at Sussex

Full-time and part-time study

Choose to work on your research full time or part time, to fit around your work and personal life. For details  about part-time study, contact us at  [email protected]

PhD or MPhil?

You can choose to study for a PhD or an MPhil. PhD and MPhil degrees differ in duration and in the extent of your research work.

• For a PhD, your research work makes a substantial original contribution to knowledge or understanding in your chosen field.
• For an MPhil, your work is an independent piece of research but in less depth than for a PhD. You’ll graduate with the degree title Master of Philosophy. You might be able to change to a PhD while you study for an MPhil.

Our supervisors

Prof Claudio Alonso

Professor of Developmental Neurobiology

[email protected]

View profile of Claudio Alonso

Dr Doran Amos

Lecturer in Neuroscience

[email protected]

View profile of Doran Amos

Prof Thomas Baden

Professor of Neuroscience

[email protected]

View profile of Thomas Baden

Scientific Officer - Manager of the Wolf Biological Imaging

[email protected]

View profile of Yan Gu

Prof Sarah Guthrie

Professor of Developmental Neuroscience

[email protected]

View profile of Sarah Guthrie

Prof Majid Hafezparast

Professor of Molecular Neuroscience

[email protected]

View profile of Majid Hafezparast

Prof George Kemenes

[email protected]

View profile of George Kemenes

Prof Ildiko Kemenes

[email protected]

View profile of Ildiko Kemenes

Prof Leon Lagnado

Professor Of Neuroscience 'Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award holder'

[email protected]

View profile of Leon Lagnado

Prof Miguel Maravall Rodriguez

[email protected]

View profile of Miguel Maravall Rodriguez

Dr Andrew Penn

[email protected]

View profile of Andrew Penn

Dr Sylvia Schroeder

Sir Henry Dale Research Fellow Group Leader

[email protected]

View profile of Sylvia Schroeder

Prof Louise Serpell

Professor of Biochemistry

[email protected]

View profile of Louise Serpell

Prof Kevin Staras

Professor Of Neuroscience

[email protected]

View profile of Kevin Staras

Dr Alex Stuart

[email protected]

View profile of Alex Stuart

Funding and fees

How can i fund my course, funded projects and scholarships.

Our aim is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to despite financial barriers, so that we continue to attract talented and unique individuals. Don’t miss out on scholarships – check the specific application deadlines for funding opportunities. Note that funded projects aren’t available for all our PhDs.

£3,000 scholarships available to environmental influencers bringing about real-world behaviour change

Find out more

£800 scholarship available to reward talented organ player studying on any course at Sussex.

Scholarships of £800 are available to reward talented musicians studying on any course at Sussex

Cash scholarships available for students who have demonstrated sporting excellence

Up to 10 scholarships for outstanding PhD students holding China Scholarship Council awards

Applying for USA Federal Student Aid?

If any part of your funding, at any time, is through USA federal Direct Loan funds, you will be registered on a separate version of this degree which does not include the possibility of distance learning which is prohibited under USA federal regulations. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid .

Part-time work

We advertise around 2,500 part-time jobs a year so you can make money and gain work experience. We have a special scheme to employ students on campus, wherever possible.

Find out more about careers and employability

How much does it cost?

Fees for self-funding students.

Home students: £4,786 per year for full-time students

Channel Islands and Isle of Man students: £4,786 per year for full-time students

International students: £25,000 per year for full-time students

Home PhD student fees are set at the level recommended by United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) annually, rising in line with inflation. Overseas fees are subject to an annual increase - see details on our tuition fees page

Additional costs

Note about additional costs.

Please note that all costs are best estimates based on current market values. Activities may be subject to unavoidable change in response to Government advice. We’ll let you know at the earliest opportunity. We review estimates every year and they may vary with inflation. Find out how to budget for student life .

Empirical research costs

On top of your PhD fees and living costs, you may also need to cover some research and training costs, relevant to your research project. These costs will depend on your research topic and training needs, but may include: - travel (to archives, collections or scientific facilities) - a laptop - overseas fieldwork costs (travel and accommodation, and language training) - conference costs (travel, registration fees and accommodation) - laboratory consumables and workshop materials - participant costs - transcription or translation costs - open-access publication costs. If you have a scholarship from one of the UK Research Councils, your scholarship should cover these types of costs. You'll receive details of how to claim this additional funding. If you're self funded, or if your scholarship doesn’t cover these costs, check with the Research and Enterprise Co-ordinator in your School for details of School or Doctoral School funding that may be available.

• Living costs

Find out typical living costs for studying at Sussex

Find out about our terms and conditions

Explore our campus

Experience Sussex life in our virtual tour.

Start your virtual tour

PhD Information Sessions

Visit campus and chat to staff and students. Book your place

Online PhD Sessions

Join a live webchat. Book your place

International

Meet us in your country

Course enquiries

+44 (0)1273 876787

Send us a message

Admissions enquiries

If you haven’t applied yet:

+44 (0)1273 678057   lifesci-REC@​sussex.ac.uk

Find out about the School of Life Sciences

After you’ve applied:

+44 (0)1273 877773 [email protected]

Find out how to apply

Quick links

• Guide to PhD study
• PhD support
• Academic facilities
• Open Days and events
• Accommodation
• International students
• Student life
• Order a printed prospectus

What do you want to do next?

• Courses Browse our courses by subject area
• Sussex Life Find out about life at Sussex
• Visit Come to a PhD Open Evening
• Apply Find out how to apply

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Course type

Qualification, university name, distance online postgraduate neuroscience.

9 degrees at 4 universities in the UK.

Customise your search

Select the start date, qualification, and how you want to study

Related subjects:

• Neuroscience
• Applied Life Sciences
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• Course title (A-Z)
• Course title (Z-A)
• Price: high - low
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Child and Adolescent Psychology and Neuroscience in Practice PG Dip

Ucl (university college london).

This PG Dip programme is a unique opportunity to gain a thorough understanding of child mental health and psychopathology, with a special Read more...

• 1 year Distance without attendance degree: £9,400 per year (UK)
• 2 years Distance without attendance degree: £4,700 per year (UK)

MSc Applied Neuropsychology (Online)

University of bristol.

This MSc is only available to non-residents of the UK who wish to study via online learning. Neuropsychology is the science linking the Read more...

• 1 year Online degree
• 2 years Online degree

Applied Neuroscience MSc

King's college london, university of london.

Neuroscience is a modern, multidisciplinary subject. As such, it draws together knowledge and expertise from many areas of science, from Read more...

• 2 years Online degree: £10,422 per year (UK)

Neuroscience and Neurodegeneration MSc

University of sheffield.

This part-time, online course enables you to fit your studies around your other commitments, while you develop a comprehensive Read more...

• 3 years Distance without attendance degree: £4,333 per year (UK)

PG Diploma (Postgraduate Diploma) Applied Neuropsychology (Online)

This online diploma is only available to students who live outside the UK and have an undergraduate degree in psychology or a related Read more...

• 1 year Online degree: £13,600 per year (UK)
• 2 years Online degree: £6,800 per year (UK)

Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health PGCert

The online Psychology & Neuroscience of Mental Health course aims to provide a comprehensive and integrated exploration of our current Read more...

• 8 months Online degree: £6,948 per year (UK)

Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health PGDip

• 16 months Online degree: £10,422 per year (UK)

Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health MSc

• 2 years Online degree: £9,924 per year (UK)

Applied Neuroscience PGDip

Course type:.

• Distance learning

Qualification:

Related subjects:.

1 Distance Learning PhD Degrees in Neuroscience Studies 2024

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Popular degree type

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Distance Learning PhD Degrees in Neuroscience Studies

Requirements for the PhD program often involve the student having already obtained a Master’s degree. Additionally, a thesis or dissertation primarily consisting of original academic research must be submitted. In some countries, this work may even need to be defended in front of a panel.

Online learning refers to use of electronic media and information and communication technologies (ICT) in education. With online learning one has the flexibility to access their studies at any time and from anywhere they can log on.

• Postgraduate study
• Postgraduate taught courses

Neuroscience and Neurodegeneration

Explore this course:.

Applications for 2024 entry are now open. Apply now or register your interest to hear about postgraduate study and events at the University of Sheffield.

School of Medicine and Population Health, Faculty of Health

Course description

Lead academic: Dr Jon Wood

This part-time, online course enables you to fit your studies around your other commitments, while you develop a comprehensive understanding of neuroscience and neurodegenerative disease. It covers the fundamental biology of the human nervous system, the mechanisms behind a range of illnesses, and the treatments that patients receive.

You will start with neuroanatomy, and study the human brain and spinal cord in detail. You will then learn about motor neurone disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and multiple sclerosis – how they occur, how they affect patients, and how they are studied by researchers. As you progress, you will focus more on the complex molecular and cellular mechanisms behind neurodegeneration, and how discoveries in the laboratory are translated into treatments.

In your final year, there is a choice of modules that focus on neuroscience research. You can learn about research practices on our Professional and Research Skills module, and conduct a literature review by examining the published research on a neuroscience topic. Alternatively, you can complete your own research project by, for example, analysing data or evaluating a clinical intervention.

Book a 15-minute online meeting with our course lead to find out more information and ask further questions.

Book an appointment with Dr Jon Wood

An open day gives you the best opportunity to hear first-hand from our current students and staff about our courses.

You may also be able to pre-book a department visit as part of a campus tour. Open days and campus tours

3 years part-time

All of your teaching will take place online. You will learn through short video lectures and demonstrations, tutorials, interactive activities, quizzes, collaborative group work and discussion forums.

You will be assessed, primarily, through written assignments and coursework, including posters and presentations you will deliver by video.

Your career

This course is great preparation for a career in neuroscience research. Many University of Sheffield graduates go on to complete a PhD and work at top universities and research institutes. Others work as researchers in the pharmaceutical industry or the NHS.

The course can provide clinicians with useful knowledge and skills to pursue a speciality such as neurology. It can also offer broader professional development for doctors and other healthcare professionals – particularly neurologists and geriatricians.

Student profiles

Part-time distance learning has allowed me to still have a full time job but study at the same time

Belle Kennett Graduate, MSc Neuroscience and Neurodegeneration

Belle has always loved learning, and our distance learning MSc in Neuroscience and Neurodegeneration has helped develop her knowledge and better understand conditions which have affected a number of her close friends.

The learning content on the course can be done at your own pace and this flexibility is so helpful

Katie from Essex is a graduate from our MSc in Neuroscience and Neurodegeneration. She explains how studying part time from home helped her balance her work, study and family life, while allowing her to pursue a dream career in dementia scientific research.

Entry requirements

You'll need at least a 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in a relevant science, engineering or medical subject.

A 2:2 degree may be acceptable depending on an interview and assessment of your previous experience in areas related to the course.

You can apply now using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.

More information

School of Medicine and Population Health

Helen Hickson

[email protected]

+44 114 222 2296