Our postgraduate community

The School has an active community of postgraduates. Students give regular talks to the School and are encouraged to attend national and international academic conferences. An elected postgraduate represents the community at School meetings and is involved in organising social events throughout the year.

More details about the course content can be found in the Ph.D handbook.

Who can apply?

Successful applicants usually possess a first or good upper class second degree in Psychology from a British university or its equivalent from an overseas institution. We also encourage applications from graduates whose initial training has been in a cognate discipline. We welcome applicants to our Ph.D programme who have a Masters in Research degree. It should be noted that we are keen to reward results that have been achieved against a background of personal hardship or social disadvantage.

How to apply

Before applying it is advisable to contact potential supervisors in the first instance to discuss possible research projects. Students are required to apply using the University's application process which is outlined on the University's PG Admissions pages. In addition to the completed application form, the School requires:

1. An outline of your research interests and a Research Proposal (approx. 500 words)
2. An up-to-date curriculum vitae
3. A recent example of your written work (for example, an essay of approx. 2,000 words)
4. Two referees' reports
5. A transcript and evidence of existing qualification (for example, a copy of your degree certificate).
6. Overseas applicants whose first language is not English are also asked to provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (for example, an IELTS or TOEFL score). (e.g., IELTS >=7.0 (incl. >= 7.5 writing skills)).

Deadline for applications

Applications for candiates that make their own financial arrangements are considered throughout the year.

For students who wish to be considered for a School studentship (see below), the deadline for receipt of applications to the School is 23^rd February 2012.

Funding

There are a number of internal and external sources of funding. The major source of funding of postgraduate research in the UK are the research councils.

Research Council Awards:

The School holds a limited number of quota awards - available to UK students only - from MRC and BBSRC. It also has Mode A recognition with ESRC which means that prospective - UK and EU - students can (together with their supervisor) apply for a +3 studentship.

School studentships:

The School has a small number of studentships to offer every year. Studentships usually cover tuition fees for 'home' students and maintenance and are open to home and overseas students. There is not a separate form: merely indicate your interest on the postgraduate application form.

Further information on other sources of funding for home and overseas students is available from the University of St. Andrews Prospective Students pages and from Prospects, the definitive guide to postgraduate funding provided by Higher Education's official database.

Self funding:

Some candidates are able to make their own financial arrangements, either privately or with the help of overseas government agencies. The university provides a guide to tuition fees and the level of expenditure a student might expect to incur during a year of postgraduate study.

ESRC Doctorial Training Centre in Scotland - Language Sciences

The University of St Andrews is a member institution of the ESRC Scottish Doctoral Training Centre. It welcomes applications for the ESRC 1+3 and +3 doctoral studentships in the area of Language Sciences and Social and Applied Investigations in Language, particularly in relation to the Evolution of Language.

At least two ESRC studentships are available for this pathway, either as a 3-year studentship for a PhD in Psychology or as a 1+3-year studentship beginning with an MSc ‘Origins of Mind’ (Psychology) followed by a PhD in Psychology.

ESRC Doctorial Training Centre in Scotland - Psychology

The University of St Andrews is a member institution of the ESRC Scottish Doctoral Training Centre. It welcomes applications for the ESRC 1+3 and +3 doctoral studentships in the area of Psychology, including areas such as Cognitive Neuroscience, Perception, Applied Cognition, and Social Psychology.

ESRC studentships are available for this pathway, either as a 3-year studentship for a PhD in Psychology or as a 1+3-year studentship beginning with an MRes in Research Methods (Psychology) followed by a PhD in Psychology.

ESRC Doctorial Training Centre in Scotland - Applications (Psychology or Language Sciences)

Full awards are available to applicants with established UK residency. Fees-only awards are available for EU applicants without UK residency. ESRC 1+3 and +3 studentships in the Psychology or Language Sciences pathway are available at the Universities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and St Andrews.

Applicants to St Andrews should first establish contact with a prospective supervisor and consult http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/psychology/admissions/phd.shtml for the application process. Proposals should be no more than 1,200 words. For further details please contact the Postgraduate secretary, Dr Helen Sunderland (hes1@st-and.ac.uk).

The deadline for receipt of applications is 23rd February 2012.

Contact details

Helen Sunderland
School of Psychology
University of St Andrews
St. Mary's College
South Street
St Andrews
Fife
Scotland, UK
KY16 9JP

Tel: 00 44 (0)1334 462157 | Fax: 00 44 (0)1334 463042 | Email: pgsecpsych@st-andrews.ac.uk