Psychology research degrees

Our postgraduate research in psychology including entry requirements for PhDs and other research degrees.

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Our psychologists work on world-leading research across five key areas 
  • Clinical
  • Cognitive
  • Cognitive neuroscience
  • Developmental
  • Social
Learn more about our Research in Psychology

We aim to transform lives by consulting and collaborating with local councils, charities and corporations with particular focus on the themes of Social Inclusion & Health and Challenges in Human Communication & Learning.

Our current research topics include:

  • Cognition – e.g., decision making; emotional processing. Sample topics: 
    • How do people make health-related decisions (e.g., food choice)?
    • How do emotions affect every-day cognitive processes?
  • Psycholinguistics (Psychology of Language) – e.g., second language acquisition; language development; language processing (comprehension & production). Sample topics:
    • How do adults learn their second language?
    • What are the underlining factors to make some people learn better than others?
  • Development Psychology – e.g., cognitive and social development. Sample topics: 
    • How do babies and children learn about themselves (vs. others)?
    • How do they learn to communicate with others?
  • Social & Health Psychology – e.g., health and mental well-being in society; minorities in society. Sample topics: 
    • How could people’s mental health be improved in community settings?
  • Culture, Mind, Well-being. Sample topics: 
    • How does ‘culture’ affect people’s behaviours, including cognition and mental health?
    • How can each ‘culture’ learn from each other to improve its education at school?

Propose your own PhD topic

If you want to propose your PhD topic, you can use the contact details below to contact a staff member to discuss your proposal.

How to write your best postgraduate research proposal

Entry requirements

Honours degree at 2.1 or above in a relevant discipline.

In certain circumstances we may ask you to spend a year completing our Master's degree in Psychological Research Methods before you commence your doctoral research. The decision about the suitability of your qualifications is made by the potential supervisor and the schools postgraduate advisor.

English language requirements

IELTS (overall) Reading Listening Speaking Writing
6.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 6.0

We also accept other English language qualifications

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you are a national of certain countries.

Don't meet the English language requirements?

English language programmes

Prepare for university study and benefit from extra English tuition with an English language programme.

Psychology PhD tuition fees

Academic year of entry Scottish/Rest of UK fee status International fee status
2023/24 £4,712 
per year of study		 £20,895 
per year of study
2024/25 £4,786 
per year of study		 £21,940 
per year of study

Tuition fee per year of study (subject to a 3% annual increase for Scottish/Rest of UK students and a 5% annual increase for International students).

Part time study, where available, is charged on a pro-rata basis.

Scottish/Rest of UK fee status annual increase

Each year, UKRI sets a recommended fee and stipend level for Scottish/Rest of UK students, which we use as the basis for fees charged to this group.

UKRI usually increases its fee and stipend levels in line with inflation, based on the Treasury GDP deflator. 

Therefore, the Scottish/Rest of UK fees detailed in this table for 2025/26 (and beyond) can only be estimated according to the typical increase. 

The fee charged to you may differ, though only slightly, from the figure given.

Apply for a research degree

You can apply for a PhD or other postgraduate research degree using our Direct Application System.

We have three start dates per academic year.

PhD Psychology (3 years)

PhD Psychology (3 years) (part-time)

PhD Psychology (4 year)

PhD Psychology (4 years) (part time)

Psychology (non-graduating) (research)

The University of Dundee welcomes applications from disabled students.

Enquiries