Our psychologists work on world-leading research across five key areas and are part of the wider School of Social Sciences. To read more, please visit our Psychology research pages.

  • Cognitive
  • Cognitive neuroscience
  • Social
  • Developmental
  • Clinical

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?

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)

6.5

Reading

5.5

Listening

5.5

Speaking

5.5

Writing

6.0

We also accept other English language qualifications (updated August 2020)

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.

PhD fees

Applying for a research degree

Use UCAS Postgraduate to apply for a research degree. Please read the guidance on filling in your UCAS Postgraduate application before proceeding with your application.

Apply here:

PhD opportunities

View PhD opportunities on the School of Social Sciences website

Learn about our Doctoral training programmes

Contact

Dr Sophie Rigney
Director of Doctoral Studies, 
 +441382385436/+441382384459
PhD-SocialSciences@dundee.ac.uk