psychology phd st andrews

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Postgraduate Research Psychology PhD

University of st andrews, different course options.

• Key information

Course Summary

Tuition fees, entry requirements, similar courses at different universities, key information data source : idp connect, qualification type.

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Subject areas

Psychology (General) Education Research

Course type

The PhD, in either Psychology or Neuroscience, is a research-based degree, normally conducted over a period of 3 years (or 6 years if taken on a part-time basis), under the supervision of one or more members of the School’s academic staff, leading to a thesis of no more than 80,000 words and an oral examination (viva).

The goal of both the PhD and the MSc (by research) is to provide a training programme tailored to the needs of the individual. Training can be provided from tutorials with the supervisor and other members of staff, taught courses in the School of Psychology and Neuroscience or other, related, departments, University units (such as the Centre for Academic, Professional and Organisational Development), or external organisations. Participation in conferences, seminars and workshops, both internally and externally, is also encouraged.

UK fees Course fees for UK students

For this course (per year)

International fees Course fees for EU and international students

Postgraduate candidates will be expected to obtain a good first degree with Honours (at least 2.1) from a recognised UK university or equivalent.

MSc/PgDip Psychology (Conversion)

Manchester metropolitan university, secondary psychology with qts pgce, msc health psychology, health psychology msc, bristol, university of the west of england, occupational psychology msc/pgdip/pgcert.

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Postgraduate Research Psychology PhD University of St Andrews

Course options

Qualification.

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

University of St Andrews

27-MAY-24, 27-AUG-24, 27-SEP-24, 27-OCT-24, 27-JAN-25

• TUITION FEES
• ENTRY REQUIREMENT
• UNIVERSITY INFO

Course summary

The PhD, in either Psychology or Neuroscience, is a research-based degree, normally conducted over a period of 3 years (or 6 years if taken on a part-time basis), under the supervision of one or more members of the School’s academic staff, leading to a thesis of no more than 80,000 words and an oral examination (viva).

The goal of both the PhD and the MSc (by research) is to provide a training programme tailored to the needs of the individual. Training can be provided from tutorials with the supervisor and other members of staff, taught courses in the School of Psychology and Neuroscience or other, related, departments, University units (such as the Centre for Academic, Professional and Organisational Development), or external organisations. Participation in conferences, seminars and workshops, both internally and externally, is also encouraged.

Tuition fees

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£ 25,500 per year

Tuition fees shown are for indicative purposes and may vary. Please check with the institution for most up to date details.

University information

University league table, campus address.

University of St Andrews, College Gate, St Andrews, KY16 9AJ, Scotland

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Subject ranking.

4th out of 118 2

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Psychology (B.A.)

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Matters of the Mind

Psychology is both an art and a science.

Seeking to uncover the reasons behind human behavior is the science part. Applying that knowledge to helping people – is an art.

The B.A. program prepares students to obtain employment in a variety of organizations based on their specific interest within the field of psychology.

Take the next step

“St. Andrews gave me the opportunity to double major in both Therapeutic Horsemanship and Psychology, and both majors intertwine perfectly. The classes have helped me solidify what area of psychology I want to go into professionally, and have helped me prepare for graduate school with specified classes. The professors have even helped me in other classes outside of psychology!”

Gaby Stephens Class of 2019

Psychology seeks to understand the human experience

Students in the psychology program are immersed in examining the human experience to develop critical thinking skills, and a deeper understanding of the scientific study of psychology and human behavior. 

Program Highlights:

• Enhanced research opportunities
• 14 to 1 student to faculty ratio for individualized learning
• Internships in real-world settings
• Cognitive psychology experimental research opportunities

Career Opportunities

What can you do with a Psychology degree from St. Andrews?

Psychologist

Human resources, mental health counselor.

“I chose psychology because of my interest in studying the human mind. I love this program because of the one-on-one approach, small class sizes, and the great academics. I feel this program has prepared me for the future in graduate school and in life.”

Phil Alden Class of 2018

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University of St Andrews

Programme specification for master of arts (honours) german and psychology, educational aims of programme.

This programme will involve study of German and psychology at an advanced, research-led level in which students will gain an understanding of how knowledge is created, advanced and renewed.The programme will encourage in all students a desire to pursue learning with curiosity, integrity, tolerance and intellectual rigour.

Programme outcomes / Graduate attributes

In the course of this programme students will develop programme-specific skills. On completing the programme students should be able to demonstrate the graduate attributes outlined below.

a) Intellectual skills and attributes

• Ability to communicate in and comprehend both written and spoken German at an advanced level
• Ability to construct a coherent argument or debate
• Ability to create a hypothesis and appreciation of how hypotheses relate to broader theories
• Ability to evaluate hypotheses, theories, methods and evidence within their proper contexts
• Ability to reason from the particular to the general
• Ability to solve complex problems by critical understanding, analysis and synthesis
• Academic integrity
• Capacity for close analysis of visual material and comparative analysis
• Capacity for close textual analysis and comparative analysis
• Clarity of expression
• Creativity and originality
• Curiosity and an enquiring mind
• Deductive reasoning
• Direct engagement with current research and developments in the subject
• Discipline specific technical abilities
• Engagement with both primary and secondary material and an appreciation of the differences between them
• Independence of thought
• Informatics
• Logical processing of information
• Quantitative and Qualitative methods of analysis
• Referencing
• Sophisticated use of a range of resources appropriate to the task at hand
• Understanding of Germanic culture(s)
• Identification of goals
• Planning and strategy
• Taking responsibility
• Objectives orientation; focus on goals
• Adaptability in response to developments and feedback
• Delivery of outcomes to time and scale demands
• Self motivation and independence
• Self-reflection

b) Transferable skills

• Aural presentations
• Note taking
• Oral presentations
• Rapport building
• Translation, interpreting and negotiation skills
• Audio-Visual presentations
• Web/electronic presentations
• Written material
• Team working
• Active engagement
• Collective responsibility

Teaching, Learning and Assessment strategies

The skills and graduate attributes listed above will be accomplished through delivery of the following teaching, learning and assessment strategies appropriate to the programme aims.

a) Teaching and Learning

Students will engage with independent and group study in a supportive framework of teaching and learning. The strategy is to use methods of teaching and assessment that will facilitate learning appropriate to the aims of the joint honours degree programme. The following methods will be employed where appropriate to the level of study and the particular content of each module in the programme.

• Autonomous learning groups
• Dissertation
• Independent study activities (supervised and unsupervised)
• Language learning (translation, linguistic and analytic competence)
• Laboratory work
• One-to-one discussion
• Period of residence in Germany
• Practical work
• Presentations
• Problem solving in laboratory style environment
• Project work
• Regular practice exercises
• Small group discussion tutorials
• Study at a partner University in Germany

b) Material submitted for assessment

Assessment can be a blend of diagnostic work to determine student needs, formative work submitted for assessment and feedback (but not necessarily for academic credit) or summative work submitted for academic credit.

Continuous assessment

• Aural comprehension
• AV media presentations
• Class tests
• Commentaries
• Data analysis exercises
• Discourse analysis
• Essays, dissertations (short and long)
• Poster presentations
• Practical reports
• Research project
• Review essay

End of semester examinations

• Unseen written examination - standard end of module examinations (including for example, translation, grammar exercises, essays)
• Oral examinations

c) Learning and Teaching support

Students' scholarship skills (in, for example, academic writing, information gathering and academic conduct) will be supported and developed through this programme. The following will be available, where appropriate to the level of study and the particular content of each module in the programme.

• Access to specialist University support units
• Class handouts/handbooks
• Central access to German television
• eLearning - web-based and via the virtual learning environment (VLE)
• Feedback on work submitted (in accordance with School and University policies)
• High number of contact hours
• Library support
• Multi-media centre
• School guidelines for good scholarship
• Office hours and staff availability
• Recommended reading lists and booklets (for the programme and specific modules and courses)
• Small group teaching

Programme structure

This is a four-year programme of study leading to the degree of Master of Arts (Honours). As with all St Andrews programmes, it is made up of credit bearing modules. Students must earn 480 credits over the duration of the programme, with 120 credits normally earned each academic year. Typically, the first two years of study include core modules specific to the programme as well as other modules chosen from a range of options (in some cases, including modules from a different Faculty). The remaining years offer advanced research-led learning through modules that provide a programme-specific curriculum.

For information about core and optional modules for each programme, please consult the Course Catalogue, which can be found at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/admissions/ug/Choosingyourdegree/Coursecatalogue/ . This catalogue describes the detailed structure of the course and the contents of all the modules that can be included in the programme. Teaching, learning and assessment are progressive, with both the content and methods of delivery changing to suit the increasing level of complexity in the material, and independence of students, as they work through the programme.

Distinctive programme features

Distinctive features of this programme include:

a) School of Modern Languages (ML)

Teaching, learning and assessment of and in German to a high level. Students can expect to have the opportunity to engage with a number of specialist topics including for example German language, literature, culture, history, politics and film in both English and German. All languages in the School require students to take the specialized Senior Honours modules specific to the languages.

b) School of Psychology

A broad foundation across the range of modern scientific psychology. The programme progresses from sub-honours modules providing solid grounding in each of the subject areas of psychology and their methodologies to a choice of advanced Honours modules that provide in depth training exploring the state of the art in specific areas connected to the research expertise of members of the School. Examples include social cognition and evolution, group processes, emotion, visual perception, or memory processes.

This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Back to archive .

Psychology BSc (Hons) 2021 entry

The BSc (Hons) in Psychology will introduce you to the full range of areas that are studied by psychologists, including perception, cognition, motivation and behaviour. You will be grounded in the theoretical foundations and modern developments of contemporary psychology. Emphasis is placed on practical classes and on learning research techniques right from the start.

Psychology is available as both a Bachelor of Science (BSc) and a Master of Arts (MA) degree. The content of the subjects is the same irrespective of  Faculty . Students who have a background in the sciences or who wish to study Psychology alongside  Science subjects  at St Andrews should apply for the BSc. For those interested in studying Psycholgoy alongside  Arts subjects , the  MA in Psychology  may be of interest instead. The entry requirements are the same for all single Honours Psychology degrees, and the chance of receiving an offer is the same for each of these degrees.

A degree in psychology from St Andrews is recognised by the British Psychological Society  as conferring basis for graduate registration, and qualifies you to undertake training in various areas of professional psychology, including both clinical and educational psychology. 

Key information

Course type.

Bachelor of Science (single Honours degree)

Course duration

Four years full time

• Start date: 6 September 2021
• End date: 30 June 2025

Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive .

Entry requirements

These grades are the overall standards required to consider you for entry. Find out more about Standard, Minimum and Gateway entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator .

SQA Highers

• Standard entry grades: AAAB
• Minimum entry grades: AABB
• Gateway entry grades: BBBB

GCE A-Levels

• Standard entry grades: AAB
• Minimum entry grades: ABB
• Standard entry grades: 36 (HL 6,6,5)
• Minimum entry grades: 36 (HL 6,5,5)

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry on to our programmes, please see our  entry requirements  for more information.

For degrees combining more than one subject, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. You will also need to meet any further subject specific entrance requirements as outlined on their pages.

International applicants

If English is not your first language you will need an overall IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum score of 6.0 in each component (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking), or an equivalent English Language qualification .

Do I need to have studied this subject before?

No previous knowledge of psychology is required.

General entry requirements

All applicants must have attained the following qualifications, or equivalent, in addition to the specific entry requirements for individual programmes.

SQA qualifications

SQA National 5 (B) in English and one SQA National 5 (B) from the following:

• Computing science
• Lifeskills Mathematics (A grade)
• Mathematics
• Psychology.

GCSE qualifications

GCSE (5) in English language or English literature, and one GCSE (5) from the following:

• Computing Science

Other qualifications

More information on how to apply via other entry routes or accreditation of prior learning and experience can be found on the University’s entry requirements web page .

Psychology at St Andrews was ranked first in Scotland by the  Guardian University Guide 2021 and the  Complete University Guide 2021 .

The University of St Andrews as a whole was voted top in the UK for student academic experience in The National Student Survey 2020 as 92.7% of St Andrews final-year students gave the University top marks for the quality of the learning and teaching experience.

Research within the School of Psychology and Neuroscience was ranked second in Scotland by the 2014 Research Excellence Framework with 84% of the research rated world leading and internationally excellent.

The University has secured a TEF Gold Award  for the quality of teaching and the undergraduate experience.

Find out more about studying psychology at St Andrews .

Course information

The BSc (Hons) in Psychology is a four-year course run by the School of Psychology and Neuroscience.  The School also offers an MA in Psychology , which may be more suitable for students who wish to take psychology alongside Arts subjects. The psychology element within both the BSc and MA degree programmes is exactly the same.

Alongside psychology, in the first year of your studies, you will be required to study an additional two subjects. In the second year you will usually carry on at least one of these subjects, sometimes two. Find out more about how academic years are organised . 

Your first two years of study provide an introduction to a variety of subjects which make up contemporary psychology as well as a thorough grounding in the empirical basis of psychology.

The skills you gain in statistical analysis, research and presentation will prepare you for your final two years, during which you will have the opportunity to specialise in a wide range of advanced subjects. These subjects can be broadly described as (but are not limited to):

• social psychology
• developmental psychology
• evolutionary and comparative psychology
• behavioural and cognitive neuroscience
• cognitive psychology
• perceptual psychology
• clinical and abnormal psychology.

During your final year, you will also have the opportunity to carry out a research project on a topic chosen in consultation with staff from the School.

The University of St Andrews operates on a flexible modular degree system by which degrees are obtained through the accumulation of credits. More information on the structure of the modules system can be found on the flexible degree structure web page .

Find out more about studying psychology at St Andrews . 

In the first two years of your degree (known as sub-honours) you will take the required modules in psychology alongside modules in at least one other subject.

Typically, you will take one psychology module per semester during your first two years, and three to four psychology modules per semester during your third and fourth year (known as Honours).

Find out more about the modular Scottish degree system . 

• Second year

Students will take the following compulsory first-year modules, which between them cover the foundations of psychology.

• Fundamentals of Psychology 1 : introduces the theoretical foundations, historical perspectives and modern developments of psychology, and provides a thorough grounding in the empirical basis of psychology.
• Fundamentals of Psychology 2 : expands upon the topics discussed during Psychology 1 and continues to introduce the variety of subjects which make up contemporary psychology.

Students will take the following compulsory second-year modules, which between them cover the core areas of psychology and prepare students for advanced modules. 

• Advanced Principles of Psychology 1 : covers the relations between, for example, brain and behaviour, cognition, perception, comparative aspects of behaviour, social and health psychology. It also contains a methodology component covering laboratory and field techniques.
• Advanced Principles of Psychology 2 : provides a more advanced treatment of a number of areas in psychology and extends the range of teaching from Psychology 1.

If you decide to take Psychology in your third and fourth years, you choose from a wide variety of advanced options, including modules ranging from clinical psychology to understanding how evolutionary forces have shaped both animal and human behaviour.

Here is a sample of Honours modules which have been offered in previous years:

• Assessment in Clinical Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology and the Emotional Disorders
• Developmental Psychology
• Group Behaviour
• Psychology of Art: Aesthetics and Individual Differences in Visual Function
• Psychology of Music
• Sex Differences and Gender Development
• Social Psychology
• The Psychology of Dementia.

In fourth year, students will conduct a research project which will allow them to foster the skills of experimental design, appropriate research management and statistical analysis. Students can choose from a wide range of topics in consultation with their supervisor.

The compulsory modules listed here must be taken in order to graduate in this subject. However, most students at St Andrews take additional modules, either in their primary subject or from other subjects they are interested in. For Honours level, students choose from a range of honours modules, some of which are listed above. A full list of all modules appropriate to the programme for the current academic year can be found in  the programme requirements .

Teaching format

Psychology is taught using a wide variety of methods including traditional lectures, seminars, practicals, tutorials and individual supervision. At sub-honours level, class sizes range from 140 to 350 students in lectures and 40 to 80 students for practical labs, down to only 8 to 10 students for small-group tutorials.

At Honours level, much of the teaching is in small groups and there is a considerable amount of one-on-one contact with staff. Class sizes typically range from about 70 to 120 students for lectures down to practical classes of 10 to 50 students along with individual supervision in review and project modules.

When not attending lectures, tutorials and labs, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve:

• working on individual and group projects
• undertaking research in the library
• reading course material
• preparing coursework assignments and presentations
• preparing for examinations.

You will be taught by leading researchers in the field with an emphasis on research-led teaching. Postgraduate research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of laboratory classes and seminars under the supervision of the module leader.

You can find contact information for all psychology staff on the School of Psychology and Neuroscience website . 

In addition to your studies in the School of Psychology and Neuroscience, optional academic support is available  through practical study skills courses and workshops hosted within the University.

The University’s student services team can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long-term medical conditions or learning disabilities. More information can be found on the students with disabilities web page . 

Sub-honours modules are assessed by 40% coursework and 60% multiple choice questions or written examinations. At Honours level, modules are either entirely assessed by coursework, by examination, or by a mixture of the two.

Examinations are held at the end of each semester during a dedicated exam diet with revision time provided beforehand.

The School aims to provide feedback on every assessment within three weeks to help you improve on future assessments.

Undergraduates at the University of St Andrews must achieve at least 7.0 on the St Andrews 20-point grade scale to pass a module. To gain access to Honours-level modules, students must achieve the relevant requisites as specified in the policy on entry to Honours and in the relevant programme requirements . Please note that some Schools offer qualified entry to Honours, and this will be clearly specified in the programme requirements. To find out the classification equivalent of points, please see the common reporting scale .

Tuition fees for 2021 entry

For overseas students, tuition fees will be fixed at this level for the duration of your programme.

More information on tuition fees can be found on the undergraduate fees and funding page . 

Accommodation fees 

Find out about accommodation fees for University accommodation. 

Funding and scholarships

The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to undergraduate students each year.

Joint Honours degrees

You can take the Psychology BSc as part of a joint Honours degree alongside one of the following subjects.

Special joint degree notes

The joint options with Biology, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Statistics can also be taken as degree programmes with British Psychological Society accreditation.

In taking a joint degree, you are required to take core modules in all of your subjects. Find out more about joint degrees .

Additional joint degree options are available for students who take the  MA in Psychology .

"With" degrees

You can take the BSc in Psychology as part of a "with" Honours degree in which the majority of the course deals with the first-named subject.

In taking a "with" degree, you are required to take core modules in all of your subjects. Find out more about joint degrees .

Additional "with" degree options are available for students who take the MA in Psychology .

Your future

There are a number of professions directly linked to a psychology degree such as clinical, educational, industrial and forensic psychology. It is also associated with jobs in the welfare area and in personnel.

More generally, a good Honours degree in psychology can give direct entry into management training and civil service posts. Recent graduates have secured positions in the health service, speech therapy and banking.

 Popular careers areas for psychology students include:

• advertising
• civil service
• general management
• marketing and sales
• social work.

Psychology graduates also possess key transferrable skills, including:

• scientific approach to problem solving and information acquisition with current information technologies
• critical skills in assessment and review of information
• written and oral presentation skills
• group discussion and participation
• ethical values in science and society.

The Careers Centre  offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills. 

Study abroad

Psychology students may participate in the University-wide St Andrews Abroad programme. Psychology students are only able to study abroad for the full academic year (semester placements are not available). For information about study abroad options, please see the study abroad site .

Student life

From the outset, the University of St Andrews offers an array of events and opportunities which result in a truly unique student experience. Students participate in a range of traditions, notably, the red academic gown and the academic family, where older students adopt first year students as ‘children’ and help guide them in a system of mentoring. These traditions and the choice of over 150 sports clubs and student societies to choose from ensures a community feel amongst students from first year onwards.

Students of psychology may be interested in joining the Psychology and Neuroscience Society  which organises academic activities such as lectures and trips to Edinburgh Zoo, as well as weekly lunches, a ball and other kinds of socials.

The School of Psychology and Neuroscience is located in the beautiful Old Library building, dating back to the Victorian era, which sits inside St Mary’s Quad on the south side of town. Most of your classes and labs will take place here.

The town of St Andrews itself has lots to offer. As University buildings are located throughout the town, walking around you encounter ancient and modern buildings, parks and beaches, providing a rich, beautiful backdrop to learning. Find out more about the  town of St Andrews .

Find out more about student life at the University of St Andrews .

I had never studied psychology before, but the School was excellent at introducing me to and keeping me a part of this new subject. Dynamic lecturers make topics interesting and engaging. Psychology is a sociable and comfortable community which I am glad to be a part of.”

Jack (Glasgow, Scotland)

School of Psychology and Neuroscience University of St Andrews St Mary's Quad South Street St Andrews KY16 9JP

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2157  Email: [email protected]  

School of Psychology and Neuroscience

Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our  admissions policy .

Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the  archive .

Curriculum development

As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience.  Our approach to course revision is described online .

Tuition fees

The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees.  The University’s approach to fee setting is described online .

Discover Uni

Discover Uni provides official statistics about higher education courses taken from national surveys and data collected from universities and colleges about all their students. You can use this data to compare information for different degree programmes to help you make a decision about what and where to study.

Joint degree data

• Biology and Psychology
• Computer Science and Psychology
• Economics and Psychology
• Mathematics and Psychology
• Psychology with Biology

Postgraduate research courses

The breadth and variety of psychology and neuroscience taught in the School is a particular strength, with significant opportunities to collaborate and benefit from a range of techniques applied to understanding the behaviour of humans and other animals. Further information on the researchers and the diverse range of research carried in the School can be found on the research pages.

The School of Psychology and Neuroscience offers the following research degrees:

• Psychology PhD
• Neuroscience PhD The PhD, in either Psychology or Neuroscience, is a research-based degree, normally conducted over a period of 3 years (or 6 years if taken on a part-time basis), under the supervision of one or more members of the School’s academic staff, leading to a thesis of no more than 80,000 words and an oral examination (viva).
• MSc Psychology (by research)
• MSc Neuroscience (by research) The 1-year MSc (by research) degree, in either Psychology or Neuroscience, consists solely of an independent research project conducted over a 12-month period (or an equivalent period of part-time study), under the supervision of one or more members of the School’s academic staff, leading to a thesis of no more than 30,000 words.

The goal of both the PhD and the MSc (by research) is to provide a training programme tailored to the needs of the individual.  Training can be provided from tutorials with the supervisor and other members of staff, taught courses in the School of Psychology and Neuroscience or other, related, departments, University units (such as the Centre for Academic, Professional and Organisational Development), or external organisations. Participation in conferences, seminars and workshops, both internally and externally, is also encouraged.

Research opportunities

The School of Psychology and Neuroscience welcomes applications from outstanding PhD candidates to join our vibrant international postgraduate community.

The School requires applicants for the PhD or MSc (by research) to  identify and contact a potential supervisor , to discuss both the research proposal and the possibility of supervision.  This must be done  before submitting a formal application . An applicant cannot be admitted to a postgraduate research course unless they have the support of a potential supervisor.

Please see the list of available project titles and staff profiles below to find a potential supervisor with research interests that match your own.  Further information on the current research being carried out in the School can be found on our research pages.

• PhD project titles (PDF)

The offer of a University place to undertake study or research does not carry with it the guarantee of financial support. You will be required to support yourself or to apply to a grant-awarding body.

School of Psychology and Neuroscience PhD scholarships

The School invites applications for two   fully-funded 3-year PhD scholarships covering your full fees (home or overseas) plus an annual maintenance stipend at the UK Research and Innovation rate.

As part of the University's Handsel programme, we also invite applications for additional fee-only PhD scholarships (covering your full home or overseas fees).  The application deadline for projects starting in the academic year 2024/25 is 8 January 2024.

Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (SGSSS)

Prospective students looking to apply for ESRC studentship funding via the SGSSS to undertake a PhD research project. The application deadline for projects starting in the academic year 2023/24 has passed.  This will be updated when details of 24/25 are available. 

Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research

Dr Ilary Allodi is advertising a PhD project, " Investigating the role of Munc 13-1 in Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis " as part of a studentship scheme from the Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research.  Closing date is 19 January, 2024.  

Other available scholarships

See the University scholarships page for more information on available scholarships and funding.  Please note that some of these scholarships require an initial internal ranking process at School level. If you want to be considered for one of these, please apply by the deadline for PhD scholarships offered by the School of Psychology and Neuroscience.

How to apply

Before submitting an application, applicants must have the support of a potential supervisor .

Please see the instructions in the research opportunities section above.  Applications that do not have the support of a supervisor will not be processed.

Applicants for the PhD, who wish to be considered for funding, must submit an application with the deadlines specified in the funding opportunities section .

You can submit your application for the PhD and the MSc (by research) online via the research programmes route.

The application process involves providing a number supporting documents; documents required by the School of Psychology and Neuroscience are as follows (some funding opportunities may require additional documents):

• personal statement (sometimes called a statement of purpose or letter of application)
• up-to-date CV or resume
• research proposal, including working title, of approximately 500 words, agreed with the potential supervisor
• academic transcripts for undergraduate degree and any postgraduate degree completed or in progress (interim transcripts are permitted at this stage where final results are not yet known)
• two academic references
• sample of written academic work in English of no more than 3000 words
• applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English proficiency; the School of Psychology and Neuroscience requires an IELTs score of at least 7.0 overall with at least 7.0 in Writing. The University has further information on the language requirements page.

PhD and Masters students

Madison Crump

Lucy Harper 

Madeline Buchanan 

For my Research Masters, I am interested in how animals deal with risk (i.e gambles) in foraging decision making. For my work, I will be manipulating the mean and variance of food options, in the form of sucrose in artificial flowers, for wild Rufous Hummingbirds to see if they change their foraging preferences. Many of the past work in this field has used caged or lab animals, so this work is particularly interesting because I am using wild hummingbirds foraging freely. Email: mkb4(AT)st-andrews.ac.uk

Isabella Tortora Brayda Di Belvedere

Dr David Walker

Dr Alexis Breen

Alexi’s broad research interests fall under the general heading of animal behavior. During her PhD she studied social learning in nest-construction behavior in birds. She focused her research on which physical properties (e.g., rigidity, size and/or length) birds may learn about nesting materials from observing others build. 

Dr David Pritchard

Dr Maria C Tello-Ramos

Dr Zach Hall 

Dr Rachael Marshall

Rachael’s PhD focused on the foraging decisions of wild rufous hummingbirds. In particular their ability to remember what food is where at what time.

Dr Felicity Muth

Dr Nuri Flores Abreu

Nuri’s Phd focused on three-dimensional spatial learning in hummingbirds.

Dr Guill McIvor

During his PhD Guill research the nest-site selection decisions of crows.

Dr Laura Kelley

2006-2009: Laura’s PhD research investigated vocal mimicry in spotted bower birds.

Dr Olivia Haggis

2006-2009: Olivia’s PhD focused on the behavioural neuroscience of decision making in zebra finches.

Dr Anjanette Harris

Dr Adel Heenan

2006-2010: Adel’s PhD focused on the settling behaviour of coral reef fishes and development of supplementary management tools.

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Total Credits - 106+

Psychological foundations - 24.

• GDPC 614 - Human Development Credits: 3
• GDPC 616 - Psychology of Religious Experience Credits: 3
• GDPC 620 - History and Systems of Psychology Credits: 3
• GDPC 625 - Biopsychology Credits: 3
• GDPC 626 - Cognitive and Affective Bases of Behavior Credits: 3
• GDPC 629 - Psychopathology: Classification & Treatment Credits: 3
• GDPC 644 - Psychological Testing Credits: 3
• GDPC 670 - Advanced Social Psychology Credits: 3

Professional Studies - 38

• EDUC 870 - Doctoral Comprehensive Exam Credits: 0
• GDPC 643 - Career Development Credits: 3
• GDPC 645 - Professional Ethics for Counselors and Psychologists Credits: 3
• GDPC 652 - Cognitive Assessment Across the Lifespan Credits: 3
• GDPC 686 - Interventions and Diagnosis with Children and Adolescents Credits: 3
• GDPC 687 - Counseling and Therapeutic Interventions for Adults Credits: 3
• GDPC 688 - Advanced Group Therapy Credits: 3
• GDPC 735 - Clinician Self-Assessment for the Treatment of Culturally Diverse Populations Credits: 3
• 3 credits of   GDPC 745 - Practicum in Counseling Psychology Credits: 3 (Select additional practicum hours from chosen emphasis.)
• GDPC 750 - Personality Assessment Credits: 3
• GDPC 753 - Psychological Decision Making and Interventions Credits: 3
• 2 credits of   GDPC 765 - Seminar in the Supervision of Counselors and the Practice of Consultation Credits: 1,2
• 3 credits of   GDPC 820 - Internship in Counseling Psychology Credits: .5,1
• 3 credits of   GDPC 835 - Seminar in Counseling Psychology Credits: 2,3

Research & Dissertation - 29+

• EDRM 605 - Qualitative Research Methods in Education and Psychology Credits: 3
• EDRM 704 - Design and Analysis of Educational and Psychological Surveys Credits: 3
• EDRM 710 - Seminar in Research Methodology Credits: 1
• EDRM 712 - Applied Statistical Methods II Credits: 3
• EDRM 713 - Applied Statistical Methods III Credits: 3
• EDRM 880 - Dissertation Proposal Development Credits: 2
• 14+ Credits of   GDPC 899 - Doctoral Dissertation Credits: 1–16

Focus Areas - 15

Dissertation focus must be selected from this topic area.

• GDPC 624 - Addictions and Addictive Behaviors Credits: 3
• GDPC 720 - Marital Therapy Credits: 3
• 6 credits of   GDPC 846 - Adult Advanced Emphasis Practicum Credits: 3
• Choose 3 credits of Electives in consultation with academic advisor.

Child/Family

• GDPC 710 - Family Therapy Credits: 3
• 6 credits of   GDPC 847 - Child/Family Advanced Emphasis Practicum Credits: 3

Cultural Diversity

• GDPC 730 - International Psychology Credits: 3
• GDPC 755 - Refugee & Displaced Populations Clinical Interventions Credits: 3
• 6 credits of   GDPC 848 - Diversity Advanced Emphasis Practicum Credits: 3

Health Psychology

• GDPC 746 - Issues in Health Psychology Seminar Credits: 3
• 6 credits of   GDPC 849 - Health Psychology Advanced Emphasis Practicum Credits: 3
• 3 credits of   SOWK 675 - Topics in: Credits: 1–4 (Psychopharmacology)

Additional Requirements

Andrews University Doctoral Transfer Requirements

The PhD Counseling Psychology program requires a minimum of 32 course credits be taken in residence at Andrews University. The following program requirements are not transferable and must be completed at Andrews University.

• Completion of all required practicum (in this case 3 consecutive semesters - 9 credits).
• Completion of internship (one calendar year 40 hour per week APA approved internship - 3 credits).
• Dissertation credit to complete your dissertation – 16 credits minimum (14 dissertation, 2 EDRM 880).
• Doctoral Comprehensive Examination (EDUC 870 - Doctoral Comprehensive Exam - 0 credits).

Residency Requirements

The Counseling Psychology program requires students to complete a minimum of 3 full-time academic years of graduate study, with at least 2 of those years at Andrews University. At least 1 year must be in full-time residence (3-consecutive full-time semesters) at Andrews University.

A 2,000-hour supervised internship is required. Students apply through the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers for an approved internship. Preference is given to American Psychological Association (APA)–approved internships. The internship is usually completed on a full-time basis (40 hours per week) for one year.

Annual Review

Continuation in the Counseling Psychology program is based upon an annual review by the department faculty of the student’s academic performance, professional development and personal qualifications as a counseling psychologist.

Dissertation

Beginning the semester after registering for EDRM 880, candidates must register for at least 1 dissertation credit during each semester until their dissertation is successfully defended.

Maintaining Academic Standing

Continuation in the Counseling Psychology program is based upon a periodic review, by the department, of the student’s academic performance and personal qualifications as a developing psychologist.

Admission Requirements

Students entering the PhD program in Counseling Psychology should have a master’s degree in counseling or a related field.

In order for an applicant without a master’s degree to be eligible for consideration of admissions, they must have the following: undergraduate major in psychology or related field; outstanding academic record with satisfactory GPA; and satisfactory scores on both the GRE General Test and Advanced Test in Psychology. A master’s degree may be received en route to the doctoral degree, however, all master’s degree requirements must be met. The GRE subject test requirement will be waived for all  PhD Counseling Psychology students transferring from, or doing dual enrollment with, a master’s program in the GPC department.

The PhD course requirements assume a prior master’s degree that includes graduate courses in the following areas. If courses in these areas have not been taken prior to admission, the indicated Andrews University course must be taken as part of the degree, in addition to PhD courses: 

• EDFN 500 - Philosophical Foundations for Professionals    
• GDPC 514 - Psychology of Learning    
• GDPC 635 - Theories and Techniques of Counseling    
• GDPC 638 - Group Processes    
• GDPC 640 - Multicultural Issues for Counselors and Psychologists    
• GDPC 650 - Practicum in Counseling    
• GDPC 676 - Theories of Personality    
• EDRM 505 - Research Methods    
• EDRM 611 - Applied Statistical Methods I    

Students accepted into the PhD in Counseling Psychology, without a prior master’s degree in that field, are eligible to apply for the  MS in Counseling Psychology    and complete it en route to their PhD. Completion of this degree along with additional supervised practicum hours allow students to apply for State of Michigan psychology licensure at the master’s level.

Student Learning Outcomes

Consistent with the scientist-practitioner model and our training philosophy, the Counseling Psychology doctoral program integrates theory, research and practice by training counseling psychologists who (1) have the requisite knowledge base and therapeutic skills for entry into the practice of professional psychology, (2) have the necessary knowledge and skills for competent practice and research within a multicultural and spiritually diverse society, and (3) will contribute to and apply the scientific knowledge base of psychology using skills in qualitative and quantitative research methods. Each of these goals, objectives, and competencies are detailed below.

Goal #1: To train counseling psychologists who have the requisite knowledge base and therapeutic skills for entry into the practice of professional psychology

Objective 1.1:   Students acquire a knowledge base of psychology as a scientific discipline, and of counseling psychology as an area of professional specialization

• Understand the current body of knowledge of scientific psychology in biological, cognitive, affective, and social aspects of behavior, the history /systems of psychology, learning theory, multi-cultural issues, psychopathology, personality, spiritual/religious psychology, psychological measurement, research methods, and techniques of data analysis.
• Understand the scientific, methodological, and theoretical foundations of practice in counseling psychology including individual differences in behavior, human development, psychopathology, and professional standards and ethical responsibilities, including applications to a multicultural and religiously diverse society.

Objective 1.2:  Students acquire a knowledge base and skills necessary to diagnose or define problems through psychological assessment and measurement, and formulate and implement intervention strategies (including empirically supported procedures).

• Understand the theories and methods of assessment and diagnosis, effective intervention, consultation and supervision, and evaluating the efficacy of interventions, including applications to a multicultural diverse and religiously diverse society.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills in empirically supported procedures.

Objective 1.3:  Students acquire an awareness and understanding of professional issues to practice psychology in an ethical and professional manner

• Understand ethical/legal standards in professional practice and research.
• Demonstrate the capacity to make reasoned judgments about ethical practice related to emerging issues using codes, literature in professional ethics, and consultation with colleagues.

Goal #2: To train counseling psychologists who have the necessary knowledge and skills for competent practice and research within a multicultural and religiously diverse society

Objective 2.1:  Students acquire self-awareness and comprehensive knowledge and skills to be a multiculturally competent psychologist

• Demonstrate the self-awareness necessary to be a multiculturally competent psychologist.
• Understand the concepts, theory, and research related to culturally competent practice and research as a professional psychologist in diverse settings.
• Understand the concepts, theory, and research related to spiritual and religious aspects of psychology.
• Demonstrate the ability to integrate a spiritual perspective into counseling and psychotherapy practice.

Objective 2.2:  Students acquire a comprehensive understanding of the theories and applications of theories related to psychology, career development/vocational psychology, and education in multicultural and religiously diverse settings.

• Understand multicultural and issues as they impact psychological and educational practice and research.
• Demonstrate diagnostic and assessment work, and plan and implement interventions that are culturally responsive to diverse populations.
• Understand spiritual and religious issues as they impact psychological and educational practice and research.
• Demonstrate diagnostic and assessment work, and plan and implement interventions that are spiritually and religiously responsive to diverse populations.

Objective 2.3:  Students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for life-long learning, professional problem-solving and scholarly inquiry as a professional psychologist in the context of an evolving body of scientific and professional knowledge.

• Engage in professional development to maintain effective clinical practice and research.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills in program development and evaluation.
• Demonstrate professional service and leadership.

Goal #3: To train counseling psychologists who will contribute to and apply the scientific knowledge base of psychology using skills in qualitative and quantitative research methods

Objective 3.1 :  Students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to engage in qualitative and quantitative scholarly research

• Demonstrate methodological and quantitative/qualitative analytic skills necessary to read and understand psychological research.
• Demonstrate the ability to initiate, plan, and execute original research and/or theoretical inquiry in counseling psychology.

Objective 3.2:  Students acquire the knowledge and skills to integrate psychological research and practice consistent with a scientist practitioner model

• Understand research in counseling process and outcome and its application to practice.
• Demonstrate the skills to apply theoretical and empirical literature to professional practice.
• Demonstrate the skills to design original research to address clinical and/or theoretical questions.

PhD Scholarship in Digital Art History.

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The School of Art History is offering a scholarship for doctoral research in digital art history and digital-born art for starting in September 2024.

We welcome research proposals that employ or critically examine the applications of digital practices, methodologies, and tools in the fields of art history, museum and heritage studies, or the history of photography. Potential subjects include, but are not limited to:

• Data visualisation
• Text mining
• Network analysis
• Digital mapping and GIS
• 3D digitisation and modelling
• Augmented/Virtual reality
• AI and computer vision
• Digital exhibitions and archives
• Scholarly communication by digital means
• Digital-born art, its curation and preservation

The scholarship covers tuition fees for the 3 years of the PhD programme, and is available to Home/EU and overseas students.

You can find all the details on our Funding page for PhD students, including how to apply for this scholarship.

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PhD Counseling Psychology

Program Director: Dr. Carole Woolford-Hunt Core Faculty Member: Dr. Ronald Coffen   Director of Clinical Training: Judith Fisher

Aims of the Program 

The Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology prepares students for the multi-faceted role of the professional psychologist, which allows them to work in a variety of settings including: academia, clinical settings, consultation, churches, businesses, and private settings. It is also the intent of the program to prepare graduates for licensure as professional psychologists in the U.S. and with eligibility to practice internationally. Students should consult with the appropriate authorities regarding requirements in the states or countries in which they wish to engage in clinical practice. Counseling psychology students must specialize in one of the listed areas of emphases: Adult, Child/Family, Cultural Diversity, and Health Psychology. Specialty emphases should be developed within a student's course plan in close consultation with their advisor. Additionally, each emphasis requires students to complete specified coursework, Advanced Emphasis practicum, and a dissertation topic related to chosen emphasis.

Educational Philosophy and Training Model

Students are trained through a scholar-practitioner model that is based on the bio-psycho-social philosophy. This promotes the balanced development of the physical, mental, social, and spiritual nature of persons. Preparation for the field involves guidance in a wide variety of basic therapeutic skills.  The training given to students involves imparting a foundational knowledgebase of scientific psychology; the intervention techniques of traditional and current psychotherapeutic schools of thought; and wide-ranging experience in research development and application. Integrating theory, practice, and research helps give a firm foundation for students to develop the requisite skills and sensitivity to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Students are mentored to become dynamically evolving psychologists who dedicate themselves to being life-long learners. They are supported in developing the counseling psychology philosophy of focusing on both normal developmental issues, as well as problems associated with physical, emotional, and mental disorders. 

Integration of Science and Practice

The Counseling Psychology program considers scientific research to be fundamental to the training of our students.  As a scholar-practitioner oriented program, both core faculty and students are encouraged to engage in meaningful research as well as provide psychological services which integrate culturally sensitive research-based approaches.  The GPC Graduate Training Model has incorporated these two important fields as a way of providing students with a broad education in psychological topics as well as helping students understand the range of research approaches and analytical tools available.  Additionally, students are taught to adopt the values associated with being competent, socially responsible professional psychologist. 

• Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data
• Admission Procedures and Criteria
• Degree Requirements and Curriculum

Campus Location

Andrews University’s campus is located in Berrien Spring, MI, just two hours from Chicago. Founded in 1874, the University offers 130 undergraduate programs and 70 graduate programs. 

Research Training

Students entering the program are encouraged to engage in research beginning their first year.  Complementing these research activities is a curriculum which lays down the groundwork through six required courses in the areas of statistics and research methodology.  Using the scholar-practitioner model, the faculty serve as mentors to help students become adept at conducting scientific research and providing clinical services.  The program considers counseling psychology to be a scientific discipline, and seeks to train life-long learners with a focus on practice, research, multicultural aspects of human behavior, and the science of the mind. Faculty/student research collaboration is supported through Independent Study-Research Project course options. Current faculty-led research projects can be found here .  Students are encouraged to find projects which they can contribute to and become involved in.  The Office of Research and Creative Scholarship provides resources to students interested in developing research projects or contributing to an existing one.

Clinical Training

Clinical skills are integrated into a number of first-year cohort classes, and students entering the program may begin doctoral practicum once they have completed the required prerequisites.  The focus of these training experiences, and clinical supervision, is to underscore the importance of accurate diagnosis, reliable and valid assessment, and empirically-supported interventions.  All students begin their first semester of doctoral practicum at the Andrews Community Counseling Center .   Students must complete all three semesters of practicum at the ACCC.  If the ACCC is unable to provide clients with presenting problems that are congruent with the student’s program emphasis, the emphasis practicum in the 2nd and 3rd semesters can be completed at an approved off-site location, but the student must still register for practicum classes and obtain the necessary approval.  Students are also required to complete a one-year full-time clinical internship prior to graduation. 

Philosophy for Student Evaluations

Students entering the program have their progress evaluated in areas such as coursework, seminars, scholarships, exams, and related program requirements.  Further information on the program's Philosophy for Student Evaluations can be seen  here .

Doctoral Transfer Requirements

Students in the program are required to complete a minimum of 32 course credits in residence at Andrews University. All students must complete the following requirements at Andrews University prior to graduation.

• Completion of practicum (3 consecutive semesters - 9 credits)
• Doctoral Comprehensive Examination
• Completion of internship (3 consecutive semesters, full-time APA preferred internship - 3 credits)
• Dissertation credit – 16 credits minimum (14+ - Dissertation, 2 –Proposal Development)

Additional information on this program, and doctoral student requirements, can be found in the following resources. 

• Program Handbook 2022-2023
• Clinical Training Manual 2022-2023
• School of Education Doctoral Handbook
• University Bulletin – Department of Graduate Psychology and Counseling

Andrews University Graduate Admissions 269-471-6321 [email protected]

Department of Graduate Psychology & Counseling 4195 Administration Drive – Bell Hall 167 Berrien Springs, MI 49104 Phone: 269-471-3473 E-mail: [email protected] Web:  https://www.andrews.edu/ceis/gpc/  

Accreditation

The Counseling Psychology program at Andrews University is accredited by the American Psychological Association.  Questions related to the program's accreditation status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 1st Street, NE Washington, DC  20002 Phone:  (202) 336-5979/E-mail: [email protected]

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