Psychology

Overview

Research in the School is organised into four research groups:

• Animal Behaviour
• Clinical Psychology
• Cognition
• Social, Environmental and Organisational Psychology

Research Overview

Our MPhil/PhD students are actively involved in work at the cutting edge of research activities within Psychology at the University of Exeter. Ranked in the top 100 in the world for Psychology (QS World University Rankings 2017) and with state-of-the-art facilities, a steadily growing postgraduate community and a substantial increase in external research funding, we offer an ideal environment in which to undertake an MPhil/PhD.

Research Groups

Animal Behaviour

We are uniquely placed as one of the few international groups providing a bridging link between traditional questions of human psychology (cognition, learning, memory, social and developmental processes) and animal models providing experimental and evolutionary research opportunities. We explore the causes, functions and evolution of animal behaviour and how it adapts each species to its natural environment.

Clinical Psychology

We conduct research into the advancement of theoretical knowledge and clinical practice in clinical psychology, including:

• Mood disorders, with a particular interest in psychological processes implicated in unipolar and bipolar depressive disorder and evidence-based approaches to treatment;
• Addiction;
• Obesity;
• Executive control and associative learning;
• Ageing and cognitive health, with the aim of improving the lives of older people and people with dementia through research.

Cognition

• Associative Learning and Memory
• Control of Cognition
• Clinical Neuropsychology

Social, Environmental and Organisational Psychology

• Social psychology
• Social identity theory
• Group behaviour
• Social cognition
• Environmental psychology
• Organisational psychology

How to Apply

Entry Requirements

Many of our postgraduate students first register for one of our taught MSc programmes on the grounds that these provide the best preparation for a research degree.

Students who have completed equivalent Masters-level programmes in other institutions may be permitted to start immediately on the MPhil/PhD programme. This may also be allowed even where there is no prior postgraduate qualification, but students in this position will be required to take a number of MSc modules as research training integrated into their MPhil/PhD programme.

Students apply for an MPhil and then upgrade to PhD by the end of their first year.

Start Date

You can start in September, January or April but we strongly encourage a you to enrol in Term 1 in September as induction events are focused around this start date. However, we do permit MSc by Research/MPhil/PhD students to enrol either at the start of Term 1, Term 2 or Term 3 (see University term dates), or on the 1st of any other month except August, September and October.

Requirements for International Students

If you are an international student, please visit our international equivalency pages to enable you to see if your existing academic qualifications meet our entry requirements.

English Language Requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2 : view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

Fees and Funding

Fees 2025/26

• Home : £5,006 full-time; £pro-rata part-time
• International : £28,600 full-time

For those studying for more than one year, our fees are expected to increase modestly in line with Consumer Price Inflation measured in December each year. More information can be found on our Student Finance webpages.

Fees 2024/25

• Home : £4,786 full-time; £pro-rata part-time
• International : £27,500 full-time

For those studying for more than one year, our fees are expected to increase modestly in line with Consumer Price Inflation measured in December each year. More information can be found on our Student Finance webpages.

Current Funding Opportunities

Our Postgraduate Funding webpage provides links to further information. If you are considering a PhD in the future, in addition to University of Exeter funding, we have been successful at securing postgraduate funding for PhD research through our Funded centres.

Supervision

We ensure that undertaking a postgraduate degree in Psychology is a challenging, but ultimately rewarding experience. Each student receives an effective and appropriate level of support, through tailored research training and regular supervision. You will study within a close-knit, inclusive environment as part of a community of fellow research students, academics, and technical and administrative staff.

Training

Doctoral students, full-time and part-time, who have not completed a Psychology-based MSc at Exeter, may be required to undertake some additional training to support their programme of study. This may involve completion of particular MSc modules; you may be exempt from parts of the programme if there is clear evidence that you have covered the same ground in assessed programmes elsewhere. The training provides the necessary skills to carry out doctoral research and is a great opportunity to meet others like yourself who are beginning PhD research. Any such training will be negotiated with supervisors and the Director of Postgraduate Research at the commencement of your training. In addition, you are encouraged to attend our research seminar programme through which you will have the chance to hear external speakers who are leading experts in their field.

All students are encouraged to participate in the University's Researcher Development Programme. This offers training in a wide range of generic and transferable skills in key areas such as research management, personal effectiveness, communication skills, networking, teamworking, and career management.

University of Exeter

---

Overview:

The University of Exeter is a public research university located in Exeter, Devon, England. It is a member of the Russell Group of leading research-intensive universities in the UK. The university is known for its strong academic reputation, particularly in the fields of law, business, and environmental sciences.

---

Services Offered:

The University of Exeter offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

Student website:

Provides access to information and resources for current students.

ELE (Exeter Learning Environment):

An online platform for accessing course materials, submitting assignments, and communicating with instructors.

Email web access:

Allows students to access their university email accounts.

Payment portal:

Enables students to make payments for tuition fees and other expenses.

MyExeter (student app):

A mobile app that provides access to various student services and information.

Library:

Offers a comprehensive collection of books, journals, and other resources.

SID (Student Information Database):

A system for managing student records and accessing personal information.

Timetable:

Allows students to view their class schedules.

Programme and module information:

Provides details about academic programs and courses.

---

Student Life and Campus Experience:

The University of Exeter offers a vibrant and diverse student experience. Students can expect:

Active student societies:

A wide range of clubs and societies cater to various interests.

Sports facilities:

The university has excellent sports facilities, including a gym, swimming pool, and sports fields.

Campus events:

Regular events and activities are organized throughout the year, including concerts, lectures, and social gatherings.

Accommodation options:

The university provides a variety of accommodation options for students, both on and off campus.

Wellbeing services:

The university offers a range of support services for student wellbeing, including counseling and mental health support.

---

Key Reasons to Study There:

Excellent academic reputation:

The University of Exeter is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK.

World-leading research:

The university is renowned for its research, particularly in areas such as environmental sciences, law, and business.

Vibrant student life:

The university offers a diverse and engaging student experience with a wide range of clubs, societies, and events.

Beautiful campus setting:

The university's campuses are located in picturesque settings, with easy access to the city of Exeter and the surrounding countryside.

Strong career support:

The university provides excellent career support services to help students find employment after graduation.

---

Academic Programs:

The University of Exeter offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including:

Arts and Humanities:

English, History, Classics, Philosophy, Music, Drama, and more.

Social Sciences:

Law, Politics, Economics, Sociology, Psychology, and more.

Science and Engineering:

Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, and more.

Medicine and Health:

Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and more.

Business and Management:

Business Administration, Finance, Marketing, Accounting, and more.

---

Other:

• The university has three main campuses: Streatham Campus, St Luke's Campus, and Penryn Campus.
• The university is committed to sustainability and has a strong focus on environmental issues.

• The university has a strong international reputation and attracts students from all over the world.

• Academic Programs:

  While the context mentions some general disciplines, it does not provide a detailed outline of the key academic programs and strengths of the institution.