SWDTP Psychology studentships

Applications close on 14 January 2025 (12:00 noon UK time) and the studentship will start on 1 October 2025

Apply

To apply for the SWDTP Psychology pathway please use the online application form. Simply click on the ‘online application’ link below for PhD Psychology :
Within the Research section of the application form, in the following fields, please add:
  • Proposed project title/studentship title: add your project title
  • Proposed supervisor: add the potential supervisor’s name
  • Studentship code: add SWDTP 25-10 Psychology
Application guidance
It is important that you follow the instructions above or your application for this studentship may be missed and therefore will not be considered.
Before applying, please ensure you have read the Doctoral College’s general information on applying for a research degree.
For more information on the admissions process, please contact research.degree.admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.
School of Psychology (Faculty of Health)
In the Research Excellence Framework, 83 per cent of Research in the School of Psychology was judged to be of a world leading or internationally excellent standard. This places us within the top 20 psychology, neuroscience and psychiatry schools across the country. We have a thriving PhD community with around 70 doctoral and DClin students.
ESRC-funded studentships can be taken up in any of the specialist areas of research supported by the school. The school has a wide range of psychology research interests including cognition, learning, vision, music, developmental, emotion, health, clinical, social and neuroscience. Students have access to extensive, modern, and well-equipped laboratory facilities supported by a dedicated team of technical staff.
There are two routes to an ESRC-funded PhD in Psychology at Â鶹´«Ã½:
  • Psychology (‘1+3’ PhD): A one year MSc Research Methods in Psychology followed by three years of doctoral (PhD) study.
  • Psychology (‘+3’ PhD): Three years doctoral (PhD) research for students that already hold a master’s degree recognised by the ESRC.
Successful applicants will be part of a large, vibrant, highly collaborative community of PhD students with good interdisciplinary links, providing opportunities for research, training and collaboration.

Initial enquiries

You can search through a list of potential PhD projects or have a look at our staff pages . You need to identify a supervisor in the School of Psychology if you want to apply to the psychology pathway at the Â鶹´«Ã½.
If you would like advice on potential supervisors, please contact Dr Patricia Kanngiesser .

How to apply

The ESRC SWDTP encourages collaboration across the universities of the partnership and with external organisations.
Closing date: 14 January 2025, 12:00 noon (UK time)
Start date: 1 October 2025
The studentship is supported for three to four years depending upon the pathway (+3 or 1+3) and includes full home tuition fees plus a stipend which is currently £19,237 per annum (2024/2025 rate). There are limited number of places for international students.

Eligibility

Information on the eligibility criteria for full awards can be found on the .

Application process

We will need you to discuss your proposed research topic with an academic staff member in psychology before submitting your application, and provide a letter of support from your prospective supervisor (Annex B).
You will need to submit the following documentation in order for us to consider your application:
  • Completed Â鶹´«Ã½ online application form, accessible via the link at the top of the page in the ‘Apply’ box.
  • Completed SWDTP
  • Completed SWDTP
  • Completed SWDTP
  • Copies of your academic qualifications (both certificates and transcripts of module/course marks).
  • Please include a CV with your application.
  • If applicable, appropriate proof of English proficiency.
Your application will only be considered if it contains the above and you have met our . If we need further details or additional documentation, we will contact you.
For full details on the studentship process, please visit the .