How to Apply

Applications are made online here, it is essential to discuss and coordinate your application ahead of time with both a potential supervisor and the Psychology postgraduate admissions team.

Information of specific funding competitions for entry is on the 'Fees & Funding' page.

Role of the potential supervisor

Because a PhD or MRes depends on close work with a specific supervisor who has relevant expertise, all applications should be developed in conjunction with a supervisor in the department. You may wish to:

• Consult these example PhD Research Project ideas suggested by supervisors
• Look up our Academic Staff and Research Groups and propose your own idea to one or more potential supervisors
• Ask the Director of Postgraduate Research (david.sanderson@durham.ac.uk) for guidance on whether there is expertise in the Department to supervise your area of interest.

Role of the Psychology postgraduate admissions team

Interviews and competitions for funding are arranged within the Psychology department, so you will need to coordinate your application with the office by email: pgrinfo.psy@durham.ac.uk.

Documents to include

Make sure you complete all relevant sections of the online application form. We also require you to attach the following supporting documentation:

• Two Reference Forms completed by your referees Reference Form (Postgraduate Research)
• Copies of degree Certificate or Transcript of Marks to date
• CV
• Research proposal
• If a non-native English speaker, evidence of English language ability

Your research proposal

The department’s format is one side of A4 excluding references. This format is also common to several of the funded schemes. Some schemes may require a different-length proposal – see below.

Criteria for admission

Our criteria for admission are:

• Your academic track record
• The quality and feasibility of the research proposal
• Written references
• And English Language level.

We evaluate these using the written application as well as interview (by Skype if necessary). The minimum criteria are a 2(i) at undergraduate level or Masters qualification in a relevant subject and (in applicants who do not have English as a first language) an IELTS score of 7 with no element below 6.5.