Overview
Newcastle University has a world-class reputation and leading researchers and clinicians working in the field of psychology. With our new facilities we are well placed to offer psychology research opportunities of the highest standard. We accept both funded and self-funded students.
Our Psychology MPhil and PhD are based within the Faculty of Medical Sciences. The programme is delivered in the School of Psychology and the relevant Research Institutes for:
- Biosciences
- Population Health Sciences
- Translational and Clinical Research
Our Psychology MPhil and PhD cover many areas of specialism in psychology, including:
- animal behaviour
- clinical psychology
- evolutionary psychology
- forensic psychology
- applied health psychology and behavioural science
- perception, cognition, and neuroscience
- sport, exercise, and coaching psychology
We use a wide range of methodologies and cutting-edge tools to support psychological inquiry and clinical research. Our teams develop and evaluate psychological interventions and co-produce resources with partners from across the region. We work with voluntary and community groups, the NHS, local Government and have partnerships across the globe.
Research projects align to the Newcastle University Centres for Research Excellence including the Centre for Healthier Lives, Centre for Ageing and Inequalities, and Centre for Transformative Neuroscience.
We conduct research on topics including:
- addiction studies
- advertising and consumer behaviour
- cancer survivorship
- cognitive skills development
- Dementia
- developmental disorders
- health and wellbeing
- human cognition
- learning and memory
- mental health including anxiety disorders and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- offending behaviour
- pedagogy
- visual perception
Behaviour and evolution
We carry out studies of animal and human behaviour including:
- evolutionary psychology of mate choice
- attractiveness and co-operation
- evolutionary approaches to personality
Visual perception and human cognition
Our research includes:
- perception of natural scenes
- psychophysics and attention
- visual social cognition and face processing
- advertising and consumer behaviour
Development psychology
You’ll focus on how different cognitive skills develop in children. You’ll explore memory systems to learning in school. We have strengths in developmental disorders like Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
Forensic psychology
Our research includes:
- investigative interviewing of victims
- witnesses and suspected offenders of crime, including eye-witness testimony
- sexual offending, including historical allegations of sexual abuse
- communication in legal contexts
Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Qualifications explained
Find out about the different qualification options for this course.
MPhil – Master of Philosophy
An MPhil is available in all subject areas. You receive research training and undertake original research leading to the completion of a 40,000 – 50,000 word thesis.
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications
PhD – Doctor of Philosophy
A PhD is a doctorate or doctoral award. It involves original research that should make a significant contribution to the knowledge of a specific subject. To complete the PhD you will produce a substantial piece of work (80,000 – 100,000 words) in the form of a supervised thesis. A PhD usually takes three years full time.
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications
How you’ll learn
Assessment methods
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Thesis
- Viva
Postgraduate research student support
Our mission is to help you:
- stay healthy, positive and feeling well
- overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
- get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
- carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
- understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules
We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.
You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:
- research and professional skills
- careers support
- wellbeing
- health and safety
- public engagement
- academic development
Find out more about our postgraduate research student support
Your development
Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS) researcher development programme
Each faculty offers a researcher development programme for its postgraduate research students. We have designed your programme to help you:
- perform better as a researcher
- boost your career prospects
- broaden your impact
- Through workshops and activities, it will build your transferable skills and increase your confidence.
You’ll cover:
- techniques for effective research
- methods for better collaborative working
- essential professional standards and requirements
- Your programme is flexible. You can adapt it to meet your changing needs as you progress through your doctorate.
Find out more about the FMS researcher development programme
Doctoral training and partnerships
There are opportunities to undertake your PhD at Newcastle within a:
- Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT)
- Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP)
Being part of a CDT or DTP has many benefits:
- they combine research expertise and training of a number of leading universities, academic schools and academics.
- you’ll study alongside a cohort of other PhD students
- they’re often interdisciplinary
- your PhD may be funded
If there are currently opportunities available in your subject area you’ll find them when you search for funding in the fees and funding section on this course.
The following centres/partnerships below may have PhD opportunities available in your subject area in the future:
Newcastle Liverpool Durham BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership
Your future
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Visit our Careers Service website
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 150 for Psychology – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
- Top 200 for Psychology – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
- Top 90 for Life Sciences and Medicine – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Check the government’s website for more information.
Facilities
You’ll spend most of your time within the School of Psychology where you’ll find scholars, clinicians and researchers working together to understand the mind, brain, and behaviour. We are located in the Dame Margaret Barbour Building, a new bespoke facility offering an excellent environment for learning, teaching, and research. Our psychology facilities include:
- psychological testing cubicles
- medical consultation rooms
- media and behaviour lab
- forensic interviewing suite
Housed within the School is the Psychological Therapies Training and Research Clinic which offers one to one Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for students at Newcastle University.
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
MPhil
A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a science or medicine related subject.
PhD
A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent. Further research experience or a Master’s degree would be advantageous.
