Newcastle University

Neuroscience

Neuroscience MPhil; PhD; MD

MPhil: minimum 12 months full time; minimum 24 months part time
PhD: minimum 36 months full time; minimum 72 months part time
MD: normally 24 months full time; normally 48 months part time

Fees

Fees per academic year 2012-13

UK/EU: full time £4,320 £13,410 (MPhil; PhD; MD) part time £2,160-£6,705(MPhil; PhD; MD)
International: full time £14,040-£23,130 (MPhil; PhD; MD) part time fees

Please refer to our Tuition Fees section for information about changes to fees and fee discounts.

Research Areas

MPhil, PhD and MD supervision is normally available in the following areas:

Motor systems development, plasticity, function: clinical and preclinical studies of normal and abnormal development and plasticity of the motor system; functional studies and computer modelling of motor system activity throughout the neuraxis; development and assessment of novel therapies for motor disorders/lesions including stem cell and brain-machine interface.

Visual system development, plasticity and repair: retinal development and visual system wiring using in vitro approaches; development and assessment of novel neurotechnological approaches to retinal dystrophy repair including brain-machine interface and stem cells.

Neural computation and network systems: experimental and theoretical (computational) studies aimed at understanding how neurones throughout the brain interact in localised networks to compute complex tasks; research into the role of network activity in neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Auditory neuroscience: clinical and preclinical studies aimed at understanding the brain mechanisms involved in detection, discrimination and perception of sound and how these mechanisms are affected in individuals with brain disorders, including dementia, autism and stroke.

Pain: research focused on understanding mechanisms underlying pain, analgesia, and anaesthesia; development of methods to assess pain and to alleviate pain in animals and humans.

Psychobiology: studies in laboratory animals, healthy volunteers and patient populations of the neurobiology and underlying mood, anxiety and addiction disorders and their treatment; allied research into normal neuropsychology and the physiology and pharmacology of neurotransmitter and endocrine systems implicated in psychiatric disorders.

Neurotoxicology: research centred on delineating the effects and understanding the mechanisms of action of established and putative neurotoxins including environmental and endogenous chemicals and naturally occurring toxins.

Forensic psychiatry and clinical psychology: research into the assessment, treatment and management of sex offender risk; development and assessment of cognitive models of, and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) treatment for, bipolar disorder, psychosis, anxiety and developmental disorders; developmental disorders of perception and cognition.

Systems and computational neuroscience: theoretical (computational) and experimental studies aimed at understanding the neuroanatomy, and neuropharmacology of vision, visual attention and episodic memory.

Behaviour and evolution: studies of animal and human behaviour including the evolutionary psychology of mate choice, attractiveness, and co-operation, and evolutionary approaches to personality.

Visual perception and human cognition: research into colour and depth perception; perception of natural scenes; psychophysics and attention; word learning in children; body image dysfunction; visual social cognition and face processing; advertising and consumer behaviour. 

For more information about staff specialisms please see the Institute's website.

Research Degree Training and Skills Development

Our Medical Sciences Graduate School has a thriving postgraduate research culture, with additional support for international students. We have an excellent record for timely PhD submission, provide training in professional/key skills and research techniques, and support personal development.

Entrance Requirements

MPhil or PhD – an upper-second-class Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline. MD – an MB BS, or equivalent medical degree, together with appropriate experience. Candidates whose first language is not English require IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 90 (Internet-based) or 577 (paper-based), or equivalent.

Our INTO Newcastle University Centre can provide extra tuition to help you meet the University's English language requirements.

Tier 4 Student Visas (International Applicants)

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has now revised its rules for Tier 4 student visa applications regarding English language ability. You are now required to hold a minimum of IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent) in all sub skills (listening, writing, reading and speaking) to be eligible to apply for a Tier 4 visa.

Please note that the University’s English language requirements are normally higher (see above).

Typical Funding

BBSRC-sponsored PhD and integrated MRes/PhD studentships are being offered in a range of subject areas for 2012 entry. These studentships are normally for four years and include a tax-free maintenance grant of approximately £13,590 per year for UK students. EU students are eligible for a fees-only award. More information can be found on our Doctoral Training Partnership pages 

How to Apply

Applications are considered throughout the year although specific deadlines for funding may apply. Further application advice is available from the Faculty of Medical Sciences.

For the quickest and easiest way to apply, visit our postgraduate online application site.

Further Information

For further information:
UK/EU students should contact:
Medical Sciences Graduate School
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 222 7002
Fax: +44 (0)191 222 7038
E-mail: medpg-enquiries@ncl.ac.uk
www.ncl.ac.uk/ion/research

International students wishing to discuss these opportunities may contact:
Professor Steve Yeaman
Director of International Postgraduate Studies
Faculty of Medical Sciences
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 222 7433
E-mail: biomed-international-pg@ncl.ac.uk