About the PhD in Clinical Brain Sciences / PhD in Psychiatry

Both are three year (full-time) or six year (part-time) research degrees, with an optional 12-month writing-up period afterwards.

There are no compulsory taught components. The student starts working with their supervisor on their thesis project on day 1. There are however multiple opportunities to take courses and attend training.

Primary supervisors are usually drawn from the pool of CCBS Principal Investigators. Assistant supervisors can be within CCBS, elsewhere in the University, or even at a different University, depending on the needs of the project.

World-class research

The Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences is an internationally recognised multi-disciplinary centre, with Principal Investigators based at one of the University’s biomedical research campuses across the city. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework, Edinburgh was ranked 3rd out of 82 submissions in Neuroscience and the research environment was given the maximum possible score of 100% and classified as ‘world-leading’.

Excellent facilities

Our laboratories are state-of-the-art with infrastructure and equipment for, for example, stem cell culture, confocal microscopy, neuropathology and drug screening. We have particular strengths in neuroimaging with MRI and PET scanners. For clinical and epidemiological research we have direct clinical  links, patient cohorts and biobanks.

Personalised support

CCBS students are mentored and supported by at least two supervisors and receive long-term guidance from their Thesis Committee. A postgraduate administrator assists with queries and monitors progression. Students are part of the vibrant Edinburgh Neuroscience postgraduate community.

Outstanding opportunities

CCBS students are encouraged to attend and present at national and international scientific conferences, get involved in public engagement, and are afforded opportunities for training in generic and transferable skills, including the design of experiments, communication skills and report writing.

A PhD in Clinical Brain Sciences or Psychiatry will provide an excellent springboard for a career in academic or clinical research into all aspects of the brain.

Most of our graduates go on to postdoctoral positions in top academic labs in Scotland and around the world, while others go on to complete clinical academic training.

Graduates who do not wish to pursue an academic career have found employment in, for example:

• managerial roles at Universities
• scientist roles in industry (biotech)
• science communication and public engagement
• charities

Entry requirements

To be accepted onto our PhD programmes you must meet the academic and English language entry requirements set by the University.

Fees and funding

University tuition fees apply. For more information see Postgraduate Research Fees.

There are no additional programme costs on either the PhD Clinical Brain Sciences or the PhD Psychiatry programme.

There are various funded scholarships available. See the How to Apply for a CCBS Postgraduate Research Degree page for more information.

For information on the various application routes, and sources of funding available, see the How to Apply for a CCBS Postgraduate Research Degree page.

The Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences is part of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (CMVM). The CMVM Postgraduate Study pages contain a wealth of information about what it's like to undertake a postgraduate study in Edinburgh.

Also please see our FAQs - PhD Clinical Brain Sciences or MScR/PhD Psychiatry.