Developmental Neuroscience and Mental Health, MPhil/PhD

We are now taking applications for the 2025/26 intake starting in September 2025.

About this programme

The UCL–Yale Doctoral Training Programme in Developmental Neuroscience and Mental Health is a unique graduate program for exceptional students in the field of developmental psychology, neuroscience, and mental health. It brings together two of the world’s leading research universities, with an outstanding track record of research across these domains (both UCL and Yale are consistently ranked in the top 10 universities world-wide in psychology) in partnership with Anna Freud and the Child Study Centre at Yale.

The focus of this four-year international PhD programme on developmental psychopathology drawing on multidisciplinary perspectives, with a specific emphasis on neuroscience. Students spend their first two years in London, based at Anna Freud and UCL and years 3 and 4 at Yale University in New Haven, USA.

Who can apply?

We would like to invite applications from Home and Overseas candidates with:

• An upper second class honours degree of a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard obtained after a programme of study extending over not less than three years in a university (or educational institution of university rank), in a subject appropriate to that of the programme to be followed; or

• A registerable qualification appropriate to the programme to be followed awarded by a UK university; or a qualification of an equivalent standard appropriate to the programme to be followed awarded by a university (or educational institution of university rank) outside the UK; or

• A Masters degree from a UK University in a subject appropriate to the programme to be followed; or iv) A professional or other qualification obtained by written examinations and approved by UCL as an appropriate entrance qualification for the MPhil or PhD degree in question.

Applicants should also consult the relevant departmental/divisional admission requirements. In addition to meeting the above criteria, candidates with a strong academic background in psychology, neuroscience, medicine or related disciplines are encouraged to apply and your application would be welcomed.

Applicants are required to briefly outline a research proposal for their PhD. The proposal should include sections on theoretical background as well as a proposed methods. Applicant should consider the fit with the broader remit of the programme but without a specific supervisor in mind and should not get in touch with possible supervisors in advance. The proposal should be no longer than 750 words.

Career prospects

Many students who complete a PhD in the division stay in academia, either going on to become postdoctoral researchers or research assistants, and ultimately lecturers. Some go on to further training in fields such as clinical psychology, educational psychology, consultancy or applied research. A PhD degree taken here is recognised both nationally and internationally as a qualification of the highest status.

Funding

There is one fully funded PhD studentship available for September 2025 entry for home students. The studentship offers full home (UK) fees as well as funding for research costs, training and travel. A demonstratorship will also be offered in return for teaching/demonstrating undertaken at Anna Freud.

Further information

For more information about the programme, including content, structure or to make an application, please visit the UCL website.

Contact

For all enquiries related to this programme, please contact the Programme Officer.