PhD Studentship: Three PhD Fellowships in Psychology

We are delighted to announce that up to three Departmental PhD Fellowships will be available for students wishing to start a PhD in October 2026.

These fellowships are specifically for projects supervised by Dr Alice Chan, Dr Matthew Mak and Dr Marina Mendonca. Further details of these projects can be found by following the academic staff links.

Applicants should, as a minimum, have an Upper Second Class undergraduate degree in Psychology or a related field, but preferably a First Class undergraduate degree or a Master’s distinction in Psychology or a related field. Please see individual project adverts for specific requirements and project-specific preferred skills and experience. International qualifications that are equivalent to UK qualifications are also acceptable. In addition to the academic entry requirements, successful International applicants are also required to satisfy the English language entry requirements (Please note that Psychology is a B and B subject).

Applicants without an existing PhD application with us should apply online through the University’s Postgraduate Admissions online form: https://warwick.ac.uk/pgapply

Applicants who already have an existing PhD application with us should instead complete this online form: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/psych/fellowships/applications

Each applicant should submit only ONE application.

Please specify in the “Finance and Funding” section of the form that you wish to be considered for a Departmental PhD Fellowship and also specify your proposed supervisor. To apply, we require 3 core documents for all applications to include i) your CV (2 pages maximum), ii) a cover letter (2 pages maximum) detailing why you are a suitable candidate, any relevant background or research experience, and a description of your research interests together with iii) your research proposal.

We look for a robust (structured) research proposal of no more than 2,000 words. It has to convince us that your topic is important and feasible and that you have the right experience and skills to deliver the project. The emphasis will be on the quality of the proposal and whether or not it fits with a particular proposed supervisor’s research interests. You may insert a maximum of 3 figures and add an end-of proposal reference list to support your proposal. This is NOT included in the 2,000 words maximum.

About the Department of Psychology and Warwick University

Warwick University is a world-leading university with the highest academic and research standards. For further information about the University of Warwick, please read our University Further Particulars.

The Department of Psychology at Warwick was founded in 1974. The Department’s mission is to undertake cutting-edge, impactful research and to educate our students in the scientific study of the human mind, brain and behaviour. Our particular strengths lie in behavioural science, lifespan health and wellbeing, and language and learning. Further details about Warwick postgraduate degrees in Psychology can be found at https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/psych/pgresearch/.

If you have further questions, please email your proposed supervisor directly. If you have a general question about the application process, please email the Departmental Postgraduate Admissions Tutor (psychologyPG@warwick.ac.uk).

We are committed to supporting all staff and students in reaching their potential and we welcome applications from candidates from diverse and underrepresented groups. Warwick Psychology holds an Athena SWAN Silver Award for gender equality advancement, while Warwick University holds a Silver Award. These awards and the Departmental policy on equality, diversity and inclusion represent our commitment to our diverse student population and to the advancement of all our staff.

We are supportive of staff and students with caring responsibilities including a generous maternity/paternity/adoption/parental leave policy and onsite childcare facilities. Warwick also has a generous sick leave policy for PhD students. Warwick Psychology is strongly committed to fostering excellence through diversity and enthusiastically welcomes applications from members of groups that have been, and continue to be, underrepresented in academia. The University of Warwick provides an inclusive working and learning environment, recognising and respecting every individual’s differences. We welcome applications from individuals who identify with any of the protected characteristics defined by the Equality Act 2010.

Benefits:

• Opportunities to enrol on or audit postgraduate taught modules in Psychology and other departments
• Opportunities to teach within the Department
• 60 hours of skills development from the Universities PGR Professional Development Framework
• Access to Warwick Skills Forge
• Opportunities to present at Internal Seminars and attend Departmental Research Seminars
• Workshops and seminars on careers development
• Mentor in addition to academic supervisors · Generous maternity/paternity/adoption/parental leave policy and onsite childcare facilities
• Paid sick leave policy for PhD students
• Research cost support

These Fellowships pay tuition fees at the ‘Home’ (UK) rate of £5,206** for 2026/27 (part-time £3,124*) and a maintenance grant of £21,300** (part-time £12,780*) per annum for three years. International students are welcome to apply.

Psychology Fellowships Closing date: Sunday 15th March 2026 at 23.59

*Part time is at 60% and both fees due and any stipend awards will be adjusted accordingly.

**Home UK PGR tuition fees and stipend awards for 2026-27 onwards are subject to RCUK funding rate changes and are therefore not yet confirmed. Fees and stipends are expected to increase and the inflation rate applied by RCUK is generally expected to be in line with RPI.

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