Neuroscience (Biomedical Sciences - Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences) PhD, MScR

Level: Postgraduate research

Subject: Biological, Biomedical and Life Sciences

Year of entry: 2026

Study options

Part-time
  • MScR | 2 years | Start date: multiple dates
  • PhD | 6 years | Start date: multiple dates
Full-time
  • MScR | 1 year | Start date: multiple dates
  • PhD | 3 years | Start date: multiple dates

Key facts

Programme website
PhD by Distance

Not available

School location

Multiple campuses

Apply now

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About the degree programme

This programme encompasses the study of the central and peripheral nervous systems at multiple levels of analysis, from the molecular and cellular levels to cognitive neuroscience, brain imaging, and behavioural neuroscience.

Our training environment is highly dynamic, and you will learn through:

  • hands-on laboratory-based projects
  • guided reading
  • one-to-one supervision
  • group seminars
  • societies
  • workshops

Study options

PhD

You can study this programme full-time or part-time, with study normally commencing in Autumn.

  • The full-time route is 36 months, with a further 12-month submission period.
  • The part-time route is 72 months, with a further 12-month submission period.

MSc by Research

The MSc by Research is a full-time 1-year, or part-time 2-year research project carried out under supervision. 

MSc by Research in Integrative Neuroscience

This programme is different from the MSc by Research in Integrative Neuroscience, which contains formal taught elements. 

Find more information about the MScR Integrative Neuroscience

How to apply

Initial enquiries should be made to the Postgraduate Research Student Administrator:

sbms-postgraduate@ed.ac.uk

If you have your own research proposal

Before applying online, you should identify a potential supervisor and discuss your proposal with them.

If you are applying for an advertised project

Before applying online, you should contact the supervisor to discuss your interest in their project.

When to apply

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

Application fee

There is no fee to apply to this programme.

What you need to apply

As part of your online application, you will need to provide: 

and, if applicable:

  • your research topic
  • details of any published work

You will also need to provide some or all of the following supporting information and documents:

When you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide.

References

You must submit two references with your application.

Interview

You will be invited to an in-person or online interview by your proposed supervisor and at least one other member of staff.

Apply

Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme

If you need to apply for a student visa, you may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance certificate in order to study this programme.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme

Funding

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

  • borrowing money
    • taking out a loan
    • family support
  • personal savings
  • income from work
  • employer sponsorship
  • scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

If you live in the UK, you may be eligible for a postgraduate loan for study from one of the UK’s governments.

You should check that your chosen programme is eligible for the funding you want to apply for.

View details: UK government loans

Search for other funding opportunities

You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.

Postgraduate funding opportunities

Tuition fees

Tuition fees by award and duration

Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year.

Part-time
Full-time

Graduate discount

If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.

Find out how to receive your graduate discount

Costs

Additional programme costs

Additional research costs are not mandatory; however, some projects require additional research costs. These costs vary depending on the nature of the project. 

This additional research cost will be incurred by the student. 

Your potential supervisor will inform you about the level of any additional research costs when you contact them to discuss your interest.

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.

Living costs include:

  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel, clothes, books and stationery
  • recreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)

Living costs

Accommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.

University postgraduate accommodation options and costs

These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026.

Qualifications

A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent.

International qualifications

To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list.

English language requirements

You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.

This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.

You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:

  • an English language test
  • a degree that was taught and assessed in English
  • certain professional qualifications

English language tests we accept

We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher:

  • IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
  • Oxford ELLT: total 7 with at least 6 in each component.
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 145 with at least 135 in each component.
How old your English language tests can be
Tests no more than two years old

The following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:

  • IELTS Academic
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)
  • Trinity ISE
  • Oxford ELLT
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced
Tests no more than three and a half years old

All other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality.   

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.

UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).

Approved universities in non-MESC

How old your degree can be

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.

This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Find out more about our English language requirements

Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.

English language requirements

Research profile

Our staff and investigators carry out research at molecular, cellular, systems and behavioural levels to understand fundamental mechanisms and pathways relevant to brain and body function in health and disease. 

They exploit rapid advances in the enabling technologies available from:

  • genomics
  • proteomics
  • imaging
  • informatics
  • in-vivo analysis

Their research aims to understand the function of gene products at the cell, organ and whole-animal level, and cognition and behaviour at the systems, circuit, cellular and molecular level.

Our staff exploit the most appropriate model organisms and systems to investigate the delicate balance between high biomedical relevance, such as humans, mice or rats, and high genetic power, such as C. elegans, drosophila and zebrafish.

Read an overview of our research and research centres 

Our research community

PhD students are encouraged to present findings at national and international conferences and to publish findings in international journals, in advance of submission of their PhD theses for examination.

Programme structure

PhD

The first year of PhD studies is probationary. Your supervisor will assess your training needs and suggest relevant training opportunities. You must pass an annual review to successfully progress to the next year of study.

You are strongly encouraged to attend research seminars and generic skills training programmes provided by the Institute for Academic Development. You also have the opportunity to act as demonstrators for undergraduate teaching.

In Year 1, you may have the opportunity to participate in relevant taught modules of several associated MSc courses.

Annual reviews
Year 1

You will submit a 10-week report and a 9-month report, which are both assessed by the thesis committee. The 10-week report is a short report outlining the project. The 9-month report is an extended version of the report and includes a literature survey.

At the first annual review meeting, you will deliver an oral presentation of your work to the thesis committee.

Year 2

Your progress is assessed at the annual review meeting.

Year 3

Your progress is assessed at the annual review meeting. To be awarded a PhD, you must submit your final thesis and defend it in an oral examination, which is assessed according to the University's regulations.

MSc by Research

The MSc by Research is a full-time 1-year (or part-time 2-year) research project carried out under supervision. You will have two supervisors. 

This programme has no formally taught components and is therefore only suitable for highly motivated students with a clear idea of their research interests and goals, and significant theoretical or practical knowledge of a chosen field. 

An MScR provides excellent training in laboratory research and a strong grounding for further study at PhD level.

After three months of study, you will deliver a short presentation and report of completed and proposed work to supervisors. At the end of the year, you will submit a dissertation and be assessed for the award of MSc by Research.

Support

You will carry out your studies within a research group under the supervision of an academic staff member who will be your primary supervisor. Supervisors maintain the highest standards of research training with a strong research output in leading international journals.

You will also be supported by the Postgraduate Research Director and Postgraduate Research Student Administrator.

In addition, PhD students will be assigned a personal PhD thesis committee comprising their primary supervisor, one or more assistant supervisors and another academic staff member appointed as committee chair. The committee will provide advice and mentoring, and monitor progress. 

Training

We also offer training events and support for PhD and MScR students in both academic and key life skills. In collaboration with the University’s Institute of Academic Development (IAD), we provide a supportive training programme for PhD students hired as tutors and demonstrators.

Facilities

You will have access to state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment to facilitate your research objectives. These are located both within the Central area campus and at the Edinburgh BioQuarter, where the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh is located.

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. 

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. 

With the Careers Service, you can: 

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions 

Visit the Careers Service website 

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:

  • apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programme
  • accept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 July
  • study at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in September

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

We also offer accommodation options for couples and families.

Accommodation for couples and families

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sport Clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. 

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include: 

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustments

Health and wellbeing support services 

Disability and Learning Support

General enquiries

For general PhD enquiries, contact the Postgraduate Research Student Administrator:

sbms-postgraduate@ed.ac.uk

Academic contact

For academic queries, contact the Programme Director, Dr Martin Simmen.

Dr Martin Simmen

Postgraduate Research Director

Contact details

Related degree programmes