Psychology Research (MPhil/PhD)
Advance psychology research that improves understanding of mind, behaviour and wellbeing.
Key information
PhD
Duration: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
Fees (UK / Overseas): Annual tuition fees apply and vary by student status and study mode.
See fees and funding
Start date: April 2026 / October 2026 / February 2027
Other research degree routes
MPhil:
A shorter research degree, often a pathway to PhD
PhD by Publication:
For researchers with an existing body of published work
Course summary
- Turn your psychology expertise into original research and further your knowledge through a postgraduate research degree that lets you shape an ambitious project around the questions that matter to you.
- Work across the breadth of psychology and develop research spanning fundamental and applied areas, exploring topics including child development of social skills, eye witness testimony, the evolution of primate facial expressions and factors affecting drug use.
- Contribute to work supporting law enforcement agencies, improving wellbeing and quality of life, advancing conservation and animal welfare, and deepening understanding of psychological functioning.
- Our School of Psychology, Sport and Health Sciences is home to internationally-renowned experts in psychology and exceptional facilities for practical and theoretical research.
- 100% of our research impact in psychology, psychiatry and neuroscience was rated as outstanding or very considerable for reach and significance (REF 2021).
Find a supervisor
Why choose Psychology at Portsmouth for research?
Exceptional specialist research facilities
Use dedicated labs for human movement, eye movement, psychophysiology, perception, primate behaviour, infant development and autism, alongside VR labs and an applied cognition lab.
Realistic, practice-relevant research environments
Access facilities including a mock police interview suite, digital analysis and video editing suite and photo booth to support contemporary research techniques.
Expert support, every step
You’ll work closely with your supervisory team and be backed by the Doctoral College alongside your supervisory team, helping you make the most of training, workshops and the wider research community.
5th
of the modern universities for research quality.
Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
PGR Research Excellence Framework — Psychology 1100%
of our impact case studies were rated as outstanding or very considerable in terms of their reach and significance.
Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
PGR Research Excellence Framework — Psychology 270%
of our overall research quality was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent in terms of originality, significance and rigour.
Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
PGR Research Excellence Framework — Psychology 3
What our PhD students say
I chose to complete my PhD at Portsmouth as the staff that I am directly working with are all great researchers at the top of their respective fields.
I really enjoy the challenge of developing exciting research ideas that can help to solve real-world problems."
Research areas in Psychology research
Explore the work we're doing across the six areas of expertise in our Psychology research. Including funded and self-proposed research opportunities.
View available PhD projects and see funded opportunities.
Centre for interaction, development and diversity
In the Centre for Interaction, Development and Diversity, we study psychological phenomena in relation to the contexts and situations in which they emerge.
Centre for Comparative and Evolutionary Psychology
In the Centre for Comparative and Evolutionary Psychology, we're exploring evolutionary processes and comparing humans with other animals, to study the origins of behaviour.
International Centre for Research in Forensic Psychology
The ICRFP has an established international reputation for conducting a broad range of criminological and forensic psychology research.
Quality of Life Health and Wellbeing Research Group
We explore life experiences. Our research includes empowering people with learning disabilities, exploring wellbeing, enhancing life in later years, and more. Read more.
Dog Cognition Centre
In the Dog Cognition Centre, we're exploring the behaviour and cognitive processes of man's best friend – and studying everything from human-dog communication, to facial expressions in dogs.
Autism Centre for Research on Employment
ACRE addresses the gap in provision for autistic adults in terms of employment and to facilitate job retention by developing tools to support employers.
Research degree options in Psychology
We offer several postgraduate research routes in Psychology, including PhD, MPhil and PhD by Publication. Find out about our research degree opportunities below, including how to apply, entry requirements and funding your degree. You can apply for an existing project or propose your own research idea. For more detailed information about the application process, visit our How to Apply pages.
Available PhD and MPhil projects
You can apply for a pre-approved PhD or MPhil project, or develop your own research proposal.
- Artificial Intelligence in Eyewitness Testimony: Opportunities, Risks, and Applications
- Beyond the dyad: Development of task co-representation of multiple co-actors across cultures
- Don’t judge a book by its cover: the effect of “lookism” on subjective scoring in gymnastics
- Finding people in the wild: Translating person recognition research to everyday contexts
- Improving the success of missing person appeals using eye tracking technology
- Reappraisal, The Malleability of Memory of Emotion, and Testing the Cognitive Appraisal Theory of Emotion
- Shaped by domestication: Did the evolution of facial muscle anatomy and ear morphology in dogs reflect adaptations to humans’ unconscious preferences?
- The Cooperative Eye Hypothesis: The importance of visibility of the face and eyes for human-unique collaborative efficacy
- South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership (SCDTP) bursaries
If you already have a research idea, find a supervisor whose research interests match yours by searching our Find a PhD Supervisor page. Once you've identified someone suitable, contact them to discuss your idea.
PhD by Publication
A PhD by publication is a postgraduate research degree based on research you've already undertaken and had published (excluding self-publishing) before registering with us.
Eligible research outputs include peer-reviewed academic papers, complete books or chapters in anthologies, and other materials accepted for publication, exhibited or performed. You'll have to submit these materials for examination between 6–12 months after registering with us.
From October 2026, all PhD by Publications will be completed by distance learning. However, there is no expectation that any student applying for a start date before this should be on campus.
Entry requirements
The entry requirements for a PhD, MPhil or Professional Doctorate include an upper second class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject, or a master’s degree in an appropriate subject.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications may be considered. All applicants are subject to interview.
If English is not your first language, you'll need English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Fees and funding
April 2026
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Full-time and full-time distance learning: £5,006 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,503 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
(Including EU Scholarship)
- Full-time and full-time distance learning: £5,006 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,503 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Full-time and full-time distance learning: £19,200 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time and part-time distance learning: £9,600 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- External candidates: £5,006
- Members of staff: £2,000
- All fees are subject to annual increase. If you are an EU student starting a programme in 2025/26 please visit this page.
October 2026 and February 2027
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Full-time and full-time distance learning: £5,238 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,619 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Full-time and full-time distance learning: £19,950 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time and part-time distance learning: £9,975 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
EU students may be eligible to receive our EU Scholarship.
- Full-time and full-time distance learning: £19,950 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time and part-time distance learning: £9,975 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- External candidates: £5,238
- Members of staff: £2,100
- Tuition fees terms and conditions
Additional fees
Some PhD projects may include additional bench fees for equipment and other consumables. These will be added to your standard tuition fee. Speak to the supervisory team during your interview about any additional fees you may have to pay. Please note, bench fees are not eligible for discounts and are non-refundable.
Funding support
Government Postgraduate Loan
Eligible for MPhil full-time and part-time courses (UK/EU students).
Other funding options
For information on other sources of funding, visit our funding your postgraduate research degree page.
What do my tuition fees cover?
If you are self-funding your PhD, your tuition fees cover the full cost of your postgraduate research programme and access to a wide range of academic, professional and support services, including:
Research training and development
Bespoke training, professional development courses, seminars, workshops and researcher-led events delivered through The Doctoral College.
Research community and support
Access to our research environment, Research and Innovation services, and researcher networking (77% of our research is world-leading or internationally excellent, REF 2021).
Facilities, equipment and resources
Libraries, laboratories, computer rooms, laptops, electronic journals, specialist software (Microsoft Office, SPSS and Adobe Creative Suite), funding guidance and LinkedIn Learning. Explore our facilities.
Student support services
Including academic, financial, careers and wellbeing support, including access to personal tutors. Read more on our guidance support.
Your PhD programme
Registration, tuition, supervision, examinations and viva administration.
Conference and development support
A contribution towards attending conferences or research-related development activities.
Students' Union membership
Giving you the right to vote in elections, join clubs and societies, and get free independent advice.
Graduation
Your graduation ceremony will recognise the significant contribution your research has made to your discipline.
Support and facilities
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Support from our Doctoral College, helping you become part of a thriving, collaborative research community
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Guidance from a dedicated supervisory team throughout your research degree
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Access to the Doctoral Development Programme, offering specialist training, workshops and research events to develop your skills as a researcher
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Access our specialised laboratories for conducting research, including spaces in which to study human movement, eye movement, psychophysiology, visual and auditory perception, primate behaviour, infant development, and autism.
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Use our virtual reality labs, mock police interview suite, digital analysis and video editing suite, photo booth and applied cognition lab.
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By using our research facilities as a postgraduate research student, you'll experience many techniques used in contemporary psychological research and practice.
What can a postgraduate research degree do for my career?
A postgraduate research degree develops advanced expertise and transferable skills valued across academia, industry and the public sector.
You’ll graduate with:
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Advanced research and analytical expertise
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Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
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Experience managing complex, independent projects
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Strong communication and presentation skills
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Leadership and research management capability
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Deep subject knowledge in your chosen field
How to apply
You can apply for a research degree in Psychology by completing our online application form. For more detailed information about the application process, visit our How to Apply pages.
Not ready to apply just yet?
Get in touch
We're here to help. Feel free to ask us a question.
Come to an Open Evening
Why not come to our next open evening? Open evenings are the perfect place to talk to staff and students, visit our campus and get all the information you need.
- MPhil: 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time
- PhD: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
- PhD by Publication: 1 year part-time
We recommend you get in touch with the relevant subject area supervisor using our “Find a Supervisor” tool ahead of applying. You can discuss your research ideas with them and ensure we have supervisory expertise to support you.
Yes. You can apply with your own research proposal, or apply for one of our advertised funded projects.
Where next?
Find out more about Portsmouth's postgraduate opportunities and community.
Postgrad Research Degrees Webinar series
From applications to flexible study — get the insights you need to plan your research degree.
Find a PhD Supervisor
If you've already got your own research idea, start looking for a supervisor whose research interests match yours.
How to apply for postgraduate research
Read our guide on how to complete and submit your postgraduate research application. Take the next step in your academic career today.
