Sussex Neuroscience 4-Year Programme PhD : 5X��Ƶ

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Key information

Duration:: Up to 4 years full time
Start date:: September 2025
Apply by:: 13 January 2025

94% of our research overall in Biological Sciences was assessed to be world leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021)

Our interdisciplinary neuroscience research community is one of the largest in the UK. Spend your first year doing rotations in different laboratories and taking taught modules across a wide range of neuroscience fields, strengthening your research training before choosing a PhD project.

This competitive four-year PhD Programme is for you if you wish to deepen your expertise in neuroscience before choosing your primary research focus, or if you’re coming to neuroscience with a background in the psychological or physical sciences.

If you’re awarded a place on this PhD Programme, you’ll get full funding.

Areas of study

We offer research projects in a wide range of areas:

cellular and molecular neuroscience
cognitive and behavioural neuroscience
circuits, systems and computational neuroscience
translational and clinical neuroscience.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.

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Degree requirements	You’re normally expected to have an upper second-class (2.1) undergraduate honours degree or above.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.

Please select your country from the list.

Argentina

Undergraduate degree requirement	Licenciado/Titulo with a final mark of at least 7.5-8.5 depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Australia

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with second-class upper division.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Azerbaijan

Undergraduate degree requirement	Magistr or Specialist Diploma with an average mark of at least 4 or 81%
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Bahrain

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with CGPA 3.0/4.0 (Grade B).
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Bangladesh

Undergraduate degree requirement	A 4-year Bachelor degree with GPA of at least 3.3/4.0
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Brazil

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bacharel, Licenciado or professional title with a final mark of at least 7.5 or 8 depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Brunei

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors (Honours) degree with second class upper division or CGPA 3.1/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Canada

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with CGPA 3.3/4.0 (grade B+).
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Chile

Undergraduate degree requirement	Licenciado with a final mark of at least 5-5.5/7 depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

China

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with a minimum overall mark of at least 70%-75% depending on your university. Sussex uses Project 211/985 to inform offer levels. As evidence of completing your degree you must provide both a Degree Certificate and Graduation Certificate.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Undergraduate degree requirement

Bachelors degree with a minimum overall mark of at least 70%-75% depending on your university. Sussex uses Project 211/985 to inform offer levels.

As evidence of completing your degree you must provide both a Degree Certificate and Graduation Certificate.

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Colombia

Undergraduate degree requirement	Licenciado with ‘Acreditacion de alta calidad' and a CGPA of 3.5.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Cyprus

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree or Ptychion with a final mark of at least 7.5.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Denmark

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with an overall mark of at least 7 (Good Performance).
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Ecuador

Undergraduate degree requirement	Licenciado with a final mark of at least 17/20.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Egypt

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree from a university with an overall grade of at least 70-75% depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

France

Undergraduate degree requirement	Licence with mention bien or Maîtrise with a final mark of at least 13.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Germany

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree or Magister Artium with a final mark of 2.4 or better.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Ghana

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree from a public university with second-class upper division.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Greece

Undergraduate degree requirement	Ptychion from an AEI with a final mark of at least 7.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Hong Kong

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors (Honours) degree with second-class upper division.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

India

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with an overall mark of at least 55-70% depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Indonesia

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree from an 'A' accredited university with CGPA 3.0/4.0. Bachelors degree from a 'B' accredited university with CGPA 3.2/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Iran

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree (Licence or Karshenasi) with a final mark of at least 15.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Italy

Undergraduate degree requirement	Diploma di Laurea with an overall mark of at least 105.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Japan

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with a minimum C/GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Jordan

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with a CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 80%.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Kazakhstan

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with an overall mark of 4 or better (on a scale of 1-5)/CGPA 3,33.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Kenya

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors (Honours) degree with a second-class upper division.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Kuwait

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with a CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or B+.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Lebanon

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with a CGPA 3.5/4.0 or 14/20.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Malawi

Undergraduate degree requirement	Masters degree, depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Malaysia

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with a CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Mexico

Undergraduate degree requirement	Licenciado with a final mark of at least 8/10.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Nepal

Undergraduate degree requirement	A 4-year Bachelor degree with GPA of at least 3.3/4.0
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Nigeria

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with a second-class upper division or CGPA of at least 3.0-3.49/4.0, 3.5-4.49/5.0 or 4.6-5.9/7.0
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Norway

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with an overall grade of B.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Oman

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with a CGPA of at least 3.3/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Pakistan

Undergraduate degree requirement	Four-year Bachelors degree with an overall mark of at least 65%-70% or CGPA 2.6 - 2.8 depending on your university. Masters degree following a 3-year Bachelors degree with an overall mark of at least 65%-70% or CGPA 2.6 - 2.8 depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Undergraduate degree requirement

Four-year Bachelors degree with an overall mark of at least 65%-70% or CGPA 2.6 - 2.8 depending on your university.

Masters degree following a 3-year Bachelors degree with an overall mark of at least 65%-70% or CGPA 2.6 - 2.8 depending on your university.

Subject-specific requirements

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Palestine

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with at least 80% or CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Paraguay

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors with a final mark of at least 7.5/10.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Peru

Undergraduate degree requirement	Licenciado with a final mark of at least 13/20 from a public university or 15/20 from a private university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Philippines

Undergraduate degree requirement	Masters degree with 1.5/5.0 (where 1 is the highest) or 3.7/4.0
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Qatar

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with an overall CPGA of at least 3 (on a scale of 4).
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Russia

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bakalavr or Specialist Diploma with an average mark of at least 4.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Saudi Arabia

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with a CGPA of 3.5/5.0 or 3/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Singapore

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors (Honours) degree with a second-class upper division or CAP 4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

South Africa

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors (honours) degree with a second-class division 1.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

South Korea

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with a CGPA of at least 3.3/4.5 or 3.1/4.3 or B+
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Spain

Undergraduate degree requirement	Licenciado with a final mark of at least 2/4 or 7/10.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Sri Lanka

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors Special degree with an upper second honours.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Switzerland

Undergraduate degree requirement	Licence or Diplôme with 5/6 or 8/10.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Taiwan

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with an overall mark of at least 67%-80% depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Thailand

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with CGPA of at least 2.8 - 3.0/4.0 or equivalent depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Turkey

Undergraduate degree requirement	Lisans Diplomasi with CGPA of at least 2.8 - 3.0/4.0 or equivalent depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

United Arab Emirates

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

USA

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors degree with CGPA of at least 3.3/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Vietnam

Undergraduate degree requirement

Bachelors degree (with a Graduate Thesis/research component) with CGPA of at least 3.3/4.0 or 7.5/10.

As evidence of completing your degree you must provide both proof of graduation in addition to your transcript.

Subject-specific requirements

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Zambia

Undergraduate degree requirement	Masters degree with GPA of 2.0/2.5 or equivalent.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Zimbabwe

Undergraduate degree requirement	Bachelors (Honours) degree with second-class upper division.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

My country is not listed

If your country is not listed, you need to contact us and find out the qualification level you should have for this course. Contact us

Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a biological, psychological or physical sciences subject area. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.

English language requirements

IELTS (Academic)

High level (6.5 overall, including at least 6.0 in each component).

IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.

We accept IELTS One Skills Retake.

We do not accept IELTS Online.

Check full details of our English Language requirements and find out more about some of the alternative English language qualifications listed below

Alternative English language qualifications

Proficiency tests

Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE)

169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill.

We would normally expect the CAE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.

You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test.

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill.

We would normally expect the CPE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.

You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test.

LanguageCert Academic SELT

High level (70 overall, including at least 65 in each component).

LanguageCert Academic SELT scores are valid for two years from the test date. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.

We only accept LanguageCert when taken at SELT Test Centres.

We do not accept the online version. We also do not accept the non-SELT version.

LanguageCert International ESOL SELT

High level (International ESOL SELT B2 with a minimum of 39 in each component)

LanguageCert International ESOL scores are valid for two years from the test date. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.

We only accept LanguageCert when taken at SELT Test Centres. We do not accept the online version.

Pearson PTE Academic

High level (62 overall, including at least 59 in all four skills)

PTE (Academic) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.

We do not accept the PTE Academic Online test.

TOEFL (iBT)

High level 88 overall, including at least 20 Listening, 19 in Reading, 21 in Speaking, 23 in Writing.

TOEFL (iBT) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.

We do not accept TOEFL (iBT) Home Edition.

The TOEFL Institution Code for the 5X��Ƶ is 9166.

English language qualifications

AS/A-level (GCE)

Grade C or above in English Language.

Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE)/ AS or A Level: grade C or above in Use of English.

GCE O-level

Grade C or above in English.

Brunei/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.

Singapore/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.

GCSE or IGCSE

Grade C or above in English as a First Language (Grade 4 or above in GCSE from 2017).

Grade B or above in English as a Second Language.

Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate

If awarded before 1993: grades 1-6 in English language.

If awarded between 1993 and 2005: grades A-D in English language.

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)

Level 4, including at least 3 in each component in English Language.

Indian School Certificate (Standard XII)

The Indian School Certificate is accepted at the grades below when awarded by the following examination boards:

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) – English Core only: 70%

Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) - English: 70%

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)

English A or English B at grade 5 or above.

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education

Grades A - C in English language

Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) 1119/GCE O-level

If taken before the end of 2008: grades 1-6 in English Language.

If taken from 2009 onwards: grade C or above in English Language.

The qualification must be jointly awarded by the 5X��Ƶ of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES).

West African Senior School Certificate

Grades A1-C6 (1-6) in English language when awarded by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the National Examinations Council (NECO).

Country exceptions

If you are a national of one of the countries below, or if you have recently completed a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree or higher in one of these countries, you will normally meet our English requirement. Note that qualifications obtained by distance learning or awarded by studying outside these countries cannot be accepted for English language purposes.

You will normally be expected to have completed the qualification within two years before starting your course at Sussex. If the qualification was obtained earlier than this, we would expect you to be able to demonstrate that you have maintained a good level of English, for example by living in an English-speaking country or working in an occupation that required you to use English regularly and to a high level.

Please note that this list is determined by the UK’s Home Office, not by the 5X��Ƶ.

List of exempt countries:

Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Canada**
Dominica
Grenada
Guyana
Ireland
Jamaica
New Zealand
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines
The British Overseas Territories
Trinidad and Tobago
United Kingdom
USA

** Canada: you must be a national of Canada; other nationals not on this list who have a degree from a Canadian institution will not normally be exempt from needing to provide evidence of English.

English language support

If you don’t meet the English language requirements for your degree, you may be able to take a

Visas and immigration

Find out how to apply for a student visa

Admissions information for applicants

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) for international students	Yes. You should apply for this course as early as possible so that you have time to apply for ATAS clearance.
Research proposal	If you are applying for a PhD, you will need to write a research proposal. Find out how to write a research proposal.

If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us

Application deadlines

13 January 2025

Please note it is only possible to start this degree in September.

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How to apply

If you’d like to join us as a research student, find out how to apply at Sussex Neuroscience 4-Year PhD Programme

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Our supervisors

Explore our research interests and find potential supervisors.

Brighton and Sussex Medical School faculty

Dr Jimena Berni

Senior Research Fellow

Contact

J.Berni@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Jimena Berni

Dr Dorina Cadar

Reader in Neuroepidemiology and Dementia

Contact

D.Cadar@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Dorina Cadar

Dr Alessandro Colasanti

Reader in Biological Psychiatry

Contact

bsms9an4@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Alessandro Colasanti

Prof Hugo Critchley

Chair in Psychiatry (Honorary Consultant)

Contact

H.D.Critchley@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Hugo Critchley

Prof Andrew Dilley

Professor of Neuroanatomy

Contact

bsms1642@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Andrew Dilley

Dr Nicholas Dowell

Senior Lecturer in Imaging Physics

Contact

bsms1623@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Nicholas Dowell

Dr Jessica Eccles

Reader in Brain-Body Medicine

Contact

bsms1629@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Jessica Eccles

Dr Claire Lancaster

Lecturer in Dementia

Contact

Claire.Lancaster@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Claire Lancaster

Prof Nigel Leigh

Professor (Honorary Consultant) in Clinical Neurology

Contact

P.N.Leigh@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Nigel Leigh

Dr Yoko Nagai

Senior Lecturer in Translational Neuroscience

Contact

bsms2327@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Yoko Nagai

Prof Itamar Ronen

Chair in Medical Physics and Academic Director of CISC

Contact

I.Ronen@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Itamar Ronen

Dr Natasha Sigala

Senior Lecturer in Neuroscience

Contact

N.Sigala@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Natasha Sigala

Prof James Stone

Professor of Psychiatry

Contact

bsms9kkf@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of James Stone
Engineering and Informatics faculty

Prof Luc Berthouze

Professor of Complex Systems

Contact

L.Berthouze@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Luc Berthouze

Prof Christopher Buckley

Professor of Neural Computation

Contact

C.L.Buckley@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Christopher Buckley

Dr Benjamin Evans

Lecturer in Computer Science and AI

Contact

B.D.Evans@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Benjamin Evans

Prof Phil Husbands

Research Professor Of Artificial Intelligence

Contact

P.Husbands@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Phil Husbands

Prof Thomas Nowotny

Professor Of Informatics

Contact

T.Nowotny@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Thomas Nowotny

Prof Andy Philippides

Professor of Biorobotics

Contact

andrewop@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Andy Philippides

Dr Dhruva Raman

Lecturer in Computer Science & AI

Contact

D.Raman@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Dhruva Raman

Dr Warrick Roseboom

Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Inform

Contact

W.J.Roseboom@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Warrick Roseboom

Prof Anil Seth

Professor of Cognitive & Computational Neuroscience

Contact

A.K.Seth@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Anil Seth

Dr Ivor Simpson

Senior Lecturer

Contact

I.Simpson@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Ivor Simpson

Dr Carlo Tiseo

Lecturer in Engineering

Contact

C.Tiseo@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Carlo Tiseo

Dr Peter Wijeratne

Lecturer in Computer Science & AI

Contact

P.Wijeratne@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Peter Wijeratne
Life Sciences faculty

Prof Claudio Alonso

Professor of Developmental Neurobiology

Contact

C.Alonso@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Claudio Alonso

Prof Thomas Baden

Professor of Neuroscience

Contact

T.Baden@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Thomas Baden

Prof Keith Caldecott

Professor of Genome Stability

Contact

K.W.Caldecott@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Keith Caldecott

Prof Daniel Colaco Osorio

Professor of Neuroscience

Contact

D.Osorio@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Daniel Colaco Osorio

Prof Paul Graham

Professor of Neuroethology

Contact

P.R.Graham@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Paul Graham

Prof Sarah Guthrie

Professor of Developmental Neuroscience

Contact

S.Guthrie@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Sarah Guthrie

Prof Majid Hafezparast

Professor of Molecular Neuroscience

Contact

M.Hafezparast@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Majid Hafezparast

Prof George Kemenes

Professor of Neuroscience

Contact

G.Kemenes@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of George Kemenes

Prof Ildiko Kemenes

Professor of Neuroscience

Contact

I.Kemenes@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Ildiko Kemenes

Prof Leon Lagnado

Professor Of Neuroscience 'Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award holder'

Contact

L.Lagnado@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Leon Lagnado

Prof Miguel Maravall Rodriguez

Professor of Neuroscience

Contact

M.Maravall@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Miguel Maravall Rodriguez

Dr Ruth Murrell-Lagnado

Reader in Neuroscience

Contact

R.Murrell-Lagnado@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Ruth Murrell-Lagnado

Dr Beth Nicholls

Senior Research Fellow

Contact

E.Nicholls@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Beth Nicholls

Prof Jeremy Niven

Professor of Zoology

Contact

J.E.Niven@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Jeremy Niven

Dr Andrew Penn

Lecturer

Contact

A.C.Penn@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Andrew Penn

Dr Sylvia Schroeder

Sir Henry Dale Research Fellow Group Leader

Contact

S.Schroeder@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Sylvia Schroeder

Prof Louise Serpell

Professor of Biochemistry

Contact

L.C.Serpell@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Louise Serpell

Prof Kevin Staras

Professor Of Neuroscience

Contact

K.Staras@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Kevin Staras
Psychology faculty

Dr Sam Berens

Lecturer in Psychology

Contact

S.Berens@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Sam Berens

Prof Chris Bird

Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience

Contact

Chris.Bird@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Chris Bird

Dr Jenny Bosten

Senior Lecturer in Psychology

Contact

J.Bosten@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Jenny Bosten

Dr Daniel Campbell-Meiklejohn

Senior Lecturer in Psychology

Contact

daniel.cm@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Daniel Campbell-Meiklejohn

Prof Hans Crombag

Professor of Behavioural Neuroscience

Contact

H.Crombag@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Hans Crombag

Dr Sophie Forster

Reader in Psychology and Cognitive Neuro

Contact

S.Forster@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Sophie Forster

Prof Anna Franklin

Professor of Visual Perception and Cognition

Contact

Anna.Franklin@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Anna Franklin

Prof Catherine Hall

Professor of Neurovascular Stuff

Contact

Catherine.Hall@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Catherine Hall

Dr Theodoros Karapanagiotidis

Lecturer in Psychology

Contact

T.Karapanagiotidis@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Theodoros Karapanagiotidis

Prof Sarah King

Professor of Neuroscience

Contact

S.L.King@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Sarah King

Prof Eisuke Koya

Professor in Behavioural Neuroscience

Contact

E.Koya@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Eisuke Koya

Dr Liat Levita

Reader in Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience

Contact

L.Levita@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Liat Levita

Dr Dominique Makowski

Lecturer in Psychology

Contact

D.Makowski@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Dominique Makowski

Dr Emiliano Merlo

Senior Lecturer in Psychology

Contact

E.Merlo@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Emiliano Merlo

Dr Alexa Morcom

Senior Lecturer in Cognitive Neuroscience

Contact

A.M.Morcom@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Alexa Morcom

Dr Giulia Poerio

Senior Lecturer in Psychology

Contact

G.L.Poerio@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Giulia Poerio

Dr Charlotte Rae

Senior Lecturer in Psychology

Contact

C.Rae@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Charlotte Rae

Dr Pablo Romero Sanchiz

Lecturer in Psychology

Contact

P.Romero-Sanchiz@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Pablo Romero Sanchiz

Prof Julia Simner

Professor of Psychology

Contact

J.Simner@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Julia Simner

Dr Bryan Singer

Senior Lecturer in Psychology

Contact

B.F.Singer@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Bryan Singer

Dr Ediz Sohoglu

Senior Lecturer in Psychology

Contact

E.Sohoglu@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Ediz Sohoglu

Prof Jamie Ward

Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience

Contact

jamiew@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Jamie Ward

Prof Martin Yeomans

Professor of Experimental Psychology

Contact

martin@sussex.ac.uk

View profile of Martin Yeomans

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Funding and fees

How can I fund my course?

Funded projects and scholarships

Our aim is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to despite financial barriers, so that we continue to attract talented and unique individuals. Don’t miss out on scholarships – check the specific application deadlines for funding opportunities. Note that funded projects aren’t available for all our PhDs.

China Scholarship Council (CSC) 5X��Ƶ Scholarships

Up to 10 scholarships for outstanding PhD students from China

Find out more

Applying for USA Federal Student Aid?

If any part of your funding, at any time, is through USA federal Direct Loan funds, you will be registered on a separate version of this degree which does not include the possibility of distance learning which is prohibited under USA federal regulations. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid.

Part-time work

We advertise around 2,500 part-time jobs a year so you can make money and gain work experience. We have a special scheme to employ students on campus, wherever possible.

Find out more about careers and employability

How much does it cost?

Fees for self-funding students

Home students: Fees are not yet set for entry in the academic year 2025/26. Fees will become available once set by United Kingdom Research and Innovation.

Channel Islands and Isle of Man students: Fees are not yet set for entry in the academic year 2025/26. Fees will become available once set by United Kingdom Research and Innovation.

International students: £26,250 per year for full-time students

Home PhD student fees are set at the level recommended by United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) annually, rising in line with inflation. Overseas fees are subject to an annual increase - see details on our tuition fees page

Additional costs

Note about additional costs

Please note that all costs are best estimates based on current market values. Activities may be subject to unavoidable change in response to Government advice. We’ll let you know at the earliest opportunity. We review estimates every year and they may vary with inflation. Find out how to budget for student life.

Empirical research costs

On top of your PhD fees and living costs, you may also need to cover some research and training costs, relevant to your research project. These costs will depend on your research topic and training needs, but may include:

- travel (to archives, collections or scientific facilities)
- a laptop
- overseas fieldwork costs (travel and accommodation, and language training)
- conference costs (travel, registration fees and accommodation)
- laboratory consumables and workshop materials
- participant costs
- transcription or translation costs
- open-access publication costs.

If you have a scholarship from one of the UK Research Councils, your scholarship should cover these types of costs. You'll receive details of how to claim this additional funding.

If you're self funded, or if your scholarship doesn’t cover these costs, check with the Research and Enterprise Co-ordinator in your School for details of School or Doctoral School funding that may be available.

Living costs

Find out typical living costs for studying at Sussex

Find out about our terms and conditions

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