MPhil Psychology - Animal Behaviour

Our MPhilPhD students are actively involved in work at the cutting edge of research activities within Psychology at the University of Exeter. Ranked in the top 100 in the world for Psychology (QS World University Rankings 2017) and with state-of-the-art facilities, a steadily growing postgraduate community and a substantial increase in external research funding, we offer an ideal environment in which to undertake an MPhilPhD. Acceptance of an application for the MPhilPhD programme is contingent on the availability of appropriate supervision. Hence potential applicants are strongly advised to contact one or more potential supervisors prior to applying, and to develop preliminary ideas on a research topic with them. We are uniquely placed as one of the few international groups providing a bridging link between traditional questions of human psychology (cognition, learning, memory, social and developmental processes) and animal models providing experimental and evolutionary research opportunities. We explore the causes, functions and evolution of animal behaviour and how it adapts each species to its natural environment.

Many of our postgraduate students first register for one of our taught MSc programmes on the grounds that these provide the best preparation for a research degree. Students who have completed equivalent Masters-level programmes in other institutions may be permitted to start immediately on the MPhil/PhD programme. This may also be allowed even where there is no prior postgraduate qualification, but students in this position will be required to take a number of MSc modules as research training integrated into their MPhil/PhD programme. Students apply for an MPhil and then upgrade to PhD by the end of their first year.