Cambridge provides a superb environment for research training in clinical neurosciences, we offer research MPhil and PhD Programmes. Postgraduate training in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences is a highly personalised and research-focused experience.

Students receive close supervision and support, with both a principal supervisor and an advisor, and participate in regular seminars and group meetings. The core of the programme is the research project, where students gain hands-on experience in experimental or clinical research, develop critical thinking, and learn to plan and conduct innovative studies. Cambridge’s vibrant academic environment, with frequent seminars and visiting experts from around the world, offers unparalleled opportunities for intellectual growth.

In addition to research, students are encouraged to develop a broad set of professional skills through seminars, scientific meetings, and specialised courses. These experiences help students build strong competencies in scientific communication, data analysis, and research organisation, while also providing opportunities to present their work and engage with leading scientists globally. The department expects its students to publish in high-quality journals, and most achieve this during their studies, preparing them for successful careers as future leaders in neuroscience.

Who can apply?

We attract applicants with backgrounds in medicine (including both qualified medics and those pursuing the MB/PhD programme), biological sciences, computer science, mathematics, physical and chemical sciences and psychology. Our MPhil courses accept intercalating medical degree students.

Admission Eligibility

Competition for admission to the University of Cambridge graduate programme is intense. Similarly to all departments in the Graduate School, we require all our graduate entrants to have:

A good 2.1 in an Honours degree or equivalent (e.g. GPA 3.5/4.0) in a relevant subject
Two outstanding references from senior University staff at your most recent University
Fluency in the English language – recent IELTS test with an overall band score of at least 7.0 with not less than 7.0 in speaking, listening and writing, and 6.5 in reading

For more details of the University’s academic requirements see the University’s Graduate Admissions

Selection Process

We admit 50 – 60 new research students each academic year.  All shortlisted applicants are invited for interview by zoom.

Training

We teach our postgraduate students how to plan and carry out cutting-edge research. Our training is designed to help you to think clearly, originally, critically and flexibly- preparing you for leadership in science. There are weekly student-led seminars to encourage shared knowledge.

Essential components of your course:

Contribution to the research projects in their entire lifecycle from ethics applications to result dissemination

Attendance at seminars, round table and scientific meetings in the UK and abroad

Delivery of scientific talks to mixed audiences with subsequent discussions

Attendance at courses directly and indirectly related to your research

Production of articles and publication in high quality journals

These components will give you an experience of a wide variety of experimental and/or clinical research techniques. They will also teach you how to organise and plan research and experiments. Critical analysis of seminars and talks, coupled with your attendance at courses will develop your research skills and your knowledge of scientific principles, allowing you to produce high quality research and journal articles.

Funding

Are you thinking about applying for funding? There are a variety of funding opportunities students can apply for including: University wide funding competitions, College Studentships and external scholarships.

To apply for funding for the next academic year October 2026/27:

Don’t miss early funding deadlines: University wide funding competitions (eg Gates, Cambridge Overseas & Commonwealth Trusts, Cambridge Home and EU Scholarships etc) all require early applications
Please select all relevant funding that applies to you to be considered for funding
See Cambridge Funding Search for all funding opportunities and eligibility criteria

Closing Dates

Make a careful note of the closing dates for scholarships and courses

They vary by category and country

Funding applications will not be considered after the specified deadlines

Closing dates for on-line applications are listed on the Graduate Study pages.

Funding closing dates of note:

Deadline for Gates US & Cambridge Trust differ so please check these dates

Gates US – closes 15th October 2025

Cambridge Trust & Gates Cambridge - closes 2nd December (please note this funding is not open to Lent or Easter 2025 applications, you will need to have funding in place for these applications)

Please also check the funding search for College funding as these are run separately and may have different closing dates.

Research Projects & Supervisors

The first question on the GRADSAF application is course selection: for research applicants this means specifying the project(s) or supervisors(s) you wish to work for.

Choosing a project

To choose a project identify a topic and one or more supervisors in our department you want to work with.

Please add a supervisor from the Department on your application form, without this we can’t process your application.