Cognitive Neuroscience

The Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience (ICN) PhD students are based in a truly interdisciplinary institute. The ICN is situated within the School of Life and Medical Sciences with staff members belonging to different research divisions and departments. This diversity provides a unique learning and research environment which is also much valued by employers.

Researchers at the ICN examine how the human brain accomplishes perception, memory, cognition, language, consciousness and action. A leading principle is the tight integration of behavioural methods with various cutting-edge approaches to record and manipulate ongoing brain activity. Our research has strong translational implications for the treatment of various neurological and psychiatric disorders, as well as the education, across the lifespan.

Research areas

• Cognitive neurology
• Cognitive psychology
• Cognitive neuropsychiatry

Areas of human cognition studied include:

• Action and body
• Applied cognitive neuroscience
• Attentive and cognitive control
• Awareness
• Cognitive electrophysiology
• Clinical neurophysiology and memory
• Cognitive neuropsychiatry
• Crowd cognition
• Developmental
• Metacognition and executive functions
• Neurotherapeutics
• Social neuroscience
• Space and memory
• Speech communication
• Visual communication

Entry requirements

Normally a minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree or a taught UK Master's degree in a relevant subject from a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency. The English language level for this programme is: Good

Can we supervise your research?

You’ll need to find a member of staff who can act as supervisor and is willing to do so. To find a potential supervisor you should check this list of our research staff, which describes the research carried out by each group. If you find someone who may be appropriate you should send them an email including:

• A statement that you are considering studying for a PhD and an explanation of why you would like them as a supervisor
• When you would hope to start, and how you might fund your research.
• A short CV
• A brief research proposal (1-2 pages), identifying a research question and your proposed methods of investigation.

Securing approval of the supervisor

Most people respond fairly quickly to email requests of this sort but this is just the first of many steps.  You will need to discuss your proposal in depth with your supervisor and agree a plan for your PhD.  You will then need to prepare a formal, written PhD proposal which your supervisor will have to approve before it is submitted.

Submit a formal on-line application.

• Please note that your completed application will require the name of your prospective supervisor and a brief research proposal, otherwise it will be considered incomplete. When submitting your application please keep the application deadlines in mind.
• The department will need time to process your application.  Please submit your application 3-4 days before deadline(s) to avoid delays.
• Please ensure that you apply for a place to study in the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, otherwise the department will not be able to view your application.
• Please make sure that your referees are aware and willing to provide a reference in the given time frame. Your application will not be received by the department until both references have been submitted.

Why study this degree at UCL?

The key benefit of studying cognitive neuroscience at UCL is the outstanding research environment to which students have access. This includes the many UCL academics who are world experts in their respective fields; the taught courses offered by these members of staff; a large number of visiting speakers and also numerous workshops, summer schools and locally organised conferences. An additional reason to study cognitive neuroscience at the ICN is the high quality of fellow students that come from a range of different backgrounds. This creates a stimulating research environment.