The Department of Psychiatry is an internationally leading centre for research and teaching in psychiatry, with particular focus on the determinants of mental health conditions, their treatments and the promotion of mental health through innovative translational research. The Department’s senior staff support several research groups, covering various aspects of mental health and disorder throughout the life course.

A doctorate in Psychiatry from the University of Cambridge is primarily a research degree and involves minimal formal teaching; students are integrated into the research culture of the Department and the Institute in which they are based.

Each student conducts their PhD project under the direction of their Principal Supervisor, with additional teaching and guidance provided by an Advisor, to increase access to staff members and accommodate a diversity of viewpoints.

The subject of the research project is determined during the application process and is influenced by the research interests of the student’s supervisor, i.e. students should apply to study with a group leader whose area of research most appeals to them.

To broaden their knowledge of their chosen field, students are strongly encouraged to attend relevant seminars, lectures and training courses, including transferable skills training provided by the Graduate School of Life Sciences. We also require our students to attend their research group’s ‘research in progress/laboratory meetings’, at which they are expected to regularly present their ongoing work.

Following the successful completion of a research report at the end of the first year, students are registered for the PhD.

Course objectives

The PhD course enables the students to significantly develop their analytical and research skills, and is intended as preparation for further research.

The PhD programme provides:

• a period of sustained in-depth study of a specific topic;
• an environment that encourages the student’s originality and creativity in their research;
• skills to enable the student to critically examine the background literature relevant to their specific research area;
• the opportunity to develop skills in making and testing hypotheses, in developing new theories, and in planning and conducting experiments;
• the opportunity to expand the student’s knowledge of their research area, including its theoretical foundations and the specific techniques used to study it;
• the opportunity to gain knowledge of the broader field of research in psychiatry;
• an environment in which to develop skills in written work, oral presentation and publishing the results of their research in high-profile scientific journals, through constructive feedback of written work and oral presentations.

At the end of the course, examination for the PhD degree involves submission of a written dissertation, followed by an oral examination based on both the dissertation and a broader knowledge of the chosen area of research.

Feedback

The student will receive the following feedback on their progress:

• After starting the course, the Principal Supervisor will meet with the student to discuss a preliminary dissertation plan and to provide direction and constructive input.
• Throughout the course, the Principal Supervisor and student should meet regularly to discuss how the research is progressing
• Principal Supervisors will submit CGSRS (the Cambridge Graduate Student Reporting System on CamSIS) supervision reports each term. Reports would be available to the student and their Faculty/Department (or University Partner Institution)’s Director of Graduate Education, Degree Committee, College Tutor and Board of Graduate Studies, who all take an interest in the student's progress.
• Students will be required to produce a final dissertation plan and meet with their Principal Supervisor, who is expected to provide constructive input.
• Feedback is also provided by the Principal Supervisor on any work to be published.

There is furthermore oversight of student progress by the departmental Graduate Education Committee, which operates within the policies directed by the Faculty Degree Committee and the Board of Graduate Studies.

Assessment

Thesis

Examination for the PhD Degree involves submission of a written dissertation which must not to exceed 60,000 words (or 80,000 by special permission of the Degree Committee). These limits exclude figures, photographs, tables, appendices and bibliography. An oral examination is conducted by two Examiners, one from the University of Cambridge and one external to the University of Cambridge, neither of whom may have any direct involvement with the student or the work being examined.  Before recommending the award of the PhD Degree, the examiners must satisfy themselves that the dissertation:

• is clearly written
• takes due account of previously published work on the subject
• represents a significant contribution to learning, for example through the discovery of new knowledge, the connection of previously unrelated facts, the development of new theory, or the revision of older views; and
• approved in the light of what it is reasonable to expect a student to complete within three years full-time (five years part-time) research.

The limitations implied by this advice are intended to apply to the scale and scope of the work presented in the dissertation but not to its quality.

Other

Every PhD student is probationary in the first year and is required to submit a First Year Report within 9-12 months of commencing study.  The student is then examined orally on the content of the report and on his/her understanding of the wider research field and his/her future research plans.  Subject to a satisfactory examination, the student is then fully registered for PhD study.

Apply using the Applicant Portal

The Apply Online button on the right will take you to the Applicant Portal, where you can create and submit your application, and request references.

An application is only complete when:

1. you have submitted your application via the Applicant Portal and paid the £50 application fee
2. you have uploaded the required supporting documents via the Applicant Self-Service
3. your referees have provided their references.

If you miss the deadlines specified in this section, you will not be able to submit your application.

If you are contemplating a PhD in the Department of Psychiatry it is important to identify a researcher who is working in an area of research of mutual interest and willing to be a supervisor. We therefore encourage you to find out about the research groups within the Department by looking at our web pages and other background reading. You should then contact potential supervisors to find out about the possibility of working with them or someone in their group. Applications to the Board of Graduate Studies for a PhD in the Department of Psychiatry will not be accepted without a named supervisor.

Applications are considered on a rolling basis, as they are received.

Applicants wishing to apply for funding must ensure that they apply by the relevant funding date for entry the following academic year. Please note that funding deadlines can be significantly earlier than final course deadlines, particularly for overseas applicants. 

Note: Offers made of places on this course are conditional on clearing any security checks the University deems necessary. Security checks are routinely required for all individuals involved in research activities that include working with sensitive information; working with children and vulnerable adults; working with live animals or with tissues supplied from live animals or working in an environment in which such work is pursued by others; working with dangerous pathogens or in a category 3 containment laboratory; or working with some other sensitive technologies. Where necessary the University will ensure that applicants are not disproportionately impacted by the requirement for any security checks by allowing new students to take up places and start appropriate areas of their work prior to a check in other areas being completed.

Selection Process

Applications to the Department of Psychiatry are considered as they are received (rolling admissions). Candidates are invited to submit applications to the University at any time from when applications open until the deadline. A departmental decision should be made within 6 weeks of receiving all supporting documentation. Candidates are encouraged refer to their CamSIS Self-Service pages for updates once their application has been submitted.

• Magistr (Master's Degree) at Pass level. Diploma Specialista (completed post-1991) with a minimum overall grade of good or 4/5 Bachelor's from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and other prestigious institutions with an overall grade of 4/5 Bologna Bachelor's from other institutions with an overall grade of 5/5, Excellent
• Diploma Specialista (completed post-1991) with a minimum overall grade of Excellent or 5/5 Bachelor's from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and other prestigious institutions with an overall grade of 5/5
• IELTS (Academic) 7.0
• TOEFL Internet Score 100
• £50 application fee
• First Academic Reference
• Second Academic Reference
• Transcript
• CV/Resumé
• Personal Reference

Funding for the Psychiatry program at the University of Cambridge is primarily available through a range of scholarships, bursaries, and funding schemes designed to support students financially throughout their studies. Prospective students are encouraged to explore the university’s official funding pages, which detail specific scholarships for graduate students, including those specializing in psychiatric studies. These include competitive grants and awards based on academic merit, financial need, or specific eligibility criteria such as country of residence or previous qualifications. The Cambridge Trust provides numerous scholarship opportunities for international students, covering tuition fees and living expenses, which are highly sought after. Additionally, Home/EU students can access government-funded loans and support schemes, depending on their residency status and eligibility. The university also offers departmental funding options and research grants for postgraduate research students, which can cover project costs or stipends during their doctoral studies. Many students also secure external funding through research councils, charitable organizations, or health agencies that prioritize mental health research and psychiatric education. Students are advised to consult the Cambridge website’s scholarships and bursaries section regularly for updated application deadlines and detailed eligibility criteria. Furthermore, some programs may offer teaching or research assistant roles that provide stipends and tuition fee waivers for qualified candidates. In summary, financing for the Psychiatry program at Cambridge is diverse, encompassing internal university awards, external scholarships, government support, and income from teaching or research roles, all designed to ensure that talented students can pursue their academic and research ambitions without undue financial hardship.

The University of Cambridge offers a distinguished programme in Psychiatry, designed to equip students with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in the field of mental health. This programme is typically integrated within the Medical School or available as part of postgraduate medical training. The curriculum emphasizes both theoretical foundations and clinical applications, covering a wide range of topics including neurobiology of psychiatric disorders, psychological theories, diagnostic methods, and treatment approaches such as pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. Students engage with cutting-edge research, attend lectures by leading experts, and participate in clinical placements at renowned hospitals and mental health facilities associated with the university. The programme also encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, incorporating insights from psychology, neuroscience, and social sciences to foster a holistic understanding of mental health issues. Academic assessments include written examinations, oral assessments, and research projects, with many students also involved in clinical research contributing to the advancement of psychiatric knowledge. Graduates of the programme are well-prepared for careers in clinical practice, research, and academic roles within the field of Psychiatry. The University of Cambridge’s reputation for excellence, combined with its strong emphasis on research-led teaching and clinical exposure, ensures that students receive a rigorous and enriching educational experience. The programme's duration and specific entry requirements vary depending on whether students are pursuing a graduate or postgraduate degree, but all participants benefit from the university’s world-class resources, including its libraries, laboratories, and clinical facilities. Overall, the Cambridge Psychiatry programme is designed to foster the next generation of mental health professionals, combining academic excellence with practical training to address the complex challenges of mental health care worldwide.