The 20th century saw a revolution in neuroscience, illuminating how the function of the brain underlies our experience of the world. Now, advances in brain imaging, computational modelling, brain stimulation, informatics, and more are bringing us closer to unravelling the links between neural function and mental experience. This endeavour is ever-more critical as societies grapples with the pressing health challenges of our era, including ageing populations, neurodegenerative disorders, and mental ill-health.

Cognitive neuroscience is a dynamic and rapidly evolving field. Its very nature is interdisciplinary: the boundaries between psychology, neuroscience, and computer science (among others) blur. It is at this intersection that scientists make ground-breaking discoveries into how the brain gives rise to cognition, perception, language, emotion, and decision-making.

The MPhil in Cognitive Neuroscience is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of these complex processes, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to contribute to cutting-edge research and real-world applications.

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At any one time, the CBU hosts up to 60 postgraduate students from the UK, EU, and Overseas. We warmly welcome applications from prospective PhD students wishing to pursue full-time or part-time research in areas covered by any of our research programmes. Our approaches span experimental cognitive psychology, neuropsychology, computational modelling and neuroimaging using MRI, MEG, and EEG, and our postgraduates benefit from the CBU's research panels of typical and specialist (e.g., Cambridge Cognitive Neuroscience Research Panel) volunteers. The CBU also has superb computing facilities as well as committed professional and technical staff that that offer IT, graphics, and multimedia support.

We encourage interested prospective applicants to visit the CBU Research and People webpages to learn more about ongoing research and opportunities. You can also find a list of specific projects and supervisors on our Studentships webpage. Once you have identified a project or research area, we encourage you to reach out to a potential Supervisor who does research in your area of interest.

The CBU has excellent state-of-the-art facilities for experimental behavioural studies, as well as institutional links with Addenbrooke's Hospital, which enables access to patient populations that include stroke and progressive neural degenerative diseases. Several research programmes have strong interests and expertise in mental health, and in recent years students have worked alongside clinicians to explore mechanisms and novel treatments in individuals with ongoing mental health difficulties such as anxiety and depression.

There is a 3 Tesla MRI scanner on the premises, as well as MEG and EEG facilities. Through its partnership with the University of Cambridge Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre, the CBU has excellent access to PET and additional fMRI (3 Tesla) and high-field (7 Tesla) scanning facilities. The CBU also offers state-of-the-art computing facilities, supporting Unix, PC, and Mac platforms and handling large volumes of neuroimaging data, as well as extensive computational modelling. All students have their own networked desktop computer with internet access.

The Unit's close links with the University Department of Psychology and the Department of Psychiatry are strengthened through the Cambridge Postgraduate Programme in Cognitive and Brain Sciences, a joint programme of termly seminars for all first-year postgraduate students, given by members of each department.

The CBU also benefits from membership in the Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine as well as the wider neuroscience community in Cambridge, supported by the Cambridge Neuroscience network.

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At any one time, the CBU hosts up to 60 postgraduate students from the UK, EU, and Overseas. While these are primarily PhD students, we welcome applications from prospective MPhil students wishing to pursue full-time or part-time research in areas covered by any of our research programmes. Our approaches span experimental cognitive psychology, neuropsychology, computational modelling and neuroimaging using MRI, MEG, and EEG, and our postgraduates benefit from the CBU’s research panels of typical and specialist (e.g. Cambridge Cognitive Neuroscience Research Panel) volunteers. The CBU also has superb computing facilities as well as committed professional and technical staff that that offer IT, graphics and multimedia support.

We encourage interested, prospective applicants to visit the CBU Research and People webpages to learn more about ongoing research and opportunities. You can also find a list of specific projects and supervisors on our Studentships webpage: https://www.mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk/studentships/. Once you have identified a project or research area, we encourage you to reach out to a potential supervisor who does research in your area of interest.

The CBU has excellent state-of-the-art facilities for experimental behavioural studies, as well as institutional links with Addenbrooke’s Hospital which enables access to patient populations that include stroke and progressive neural degenerative diseases. Several research programmes have strong interests and expertise in mental health, and in recent years students have worked alongside clinicians to explore mechanisms and novel treatments in individuals with ongoing mental health difficulties such as anxiety and depression.

There is a 3 Tesla MRI scanner on the premises, as well as MEG and EEG facilities. Through its partnership with the University of Cambridge Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre, the CBU has excellent access to PET and additional fMRI (3 Tesla) and high-field (7 Tesla) scanning facilities. The CBU also offers state-of-the-art computing facilities, supporting Unix, PC, and Mac platforms, and handling of large volumes of neuroimaging data as well as extensive computational modelling. All students have their own networked desktop computer with internet access.

The Unit’s close links with the University Department of Psychology and the Department of Psychiatry are strengthened through the Cambridge Postgraduate Programme in Cognitive and Brain Sciences – a joint programme of termly seminars for all first year postgraduate students, given by members of each department.

The CBU also benefits from membership of the Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine as well as wider neuroscience community in Cambridge, supported by the Cambridge Neuroscience network.

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In a moment of unprecedented convergence between neuroscience and artificial intelligence, the MPhil in NeuroAI and Intelligent Systems offers a timely and transformative academic opportunity. Hosted by the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, in conjunction with a host of Departments across the University of Cambridge, this research-intensive programme provides advanced training in computational neuroscience, AI methods, and intelligent systems. A distinctive feature is the 32-week individual research project — a rare opportunity within the postgraduate landscape — offering immersive, hands-on experience that prepares students to lead original research at the interface of brain science and artificial intelligence.

NeuroAI is poised to revolutionize multiple domains — from advancing precision psychiatry and developing brain-computer interfaces to powering next-generation AI and adaptive technologies. These innovations promise breakthroughs in healthcare, industry, and beyond, while also deepening our scientific understanding of both human cognition and the foundations of artificial intelligence.

Graduates of the MPhil in NeuroAI and Intelligent Systems will be uniquely equipped to lead in this rapidly evolving field. Through advanced theoretical training and an extended, hands-on research project, they will gain the interdisciplinary expertise, analytical skills, and practical experience needed to drive innovation in neuroscience-inspired AI and intelligent technologies. Whether pursuing academic research or applying their knowledge in industry or healthcare, they will be prepared to contribute meaningfully at the forefront of this scientific and technological revolution.

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From the School of the Biological Sciences

The Cambridge Biosciences DTP is a four year fully-funded PhD programme that aims to create highly skilled and employable people. The programme offers training across 23 University Departments/Institutes and 3 Partner Institutes providing access to a wide range of research areas related to the strategic themes of the BBSRC. We offer three types of DTP studentships:

• DTP Standard
• Targeted
• iCase

During the programme, DTP Standard and Targeted students will undertake two ten-week rotations in different labs before commencing their PhD. They will receive training in a variety of areas including but not limited to statistics, programming, ethics, data analysis, scientific writing and public engagement. Students will also undertake a 12-week internship (PIPS).

iCase students are not required to undertake rotations but may do so if they feel that this training would be useful. They must undertake a placement with their Industrial Partner for a minimum of three months and a maximum of 18 months.

Students will be expected to submit their thesis at the end of the fourth year.

Part-time study, whilst not the norm, may be viable, depending on the project, and will be considered on a case by case basis so please discuss this option with your proposed supervisor before making an application for this mode of study.

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From the Faculty of Clinical Medicine

We provide high-quality research training to clinical health professionals with an aptitude for research to enable them to become future leaders in medical and healthcare science. We offer training in an outstanding environment, spanning basic science, translational medicine, interdisciplinary, behavioural and applied health research.

We take great pride in our track record of successfully training health professionals to undertake the highest quality research across Cambridge and Norwich. We offer one of the most rewarding environments in which you could pursue your research training with world-leading researchers in the Schools of Clinical Medicine and Biological Sciences at the Universities of Cambridge, Wellcome Sanger Institute and other MRC, Wellcome & Cancer Research UK funded Institutes, Centres & Units in the wider Cambridge area, as well as the School of Health Sciences and Norwich Medical School at the University of East Anglia with other partners on the Norwich Research Park. The most important criteria we are looking for are the pursuit of research excellence, hard work and the will to make a difference to health.

The programme faculty provides mentoring and guidance on opportunities to undertake pre-doctoral research placements, enabling successful candidates to make an informed choice of PhD project and supervisor. Bespoke training and support for career development for fellows, together with support to supervisors, ensures a successful research experience. Post-doctorally, we will guide fellows based on their individual progress, to make the transition into higher research fellowships and clinical pathways, enabling ongoing training with continuance of research momentum.

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