University of Exeter PhD Studentship in Psychology 2026

University of Exeter Psychology Department is inviting applications for a PhD co-funded by the Eden Dora Trust (EDT) & co-supervised by EDT & a NHS Paediatric Neuropsychology service to start January 2026. The studentship will cover Home fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 for 3 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study. 

The PhD will characterise the consequences of childhood encephalitis relative to acquired brain injuries & develop training to support understanding. Encephalitis is inflammation or swelling of the brain, caused by a virus, an infection, or an autoimmune response. Following encephalitis, children and young people can experience physical/neurological consequences (e.g., headaches, seizures, sleep difficulties), and neuropsychological sequalae such as cognitive difficulties (memory and new learning, executive function, attention, processing speed, cognitive fatigue etc.), and difficulties with regulating their emotions and behaviour. Despite this clinical description of outcomes, the long-term consequences of encephalitis in childhood are under-researched, and children and young people can receive very little evidenced-based support in school or via clinical services, which can further affect vocational outcomes, mental health, and quality of life. 

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Interview Process
• Application Documents
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineSeptember 16, 2025
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorUniversity of Exeter
• City to studyExeter
• School to studyUniversity of Exeter
• Course to studyPsychology
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

• Home Students - Home fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 for 3 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study. 
• International Students -  Part of the international tuition fee (~£25k) and no stipend

Requirements

• Applicants for this studentship must have obtained a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of Psychology (or be eligible for graduate basis for chartered membership with the British Psychological Society).
• If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements and provide proof of proficiency. Click here for more information.

Selection Process

• The closing date for applications is midnight on 16 September 2025. 
• Interviews will be held virtually in October 2025. All application documents must be submitted in English.
• Certified translated copies of academic qualifications must also be provided.
• Please quote reference 5516 on your application and in any correspondence about this studentship.

Application Documents

In the application process you will be asked to upload several documents 

• CV 
• Letter of application (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project). 
• Research proposal (max. 1,500-words) to address the two main aims of the project: (i) to characterise the consequences of encephalitis occurring in childhood relative to the consequences that result from acquired brain injuries (e.g., traumatic brain injury, brain tumour, stroke) – this work package can include quantitative and qualitative studies; (ii) to develop a training programme for professionals to support their understanding of encephalitis and evaluate whether the training leads to a change in practice and improvements in outcomes for children and young people who have had encephalitis. 
• Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained (this should be an interim transcript if you are still studying) 
• Two references from referees familiar with your academic work. If your referees prefer, they can email the reference direct to [email protected] quoting the studentship reference number. 
• If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need to submit evidence of your proficiency in English. 

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Application Deadline

How To Apply

To apply, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button. 

For more details, visit University of Exeter Scholarship webpage