PhD Psychology and Neuroscience at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Programme overview

The department offers a PhD in six areas: behavioral and integrative neuroscience, clinical, cognitive, developmental, quantitative and social. Each programme covers the theory and research of its specialty and trains students in research and professional skills.

Faculty: The Graduate School | Department: Department of Psychology and Neuroscience | Intake: Fall only | Study mode: full-time | Location: Chapel Hill, NC, United States

What you will study

All students engage in research each year, pass a PhD written and oral examination, submit a dissertation with a final oral exam and in most cases serve as a teaching assistant or teach for at least one academic year. Other requirements vary by specialty; courses are numbered 400-999 (PSYC).

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Graduate School minimum (applies to all graduate programmes): a four-year bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) from an accredited institution completed before graduate study begins and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better; application via the Graduate School online application with transcripts, three recommendation letters, statement of purpose and CV, plus any programme-specific tests/materials; international applicants add a TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test score; admission decisions are made by each programme.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applicants apply for a start term; fall is the main start term. Very few programmes admit new students for spring or summer terms.

Graduate applications and payment must be received by the deadline of the academic programme applied to, which varies by programme; the application closes at 11:59pm Eastern Time on the deadline date. The Graduate School recommends complete applications by December 15, 2026 for full fellowship consideration.

Apply through the official page: https://gradschool.unc.edu/admissions/instructions/

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