Physiology, Development and Neuroscience

Key facts:

To achieve this, a student will have acquired the essential skills required to design and conduct experiments (including applying for ethics approval where necessary), analyse results, and communicate these both in writing and orally. These skills will include those that can be transferred successfully to their choice of academic or other careers.

The PhD at the Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience is achieved by supervised research and is under the jurisdiction of the Degree Committee for the Faculty of Biology. The Postgraduate School of Life Science also helps by providing additional transferable skills training. Within the department, the internal Departmental Postgraduate Educational Committee is responsible for all aspects of the running of the degree. A suitable project that falls within the interests of the Supervisor and is sustainable within the limits imposed by the facilities available in the department is agreed upon by both the student and Supervisor and endorsed by the Postgraduate Committee at the point of admission. Each postgraduate student has a primary Supervisor, who will supervise the main body of their research, and an academic advisor, who acts as a supplementary source of advice and support.

Students attend a variety of seminars given by distinguished scientists and are also able to present their research by giving seminars at our annual symposium, usually in their first year and at our weekly seminar series in their third year.

Programme Structure

Teaching

• The course is exclusively by research. The project and supervisor are determined during the application process.
• All students on this programme will be members of the University's Postgraduate School of Life Sciences (PSLS) who offer a wide variety of core skills and professional development training.

Admission requirements

Academic requirements

• GPA: Upper Second Class

English requirements

• TOEFL iBT: 100
• IELTS: 7

Other requirements — General requirements

• Two academic references
• Transcript
• CV/resume
• Evidence of competence in English
• Statement of Interest
• Proposed Supervisor
• Project title
• Research Proposal

Fees and funding

Tuition Fees

• International: 78,395 AUD / year (≈ 41,304 GBP / year)
• Domestic: 20,646 AUD / year (≈ 10,878 GBP / year)

Living costs — Cambridge, United Kingdom: 1,606-2,781 AUD / month. The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Scholarships

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Physiology, Development and Neuroscience.

• Trinity External Research Studentship — Grant 60000 GBP — University of Cambridge
• Robert Gardiner Memorial Scholarship — Grant 10390 GBP — University of Cambridge
• Wright Rogers Law Scholarships — Grant 3000 GBP — Deadline 01 Jul 2027 — University of Cambridge
• NI-WA Graduate Scholarships in Japanese Studies — Grant Various benefits — University of Cambridge
• Japan and the World Graduate Scholarships — Grant 42500 GBP — University of Cambridge
• Fulbright U.S. Student Program — Grant Various benefits — Deadline 07 Oct 2026
• ServiceScape Scholarship — Grant 1000 USD — Deadline 30 Nov 2026
• ACES Scholarships — Grant 3500 USD — Deadline 15 Nov 2026
• Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility — Grant Various benefits
• Scholarships for PhD Students — Grant 19000 GBP
• Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship — Grant Various benefits — Deadline 28 Feb 2027
• Amberscholar Scholarship — Grant 6000 USD — Deadline 31 Jan 2027
• Voice Talent Online Scholarship — Grant 1000 USD — Deadline 01 Mar 2027
• $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship — Grant 1000 USD — Deadline 31 Oct 2026
• Dream Chaser Scholarship — Grant 1000 USD — Deadline 13 Jan 2027
• Scholarship for students with disabilities — Grant 3000 USD — Deadline 31 Dec 2026
• Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids — Grant 22500 GBP
• The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship — Grant 1500 USD
• Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme — Grant 12000 USD — Deadline 11 Jan 2027