Key information Duration: Full-time, 36 months (3-4 years) Start dates & application deadlines: Starting January 2027 - Apply before Oct 2026 Starting April 2027 - Apply before Jan 2027 Starting July 2027 - Apply before Apr 2027 Starting October 2027 - Apply before Jul 2027 Language: English (TOEFL iBT: 90, PTE Academic: 69, IELTS: 6.5) Delivered: On Campus Campus Location: Cardiff, United Kingdom Disciplines: Neuroscience, Optometry, and 11 other PhDs in Optometry in United Kingdom Overview…
This doctorate of Visual Neuroscience is delivered by Cardiff University . Distinctive features International centre of excellence Laboratory suites equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for cell and organ culture, histology, neuroscience, protein analysis, molecular biology, gene transfection, molecular genetics, absorption/emission spectroscopy, and microscopic imaging Has made a number of novel discoveries in the context of this theme: Identification of the gene responsible for the major form of optic atrophy Lipofuscin is a photoinducible free radical generator that causes cell dysfunction Matrix metalloproteinases are upregulated in the development of myopia in mammals and identification of a new member of the MMP family Damage to the centrifugal visual system alters eye development and its retractive state, suggesting that the brain influences emmetropisation Developed innovative experimental or genetic models for studying corneal transplantation, ocular development, glaucoma and optic atrophy, neural tracing, oxidative damage to the retina and a variety of eye diseases Supported by grants from the MRC, BBSRC, Wellcome Trust, NIHR/NISCHR, EU, Medical Charities, Health Service and the private sector Visit the programme website for more information Programme Structure Research themes: Genetic models of eye disease Understanding and preventing corneal dystrophies Gene transfer Structure of the optic nerve head in the healthy and glaucomatous eye Pupillary, accommodative and eye movement disorders Impact of neural plasticity on eye disease Ageing and cell dysfunction Oxidative damage and retinal dysfunction Check out the full curriculum Visit programme website Admission requirements Academic requirements GPA: Upper Second Class English requirements TOEFL iBT: 90 PTE Academic: 69 IELTS: 6.5 Prepare for Your English Test Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation - AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required. Trusted by 300k learners 98 accuracy using real exam data 4.9/5 student rating Other requirements General requirements: Suitable for graduates in optometry, medicine, psychology, social science, physics, biology, biochemistry, mathematics or any relevant scientific discipline. A First or Upper Second class UK Honours degree, master's degree, or equivalent is required. Make sure you meet all requirements - Visit programme website Fees and funding Tuition Fees Tuition fees are shown in AUD and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality. International (non-residents): 50,857 AUD / year (≈ 26,700 GBP / year) Domestic (citizens or residents): 9,535 AUD / year (≈ 5,006 GBP / year) Additional Details: Part-time tuition fees: £2,503 Living costs Cardiff, United Kingdom: 1,196-2,030 AUD / month Scholarships Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Visual Neuroscience. Fulbright-Cardiff University scholarship - Various benefits, Deadline: 07 Oct 2026 Cardiff University Marshall Scholarship - Various benefits, Deadline: Not specified Fulbright U.S. Student Program - Various benefits, Deadline: 07 Oct 2026 ACES Scholarships - 3500 USD, Deadline: 15 Nov 2026 ServiceScape Scholarship - 1000 USD, Deadline: 30 Nov 2026 Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility - Various benefits, Deadline: Not specified Scholarships for PhD Students - 19000 GBP, Deadline: Not specified Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship - Various benefits, Deadline: 28 Feb 2027 $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship - 1000 USD, Deadline: 31 Oct 2026 Women Scholarship for International Students - 5000 USD, Deadline: 28 Aug 2026 Voice Talent Online Scholarship - 1000 USD, Deadline: 01 Mar 2027 The PhD Prep Fellowship - 10000 USD, Deadline: 01 Sep 2026 Dream Chaser Scholarship - 1000 USD, Deadline: 13 Jan 2027 Scholarship for students with disabilities - 3000 USD, Deadline: 31 Dec 2026 Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids - 22500 GBP, Deadline: Not specified Grants of the Leopold Figl Foundation for students with residence in Lower Austria - Various benefits, Deadline: 31 Dec 2026 The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship - 1500 USD, Deadline: Not specified Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme - 12000 USD, Deadline: 11 Jan 2027