Translational Neuroscience - Programme Structure

Our PhD programme in Translational Neuroscience is a 'PhD with Integrated Study' degree from the University of Edinburgh which provides a tapered programme over four years.

The taught component is weighted towards year one, but training elements continue throughout years two and three, alongside your PhD research project. Students apply to the PhD programme; you only choose your individual PhD project towards the end of year one, after undertaking three different rotation projects.

Year One

In year one, you will receive regular training on translational methodological approaches alongside parallel discussions throughout the year (led by both clinical and fundamental researchers) focusing on human disorders across the lifecourse from development, to adolescence/adulthood, through to old age. Alongside these you will undertake three rotation projects, one from each of the 3 lifecourse areas. Thus your disorders discusions and your rotation projects will complement one another and progress through the lifecourse, whilst also being underpinned by relevant translational methadology.

Years Two - Four

Towards the end of year one you will develop your PhD project, drawing on your experiences so far, and you will put together a supervisory team which includes both fundamental and clinical/human researchers. We have a broad supervisor pool covering a wide variety of research areas, providing plenty of opportunity for you to tailor a PhD project that suits your interests.

In years two and three the disorders and key methodological discussions with clinical and fundamental researchers will continue, and these will both reinforce and enhance your PhD project research experience.

In year four you will complete your PhD project and write up your findings into a thesis dissertation to be submitted before the completion of the four-year programme. The award of your PhD will be dependant on timely submission and sucessful completion of a thesis defence.

Clinic visits

Throughout year 1 you will undertake pre-arranged NHS clinic visits to gain an understanding of conditions and disorders across the life course. During years 2 and 3 you are expected to arrange your own clinic visits, probably in an area related to your PhD study. During these years you will also develop and present case studies of a patient.