Prospective Students
Prospective Students
The Ecological Brain DTP is committed to improving equality, diversity and inclusion in the postgraduate community in the broad field of the study of brain and behaviour in the real world. We carry the responsibility to ensure that students in the programme come from diverse backgrounds, are treated equally once they arrive and are accepted in the scientific community.
Please note that in the academic year 2026-2027 we will only be running the 3-yr programme.
3-year programme
Students select a primary and one or more secondary PhD supervisors and write a short project proposal as part of their application to the programme. Students will be based in the home department of their primary supervisor.
Please note that for the 3-year programme you need to have a clear idea on your supervisor and research project at this stage and we encourage you to get in touch with prospective supervisors as soon as possible. A list of potential supervisors is available here and describes the Ecological Brain research carried out in different labs at UCL.
Alternatively, applicants can choose one of the projects listed and discuss the project in further detail with the listed supervisor.
4-year programme - not accepting applications for 2026-2027
Criteria
Programme criteria
• Applicants must hold, or be expected to achieve, a first or high upper second-class undergraduate honours degree (e.g. BA, BSc) or a Master’s degree (e.g. MRes, MSc), or the overseas equivalent, in a relevant subject.
• All students whose first language is not English must be able to provide recent evidence that their spoken and written command of the English language is adequate for the programme according to UCL requirements. Applicants must achieve the level of ‘good’.
There are several funding routes and we welcome applications from all candidates (UK, EU, overseas) who are either self-funding or in receipt of an alternative funding source.
The Ecological Brain DTP at UCL strives to be diverse and inclusive - a place where we can all be ourselves. We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.
Application guidelines
Funding routes
Please note: the information below relates to the 2026/27 academic year - applications for this are no longer accepted. However it will give you an idea of the possibilities for future applications.
We encourage all applicants to apply for a studentship in the Ecological Study of Brain and Behaviour pathway in UBEL DTP. The deadline for this has now passed (10th of November 2025).
If you have missed the deadline, or if you wish to also be considered for other funding routes: please apply directly to the Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme for the Ecological Study of the Brain (3 Years) through the UCL application portal.
Please follow up your application by emailing the Ecological Brain Programme Administrator on ecologicalbrain@ucl.ac.uk. In your email, please indicate if you wish to be considered for one of the following funding routes (ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and prepare the required documents).
UCL-Research Excellence Scholarship (UCL-RES) (for both UK and overseas applicants - please submit the requested documents as separate files to )ecologicalbrain@ucl.ac.uk
UCL-Research Opportunity Scholarship (UCL-ROS) (UK-permanents resident from one of the following Black, Asian, and minority ethnic groups - please see website for details and submit the requested UCL-ROS covered sheet to )ecologicalbrain@ucl.ac.uk
PALS demonstratorship (career development studentships, covering tuition fees and enhanced stipend. This route requires the successful applicant to contribute to teaching onto specific undergraduate or postgraduate courses that the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences runs. This route is only available for applicants with ‘home fee’ status, with a primary supervisor based in the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences. The programme selection committee will contact eligible candidates and nominate a number of them on behalf of the programme.
Self/externally-funded (You can also apply with your own funding or funding that you may receive externally from your government or industry partners).
Timeline for applying for the 2026-27 academic year
DEADLINE for online applications: 05th January 2026, 23:59 GMT
It is highly recommended to submit your application 3-4 days before the deadline to avoid delays; Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.
INTERVIEW DATES: Mid-January 2026, TBC
We aim to notify selected candidates shortly after the closing date;
At the interview you will be expected to answer some questions about your previous research experience and potential for an academic career;
The interview panel will include min. three members of the EcoBrain supervisors.
ADMISSION:
The results of the interviews will be announced informally via email within three weeks time. A more formal letter from UCL will be sent anytime afterwards. If accepted for admission, the programme will start 1st October 2026.
For more information please email us on ecologicalbrain@ucl.ac.uk
RESEARCH PROPOSAL:
You can submit your own research proposal - please contact your supervisor of choice to discuss your research project before submitting your application. Alternatively, you can contact a supervisor to discuss potential research projects they may have available within the remit of the Ecological Study of the Brain.