A doctorate in Psychiatry from the University of Cambridge is primarily a research degree and involves minimal formal teaching; students are integrated into the research culture of the Department and the Institute in which they are based.

Each student conducts their PhD project under the direction of their Principal Supervisor, with additional teaching and guidance provided by an Advisor, to increase access to staff members and accommodate a diversity of viewpoints.

The subject of the research project is determined during the application process and is influenced by the research interests of the studentÕs supervisor, i.e. students should apply to study with a group leader whose area of research most appeals to them.

To broaden their knowledge of their chosen field, students are strongly encouraged to attend relevant seminars, lectures and training courses, including transferable skills training provided by the Graduate School of Life Sciences.Ê

We also require our students to attend their research groupÕs Ôresearch in progress/laboratory meetingsÕ, at which they are expected to regularly present their ongoing work.

Course objectives

The PhD course enables the students to significantly develop their analytical and research skills, and is intended as preparation for further research.

The PhD programme provides:

• a period of sustained in-depth study of a specific topic;
• an environment that encourages the studentÕs originality and creativity in their research;
• skills to enable the student to critically examine the background literature relevant to their specific research area;
• the opportunity to develop skills in making and testing hypotheses, in developing new theories, and in planning and conducting experiments;
• the opportunity to expand the studentÕs knowledge of their research area, including its theoretical foundations and the specific techniques used to study it;
• the opportunity to gain knowledge of the broader field of research in psychiatry; and
• an environment in which to develop skills in written work, oral presentation and publishing the results of their research in high-profile scientific journals, through constructive feedback of written work and oral presentations.