Psychology and Neuroscience (PhD)
Develop advanced research expertise through hands-on training with leading experimental neuroscience and psychology researchers.
Why choose this program?
Dalhousie’s PhD programs in experimental psychology and neuroscience offer research training within active labs, developing advanced technical, analytical, and experimental skills applicable to careers in academia, health, industry, and public policy.
Dalhousie is a research‑intensive university with national and international research strengths in cognitive and behavioural science and neuroscience. In this PhD, you'll work closely with supervisors in laboratories supported by Dalhousie’s extensive, collaborative research ecosystem, building strong expertise in research design, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, technical tools, and scientific communication.
Training spans cognition, perception, language, development, and behavioural, cellular, and molecular neuroscience, including neuroimaging, and emphasizes ethics‑compliant research, inclusive mentoring environments, and the effective mobilization of research for academic, health, industry, and policy contexts.
Careers
Graduates pursue research‑intensive careers in academia, health and clinical research, industry, government, and public policy, applying advanced experimental, analytical, and program expertise across academic and non‑academic settings.
Program options
The program is a thesis-based PhD centered on original research in psychology and neuroscience, conducted under the supervision of a faculty advisor. Students engage in independent research with structured mentorship and hands-on research experience.
Research specializations
Research specializations include but are not limited to
- developmental psychology
- cognitive neuroscience
- animal learning
- forensic psychology
- perception
- language learning
- addictions and mental health
- behavioral genetics
- epigenetics
- pediatric pain research
- health psychology
All graduate programs at Dalhousie are collaboratively delivered by a home Faculty and the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Admission requirements
You'll need to meet the Faculty of Graduate Studies minimum requirements as well as any program-specific admission requirements before you can apply.
The next deadline to apply for this program is December 1 for the following September start (one intake per year) for Canadian and international applicants.
Program-specific requirements
This program requires you to meet the following criteria:
- A thesis‑based master’s degree in psychology, neuroscience, or a closely related field with at least an A- average.
- A strong academic background in your intended research area.
- Contacting potential supervisors in advance is advised and expected.
Please visit the Faculty of Graduate Studies English language proficiency requirements.
- Statement of Intent
- Upload Research Interests/Proposal
- 2 reference letters for the Psychology and Neuroscience PhD (submitted via the Dal application portal)
- Unofficial transcripts
Financial information
Questions about tuition and fees? Contact Student Accounts.
Email student.accounts@dal.ca or phone 902-494-3998.
