Neurology PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships for Self-funded Students

As a PhD student in Neurology, your research can range from basic clinical research to neurological disorders. You might be researching on different, but related aspects of the functions of the nervous system.

What’s it like to study a PhD in Neurology?

Neurology deals with all the aspects of the structure and function of the nervous system and you can choose to carry out your research in one of the many specialised fields of study like cognitive neurology or computational neurology.

Some popular Neurology research topics are:

• Neuroimaging
• Brain repair and rehabilitation
• Clinical and experimental epilepsy
• Neurodegenerative disease
• Neuroinflammation
• Dementia

You can be sure that your research will be supported by cutting edge technology which will allow you to work at leading neurology departments and institutes once you graduate.

A PhD in Neurology can be 3-4 years long during which time you’ll be required to produce a piece of unique research in the form of a final thesis. You will also have to sit for an oral viva examination during which you’ll defend your research.

In the UK, you’ll usually find that PhDs in Neurology are advertised with a research aim attached. This is the case for most STEM subjects. You can, in some cases, also propose your own research project but we highly recommend that you speak with a potential supervisor about the scope of your research before you make a formal application.

You might also be asked to enrol into an MPhil to begin with. You can upgrade to a PhD after your first year if your work meets certain standards. Whether you are eligible to upgrade to a PhD will be decided by your supervisor.

Some PhDs in Neurology also call for laboratory rotations and training modules that are designed to provide you with the skills to excel at your research. You might be asked to take these classes in the first year of your study.

Entry requirements

In most cases, a PhD in Neurology requires applicants to have an Upper-Second Class Bachelors degree in a relevant biological or medical subject. There may be some other specific subject-related entry requirements if you’re applying to one of the many specialities within Neurology.

You might also be asked to show proficiency in the university’s official language, depending on where you’re applying to.

PhD in Neurology funding options

In the UK, Neurology PhDs are funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC). They offer fully funded studentships along with a monthly stipend. Usually, PhDs are advertised with funding attached and guaranteed if you’re successful in your application. If you’re proposing your own PhD, you’ll need to be accepted into a university and then apply for funding separately.

PhD in Neurology careers

A PhD in Neurology will equip you for a job in at pharmaceuticals, governments and public health organisations. If you would wish to continue your research, you could think of a future as a postdoctoral research fellow or in academia, as a lecturer.