Ph.D. in Psychology

The Ph.D. programme in Psychology aims to train future researchers in the field of Psychology. The programme focuses on developing the necessary skills for graduates to become independent researchers at the post-doctoral level. The programme comprises several areas of specialization; however, candidates will have to propose projects within the specialist areas within the supervisor’s fields of expertise.
Doctoral students are expected to design and execute an independent original research project and produce a Dissertation. Through their research project, students are expected to provide significant evidence of an original contribution to knowledge, develop or apply innovative research or intervention methods, and consequently, advance scientific knowledge in an area of Psychology.

Specific aims of the programme are for students to:

• Develop an in-depth understanding and critical analysis of current literature and research methodology in the field of Psychology.
• Enhance their research skills and facilitate the development of expertise relevant to their research specialization area.
• Educate students on disseminating research findings through publishing in academic journals and presenting their work in academic conferences and seminars.
• Prepare students to conduct high-quality and internationally recognized independent research.

After completing the Programme, students should be able to:

O1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of a specific field of Psychology and mastery of the skills and research methodology associated with that field.

O2. Demonstrate the ability to conceive, design, implement and adapt an actual research process with scholarly and ethical integrity.

O3. Have made a contribution through original research that extends the frontier of knowledge by developing a substantial body of work, some of which merits national or international refereed publication.

O4. Be capable of critically analysing, evaluating, and constructing new and complex ideas.

O5. Be capable of communicating with their peers, the larger scholarly community, and with society in general about their areas of expertise through, for example, conferences presentations, seminars, lectures, and research articles.

O6. Be able to promote technological, social, or cultural advancement in the field of psychology within academic and professional contexts.

O7. Be knowledgeable and able to follow the research code of ethics in the field of Psychology.

The Programme is aimed primarily at graduates with a Master’s degree in the field of Psychology. The general admission criteria are based on the type and quality of previous studies, the grade obtained in previous studies, and the candidate’s suitability for this programme.

The University’s admission policy is to make admission offers to applicants who are judged to have the background and abilities to have a reasonable expectation of success in the programme. The Programme Coordinator will be actively involved in the review of applications, and his approval will be required before admitting any student to the programme.

Submission of applications takes place once a year. The call of applications is published in the daily press, the University website, and other web pages. Apart from having a Master’s degree in the field of psychology preferably, the Ph.D. candidates should fill in an application form and submit the necessary documents (see below).

The application shall be accompanied by the following:

• • University Application form
  • ID/Passport copy
  • Secondary School Leaving Certificate
  • Bachelor’s degree and transcript
  • Master’s degree and transcript
  • Two reference letters
  • English language certificate
  • Personal statement (up to 500 words)
  • Research proposal which should:
    • Not exceed eight pages (including bibliography)
    • Conceptualize the research project, the objectives as well as how the Ph.D. thesis will contribute to scholarship
    • Describe the methodology and the relevant research tools, which will be used.
  • Two passport photos