Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) – PhD in Psychology (Cognitive & Social Neuroscience)

Neuroscience intersects with human behaviour, focusing on how the human brain drives decision-making, learning and social behaviour. Including:

• Decision-making and behavioural neuroscience
• Neural foundations of social and moral behaviour
• Teaching neuroscience and learning
• Behavioural intervention and application

Psychology, cognitive neuroscience, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence, statistics, mathematics, education, economics

• Academic background: A bachelor's degree (with evidence of research achievement or experience) or a master's degree in psychology, cognitive neuroscience or a related field. Applicants with an undergraduate degree in computer science, engineering or another discipline may also apply if they have a foundation in psychology or neuroscience.
• Academic performance: Direct-entry PhD applicants with a bachelor's degree: GPA of at least 3.8; Applicants who hold or are studying for a master's degree: no fixed GPA requirement; research experience and research ability carry greater weight.
• Language requirements: TOEFL: 79 (before 21 January 2026: at least 18 in reading, listening and speaking, and 19 in writing), or 4.5 (after 21 January 2026: at least 4 in reading and speaking, and 4.5 in listening and writing); or IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5; Applicants who have earned a degree taught in English in an English-speaking country may apply for an exemption; TOEFL iBT Home Edition, TOEFL MyBest Score, IELTS Indicator, IELTS One Skill Retake and IELTS Online are not accepted.
• References: Two recommendation letters.
• Preferred skills: Applicants familiar with programming tools such as MATLAB and Python are preferred.

• Hong Kong identity card or other identification document or photocopy of a passport;
• Diploma/leaving diploma and report card;
• English report card;
• Other relevant test results (if applicable: GMAT, GRE);
• A letter of recommendation 2;
• Papers published (if any).

Autumn admission. Applications are open on 9 1, the first round 12 1 (same scholarships) and the closing date for 4 15.

Up to the end of the month of 10 applicants will submit their English curriculum vitae and related materials, and we will conduct a preliminary assessment 11 that will invite potential mentors to interview 12 prior to the end of the month and that will require the official submission of the application 12 through the network of officials to be interviewed by the College Admission Board for the following year

Time nodes

1 take-up notice for the following month 2–3

Autumn: 12 1 (first round), 4 15 (cooking wheel)

The project is a full-time Ph.D. programme with a school year 3-6 (usually 4). Only 1 recruits. Depending on the student ' s condition and background, the following forms of admission may be available.

Note: studentship allowance is the monthly amount of the tax; Tuition figures are AY 2026/ 27. HKPFS is highly competitive and requires a separate application through the RGC.