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Evolution and Human Behaviour

Award Attendance Study Duration Start Domestic fees International fees
MRes On-Campus Full-time 12 find out find out find out
Course fee notes

See Fees and Funding tab in the Programme information in our online Prospectus. https://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses/degrees/evolution-human-behaviour-mres/?utm_source=referral-study-link&utm_medium=course-listing&utm_content=evolution-human-behaviour-mres&utm_campaign=PG3PL-study-link#fees&funding

About Evolution and Human Behaviour, MRes - at Newcastle University

The MRes is a research-based course with a taught component. It provides a springboard into a career that involves a working knowledge of scientific research.

The course is designed for graduates with a BSc in the life sciences, psychology or anthropology. Fully qualified or intercalating MBBS or BDS students can also apply. It can be taken either as a stand-alone qualification or as an entry route onto a PhD or MD.

What you'll learn

The taught component of the course includes training in research approaches relevant to the area of Evolution and Human Behaviour. You have the flexibility to develop your own bespoke course by selecting a set of three complementary modules. Recommended modules, include:

  • Comparative Cognition (MMB8043)
  • Sensory Systems (MMB8019)
  • The Biological Basis of Psychiatric Illness and its Treatment (MMB8010).

You will also participate in training in general research principles, and other professional and key skills.

The core module on the biological study of behaviour introduces the central questions related to Evolution and Human Behaviour research (adaptive consequences, proximate mechanisms, development, and evolutionary history) and the research methods associated with each. Other relevant modules focus on:

  • Comparative cognition
  • Sensory systems
  • Psychiatric disorders and their treatment.

Research-led seminars delivered by members of the Centre for Behaviour and Evolution cover evolutionary psychology areas such as:

  • Human mate choice
  • Altruism and cooperation
  • Food choices and obesity
  • Comparative and developmental psychology of cognition.

Your project

Your research project comprises the major element of the course. This project will involve 24 weeks of research in an area of Evolution and Human Behaviour under the supervision of an expert academic researcher in the field.

The course allows you to experience an internationally competitive research area, predominantly in academia but also potentially in industry. Graduates from our programme have gone on to competitive PhD studentships, as well as jobs in psychology and in research.

Your development

Faculty of Medical Sciences Graduate School

Our Medical Sciences Graduate School is dedicated to providing you with information, support and advice throughout your research degree studies. We can help and advise you on a variety of queries relating to your studies, funding or welfare.

Our Research Student Development Programme supports and complements your research whilst developing your professional skills and confidence.

You will make an on-going assessment of your own development and training needs through personal development planning (PDP) in the ePortfolio system. Our organised external events and development programme have been mapped against the Vitae Researcher Development Framework to help you identify how best to meet your training and development needs.

Our MRes courses

Evolution and Human Behaviour MRes is one of a suite of MRes courses.

See How to Apply tab in the Programme information in our online Prospectus.


Entry requirements for this course

Contact Newcastle University to find course entry requirements.


View all courses at Newcastle University

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