Cognitive and Psychological Sciences

How to Apply

Admissions to the CoPsy PhD programs is highly selective. We welcome applications from students holding BA, BS, or equivalent degree (for international students). We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and are actively seeking applicants from historically underrepresented groups, whose application fees are waived.

Scholarships and Aid

Brown guarantees full tuition, fees and a stipend for its regularly enrolled, degree-seeking Ph.D. candidates for five years of regular program enrollment, contingent upon satisfactory academic performance. Explore the Graduate School website to learn more about about Brown funding.

For information on how to apply for Brown funding, federal loans, private loans, research scholarships or fellowships please visit the Funding and Support website for graduate students.

Applications

The deadline to apply is December 1.

A critical element in judging applications is our assessment of the fit between the applicant’s intellectual and research interests and those of one or more faculty members. We strongly recommend that before applying, you carefully read through this departmental website, giving particular attention to the faculty research descriptions.

We invite you to correspond directly with individual faculty members before applying, but this is not required. Please note that we cannot estimate the probability of being admitted before you have applied. Our admission decisions are based on the complete application, which is considered by multiple members of the faculty.

Admission to the CoPsy Ph.D. programs is highly selective. About 15 percent of applicants are invited for interviews, and about half of the interviewees receive offers of admission. Accepted students receive five years of financial support (tuition and stipend).

Students accepted into one of the CoPsy Ph.D. programs are guaranteed five years of financial support contingent on satisfactory progress toward the degree. Support includes full-time tuition, a health fee, and a stipend to cover basic living expenses during the academic year.

The department also typically provides summer stipends if the student continues to work on research over the summer. Support normally comes in the form of teaching or research assistantships, and students are encouraged to apply for their own fellowships (e.g., NSF) before or after being admitted to the program.