Pursuing a neuroscience graduate degree is a wise choice because it will open you to various doors of opportunities. And in this blog post, you will find the top best neuroscience PhD programs in the world to help you decide where you will be pursuing the program.
For many people, an undergraduate degree is not enough they want to explore as many fields as possible and expand their horizons which is why there are graduate degree programs to go for. A graduate program fully delves into that specific discipline and focuses better on the subject matter.
Getting a graduate degree also increases your chances at employment, comes with higher pay, better work-life balance, and higher positions, makes you more of a professional, and opens many doors of opportunities for you. A graduate degree is any other degree you go for after you have completed your undergraduate program.
So, a master’s and Ph.D. are graduate degree programs and there is a wide range of disciplines to pursue at this study level. Also, it is flexible, unlike an undergraduate program. In this blog post, I have discussed the best neuroscience programs in the world, just as the title says, and if this is what you want to do or have considered doing, this article will guide you.
And if it isn’t, you may want to look up other helpful articles that may interest you like the best free online law library for those preparing to enter the legal field. We also have a wide range of articles that will guide those seeking an MBA degree to advance their careers. You can also enroll in some free online graduate courses or any of the free online honorary doctorate programs from the comfort of your home to test the waters before enrolling in an actual graduate degree program.
Back to the topic, let’s quickly see what neuroscience means and then promptly go on to see how you can get into the program and then see the best schools in the world for it.
What Is Neuroscience?
Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system but its main focus is on the brain. So, yes, it is a medical field but it also combines numerous perspectives from biology and psychology. Since it is a medical field, is prior education in medicine, biology, psychology, chemistry, or in any of the sciences required before you can get into the program?
Well, let’s see what the requirements below have to say on that.
Requirements For Neuroscience Ph.D. Programs
Still on the best neuroscience Ph.D. programs globally, in this section, I have laid out the common or general requirements to enter a Ph.D. neuroscience program.
- Applicant must have a degree either in biology, physical or behavioral science, and have taken courses in chemistry, biology, and mathematics.
- Possess strong research skills and experience
- Excellent academic background with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 in an accredited bachelor’s degree.
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.
- Letters of recommendations
- Personal statement
- English language requirements for international applicants whose first language is not English.
- Resume or CV
- Statement of purpose
- GRE score (varies from school to school)
These are the basic requirements for a Ph.D. in neuroscience, however, note that these requirements vary across institutions. For instance, the Ph.D. neuroscience program at Stanford University does not consider GRE scores, no specific GPA for applicants is set, and an MS or MA is not required.
But the neuroscience Ph.D. at Penn State College of Medicine sets a minimum GPA of 3.0 for applicants while at Berkeley, no GPA is set but the GRE is optional.
This shows how different the requirements for a Ph.D. in neuroscience can be and you have to see the requirements before going ahead to apply.
10 Best Neuroscience Ph.D. Programs Globally
And to the moment you’ve been waiting for. Here, you will find a curated list of the best neuroscience Ph.D. programs from around the world. These schools were ranked by the US News & World Report based on academic research performance, publications, and citations in the subject matter.
In no particular order, the best neuroscience Ph.D. programs globally are:
- John Hopkins University Ph.D. in Neuroscience
- The University of Pennsylvania Ph.D. in Neuroscience
- The University of California – San Diego Ph.D. in Neuroscience
- University College London Ph.D. in Neuroscience
- Harvard University Ph.D. in Neuroscience
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology Brain and Cognitive Sciences PhD
- The University of California – San Francisco Ph.D. in Neuroscience
- Stanford University Ph.D. in Neuroscience
- Columbia University Doctoral Program in Neurobiology and Behavior
- The University of Washington in St. Louis
1. John Hopkins University Ph.D. in Neuroscience
John Hopkins University is popular for its strength in the medical field and has achieved so many feats, achievements, and feats in the field with the most popular being the first separation of the Siamese twins. The institution also ranks among the most prestigious universities in the US and the world.
The university offers a Ph.D. in neuroscience that is ranked by the US News & World Report among the best in the world. The program is offered under the Department of Neuroscience within the School of Medicine. The program aims to train students for independent research and teaching in neuroscience and put them at the forefront of the field.
2. The University of Pennsylvania Ph.D. in Neuroscience
The University of Pennsylvania is one of the Ivy League universities and these schools are nationally and internationally recognized for their prestigious academic offerings in all disciplines, especially relating to research. The neuroscience Ph.D. program at UPenn is one of the best globally, as ranked by the US News & World Report.
The program is designed to provide a strong foundation of neuroscience knowledge while at the same time taking into account each student’s strengths, needs, and career goals. The program aims to train graduates for careers in neuroscience teaching, research, and more.
3. The University of California – San Diego Ph.D. in Neuroscience
UC San Diego is one of the best schools in the world for a Ph.D. in neuroscience. To be accepted into the program, you must have an undergraduate degree in biology, engineering, microbiology, zoology, physics, psychology, chemistry, or mathematics.
Applicants are also required to have a strong desire and competence to study nervous system functions, and this requirement is much more important than their previous background and training.
4. University College London Ph.D. in Neuroscience
UCL is consistently ranked by the QS World University Rankings among the top 10 universities in the world, and the US News & World Report also ranks it among the best neuroscience Ph.D. programs globally.
One of the perks of UCL’s neuroscience program is that there are well-funded research labs to give students the best chance of getting off to a productive start in their research.
5. Harvard University Ph.D. in Neuroscience
Harvard University is also one of the Ivy League schools and is consistently ranked by the US News & World Report and the QS World University Rankings as the no.1 best university in the world. The school’s achievement is known around the US and beyond having trained most of the US presidents and heads of state from different parts of the world.
The neuroscience Ph.D. program at Harvard is under the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Students have access to all kinds of cutting-edge resources including labs, facilities, and equipment. Graduates from the Ph.D. neuroscience program at Harvard have gone on to work with top institutions and companies like Rutgers University, Biogen, and Google.
6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Brain and Cognitive Sciences PhD
MIT is globally known for its huge contribution to the development of modern technology and science which has made it rank among the best universities in the world. It is located in the US and its Ph.D. in neuroscience is ranked among the best globally by the US News & World Report.
The Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences is where graduates are trained in neuroscience. Entry into the program is tough as only about 5-10% of applicants are accepted annually. For the perks, students in the program are offered financial support.
7. The University of California – San Francisco Ph.D. in Neuroscience
UC San Francisco is one of the best universities in the world for a Ph.D. in neuroscience. The program aims to train doctoral students for independent research and teaching in neuroscience. To enter the program, applicants are required to meet the entry requirements which include submitting 3 recommendation letters, a statement of purpose with no more than 750 words, and an application fee of $135 which is non-refundable.
The program accepts international students but they must take either the PTE, TOEFL, or IELTS and submit test scores as part of their application.
8. Stanford University Ph.D. in Neuroscience
Stanford University is a prestigious higher institution in the US that is consistently ranked among the best in the world across multiple fields. One of the fields in which the institution ranks top is the Ph.D. program in Neuroscience. The program aims to train students to become leaders in neuroscience research, education, and outreach.
9. Columbia University Doctoral Program in Neurobiology and Behavior
Columbia University is also one of the Ivy League schools that offers a world-class Ph.D. in neuroscience. The quality of the program and prestige of the school, as well as its achievements, are some of the factors that make the school rank among the best neuroscience Ph.D. programs in the world.
Faculty members of the neuroscience department at Columbia University include Nobel Prize winners and members of the National Academy of Sciences. Students are trained and guided by some of the best in the field.
10. The University of Washington in St. Louis
And last but not least is the University of Washington in St. Louis which is also ranked among the top best Ph.D. in neuroscience in the world by the US News & World Report. The university has a complete department dedicated to the teaching, research, and training of neuroscience graduates who will become leaders in the field.
This wraps up the list of best neuroscience Ph.D. programs in the world and from the details here, you can be able to compare and contrast to find one that suits you best. These schools are mostly the world’s best and are very expensive, therefore, you may want to source for scholarships when applying to them.
Best Neuroscience Ph.D. Programs – FAQs
[sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”h3″ question-0=”what can I do with a PhD in neuroscience?” answer-0=” With a PhD in neuroscience, you can pursue careers such as medical scientist, research scientist, public policy advisor, teaching faculty, scientific writer, research faculty and behavioral health specialist.” image-0=”” headline-1=”h3″ question-1=”What is the average salary of a neuroscientist?” answer-1=” The average salary of a neuroscientist is $81,927 according to PayScale.” image-1=”” headline-2=”h3″ question-2=”How long does a PhD in neuroscience take?” answer-2=” A PhD in neuroscience can take between 3 to 7 years to complete.” image-2=”” count=”3″ html=”true” css_class=””]