Award Summary

100% of home tuition fees and an annual stipend (£20,780 in 2025/26).

Overview

Are you interested in the joint impact of hearing loss and cognitive decline on older adults? This PhD will collect new data to explore the complex relationships between auditory abilities, cognitive abilities, chronological ageing and biological ageing in those aged over 60.

Age-related hearing loss [ARHL] affects more than half the UK population aged over 55. Dementia, which typically affects older adults, is the UK's biggest health and social care crisis. Crucially, ARHL and cognitive decline co-occur, and ARHL has been suggested to be potentially the most modifiable risk factor for dementia. To exploit this therapeutic potential, it is essential that we better understand the connection between the two.

In this PhD, you will collect data from older adults assessing relevant perceptual and cognitive factors, including hearing ability, central auditory processing, speech perception and memory. You will use this data to statistically model the relationships between ageing, perception, and cognition. Crucially, both chronological and biological age will be measured, allowing a better understanding of the mechanisms driving concomitant sensory and cognitive declines.

You will develop a diverse skills portfolio, working in a cross-disciplinary team with considerable breadth of expertise. Newcastle University’s excellence in ageing and speech perception research means that your work will be supported by initiatives such as the Ageing and Inequalities Centre of Research Excellence, and facilities such as the Clinical Ageing Research Unit.

Number Of Awards

1

Start Date

September 2025

Award Duration

A three-year PhD

Application Closing Date

16th April 2025

Sponsor

Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University

Supervisors

Dr Scott McDonald (Psychology)

Dr Sarah Knight (Psychology)

Dr Christos Salis (Education, Communication and Language Sciences)

Eligibility Criteria

You must have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a relevant subject such as Psychology, Linguistics & Phonetics, Speech & Hearing Science, Speech & Language Therapy, or Audiology. A Masters with strong research training element would be highly advantageous.

If your first language is not English you need an overall IELTS score of 7.0 (minimum of 6.5 in writing and 6.0 in all other sub-skills), or alternative equivalent qualifications.

International applicants must fund the difference between home and international fees every year. They may require an ATAS clearance certificate prior to obtaining their visa and to study on this programme.

How To Apply

You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal

In ‘Course choice’ tab, put ‘Postgraduate Research’ in 'Type of Study', ‘Full Time’ in ‘Mode of Study’, ‘ 2025 ’ in ‘Year of Entry’, code ‘ 8851F ’ in ‘Course Title’, blank in ‘Research Area’. Press ‘Search’, select ‘ PhD Psychology (TCRI) (FT) ’, and save selection.

Either upload a document or write into ‘Personal Statement’. Put code ‘TC114’ in ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’. When prompted for research proposal, select ‘Write Proposal’. Type in the title of the research project from this advert. A research proposal is not required. You can also upload a covering letter and CV, please state how your interests and experience relate to the project.

Contact Details

For further details, please contact:

Dr Scott McDonald

Dr Sarah Knight

School of Psychology

[email protected]

[email protected]