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PhD/MPhil in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (2024 entry)

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Find out more about our PhD/MPhil in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Explore intellectual disabilities and autism in depth on Warwick's MPhil/PhD in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The Centre for Research in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (CIDD) is an internationally recognised research centre specialising in intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism across the lifespan.


Course overview

Students carry out a PhD by research only. There are no taught course components.

Teaching and learning

The department has several small PhD work spaces that students can access.


General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2.1 Upper Second Class honours undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a related subject.


English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

  • Band B
  • IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.


Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Our research

    We are interested in hearing from people who are thinking of pursuing a PhD in areas of CIDD’s expertise:

    • Intellectual and developmental disabilities (including autism) across the lifespan
    • Assessment and diagnosis in intellectual and developmental disabilities
    • Families, family adjustment, siblings of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and sibling relationships
    • Mental health in children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (including autism)
    • Forensic mental health in adults with intellectual disabilities and/or autism
    • Developmental psychology with children and adults with intellectual disabilities and/or autism
    • School attendance in children and young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
    • Early intervention in intellectual and developmental disabilities
    • Early development of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (including autism)
    • Transition to adulthood for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
    • Parenting skills and interventions in families of children and adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities
    • Psychological and educational therapies and interventions for children, adolescents, adults and families of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (including autism)
    • Training of education, health and social care staff who work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities

    If you are interested in doing a PhD with us, you can look for and contact potential supervisors using our CIDD Staff Directory.

    Students are encouraged to contact K dot Gray dot 1 at warwick dot ac dot uk to discuss their interest in applying to study at CIDD prior to submitting an application.

    You can also see our general University guidance about finding a supervisor.

    Find a supervisor

    We are interested in hearing from people who are thinking of pursuing a PhD in areas of CIDD’s expertise in intellectual disability / autism:

    • Intellectual and developmental disabilities (including autism) across the lifespan
    • Assessment and diagnosis in intellectual and developmental disabilities
    • Families, family adjustment, siblings of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and sibling relationships
    • Mental health in children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (including autism)
    • Forensic mental health in adults with intellectual disabilities and/or autism
    • Developmental psychology with children and adults with intellectual disabilities and/or autism
    • School attendance in children and young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
    • Early intervention in intellectual and developmental disabilities
    • Early development of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (including autism)
    • Transition to adulthood for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
    • Parenting skills and interventions in families of children and adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities
    • Psychological and educational therapies and interventions for children, adolescents, adults and families of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (including autism)
    • Training of education, health and social care staff who work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities

    If you are interested in doing a PhD with us, you can look for and contact potential supervisors using our CIDD Staff Directory.

    Students are encouraged to contact K dot Gray dot 1 at warwick dot ac dot uk to discuss their interest in applying to study at CIDD prior to submitting an application.

    You can also see our general University guidance about finding a supervisor.Link opens in a new window

    Tuition fees

    Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

    Find your research course fees


    Fee Status Guidance

    The University carries out an initial fee status assessment based on information provided in the application and according to the guidance published by UKCISA. Students are classified as either Home or Overseas Fee status and this can determine the tuition fee and eligibility of certain scholarships and financial support.

    If you receive an offer, your fee status will be stated with the tuition fee information. If you believe your fee status has been incorrectly classified you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire (follow the instructions in your offer) and provide the required documentation for this to be reassessed.

    The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides guidance to UK universities on fees status criteria, you can find the latest guidance on the impact of Brexit on fees and student support on the UKCISA website.


    Additional course costs

    Please contact your academic department for information about department specific costs, which should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below, such as:

    • Core text books
    • Printer credits
    • Dissertation binding
    • Robe hire for your degree ceremony

    Scholarships and bursaries

    Scholarships and financial support

    Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

    Living costs

    Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

    Department content block about careers

    Centre for Research in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (CIDD)

    CIDD is an internationally recognised research centre with an applied research focus on intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism.

    We emphasise combined methods research undertaken in multi-disciplinary teams, secondary analysis approaches, and intervention evaluation designs including randomised controlled trials.

    Find out more by visiting our website.Link opens in a new window

    How to apply

    The application process for courses that start in September and October 2024 will open on 2 October 2023.

    For research courses that start in September and October 2024 the application deadline for students who require a visa to study in the UK is 2 August 2024. This should allow sufficient time to complete the admissions process and to obtain a visa to study in the UK.

    How to apply for a postgraduate research course  

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