Psychological Research (MSc)

Specifically designed for students who wish to pursue an academic research career, the course offers first-hand research experience through placements in different laboratories, working on thematically related research. This lab rotation offers strong candidates for doctoral research more scope to explore different topics within their areas of interest than the traditional options at Master’s level.

Two placements taken during the course allow you to contribute directly to your chosen supervisors’ research. A subsequent research project then gives you the chance to put this experience into practice in developing your own area of study, supported through the advice of relevant academics. Possible themes include:

• Sensorimotor Control
• Cognition and Emotion
• Development of Language and Communication
• Psychology and Policing
• Driving
• Sleep

Alternatively, you can plan your own pathway based on our research expertise.

 

Core modules

A) Research Project in Psychology
The aim of the project is to provide you with the opportunity to investigate and carry out novel research in the area of Psychology that is empirical.

You will choose two from:

• Psychological Research Laboratory Placement 1
• Psychological Research Laboratory Placement 2
• Psychological Research Short Laboratory Placement

B) Data Analysis Skills:

You will choose either:

Methods and Analysis in Behavioural Science

The purpose of the module is to introduce experimental design and statistical programming.

or 

Advanced Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis

This module adopts a clinically relevant practical focus to introduce you to both advanced qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Optional modules

Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:

• Practical Research Skills for Psychology
• Communication, dissemination, and Professional Issues
• Computational Modelling
• Experimental design and data collection
• An appropriate module from our undergraduate provision

The availability of option modules depends on several factors and cannot be guaranteed in advance. Therefore, the list above provides a sample of previously available options for illustrative purposes only.

 

Minimum requirements|

Degree
At least a 2.i undergraduate degree or equivalent in a related subject.

Research interest
Students must provide at least a rough research outline, detailing their placement and project interests, in their personal statement. Applications without a research outline will be rejected.

Recommended
It is recommend that you contact a member of staff and agree project supervision with them before applying.

English language requirements

• 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.
   

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, however we are awaiting guidance from the UK government regarding fee status for EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members living in the UK for academic year 2021/22 onwards. We are not able to confirm the fee status for these students until the relevant eligibility criteria have been confirmed. Once we have received further information from the UK government, we will provide you with an update on your fee status and let you know if any additional information is required. 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.

 

Graduates from this course have gone on to secure posts in research and on to further postgraduate study, continuing their research in their fields.

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year.