MSc by Research (Psychology)

About the MSc

The MSc by Research in Psychology is a one-year Masters programme. It can be taken either as a free-standing MSc or as the first part of a PhD programme. It aims to provide an advanced training in psychological research skills to a level prescribed in the ESRC training guidelines. It lays emphasis on the following outcomes:

• Comprehension of the basic principles of research strategy and design, including an understanding of how to formulate researchable problems and an appreciation of alternative approaches to research
• Competency in understanding and applying a range of methods and research tools.
• Skills in research management, including managing data and conducting, disseminating research in ways consistent with both professional practice and the normal principles of research ethics.
• Understanding the significance of alternative epistemological positions that provide the context for theory-construction.

Entry Requirements

The MSc is designed to be accessible to students who have a first degree in psychology or closely related subject. It is not a psychology conversion course. Interested candidates with other backgrounds are encouraged to contact the programme director () in the first instance.

Curriculum

Students take 120 credit-points worth of courses, including 6 compulsory core courses worth 100 credit points (10 or 20 credit points each course). A variety of option courses are offered, typically in the Schools of the College of Humanities and Social Science, but not exclusively.

In addition to the taught courses, students complete a dissertation on a substantive issue in psychology, normally involving empirical work or (occasionally) literature based research. The majority of dissertation work (worth an additional 60 credit points) takes place over the summer.

More details of the curriculum can be found here, and by reading the current course handbook, available here.

How to apply

Application forms and details of the application procedure are available online from the Postgraduate Office of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Advice on funding is available from the Psychology PG funding webpage the University's Scholarships and Financial Aid Office.

Please read our Frequently Asked Questions before you apply.

For more information about the MSc by Research (Psychology), please contact the programme secretary. On academic matters, please feel free to contact the programme director.