MSc Psychology by Research

The School of Psychology fosters a culture of collaborative, multidisciplinary research and you will join a vibrant community that includes regular work-in-progress seminars to foster an active research environment. You will join one of our four research hubs described below, all of which are engaged in inter-institutional collaborations, including some with non-academic partners such as health-care providers.

We are happy to consider research proposals on a wide range of topics relevant to our hubs, but may also be looking to fill specific research roles in some areas. Click on the link to each hub below to find out more.

Study can be on either a full-time or a part-time basis. The minimum period of study for achieving your MSc is one year full-time or two years part-time.

You must have a 2:1 or higher in an undergraduate Psychology degree, or a closely related degree with a solid understanding of psychology research methods and statistics.

Interested in talking to us? Contact us, and we will be back in touch for an informal chat to discuss the opportunities available. We also offer our taught MSc in Health Psychology.

Our Research Hubs

Centre for Research into Expertise Acquisition, Training and Excellence (CREATE)

This research area is led by Dr Philip Fine and Dr Kathryn Friedlander together with Dr Gillian Hill and Dr Helen Clegg. The main focus of the centre is the exploration of the drivers of excellence in performance (whether cognitive, creative or practice-based). We welcome applications from potential MSc and PhD candidates across a wide range of related topic areas, including:

• Insight and creativity
• The drivers of performance excellence and expertise development (e.g. in music, theatre, puzzle-solving, board-games and medicine)
• Hobbies, motivations and characteristics of niche populations
• Psychology of music, choreography and dance
• Time perception and those with ‘natural’ time-keeping abilities

Find out more about our MSc (Research) in the Psychology of Creativity and Performance Expertise.

CREATE staff are at the forefront of creativity research in the UK, and are founder members of the UK Creativity Researchers group, which meets annually; we also collaborate with a number of external contacts in the performance fields (such as music conservatoires), as well as internal colleagues in Applied Computing and The University of Buckingham Medical School. More information here.

Centre for Health and Relationship Research (CHR)

This research hub, focusing on Health, Relationships and Wellbeing, is headed up by Dr Lindsey Roberts, together with Dr Jackie Romaine and Dr Margaret Tilley. The main aim of the hub is to study the impact of the interpersonal world and support structures on health and well-being in clinical and non-clinical settings.

• Prevalence, impact of and psychosocial challenges facing people following spinal cord injury
• Biopsychosocial understanding of pain and developing interventions for successful pain management
• Social norms as a predictor of health behaviours in young people
• Social factors affecting uptake of health behaviours
• The role of social support in living well with chronic conditions

Together, these projects represent a body of work which seeks to fight patient isolation and to understand health experiences in the context of a social world. The hub aims to identify methods for supporting patients as they live with long-term conditions, including through developing interventions, assessment techniques and knowledge dissemination. We aim to share our findings through the design of downloadable materials, such as patient information leaflets and newsletters, which will allow for research outcomes to be demonstrated to patients and their support networks. With connections and active research work taking part at four local NHS hospitals, we can offer excellent opportunities for research studies with tangible impact.

In addition to postgraduate research in health psychology, we also offer a taught MSc in Health Psychology. Find out more.

Cyber and Interpersonal Behaviour Research (CIBR)

The CIBR research hub in the School of Psychology is headed by Dr Sofia Petisca, together with Dr Alan Martin, Dr. Rachel Manning and Dr Philip Fine. CIBR offers diverse research opportunities in the following areas:

• Cyberpsychology, including cyberbullying and other online risks
• Motivations and social effects of gaming
• Human robot interaction
• Cyber versus real world behaviour
• Bystander behaviour, prosocial behaviour and social identities
• Group dynamics and cohesion
• Social inference and emotion regulation
• Mental resilience and its relationship to social support

The aim of the research in this area is to explore human behaviour, social experiences and group dynamics in both online and offline contexts.

Find out more about our MSc (Research) in Cyberpsychology.

Contact us

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My particular area of interest is: Centre for Research into Expertise Acquisition, Training and ExcellenceCentre for Health and Relationship ResearchCyber and Interpersonal Behaviour ResearchPsychology of Educational DevelopmentI have no preferred area but would like to discuss postgraduate studies with you

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Applicants are normally expected to have the minimum of a 2:1 degree in Psychology or related discipline.

Mature students

Age is no barrier to learning and we welcome all applications from suitably qualified students.

International students

We are happy to consider all international applications and if you are an international student, you may find it useful to visit our international pages for details of entry requirements from your home country.

The University is a UKVI Student Sponsor.

English levels

If English is not your first language, please check our postgraduate English language requirements. If your English levels don’t meet our minimum requirements, you may be interested in applying for our Pre-sessional English Language Foundation Programmes.

Selection process

Wherever possible, you will be invited to the University to meet the Admissions Tutor for an informal interview and to have a tour of our campus. If you are an international applicant, it may not be possible for you to visit in person, so if the Admissions Tutor has any queries about your application you may be conducted by Microsoft Teams, email or phone.

Our Admissions Team will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Call us on +44 (0)1280 820227 or get in touch via our online form.

Student Contract for prospective students

When you are offered a place at the University you will be notified of the student contract between the University and students on our courses of study. When you accept an offer of a place on the course at the University a legal contract is formed between you and the University on the basis of the student contract in your offer letter. Your offer letter and the student contract contain important information which you should read carefully before accepting an offer. Read the Student Contract.

Quality supervision

The aim of the Research Programme is to help students develop the following: a) a systematic and in-depth understanding in the subject area of choice of research by the student; b) the critical skills necessary to analyse and evaluate complex legal problems and related issues; c) To give students the opportunity to undertake a substantial independent research project at Level 7 of writing; d) research skills necessary to demonstrate familiarity with and understanding of the subject, its principal sources and authorities; e) To develop research skills necessary to display critical discrimination and a sense of proportion in evaluating evidence and the opinions of other authors in the subject.

High calibre staff

Most of our academic staff teach for three terms out of four, with the remaining term used for research. Because of this, we have no difficulty in attracting high calibre, highly respected lecturers, many of whom also have a background in business or industry and can offer networking opportunities for students.

Supervisory methods

Candidates spend a considerable part of their studies undertaking supervised research, at the end of which they submit a thesis embodying the results of that research. This thesis must demonstrate familiarity with, and an understanding of the subject, its principal sources and authorities. It should display critical discrimination and a sense of proportion in evaluating evidence and the judgements of others. The subject should be dealt with in a competent and scholarly manner. In addition to this:

1. All postgraduate research students are required to take the Research Methods Course.
2. All postgraduate research students must attend supervisory meetings
3. All postgraduate research students must attend any other training required to assist with the completion of the PhD.

Graduate employment

Our graduates have gone on to further study at most of the world’s leading universities, including Harvard, London, Oxford and Cambridge and secured jobs in senior positions around the world. Among our alumni we have a graduate who became the head of his country’s civil service and one who became a leading Formula One motor-racing driver. Another secured a position as the Minister of Sabah and one female law graduate became the first British lawyer to become a French Advocate.

The University reserves the right to increase course fees annually in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI). If the University intends to increase your course fees it will notify you via email of this as soon as reasonably practicable.

Course fees do not include additional costs such as books, equipment, writing up fees and other ancillary charges. Where applicable, these additional costs will be made clear.

Postgraduate loan scheme

A system of postgraduate loans for Masters’ degrees in the UK is supported by the UK Government. The loan will provide up to £11,222 for taught and research Masters’ courses in all subject areas. The loans can be used for tuition fees, living expenses or both.

Scholarships

Details of scholarships can be found on our Bursaries and Scholarships page. You should make an application to study at the University and receive an offer letter confirming our acceptance of your application before applying for a scholarship.

You may also find it useful to visit our External Funding page.

Due to the mode of study on this course you will not normally need a room in University accommodation during your degree.

Apply directly

You can apply directly using our online application form – all you need to do is click the ‘apply’ button at the bottom of this page.