PhD Psychology

Overview

The University of Chester welcomes students to undertake research towards MPhil and PhD degrees in Psychology. The Department of Psychology offers a supportive environment in which to undertake postgraduate research on a part- or full-time basis. We offer supervision in a range of areas, including possibilities for inter-disciplinary approaches. Our staff have expertise in areas of health, sport and exercise, psychology, animal behaviour, evolutionary psychology, children and families, cognition, language and emotion.

The Chester Research Unit for the Psychology of Health (CRUPH) conducts cutting edge psychological research and consultancy to help improve professional practice in the fields of health and wellbeing and has a growing number of postgraduate researchers engaged in a variety of programmes in collaboration with local healthcare providers and third sector organisations. Recent additions to staffing in the department enable us to supervise work at PhD level in all areas of psychology.

Research students in psychology are well-supported by an active seminar programme and research group meetings within the department and by the University’s programme of research student events.

Recent successful projects have included those looking at the social relationships of wild spider monkeys and how zoo-housed marmoset and tamarin monkeys respond to relocation and how zoo visitors impact their behaviour. Contrastingly, our two newest postgraduate research students are exploring occupational stress in palliative care, and the psychosocial adjustment processes and supportive care needs of patients with haematological cancer.

We strongly recommend that you make informal enquiries with the department before applying. As part of the application process, students are required to present a detailed research proposal.