MRes Psychology

Course description

The new Master of Research (MRes) programme aims to offer you the finest possible preparation for undertaking original research in psychology.

• Build the high-level skills you need to become a professional researcher
• Design and deliver a substantial piece of independent psychology research on an original theme of your choosing
• Tailor your research project to reflect your professional and personal interests, your current job role or your career aspirations
• Develop a confident command of a range of research skills and methods, with a focus on both quantitative and qualitative methods
• Work with psychology experts at the cutting edge of their specialist areas
• Benefit from personal individual supervision
• Balance your studies with your other commitments through our flexible blend of online learning and short study blocks on campus
• Harness our sophisticated psychology research facilities, including a video observation suite and the latest eye tracking equipment
• Open the doors to new career opportunities as a researcher in academic, commercial or public sector settings
• Gain the ideal platform for progression to a PhD.

The MRes is designed for intellectual graduates with strong honours degrees and behavioural science professionals who are keen to enhance their career prospects by taking their research skills to the next level. It differs from more traditional taught masters programmes – such as an MSc –because of its focus on enhancing research methods and skills. Covering both quantitative and qualitative approaches, you will gain a thorough grounding in the methods and processes which underpin original research in psychology and then conduct your own major independent research project under expert supervision. The research skills you build culminate in you undertaking a research project supervised by a member of staff, the assessment of which includes a viva voce examination, excellent preparation for a PhD. These are some of the research areas currently supervised within the department, and some studies that you can choose from, alternatively, feel free to discuss your own ideas with us.

Skills in research, analysis and evaluation are increasingly valued by employers across many different sectors. The thorough understanding of psychological theory, research and methodology you gain from your MRes studies will therefore give you a distinct advantage as you pursue your career.