MSc Psychological Research Methods

This course offers a theoretical and practical grounding in research methods in psychology, building on the skills and knowledge you gained at undergraduate level. It combines taught skills modules, themed study modules, a research assistantship, and a dissertation. Because it is not focused around one specific area of psychology, you will have the flexibility to choose from a range of modules and carry out research into an area of your own interest.

You will be given practical experience of working in an active researcher's lab right from the start of the course. We will match you up to a member of staff depending on your research interests. This early and sustained contact with faculty members is invaluable if you are considering staying on for doctoral study. You will also design and carry out a substantial research project, supervised by a different member of academic staff. You'll be able to present and discuss your findings in written, oral and poster formats.

Throughout the course you will have access to research equipment where you can track eye movements to measure attention, measure brain activity, or conduct surveys and observational studies. We are a small and friendly department. This means that we get to know you and can provide you with individual support throughout your studies.

Careers:

Students from this course have gone on to do PhDs and have used this qualification to improve their chances of getting on to clinical and educational psychology courses. Other students have taken the course in order to work as support workers and assistant psychologists. However, the skills you learn, such as research and data analysis, are also generic and could be applied to industry. You could work in a wide range of contexts where insight into human behaviour and rigorous evaluation of information are key elements of good decision making.