Explore our Psychological Research taught Master's degree.

P-C8P9

MSc

1 year full-time

2 October 2023

Psychology

University of Warwick

Warwick's Psychology Department offers you the opportunity to gain practical experience in research through placements across different laboratories working on thematically related research, followed by your own research project in which to explore a topic of your choice.

The application deadline for this course is: Monday 31st July 2023.

Specifically designed for students who wish to pursue an academic research career, the course offers first-hand research experience through placements in different laboratories, working on thematically related research. This lab rotation offers strong candidates for doctoral research more scope to explore different topics within their areas of interest than the traditional options at Master’s level.

Two placements taken during the course allow you to contribute directly to your chosen supervisors’ research. A subsequent research project then gives you the chance to put this experience into practice in developing your own area of study, supported through the advice of relevant academics. Possible themes include:

• Sensorimotor Control
• Cognition and Emotion
• Development of Language and Communication
• Psychology and Policing
• Driving and Attention
• Sleep and Pain

Alternatively, you can plan your own pathway based on our research expertise.

Applied fields

Please note that this programme has been designed specifically for students who do not have a primary interest in applied fields.

If you are interested applying psychology to real-world issues, this course is not for you. Instead, please take a look at our MSc programs in Clinical Applications of Psychology, Behavioural and Economic Science, and Behavioural and Data Science, to the Centre for Education Studies’ MA in Psychology and Education, or the Centre for Lifelong Learning's counselling courses.

Skills from this degree

1. Practical experience in research through placements across different laboratories that allow you to explore themes beyond traditional research boundaries
2. Advanced data analysis skills
3. Scientific communication skills or equivalent relevant skill of your choice

More information on this course and its teaching methods are available on the departmental course webpage.

Class sizes will naturally vary, however, this course typically has 5-10 students.

Contact hours for this course depends on modules chosen and on the requirements of the placement and project work.

More information on this course and its assessment methodsLink opens in a new window are available on the departmental course webpageLink opens in a new window.

Reading lists

A list of suggested preparator reading materials can be found on the Psychology website.

Your timetable

As the majority of the course is individualised, no timetable can be provided.

Degree

At least a good 2.i undergraduate degree or equivalent in a related subject.

Research interest

Students must provide at least a rough research outline, detailing their placement and project interests, in their personal statement. Applications without an appropriate research outline will be rejected.

Recommended

It is highly recommended that you contact a member of staff and agree project supervision with them before applying. Please visit our list of potential supervisors and their research fields pageLink opens in a new window.

• Band B
• IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

There are no additional requirements for this course.

A) Research Placement

You will choose two from:

• Psychological Research Laboratory Placement 1
• Psychological Research Laboratory Placement 2
• Psychological Research Short Laboratory Placement

B) Data Analysis Skills:

You will choose either:

Methods and Analysis in Behavioural Science

The purpose of the module is to introduce you to experimental design and statistical programming. Behavioural scientists need statistical analysis of experimental data and of large data sets. This module covers these topics to allow you to understand how to test hypotheses, plan experimental design and perform statistical analysis using R.

or 

Advanced Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis

This module adopts a clinically relevant practical focus to introduce you to both advanced qualitative and quantitative analysis.

• Practical Research Skills for Psychology
• Communication, Dissemination, and Professional Issues
• Computational Modelling
• Experimental design and data collection
• An appropriate module from our undergraduate provision

The availability of option modules depends on several factors and cannot be guaranteed in advance. Therefore, the list above provides a sample of previously available options for illustrative purposes only.

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