Psychological Research MSc

Explore our Psychological Research taught Master's degree at Warwick

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P-C8P9

MSc

1 year full-time

29 September 2025

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: Friday 11^th July 2025.

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 (but are not limited to):

• Sensorimotor Control
• Cognition and Emotion
• Development of Language and Communication
• Evolutionary Psychology

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 in 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 PsychologyLink opens in a new window, Behavioural and Economic ScienceLink opens in a new window, and Behavioural and Data ScienceLink opens in a new window, or the Centre for Education Studies’ MA in Psychology and EducationLink opens in a new window, or the Centre for Lifelong Learning's counselling coursesLink opens in a new window.

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 skills 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 depend 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 materialsLink opens in a new window 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 2:1 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 Academic Staff and their research interestsLink 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

B) Data Analysis Skills

Optional modules

D) Research theme-related Psychology option

You will choose one or two modules in Psychology related to your research theme, as approved by your supervisor from our postgraduate provision. Options can vary from year to year and may include, for example:

Please note: 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.

We have revised the information on this page since publication. See the edits we have made and content history.

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