MSc by Research in Psychology (2025 Entry)

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Course code

P-C8P3

Start date

6 October 2026

Duration

1 year full-time;
2 years part-time

Qualification

MSc by Research

Led by

Psychology

Location

University of Warwick

Course code

P-C8P3

Start date

6 October 2026

Duration

1 year full-time;
2 years part-time

Qualification

MSc by Research

Led by

Psychology

Location

University of Warwick

Meet us

Download our prospectus Link opens in a new window

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Find out more about our Psychology MSc by Research degree at Warwick

Here at Warwick, we pride ourselves in using a rigorous scientific approach to studying the human mind, brain, and behaviour. The MSc by Research in Psychology will enable you to develop valuable skills in conducting research, data collection and analysis, and scientific writing under the supervision of internationally recognised experts.

Course overview

We offer an MSc by Research in Psychology, which is awarded for a thesis reporting original research by a student under the supervision of their academic advisor.

Our MSc by Research in Psychology degree serves as not only excellent preparation for PhD studies but also postgraduate training for a career either as a professional psychologist (e.g., clinical, organisational, or school psychologist) or outside of psychology.

In addition to subject-related knowledge, our MSc by Research in Psychology degree provides valuable transferable skills in data analysis and management, written and oral communication, teamwork and time management.

Teaching and learning

All our postgraduate research students are strongly encouraged to engage with the Departmental and University-wide advanced training offered.

Entry requirements

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in Psychology or a related subject.

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

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.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.

Academic References

We typically ask for one academic reference for taught courses, and two academic references for research courses.

You will be asked to include an email address for your referee(s) when submitting your application and we will contact them for you.

View our guide to academic references.Link opens in a new window

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Research themes

Our research

Behavioural Science

Economic and consumer psychology; judgement, risk and decision-making
Psychology and the law
Computational modelling of human behaviour
Big Data and Network Science in Psychology
Attention, visual processing and emotional processing
Economics, income inequality, and behavioural political science

Language and Learning

Reading; word recognition
Computational approaches to language processing
Historical language change
Structure of the lexicon across life-span
Big Data research on language
Language and gesture development in infants and children
Second language learning
Language learning and change
Gesture and non-verbal communication in adults and children
Development of social cognition
Animal (e.g., orangutangs, chimpanzees, birds) communication and cognition
Language evolution
Sleep and language learning
Language development and socio-economic status
The role of prediction in language processing and learning
The role of surprise and curiosity in second language learning
Experimental approaches to the study of turn-taking and dialogue
Pre-linguistic communication
Intervention to support language development

Lifespan Health and Wellbeing

Longitudinal epidemiology
Resilience and protection after preterm birth
Experimental psychology and clinical studies, with common interests in the factors that determine and/or the mechanisms that underlie healthy living
Child and adolescent development and mental and physical ageing
Mental health, sleep and pain
Disaster recovery
Culture, relationships, beliefs, personality, and well-being

Full details of our research interests are listed on the Psychology web pagesLink opens in a new window.

You can also read our general University research proposal guidance.Link opens in a new window

Supervisors and proposals

Find a supervisor

Find your supervisor using the link below and discuss with them the area you'd like to research.

Explore our Psychology Research Directory where you will be able to filter by research group.

You can also see our general University guidance about finding a supervisor.Link opens in a new window

Research proposals

We look for a robust (structured) research proposal of no more than 2,000 words. It has to convince us that your topic is important and feasible and that you have the right experience and skills to deliver the project.

The emphasis will be on the quality of the proposal and whether or not it fits with a particular proposed supervisor’s research interests. You may insert a maximum of 3 figures and add an end-of proposal reference list to support your proposal.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Find your research course fees

Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2024/25 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

Core text books
Printer credits
Dissertation binding
Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and funding

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

Department

Psychology at Warwick

A playground for the mind

Our research-driven department can offer you the kind of physical and intellectual environment that’ll inspire you to succeed. We pride ourselves on being a friendly, inclusive academic community offering a stimulating, intellectual environment to students and staff. We’re large enough to provide excellent resources and education, but also small enough to know who you are and provide one-to-one support.

Find out more about us on our website.Link opens in a new window

Our Postgraduate courses

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How to apply checklist

Our how to apply checklist helps you prepare for your application

Read the checklist

I'm ready to apply

Learn more about the Applicant Portal.

Apply now

Application deadlines

The application process for course that start in September and October 2026 opens on 2 October 2025.

For research courses that start in September and October 2026 the application deadline for students who require a visa to study in the UK is 2 August 2026. This should allow sufficient time to complete the admissions process and to obtain a visa to study in the UK.

Useful links

Applicant portal
After your applied
Admissions statement
Join a Live Chat

2024 entry

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Explore ways to connect with us

We understand how important it is to visit and explore your future university before you apply. That's why we have put together a range of online and in-person options to help you discover more about your course, visit campus, and get a sense of postgraduate life at Warwick. Our events offer includes:

Warwick hosted events
Postgraduate Fairs
Live chats
Talk and Tours
Department events

See 2025 entry »

Why Warwick

Discover why Warwick is one of the best universities in the UK and renowned globally.

Why Warwick

Discover why Warwick is one of the best universities in the UK and renowned globally.

8th in the UK

in the Guardian University Guide 2025

6th Most Targeted University

by the UK's top 100 graduate employers (The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers Research Ltd)

69th in the World

out of 1,500 institutions across 104 locations (QS World University Rankings 2025)

Page updates

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

About the information on this page

This information is applicable for 2026 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.

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MSc by Research in Psychology (2025 Entry)

Find out more about our Psychology MSc by Research degree at Warwick

Scholarships and financial support

Living costs

How to apply checklist

I'm ready to apply

Explore ways to connect with us

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

8th in the UK

6th Most Targeted University

69th in the World

5th best student city in the UK

Gold standard teaching

92% of our research

Page updates

About the information on this page

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