Psychological Research (MSc) (2025 Entry)
Explore our Psychological Research taught Master's degree at 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 11th July 2025.
Course overview
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
- Practical experience in research through placements across different laboratories that allow you to explore themes beyond traditional research boundaries
- Advanced data analysis skills
- Scientific communication skills or equivalent relevant skills of your choice
General entry requirements
Minimum requirements
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.
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.
Additional requirements
There are no additional requirements for this course.
Core modules
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 one from 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.
- Advanced Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis
This module adopts a clinically relevant practical focus to introduce you to both advanced qualitative and quantitative analysis.
C) Research Project
The research project gives you the chance to develop your own area of study, supported through the advice of relevant academics.
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. Option modules may include, for example:
- Practical Research Skills for Psychology
- Communication, Dissemination, and Professional Issues
- Issues in Psychological Science
- Psychological Models of Choice
- Behavioural Change: Nudging and Persuasion
- From Stress to Health in the Workplace
- Health and Wellbeing Interventions in the Real-World: What Helps and What Harms?
- Interventions and Technologies for Behaviour Change
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.
Teaching
More information on this course and its teaching methods are available on the departmental course webpage.
Class sizes
Class sizes will naturally vary, however, this course typically has 5-10 students.
Typical contact hours
Contact hours for this course depend on modules chosen and on the requirements of the placement and project work.
Assessment
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.
Your career
Graduates from this course have gone on to secure posts in research and on to further postgraduate study, continuing their research in their fields.
Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year.
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
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.
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 2022/23 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 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.
Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.
How to apply
The application process for courses that start in September and October 2025 opens on 2 October 2024.
The application deadline for this course is Friday 11 July 2025.
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About the information on this page
This information is applicable for 2025 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.