Psychological Research (MSc) (2022 Entry)
About this taught graduate course
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:
- Sensorimotor Control
- Cognition and Emotion
- Development of Language and Communication
- Psychology and Policing
- Driving
- Sleep
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
- 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 skill of your choice
General entry requirements
Minimum requirements
Degree
At least a 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 a research outline will be rejected.
Recommended
It is recommend that you contact a member of staff and agree project supervision with them before applying.
English language requirements
You can find out more about our English language requirements. 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 page.
Additional requirements
There are no additional requirements for this course.
Core modules
A) Research Project in Psychology
The aim of the project is to provide you with the opportunity to investigate and carry out novel research in the area of Psychology that is empirical.
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 experimental design and statistical programming.
or
Advanced Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis
This module adopts a clinically relevant practical focus to introduce you to both advanced qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Optional modules
Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:
- 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.
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 our Psychology courses comprise of around 5-10 students.
Typical contact hours
Contract hours for this course will be confirmed in due course.
Assessment
More information on this course and its assessment methods are available on the departmental course webpage.
Reading lists
Most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library. If you would like to view reading lists for the current cohort of students you can visit our Warwick Library web page.
Your timetable
Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.
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.
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.
Taught course fees Research course fees
Fee Status Guidance
The University carries out an initial fee status assessment based on information provided in the application and according to the guidance published by UKCISA. Students are classified as either Home or Overseas Fee status and this can determine the tuition fee and eligibility of certain scholarships and financial support.
If you receive an offer, your fee status will be stated with the tuition fee information, however we are awaiting guidance from the UK government regarding fee status for EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members living in the UK for academic year 2021/22 onwards. We are not able to confirm the fee status for these students until the relevant eligibility criteria have been confirmed. Once we have received further information from the UK government, we will provide you with an update on your fee status and let you know if any additional information is required. If you believe your fee status has been incorrectly classified you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire (follow the instructions in your offer) and provide the required documentation for this to be reassessed.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides guidance to UK universities on fees status criteria, you can find the latest guidance on the impact of Brexit on fees and student support on the UKCISA website.
Additional course costs
Please contact your academic department for information about department specific costs, which should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below, such as:
- 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.
Taught course applications
Here is our checklist on how to apply for taught postgraduate courses at Warwick.
Research course applications
Here is our checklist on how to apply for research postgraduate degrees at the University of Warwick.
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Admissions statement
See Warwick’s postgraduate admissions policy.
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