Psychology

Entry requirements

Ideally applicants should have a single or joint honours degree in psychology, usually with a minimum degree class of 2(ii) or equivalent. However, applicants with an appropriate alternative degree are also welcome.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Our Psychology MA is designed to offer advanced study in psychology with an emphasis on both research excellence and critical writing skills. Following two semesters of academic study, students write a stand-alone literature review in an area of psychology that particularly appeals to them. This may be an idea or theory that the graduate is already developing, or may be in an area that they become interested in during the course. An academic supervisor will help students to develop their ideas and hone their writing skills, providing support for the literature review. Students can choose to follow a general programme or specialise in the following areas by choosing particular options in semesters one and two.

During the first two Semesters of this Psychology MA, content modules are split between core research foundation courses providing an in depth knowledge of how psychological experiments are designed, carried out, analysed and written up, as well as a focus on evaluating scientific research and writing with an appropriate scientific style, and courses offering a variety of subject matters that students can choose from. Courses are taught by the highest calibre research academics and we provide an excellent teaching and learning environment through the use of innovative teaching tools, media and environments. Some courses integrate both undergraduate and graduate classes and so provide a rich and vibrant atmosphere for learning and social interactions.

The Psychology MA is especially recommended to graduates who want to:

• pursue a career in psychology-related humanities, the health-care professions and social-sciences such as scientific journalism, business management, occupational psychology, marketing and medical care;
• give their CV an additional boost
• explore a particular area of psychology in detail through researching and writing a literature review.

It should be noted that the Psychology MA does not qualify a student for PhD study at Bangor Psychology, but that should not deter students from applying to psychology departments in other universities and for PhD study in other disciplines. For example, our MA graduates have pursued PhD study in Sociology, Business and Marketing, and Medical History and Humanities.

Programme Aims

• To provide post-graduate foundation in psychology and psychological research;
• To evaluative psychological research methodology, experimental design and analysis;
• To provide the conceptual tools necessary for insight into psychological processes and meanings within several key domains of psychology that the student selects;
• To enable students to develop a critical and evaluative understanding of different approaches to psychological study;
• To develop key skills in psychological research such as scientific writing, critical analysis of research and communicating research in psychology;
• To enable students to produce a substantial written thesis demonstrating their ability to understand, evaluate and integrate psychological research into a coherent body.

Teaching and Learning Assessment

Teaching occurs via lectures, seminars and tutorials given by research experts in the School. All teachers are actively engaged in research programmes. Assessment methods include written exams, essays, oral presentations and a research thesis.

Literature Review

The thesis is the key component of this Psychology MA allowing the student to demonstrate their learning, knowledge and understanding. Each student focuses on a specific research question or theory and, along with their supervisor, they will develop their ideas, review the relevant literature and write a thesis.

Career Prospects

The Psychology MA is especially recommended to graduates who want to pursue a career in psychology-related humanities, the health-care professions and social-sciences such as scientific journalism, business management, occupational psychology, marketing and medical care.

As a postgraduate at one of the UK's leading Psychology departments you’ll have an exceptional student experience working alongside internationally renowned researchers using cutting edge techniques and equipment. We’re ranked top 20 for Research in the most recent Research Excellence Framework and offer a modern teaching, learning and research environment, including brain-imaging (MRI) technology, ERP, ECG, TMS, Eye Tracking and Sound Booth laboratories. We regularly rank in the top 10 for student satisfaction in the NSS and offer Scholarships to Home/EU & Overseas students. We’re also top 10 for overall student numbers and overseas student numbers making us one of the largest, most cosmopolitan psychology depts. in the UK.