Psychology

Entry requirements

For the MPhil, a minimum Upper-Second Class Honours degree, for an assessment of individual entry qualifications, candidates should contact the School of Psychological Sciences directly. For the PhD, an Upper-Second Class Honours degree, However, additional qualifications or research experience can compensate for a 2:2 degree under certain circumstances.Applicants holding a Masters degree in a relevant subject are particularly encouraged to apply. For an assessment of individual entry qualifications, candidates should contact the School of Psychological Sciences directly

Months of entry

January, September, July, April

Course content

Research within psychology spans the spectrum of key research themes integral to improving our understanding of psychological functioning.

These include (but are not limited to):

Cognition and cognitive neuroscience
Language and communication
Language disorders
Health psychology
Interpersonal and family environments
The integration of psychological explanation to derive understanding and intervention in therapeutic settings

Training

Research training within Psychology provides a flexible platform for career development whilst offering structured progression to ensure study objectives are met.

Students will join one of the research groups within the School and quickly be immersed in the current research activity being conducted. Which group students join will depend on the area of study proposed in the PhD application. Within the supervisory team, students will follow an intense induction, including agreeing on the key objectives of the study, resources available, relevant seminars and opportunities for personal development.

Within the wider research group, students will have the opportunity to discuss their research with fellow students, post-doctoral candidates and academics. Research Group seminars will provide background to recent developments within the discipline and there will be ample opportunity to share personal research findings, contribute to publications and attend/present at prominent conferences.

Progression

Progression is agreed in line with the PhD supervisory team and key milestones are established so candidates can monitor their own development. In addition to regular meetings with supervisors, the School of Psychological Sciences hosts a dedicated postgraduate academic group who can provide further advice and guidance.

All MPhil and PhD students are also active members of the Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences Postgraduate Training Programme, which provides transferable skills training in research methodology, critical writing skills, intellectual property, research ethics etc.

The School also offers the MRes Psychology course which provides research methodology training within psychology. All research students within the School are encouraged to attend course units from within the programme that are relevant to their research topic.

Typical units include:

Practical Issues in Psychological Research
Advanced General Methods in Psychology
Structured Approaches to Qualitative Data in Psychology
Philosophical and Conceptual Issues in Psychology
Using Advanced Statistics in Psychology

Department specialisms

Research is organised in five groups. Each produces internationally recognised research and members include world leaders in the development and evaluation of psychological and psycho-social interventions: Language & Communication; Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience; Clinical Neuroscience and Language Disorders; Clinical & Health Psychology; Audiology and Deafness.

Information for international students

Students whose first language is not English are required to hold IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 600 paper-based or 250 computer based.

Fees and funding

The majority of funding for PhD study is sourced from the UK Research Councils, Industry, Charitable Trusts or Employers. Further information is available from the School website.

Qualification and course duration

PhD

MPhil

Course contact details