Masters Degrees in Psychology of Gender

Why do we become attached to a particular person? How do relationship dynamics change over time? Does objectifying women lead to their mistreatment? When is gender made relevant in and for politics? What does it mean in practice to support someone with autism, and how can we assess support? Does self-modesty differ between cultures? How does economic inequality affect self-perception? What identities are invoked in interview interactions?

In this taught programme in Social Psychology you will enhance your knowledge and understanding of the theories, concepts and methodological tools that constitute social psychology’s distinctive perspective. You will be guided and supported in exploring the social psychological literature. You will be given rigorous training in qualitative and quantitative analyses. You will have diverse opportunities to build your own research experience, through seeking and implementing research-based answers to questions in the field or in the literature. You will participate in our unique problem based approach to providing empirical answers to social psychological questions.

In short, you will learn to think like a social psychologist, and you will learn to do social psychology.

You will benefit from being part of a growing group of friendly, enthusiastic social psychologists working within a vibrant department, in a lovely city. You will benefit from our expertise in working in different cultures, in the field, and with mixed methods. You will also benefit from the breadth and strength of the interdisciplinary academic community at Edinburgh, for example, by having the opportunity to select option courses, attend research seminars across different disciplines, take part in the social psychology reading group or in discursive psychology and conversation analysis data sessions.

Programme structure

You will undertake the following:

Core courses (worth 90 credits in total):

• Univariate Statistics and Methodology using R (10 credits)
• Multivariate Statistics and Methodology using R (10 credits)
• Qualitative Methodologies in Psychological Research (10 credits)
• Psychological Research Skills (20 credits)
• Research Methods for Social Psychology (10 credits)
• Problem-based social psychological research (10 credits)
• Current Topics in Social Psychology (10 credits)
• Critical Social Psychology (10 credits)

Option courses worth 30 credits in total:

• Chosen from a wide range of courses relevant to Social Psychology from Psychology or other disciplines, as approved by the Programme Director

And a Dissertation in Social Psychology (60 credits)

Learning outcomes

The overall aim of this programme is to advance your understanding of how social questions can be addressed using social psychology, and to provide you with the conceptual and research tools to do so.

More specifically, on successful completion of this programme, you will be able to:

• think as a social psychologist in seeking understanding of and solutions to practical and theoretical problems
• address the challenges of researching individuals embedded in their social worlds
• understand epistemological issues in social research
• understand key theories and concepts in social psychology
• conduct rigorous independent social psychological research drawing on the range of social psychological approaches and methodologies
• evaluate published research in social psychology
• make well-informed contributions to discussions about social issues

On completion you will also:

• have acquired wider research skills, including giving conference talks, making poster presentations, writing research proposals, knowledge exchange and writing for a lay audience
• be prepared for a range of career paths including PhD work, or the wide variety of careers in which it is valuable to be able to conduct sound social research or evaluation

Career opportunities

The programme will provide relevant preparation for a range of career paths, including:

• undertaking a PhD in Social Psychology or in a related field, possibly leading to an academic career
• undertaking a Professional Doctorate/Masters training programme in Clinical or Health Psychology
• a wide variety of careers where it is valuable to be able to conduct sound social research, or to develop and evaluate practices and policies relating to social behaviour or thinking; such as policy development in education, health, and social care or in areas surrounding marketing; such as opinion-generating, fostering multiculturalism and equality, and communication skills.

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Overview

The overall aim of the course is to provide students with a structured introduction to undertaking research in social and developmental psychology, and in particular:
- to provide students with the opportunity to study at an advanced level substantive topics at the forefront of current research and theorising in social and developmental psychology;
- to enable students to acquire the skills necessary for undertaking independent research in social and developmental psychology;
- to prepare students for research at the doctoral level or its equivalent in other professional contexts.

See the website http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/blpympsdp

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the programme students should have:
- A command of current research in specific areas of social and developmental psychology;
- The skills necessary to conduct independent research and practical experience of their use;
- Knowledge of the methodological, philosophical and ethical issues in psychological research;
- The ability to situate their own research within current developments in the field.

Continuing

MPhil students who would like to continue to the PhD may apply to do so.

However, candidates should be aware that successful entry onto the MPhil does NOT guarantee
acceptance for the PhD. Every application will be considered on it's merits and must compete with all other applicants for a place on the PhD programme.

Successful applicants will need to achieve a final mark of at least 70% in their MPhil in order to meet the condition of entry.

Teaching

Students attend lectures during the first and second terms. Social psychology lectures focus on fundamental concepts in social cognition, personality and individual differences, gender, and social representations. Developmental psychology lectures focus on child development and adjustment in changing family and social contexts, developmental psychopathology, children and the law, and gender development.

- Feedback
Submitted work is marked by two internal examiners who give feedback to the students. All submitted marks are moderated by the course director who has an overview of the entire cohort.
In addition, supervisors will give feedback on their research projects during supervision sessions.

Assessment

- Thesis
A thesis, of not more than 15,000 words in length, on a subject approved by the Degree Committee.
A viva is usually only required for borderline (pass/distinction or pass/fail) students.

- Essays
Two essays, one of no more than 4,000 words and one of no more than 5,000 words on topics falling within areas of study to be prescribed by the Degree Committee for the Faculty of Biology.
An exercise of approximately 3,000 words in length, consisting of a critical appraisal of a research paper specified by the Degree Committee.
Course-work as prescribed by the Degree Committee on subjects falling within the fields of statistical and research methods.

- Practical assessment
All students are required to complete assessments for statistical and research methods modules where they are available.

Funding Opportunities

There are no specific funding opportunities advertised for this course. For information on more general funding opportunities, please follow the link below.

General Funding Opportunities http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/finance/funding

Find out how to apply here http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/blpympsdp/apply

See the website http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/blpympsdp

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Course Summary

This course meets the stage one Health Psychology training requirements developed by the Division of Health Psychology of the British Psychological Society. Our graduates are successful in working/studying in industry, academia, charitable organisations and the NHS.

The course provides a complete grounding in the theory, themes, professional issues and practical skills central to stage one Health Psychology training. The course has established links with health organisations where students gain work experience and carry out research.

Students can carry out health psychology research with the School of Pharmacy at University College London (UCL): research is jointly supervised by Chartered Health Psychologists at UWL and UCL. UCL School of Pharmacy is one of the most highly rated pharmacy schools in the UK.

You will be encouraged to present your work at health psychology conferences. Students who successfully complete the course have fulfilled the stage one training requirements which are a first step towards Chartered Psychologist status and registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as a Health Psychologist.

When does the course run

The full-time course runs on Monday and Tuesday each week for two semesters followed by time to complete the dissertation. Part-time students attend on Mondays or Tuesdays depending on which stage of the course they are at. We offer you the flexibility to switch from full-time to part-time.

Modules

• Biopsychosocial Issues in Health Psychology
• Individual Differences in the Psychology of Health and Illness
• Chronic Disorder and Health Psychology Interventions
• Advanced Research Methods
• Practice and Professional Issues in Health Psychology
• Supervised Research Project

How to apply

Click the following link for information on how to apply to this course.

Scholarships and bursaries

Information about scholarships and bursaries can be found here.

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This MSc programme is provided in collaboration with the Salomons Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, which is part of Canterbury Christ Church University. The MSc is designed for psychology graduates who are considering pursuing training in clinical psychology, and includes the provision of specialised teaching from qualified clinical psychologists.

At the end of the course you will have gained an in-depth knowledge of theory, practice and research in clinical psychology, a discipline that involves the application of the scientific theory and principles of psychology to help in the understanding and alleviation of psychological distress, and in promoting well-being.

The aim is to help prepare you for potentially undertaking doctoral training in clinical psychology, or training in other mental health disciplines, and as such the programme is intended to provide a stepping stone towards a rewarding potential career in clinical psychology or mental health.

Clinical psychology has an evidence-based emphasis, with a focus on a scientist-practitioner model and a strong emphasis on research, and the training in research methods on this programme will offer you the opportunity to engage in sophisticated, postgraduate level research in clinically-related areas of psychology.

It should be noted that this MSc does not form part of a doctoral qualification in clinical psychology or form part of a professional qualification as a clinical psychologist, and does not guarantee students entry onto a clinical psychology doctorate programme. Furthermore, completion of this MSc is not a requirement for entry onto a clinical psychology doctorate programme. However, clinical psychology is a highly sought after career, and it is intended that this programme will provide valuable learning in preparation for seeking clinical psychology training.

Who Is This Course For?

The programme is designed for psychology graduates who are considering pursuing training in clinical psychology, or other mental health-related disciplines. As such the programme is intended to provide a stepping stone towards a rewarding potential career in clinical psychology or mental health.

What Will I Study?

You will develop a sound and critical understanding of the theory and application of the core theoretical models on which clinical psychology draws. This will include a knowledge of explanatory theoretical models of the development and maintenance of a range of presenting psychological problems that people may experience throughout the lifespan, as well as critical consideration of approaches to the classification of psychological problems. You will also gain a sound understanding of clinical psychology assessment, formulation, intervention and evaluation across a range of theoretical models, client groups, presenting problems and organisational contexts.

In addition, you will develop a reflective and critical understanding of developmental, social, cultural, and organisational contexts and their impact on individuals and the delivery of psychological services. This includes the importance of being aware of diversity when providing clinical assessment and intervention, as well as an understanding of the importance and nature of service-user perspectives.

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Are you determined to pursue a professional career in psychology but don’t have an undergraduate degree in the subject? Our online MSc in Psychology will equip you with the knowledge and understanding of core areas of psychology, and will prepare you to make ethical and evidence-based decisions in the field.

Studied through online distance learning, this course is all about learning the foundations of psychology, focussing on the practical application of evidence based decisions in the field – this isn’t a course for armchair psychologists! You will learn to design experiments to gather and analyse data, and explore everything from how our brain influences our perception of the world, to social interaction, abnormal psychology, approaches to intelligence testing and possible therapies, childhood development & behavioural neuroscience.

Exploring the core areas of psychology, you will learn to back up theories with empirical reasoning through rigorous research.

This Masters is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). Through this conversion course, you will be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) from the British Psychological Society (BPS), essential for training and pursuing a career as a professional psychologist.

Modules include:

• Research Methods
• Cognitive Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Individual Difference and Abnormal Psychology
• Lifespan Development
• Behavioural Neuroscience
• Advanced Research Project

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for this course you must normally have:

• A UK honours degree at a minimum of second class (2.2) or equivalent.

And:

• A maths qualification equivalent to at least Grade C at GCSE

For students whose prior learning was not taught in English:

• IELTS 6.5 or equivalent

We’ll typically ask you for a personal statement that demonstrates your ability to study the course. We may also want references and evidence of relevant experiences.

Don’t have any of the above?

If you don’t already have an undergraduate degree, we may be able to offer you a place on one of our undergraduate degree programmes.

We offer online degrees in a range of psychology subjects. As they are delivered via online learning, they can fit in around your current commitments.

We also offer blended undergraduate degrees that are delivered on-campus 2 days a week at one of our study centres in London, Birmingham and Manchester. These give you the facilities and structure of face-to-face learning with the flexibility to fit other commitments in around your studies.

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