Masters Degrees in Social Psychology

As an MSc Social Psychology student you will learn theories, methods, and empirical findings in the field of social psychology, which are relevant to current social issues.

These include: prejudice and discrimination; the relationship between moral judgement and emotions; the study of how individuals and groups interact to construct and maintain identities; and how these are related to social change and influence in contexts such as family systems and romantic dyads.

The programme aims to provide you with an awareness of the historical and philosophical background of social psychology, an in-depth knowledge of contemporary theoretical and methodological approaches and research findings, and the ability to conduct quantitative and qualitative research in the field.

Programme structure

This programme is studied full-time over one academic year and part-time students must study at least two taught technical modules per academic year. It consists of eight taught modules and a dissertation.

Example module listing

The following modules are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that not all modules described are compulsory and may be subject to teaching availability and/or student demand.

• Social Change and Influence 
• Crafting Research: Linking Theory and Methods
• Dissertation 
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Quantitiative Research Methods
• Intergroup Relations 
• Social Cognition
• Conducting Health Psychology Research
• Chronic Conditions 
• Psychological Aspects of Health Care 
• Maintaining Health Throughout the Lifespan
• Aspects of Experimental Psychology
• Ergonomics and Human Factors
• Inquiry and Design 
• Psychological Neuroscience: Electrophysiology
• Psychological Neuroscience: Psychophysics & fMRI
• Key Questions in Environmental Psychology: People and Place
• History and Social Psychology 
• Psychology of Sustainable Development 
• The Self and Relationships 
• Psychology of Men and Masculinities

Funding

Occasionally, students receive financial support from industry through sponsorship, negotiated by individual students.

This would involve students undertaking research for their dissertation which would be of interest and value to industry or commerce, in return for which they will be given a grant by the commissioning company. In practice, though, most students are self-funded.

Social psychology research

The social psychologists at the University of Surrey have an international reputation in research and teaching. Students on the MSc in Social Psychology are encouraged to participate in the School of Psychology’s ongoing activities, particularly research seminars.

The social psychologists at Surrey have undertaken research for the EU, UK research councils, government departments and agencies, industry and commerce, and the charitable sector. They have attracted a large number of research projects to the School, including:

• Social and behavioural consequences of AIDS/HIV (ESRC)
• Cross-national studies of the social and psychological determinants of pro-environmental attitudes and behaviours (EU)
• The 16–19 initiative project on the political and economic socialisation of 16–19 year olds (ESRC)
• Monitoring and modelling consumer perceptions of food-related risks (MAFF)

Educational aims of the programme

• To provide students with theoretical and qualitative/quantitative methodological expertise to conduct social psychological research by training them in the informed and systematic conduct of basic and applied research involving the critical reading of theories and empirical findings
• To provide students with an in depth knowledge of contemporary theoretical and methodological approaches to the discipline
• To enable students to link theoretical and empirical questions to social issues and to provide them with an in depth understanding of the practical applications and action implications of social psychological theories and empirical findings
• To provide students with the skills to evaluate possible interventions in a variety of social domains
• To offer opportunities to develop the basic interpersonal, technical and creative skills required for the effective analysis and formulation of problems into research questions and, where appropriate, testable hypotheses

Programme learning outcomes

The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas:

Knowledge and understanding

• Of contemporary theoretical and methodological approaches to social psychology
• Of the practical applications and action implications of social psychological theories and empirical findings
• Of the principles of research design
• Of quantitative and qualitative techniques and strategies to manage and analyse psychological data
• Of ethical considerations when undertaking research and framing interventions

Intellectual / cognitive skills

• To critically assess and comment on sources of research relevant to social psychology
• To critically evaluate the contributions and limitations of social psychological theories and research methods in addressing social problems
• To evaluate actual and potential psychologically informed interventions in a variety of social domains
• To design, conduct and evaluate social psychological research
• To apply insights from social psychological theory and research to other domains of psychology

Professional practical skills

• Communicate work in a professional manner for academic and non-academic audiences in written and verbal formats
• Apply problem solving techniques to social and psychological topics effectively
• Use effective learning strategies
• Analyse and interpret social psychological theoretical analyses and quantitative and qualitative empirical evidence in a competent and critical manner

Key / transferable skills

• Communicate theories and methods in relation to social psychology by oral and written means
• Use information technology effectively
• Manage own personal development

Global opportunities

We often give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their degrees by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities.

In addition to the hugely enjoyable and satisfying experience, time spent abroad adds a distinctive element to your CV.

Read less

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.

Read less

The MSc in Social and Applied Psychology gives you the opportunity to sample a range of modules from our Group Processes and Developmental programmes as well as other modules related to social and applied psychology.

*This course will be taught at the Canterbury campus*

Key benefits

- Much of our social psychology research is co-ordinated through the Centre for the Study of Group Processes (CSGP), the largest research group in this area in Europe. The Centre attracts a stream of major international social psychology researchers, who regularly visit to work with our staff and are officially affiliated to the Centre.The Social Psychology group also includes the co-editor of Group Processes and Intergroup Relations (Abrams).

- Social psychology research at Kent is funded by a variety of British and international sources, currently and recently including ESRC, British Academy, Leverhulme, Age Concern, European Commission, European Science Foundation, Home Office, Equality and Human Rights Commission, Nuffield, and Joseph Rowntree Foundation, as well as government departments such as the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Department for Work and Pensions.

- All of our taught Master’s (MSc) programmes have been recognised by the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as meeting the nationally recognised criteria for preparation training for PhD research.

Visit the website: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/75/social-and-applied-psychology

Course detail

This programme considers how social psychology can be applied to a wide range of social problems and answer key questions such as: How are attitudes formed and developed, and how do they relate to behaviour? What are the key motives that affect people’s reactions to the social world? What social psychological processes are implicated in the form and content of language and communication?

Our teaching and research covers the psychology of intergroup behaviour, group decision and performance, attitudes and persuasion, organisational psychology, social cognition, children’s self-concept and social attitudes, and cross-cultural questions, relating social psychological research in these areas to social problems. Course tutors include academics and experts who work in the media, the health service and other applied settings.

Purpose

You will gain a thorough grounding in research methods, and conduct a project in an area of social/applied psychology that interests you. The programme is taught by the School’s outstanding research group in social psychology.

Course structure

The programme consists of 4 compulsory modules and 2 option modules.

Core modules include:

• Advanced Statistics and Methodology
• Current Issues in Social and Applied Psychology I: Theory
• Current Issues in Social and Applied Psychology II: Applications
• Dissertation

You also select two from a choice of the following:

• Advanced Topics in Intergroup Relations
• Advanced Topics in Cognitive Development
• Advanced Developmental Social Psychology
• Advanced Topics in Group Processes
• Developmental Psychology in Professional Practice
• The Psychology of Eyewitness Testimony
• Advanced Topics in Developmental Psychopathology

Assessment is mainly by coursework assignment (4-6,000-word essays), examination (for the Advanced Statistics and Methodology module only), plus the dissertation.

Careers

Our postgraduate students commonly go into the fields of health, teaching or further education. For instance, many of our graduates take up roles as assistant psychologists in the NHS with a view to becoming a professional clinical or forensic psychologist. Upon completing our Master’s courses, graduates have also pursued doctoral study and academic careers at higher education institutions.

How to apply: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/how-to-apply/

Why study at The University of Kent?

- Shortlisted for University of the Year 2015
- Kent has been ranked fifth out of 120 UK universities in a mock Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) exercise modelled by Times Higher Education (THE).
- In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014, Kent was ranked 17th* for research output and research intensity, in the Times Higher Education, outperforming 11 of the 24 Russell Group universities
- Over 96% of our postgraduate students who graduated in 2014 found a job or further study opportunity within six months.
Find out more: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/why/

Postgraduate scholarships and funding

We have a scholarship fund of over £9 million to support our taught and research students with their tuition fees and living costs. Find out more: https://www.kent.ac.uk/scholarships/postgraduate/

English language learning

If you need to improve your English before and during your postgraduate studies, Kent offers a range of modules and programmes in English for Academic Purposes (EAP). Find out more here: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/international/english.html

Read less

This Masters will examine when and why humans develop social relations with other individuals or social groups, and the psychological consequences of these social relations. 

The programme offers a social-developmental psychology training that will advance the careers of anyone who's interested in the people professions – diverse careers related to education, work, health, government and non-profit organisations.

Humans have a fundamental ‘need to belong’ and form relationships. Positive relationships lead to higher well-being, personal development and well-functioning societies, whereas a lack or dysfunctional relationships lead to poor psychological well-being, unhealthy development and conflict or violence within society. 

The programme will teach you about the different psychological approaches to studying social relations in children, adolescents and adults, drawing from different areas of study within psychology (eg social and personality psychology, developmental psychology, educational psychology, clinical psychology, social neuroscience).

These approaches are relevant to anyone interested in understanding social relations between individuals (ie families and friendships) and social groups within a variety of settings (eg schools, the workplace, social movements). The programme will also introduce different strategies aimed at improving social relations between individuals and groups (eg intergroup contact, bullying interventions, mentoring schemes).

Research methods training

The programme will offer ESRC recognised research methods training, which will be useful for students wishing to pursue doctoral training or work in careers where such skills will be appreciated by employers in private and public sectors.

Diverse career opportunities

Given the importance of social relationships for motivation and well-being and given societal issues that arise out of social and racial inequalities and conflicting cultural values, this programme will offer useful insights for diverse careers related to counselling, education, businesses, and government/non-profit organizations. Moreover, you will benefit from conducting research in cosmopolitan London, where diverse socio-cultural groups co-exist in relative harmony.

Modules & structure

The programme is made up of a total of 180 credits, comprised of:

• four core modules (totalling 105 credits)
• two core optional module (30 credits)
• three other optional modules (totalling 45 credits)

Core modules

The following modules are all required: 

• Critical Issues in the Psychological Study of Social Relations
• Statistical Methods
• Research, Design and Analysis
• Independent Research Project of your choice, supervised by leading experts in the field

Core optional modules

You select two of the following core optional modules which focus on child relationships, adult close relationships, or group relations:

• Social-Moral Development
• The Interpersonal Self
• Social Psychology of Social Problems

For the 2017-2018 academic year, The Interpersonal Self will not be offered, so you will need to take both Social Moral Development and Social Psychology of Social Problems.

Optional modules

Three other optional modules may be selected from a range offered in the Department of Psychology, including the remaining core optional module listed above. Other possible modules include:

• Addictive Behaviours 
• Psychology and Education - For 2017-18 academic year this module will not be offered
• Investigative Forensic Psychology
• Psychology of the Arts, Aesthetics and Attraction
• Advanced Quantitative Methods
• Statistical Data Analysis Project
• Theoretical Issues in Psychology

The following options are also available to students in this MSc programme from the Institute of Management Studies (IMS). There is a possibility that some of these modules are not available as they may be offered at the same time as one of the Psychology modules above.

• Organisational Behaviour and Health
• Leadership and Talent Management 
• Psychology of Marketing and Advertising 
• Training, Coaching and Counselling

Skills

The programme will:

• develop your knowledge and understanding of psychological approaches and common psychological methods for studying social relations in children and adults
• enable you to develop a thorough knowledge of psychological theories and interventions in relation to improving social relations in a range of social settings
• equip you with transferable knowledge and skills required to undertake psychological research, including the design, implementation and interpretation of studies and communication of outcomes

Careers

As a graduate of this programme you'll be able to use your knowledge of social relations in the workplace. This will help you advance your career in a wide variety of settings (including clinical, health, educational and work organisations) that involve human relationships, at both the individual and group level.

With the help of the tutors, you'll also be encouraged to work with one or more of the many organisations (private, public, or third sector) available in greater London for your independent research project, which will help you establish a professional network.

Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths. 

Read less

This Master’s programme is designed for those who want to pursue a postgraduate route in psychology that will develop their professional and psychological research skills and knowledge.

Modules in health and social psychology will explore how we apply psychology to real-world issues such as health promotion, environmental behaviour and prejudice.

Course Overview

This new MSc in Applied Social and Health Psychology aims to develop the student into a professional and employable psychological researcher. Through a novel and exciting mix of hands-on workshops (Applied Research, Ethics and Analysis), lecture and seminar debate (Psychology and Health, Applying Social Psychology), exploration of up-to-the minute issues (Society and Psychology) and working with academic staff in a research team (Professional Research Skills) the ability to develop postgraduate-level skills is built into this course.

The research opportunities offered to students by the programme team within this Master’s programme involve a focus on tackling important research areas of relevance to today’s environmental, political and social world, at a local and global level, providing our graduates with the skills and knowledge to go into further study (e.g., PhD) or into employment.

Modules

Indicative modules and content include:
-Society and Psychology
-Professional Research Skills
-Psychology and Health
-Applying Social Psychology
-Applied Research, Ethics & Analysis
-Applied Research Dissertation

Key Features

The Masters in Applied Social and Health Psychology will provide graduate students or those with relevant experience the opportunity to develop a range of higher-level research, evaluation, and professional skills which can be applied to a broad range of specialisms within and beyond Psychology.

Students will pursue specialist modules in the areas of health psychology and social psychology, and have the opportunity to complete a research dissertation in a specialist area of applied psychology. A particular strength of this course is the opportunity to work closely with academic members of staff on real research projects through the Professional Research Skills module and to receive mentoring in the development of applied research and professional skills.

The ultimate aim of this programme is to develop a well-rounded and competent psychological researcher who has developed a critical understanding of a wide range of applied research techniques, and who is able to apply this knowledge and associated skills discerningly to appropriate applied psychology questions of relevance to the wider social and health agendas.

The programme is structured around the coherent development of a diverse range of applied research skills and knowledge in Psychology, clearly building upon the existing practical skills base and academic expertise within the Psychology team.

Assessment

Assessments for this programme have been specifically designed to enable students to demonstrate a broad range of academic, research and professional skills. There are no exams for this programme, with students being assessed through a variety of different formats including class-based practical research skills assessments, written essays, a portfolio of professional competencies, research proposals and oral presentations. For part two of the Master’s programme students will complete their own research dissertation and submit a written thesis alongside a professional presentation of their research.

Career Opportunities

Psychology graduates are valued by a range of sectors due to the strong set of transferable and critical thinking skills developed through psychology programmes. As such, the higher level academic and professional skills developed through the addition of a Master’s level qualification will clearly produce a highly attractive graduate to both psychology fields and other sectors. These will include the ability to:
-Exercise initiative and personal responsibility in the production and management of workload
-Engage in teamwork and to reflect upon this process
-Present work to both academic and lay audiences in an appropriate manner
-Engage in independent learning required for continuing professional development
-Present work appropriately through different media to a high standard

Graduates from this programme will be in a strong position to pursue further academic research pathways in the form of PhD study or academic research assistantship roles. Additionally, the skill set developed from this Master’s programme will also make them highly attractive candidates for employment and professional career opportunities in non-academic organisations such as government agencies, voluntary sector organisations, the NHS, or in a range of private sector businesses involving project management and evaluation skills.

Read less

Project-X parties organised via Facebook. Unhealthy eating habits. Workplace bullying. Although a wide range of issues, the same rule applies to all of them: it comes down to the way in which people affect each other's behaviour. In this Master’s programme, you study human behaviour and behaviour change in a social, health, or organisational context.

Tracks

During this Master’s programme, you will choose between the following three tracks:

• Social Influence: about the social influence of behaviour and attitude change
• Health Promotion: about improving health-related behaviour
• Work and Organisation: about the functioning and wellbeing of individuals and teams in organisations

By choosing a track and elective courses you can explore your personal field of interest.

Research driven

This Master’s programme connects closely to our research programmes Social-cognitive and Interpersonal Determinants of Behaviour, Health Psychology: Self-regulation, and Work and Organisational Psychology. Connecting theory and practice is essential in our Master's. You will develop theory-driven interventions by means of the PATH model (Problem-Analysis-Test-Help).

Do you want to know more about our research? Watch the videos of Professor Belle Derks about Work and Organisational Psychology (in Dutch) or about Social Psychology by Professor Kees van den Bos. A video of Professor Denise de Ridder about Health Psychology: Self-regulation will follow soon.

International orientation

The courses in this Master's programme are rooted in international scientific literature and are focused on the internatonal context. You can do your internship and/or thesis abroad or in (internatonal) organisations in the Netherlands, such as Trendsactive, Coca Cola, Hays, Sogeti (in Dutch), Philips and Nutrica. 

As our student, you are primarily responsible for finding your own internship organisation. The department of Social, Health and Organisational Psychology has a database of internship organisations and has an internatonal network you can use.

Programme objectives

You will gain specialised knowledge, skills and insights in the fields of Social Psychology, Health Psychology and/or Work and Organisational Psychology. Your development as an academic professional is of central concern.

As a Master's graduate, you will be able to analyse and propose interventions for social, health or organisational issues, such as:

• integration and participation issues
• consumer behaviour
• employability of employees
• innovation and performance in organisations
• radicalisation
• gender inequality
• self-regulation issues
• health-related behaviour

Read less

The track Work and Organizational Psychology concentrates on sciencebased solutions to human problems in work and organizational settings. It aims to understand how to achieve each of the following objectives: optimizing performance, improving processes and relationships, enhancing fairness and equity, and increasing subjective well-being.

The European Network of Work and Organizational Psychology (ENOP) developed a reference model and standards for a curriculum in Work & Organizational Psychology. According to the ENOP model, the main areas to be considered are Work, Organizational and Personnel Psychology. The track Work and Organizational Psychology adheres to these standards as far as possible, and offers a study program that deals with the most important topics in Work & Organizational Psychology at the individual, task, group and organizational level.

The program

Work and Organizational Psychology is a field with both a strong scientific base and an applied orientation. Thus, the program connects psychological theory and application whereby theoretical concepts are shown to lead to useful interventions. In each of the areas of Work, Organizational and Personnel Psychology, the program seeks to develop two types of knowledge and skills: explanatory and intervention.

Explanatory refers to theory devoted to the explanation of (the context of) human behavior and to diagnostic skills in work, organization, and personnel fields. This will prepare you to assess, diagnose, explain, and interpret phenomena and processes in the areas of work, organizations and personnel.

Intervention refers to change theory and intervention skills in work, organizational and personnel settings. This will prepare you to plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate changes and interventions to improve behaviors, situations, and social processes in the fields of work, organizations, and personnel. This type of knowledge also prepares you to design new models, methods, and tools. The two types of knowledge and skills will be integrated as much as possible within the various courses.

Career Perspective Social Psychology

With an MSc in Social Psychology, you can work in positions at an academic level in research, communication, policy, consulting, human development and organization development in private, semi-private or governmental organizations. With this MSc, you are able to conduct theoretical and applied research to advance scientific knowledge in the areas of social, economic and work and organizational psychology. You are also able to contribute to many applied fields, because you will be able to develop tools and interventions to solve practical problems in the areas of social, economic and work and organizational psychology and to research the effectiveness thereof.

Read less

Investigate the social and health-related aspects of behavioural regulation.

How do we resist impulses (such as greed and appetite) to promote human cooperation and maintain a healthy lifestyle? How do we cope with social and health-related threats in order to prevent or recover from stress and anxiety? How does money affect our social and work life?

The Master’s programme in Social and Health Psychology will equip you with the tools and knowledge to analyse topics related to the control of human behaviour for the benefit of social interaction and health. During your studies, you will explore leading theories and concepts and their interconnections with various fields of study. You will also learn to use and develop cutting-edge research methods through participation in ongoing projects, where you will gain research experience in the study of behavioural regulation.

Multiple perspectives

The two-year curriculum involves multiple perspectives ranging from concrete (neuroscientific and social cognitive perspectives) to global perspectives (relationships, welfare, and health). Considerable attention is paid to misregulation and underregulation (dysregulation) of behaviour in the context of social and health-related issues.

International orientation

The Master’s programme has an international character that offers you multiple benefits:

• International networks and connections: Our staff includes lecturers who are from abroad or have international positions. We also collaborate with researchers abroad, enabling you to arrange research or teaching visits outside of the Netherlands and improving your research and career opportunities.
• Global perspectives on course topics: Numerous international students bring regional and global perspectives to discussions on the course content and related topics. From these interactions, you’ll gain a diverse outlook on social and health psychology issues.
• Advanced English-language skills: The programme is entirely taught in English, and we encourage our students to visit symposia, seminars, and conferences in the Netherlands (in English) to further develop their subject-specific vocabulary and expand their global network.

Education built on research

The Social and Health Psychology programme is supported by two fields of research:

• Department of Clinical Psychology (stress and self-regulation, and trauma, grief, and anxiety-related disorders)
• Department of Social, Health & Organizational Psychology (social-cognitive and interpersonal determinants of behaviour and occupational health psychology)

PROGRAMME GOALS

Through this Master’s programme, you will develop into a qualified psychological scientist who is ready for a PhD position or a research career outside academia. You will have the training and tools to use multiple research methods to investigate social and health-related issues related to behavioural regulation.  

Read less

Psychology at Kent offers a supportive, dynamic and diverse environment for creative research and learning.

During your research, you are supported by a panel including a main and secondary supervisor. Your supervisors are individually selected for you based on their compatibility with your research interests. Typically, you meet with your supervisors more frequently at the initial stages of research than during the phases of data collection and analysis.

You receive training in research-specific and broader ‘transferable’ skills, including academic writing, career management and presentation skills. You also have the opportunity to train for an advanced teaching qualification (ATAP). The Advanced Statistics and Methodology module from our taught MSc programme is available for doctoral students that have not already completed an advanced statistics and methods course.

During term-time, our research groups hold weekly meetings to discuss ongoing work, and weekly seminars also take place featuring external speakers. Numerous data analysis and research methods workshops are available (recent examples include structural equation modelling; hierarchical linear modelling; meta-analysis; EPrime experimental software), as well as individual training opportunities.

Visit the website https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/79/social-psychology

The School of Psychology

Kent's School of Psychology supports research in a number of areas, including: social psychology; developmental psychology; forensic psychology; cognitive psychology; existential psychology; personality and motivation.

We conduct both basic and applied research in several areas, and we are highly regarded as a leading European centre for postgraduate research. We have a long-established international reputation in social psychology, and this is complemented by our strengths in cognitive, developmental and forensic psychology. The School attracts excellent visiting scholars and postgraduate students from both within the UK and overseas.

Study support

- Postgraduate resources

The School has excellent facilities for both laboratory and field research, including advanced laboratory and teaching facilities. Resources include:

- three fully equipped colour video laboratories for face-to-face group research, together with ten satellite laboratories connected via remote-control CCTV and two-way audio links

- 58 research laboratories, all containing networked computers

- a further 80 PCs available exclusively to Psychology students, including a designated MSc computer-networked room providing full email and internet access

- shared offices and a personal, networked computer for research students

- a full range of computer-based experiment generators and productivity software installed on all the School’s systems

- an upgraded laboratory suite with equipment for digital sound and vision recording

- four Brain Vision EEG labs (including one for simultaneous TMS & EEG, and one portable EEG system)

- two trans-cranial direct current electrical stimulators (GVS, Magstim)

- Neuroconn tDCS/tACS electrical stimulator with facilities for simultaneous EEG

- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) PowerMAG Research 100 High Frequency Stimulator

- two Tobii eye-trackers (Tobii X120 & Tobii T60 XL portable)

- one Arrington eye-tracker

- a suite equipped with Bio-Pac recorders to allow for a range of physiological measures to be taken during stressful and other tasks

- specialist laboratories equipped for face processing and vision research

- CRS ColorCal II Colorimeter/Photometer

- CRS Audiofile for synchronized audio-visual presentation

- numerous PC and Mac labs to run behavioural experiments

- Mirror Stereoscopes for dichoptic presentation and stereo vision research

- immersive virtual reality lab (including integrated eye-tracker)

- a social cognition laboratory

- creation in 2010 of the Kent Child Development Unit and research team focusing on how children learn about their world, about other people and about the language they hear around them.

- Dynamic publishing culture
Staff publish regularly and widely in journals, conference proceedings and books. Among others, they have recently contributed to: Journal of Experimental Social Psychology; Journal of Personality and Social Psychology; Child Development; Clinical Psychology Review. Details of recently published books can be found within the staff research interests.

- Researcher Development Programme
Kent's Graduate School co-ordinates the Researcher Development Programme for research students, which includes workshops focused on research, specialist and transferable skills. The programme is mapped to the national Researcher Development Framework and covers a diverse range of topics, including subjectspecific research skills, research management, personal effectiveness, communication skills, networking and teamworking, and career management skills.

Careers

Our postgraduate students commonly go into the fields of health, teaching or further education. For instance, many of our graduates take up roles as assistant psychologists in the NHS with a view to becoming a professional clinical or forensic psychologist. Upon completing our Master’s courses, graduates have also pursued doctoral study and academic careers at higher education institutions.

The programmes we offer help you to develop general critical, analytic and problem-solving skills that can be applied in a wide range of settings.

Find out how to apply here - https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/apply/

Read less

The Master of Science in Experimental Psychology degree program at the College of Psychology provides students with a strong academic foundation in the theories and concepts of experimental psychology. Students are equipped with comprehensive skills in scientific inquiry and research methodology. These skills may prepare students for admission into a doctoral program in psychology or for career opportunities that include teaching and research in industrial, government, private consulting, health care, and community settings.

The college's Master of Science in Experimental Psychology degree program is offered on NSU's main campus.

Why Choose This Program?

• To develop mastery of advanced theoretical, statistical, and methodological foundations of experimental psychology
• To prepare for a professional career as a researcher and experimental psychologist
• To prepare for admission into a doctoral program in psychology

The M.S. in Experimental Psychology degree prepares students for research-focused doctoral programs as well as career opportunities that include teaching and research in industrial, government, private consulting, health care, and community settings.

Learning Outcomes

The successful M.S. in Experimental Psychology graduate is expected to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of major concepts, theories, and supportive research in the four non-clinical foundational areas of experimental psychology (biological, cognitive, developmental, and social psychology) and in experimental design and analysis;
2. Apply research skills in at least one area of experimental psychology by carrying out an independent piece of research in at least one area of experimental psychology with collaboration from a faculty mentor;
3. Demonstrate the ability to write experimental reports using APA format and language of the discipline.

Curriculum

The Master of Science in Experimental Psychology degree program provides students with a strong academic foundation in the theories and concepts of experimental psychology. Through focused coursework and the experience of mentored independent research, students are equipped with comprehensive skills in scientific inquiry and research methodology. These skills may prepare students for admission into a doctoral program in psychology or for career opportunities that include teaching and research in industrial, government, private consulting, health care, and community settings.

Core Courses (12 credits)

• PSYC 5100 - Behavioural Neuroscience (3 credits)
• PSYC 5200 - Cognitive Psychology (3 credits)
• PSYC 5300 - Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
• PSYC 5400 - Social Psychology (3 credits)

Required Methodology Courses (9 credits)

• PSYC 5900 - Psychological Quantitative Methods I (3 credits)
• PSYC 5910 - Psychological Quantitative Methods II (3 credits)
• PSYC 5920 - Research Methods in Experimental Psychology (3 credits)

Thesis (6 credits)

• PSYC 6000 - Master's Thesis (3 credits, repeatable)

Career opportunities

Graduates of the M.S. in Experimental Psychology program can pursue doctoral education in subfields of experimental psychology or become leaders in a variety of professional positions and settings, including:

• Adjunct Professor
• Business / Government Agency
• Lab Manager
• Market Analyst
• Psychology Lecturer
• Research Project Manager
• Statistical Consultant

Read less

The broad spectrum of psychology examines the ways in which human beings think, feel, behave and interact. Study Applied Social Psychology at Royal Holloway and you will develop an advanced understanding of human social interactions, their origins and their impact on the individual, and equip yourself with knowledge of cutting-edge developments and issues in applied social psychology.

You will join a vibrant research community with access to an on-site MRI scanner for studying brain structure and activity, EEG machines, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) equipment, technology for tracking eye movements, software for creating virtual reality environments and a dedicated baby lab for studying the development of young infants.

You will be part of a friendly, welcoming department with an excellent staff-to-student ratio, learning through a combination of seminars, lectures and research led by our expert academics.

You will graduate with a MSc degree from an internationally leading department, and acquire a range of analytical, methodological and communication skills crucial for PhD study. Follow your passion for Applied Social Psychology at Royal Holloway and you will be well-placed to achieve a rewarding career in your chosen field.

• Develop applicable skills and knowledge to transfer to PhD study or to pursue a career in applied settings.
• Study in a department ranked 6^th in the UK for research (The Research Excellence Framework 2014)
• Gain a range of transferable skills to take into your future career, including highly developed literacy and numeracy skills.

Course structure

This course can be studied full time in one year or part-time over two to five years.

The MSc Programme is designed to equip students with knowledge about cutting edge developments and issues in applied social psychology, in addition to an array of analytical, methodological and communication skills, important for those progressing to a PhD and graduates looking for jobs in applied settings within commercial and governmental settings.

The seven modules are designed to give students in-depth insights into topical issues and the latest research in Social Psychology in a wide range of applied settings. Modules are taught with an emphasis on group discussions and the development of independent thought and analysis, appropriate to such an advanced level of study.

The research project, which forms a major component of the Programme assessment, offers students the option to carry out an independent piece of research of high quality, under the close supervision of a member of academic staff, in an area of interest to the student.

Core modules

• Psychology in Applied Settings 
• Intergroup and Interpersonal Processes 
• Advanced and Applied Research Techniques  
• Adjustment and Well-Being 
• Topics in Psychological Science 
• Statistics for Research 
• Social Research Project 

Teaching & assessment

Teaching and learning is delivered primarily through sessions lasting between one-and-a-half and five hours. These typically combine seminar discussions with practical exploration or workshops. Where possible, these will be student-led, with participants encouraged to devise exercises engaging with the relevant issues and to direct fellow-students in these experiments.

We place emphasis on group discussion and the development of independent thought and analysis appropriate to carry out an independent piece of research of high quality, in an area of interest to you. In some contributing modules, you will give oral presentations which form part of the formative assessment. Summative assessment is usually by extended essay, although there are written exams for modules focussing on methodology and statistics.

Your future career

Graduates in Applied Social Psychology at Royal Holloway are well equipped to progress to further PhD study and to careers in applied settings in commercial and governmental organisations. You will graduate with a desirable MSc degree from one of the UK’s top psychology departments, and will develop a range of transferable skills including analysis and interpretation of numerical data, insight into human behaviour, critical reading, conducting ethical research and managing research projects.

Our alumni have gone on to enjoy careers in NGOs, organisational psychology firms, consultancy firms and other rewarding fields. Notable Department of Psychology alumni include leading bioscience innovator Professor Jackie Hunter CBE, Terrence Higgins Trust founder Dr Rupert Whitaker, and Dr Christian Jarrett – author of The Rough Guide to Psychology.

• 90% of Royal Holloway graduates within work or further education within six months of graduating.
• Close links with local organisations including the Macular Society, Southern Addictions Advisory Service and Bishop Creighton House provide rewarding placement opportunities.

Read less

Overview

This programme has been carefully developed for students who are interested in gaining advanced knowledge of psychological theory as this relates to social and political issues and the potential for such knowledge to generate progressive social change. The degree programme will equip you to engage critically and analytically with these issues and help you to develop novel ways of thinking about yourself, those around you and society at large. The theoretical and applied nature of this programme will offer you the opportunity to study how psychology helps interpret some of the most pressing social and political issues facing human society in

 the 21stCentury and how it can contribute to tackling some of them.

In addition to your taught components, you will have the opportunity to undertake a dissertation project on a topic of your choice under the direct supervision of a member of staff. You will be able to use quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-method approaches.

A further unique feature of this degree programme is that it involves you in the design and implementation of an Action Research Projectthat is aimed at bringing a tangible, positive change on or off campus in collaboration with your fellow students and under the supervision of your Module Leader.

Course Aims

• Above all, we aim for this programme to have a positive professional and personal impact on you. 
• An important aim of this programme is to develop your knowledge of research evidence and theory as this relates to a range of social and political issues.
• The programme is aimed to provide you with opportunities to experience hands-on how research and theory (e.g., through the Action Research Project and your own dissertation project of choice) can be used to bring about social change in local communities and society at large.
• To develop a range of advanced research skills.
• Empower writing and presentations skills necessary to articulate your arguments and disseminate psychological theory and research.
• To assist you to develop as a competent, empowered, and employable psychologist.

Course Content

Our MSc Psychology programmes are designed to foster a vibrant and collaborative peer culture amongst our MSc students. Several of our modules are shared by all four of our MSc psychology programmes. We also know it’s vital that you develop the advanced specialised skills you will need to pursue careers in your chosen fields. Throughout your MSc degree you are supported and encouraged to focus your work to help you conduct in-depth explorations of your specialist subjects and personal interests.

You will be taught by staff who are research active, some of whom are globally recognised for their research and impact, but also who genuinely care about using psychology to address major social issues and challenges in contemporary society. Our research activities, applied networks outside academia, and importantly our belief in your potential to develop as a powerful and yet thoughtful agent of social change will keep you engaged with this programme and ensure it equips you to undertake a wide range of professions. 

Our staff offer expertise in various research areas, including (but not limited to): Crowds, riot, hooliganism and policing, protection of young people, cyber psychology and bullying, inter-group and inter-ethnic conflict and relations, wellbeing and inclusion, social justice for marginalised communities, critical and creative methodologies, gender inequality and cultural definitions of motherhood, the social construction of reality, the negotiation of power and authority in interaction, persuasive communication, victimhood, reconciliation and intergroup forgiveness, trust, prejudice reduction, social identity, collective action, the social and psychological dimensions of health and well-being, self-harm and suicide, terrorism and radicalisation, refugee integration, social influences on learning and effectiveness in the classroom – including the study of the relationship between gender and subject choice.

In addition to your dissertation project, you will participate in designing and implementing an Action Research Project with the aim to bring about a tangible, positive change on or off campus in collaboration with your fellow students and under the supervision of your Module Leader. This unique feature will provide you hands-on experience in understanding the psychology of organising social change.

Teaching & Assessment

The course is of one year duration for full time and two years for part-time.

The course is assessed through written coursework, unseen examination, verbal presentation of research, and independent research written up as a dissertation.

Additional Costs

Apart from additional costs for text books, inter-library loans and potential overdue library fines we do not anticipate any additional costs for this postgraduate programme. Limited support is available for research-related expenses.

Scholarships

There are substantial scholarships available, please see this link: http://www.keele.ac.uk/studentfunding/bursariesscholarships/internationalfunding/postgraduate/

or

http://www.keele.ac.uk/studentfunding/bursariesscholarships/

Closing Date

31st May 2018

Read less

The Master’s program in Social Psychology focuses on both individual and group behavior in formal and informal social contexts. It studies how people behave in their social surroundings and what influences this behavior. Particularly problems related to consumer behavior, work and organizational behavior and decision making in social, economic and organizational contexts are important themes in this Master’s program. Related to these themes, two separate tracks have been formed, both with its own focus and study program:

•Track Economic Psychology
•Track Work and Organizational Psychology

Career Perspective Social Psychology

With an MSc in Social Psychology, you can work in positions at an academic level in research, communication, policy, consulting, human development and organization development in private, semi-private or governmental organizations. With this MSc, you are able to conduct theoretical and applied research to advance scientific knowledge in the areas of social, economic and work and organizational psychology. You are also able to contribute to many applied fields, because you will be able to develop tools and interventions to solve practical problems in the areas of social, economic and work and organizational psychology and to research the effectiveness thereof.

Read less

Our MSc Social and Organisational Psychology is one of only a few Masters programmes in the UK which is provided by researchers working at the cutting edge of both social psychology and organisational psychology. The programme is taught by a successful and dynamic group of researchers who, individually and collectively, enjoy a world-class reputation. You will benefit not only from the friendly and supportive atmosphere, but also from high quality teaching and supervision, an exciting and international seminar series, and a wide variety of stimulating extracurricular activities and workshops.

The Masters programme will equip you with an array of skills which will enable you to function as an effective PhD student or as a professional researcher or practitioner in social psychology and organisational psychology. The programme forms part of the Economic and Social Research Council South West Doctoral Training Centre - a hub of world-class social science research.

A distinguishing feature of the programme is its research apprenticeship, which will help you develop your research skills by allowing you to work alongside experienced researchers and/or practitioners and write up your findings in the form of a dissertation. Although teaming up with a researcher within the department is generally advised, it is occasionally possible to engage in apprenticeships with organisations or people outside of the University, provided suitable co-supervision is established. Some of our past/current research partners include Microsoft, IBM, Rentokil, the MoD, the NHS, the Met Office, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development, and Lane4 consultancy.

Research Apprenticeship

The research apprenticeship is an important feature of the programme. It will help you develop your research skills by working alongside experienced researchers and/or practitioners and writing up the research in the form of a dissertation. Although teaming up with a researcher within the department is generally advised, it is occasionally possible to engage in research apprenticeships with organizations or people outside of the University provided suitable co-supervision is established. Some of our past/current research partners include Microsoft, IBM, Rentokil, the MoD, the NHS, the Met Office, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development and Lane4 consultancy.

Programme structure

The programme is made up of five compulsory modules. The list of modules may include the following;

• Advanced Statistics;
• Behavioural Science Research Skills;
• Advances and Methods in Social and Organisational Psychology;
• Research Apprenticeship
• Current Research Issues in Social and Organisational Psychology

The modules listed here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

Read less

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

Read less