Welcome to MSc Psychological Research Methods
The MSc in Psychological Research Methods is intended for students interested in pursuing a research career in psychology and related areas, including those planning to go on to complete a PhD. Students will have the chance to cover a broad range of psychological research methods which could be used to address real-world problems in human behaviour, perception, cognition and emotion.
The programme is also suited to students from a non-psychology background wishing to consider a career in psychology, as the programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society to confer the graduate basis for chartered membership.
The programme is distinctive in its focus on applied research methods and the extent to which it draws upon the unique research interests, expertise, and experience of staff members in the School.
Accreditations
The programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) to confer the graduate basis for chartered membership.
Facilities
The Sarah Swift Building is the home of the Schools of Health and Social Care and Psychology. The building houses specialist teaching and research spaces for both Schools, as well as general teaching and learning facilities for the wider University.
The School of Psychology's research facilities include a sleep lab, Lincoln Infant and Child Development Lab, a motor lab, an imagination and decision lab, an eye tracking lab, an EEG lab, and a TMS lab, as well as many other general purpose lab facilities.
Research Areas and Topics
Research in the School of Psychology is organised into three main research groups and covers a wide range of topics including face perception, body image, sleep, emotion, autism, neurostimulation, electrophysiology, and visual-vestibular interactions.
This programme has links to the School's Perception, Action, and Cognition research group: https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/psychology/research/pac/
"I really enjoyed my time studying the Psychological Research Methods Master's at the University of Lincoln. I met lots of great people and gained so many skills that helped me achieve my dream of studying for my PhD. For me, learning about different research methodologies and programming skills and then being given the opportunities to use them in my own research projects was so important to developing the skill set that I needed to pursue a PhD and a career in research."
Peter Goodwin, graduateHow You Study
You will study a broad range of research methods in psychology with a focus on quantitative techniques in core modules.
The thesis module enables you to specialise in a particular area of psychology research alongside an academic supervisor of your choice and optional modules such as the advanced internship allow you to gain further in depth experience of specialist areas.
Teaching is predominantly delivered on two days per week for full-time students, with part-time students expected to be mostly present for one day per week. Delivery times are subject to time tabling constraints.
As with all postgraduate level study, the programme also involves a significant proportion of independent study.
An Introduction to Your Modules
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
Entry Requirements 2023-24
The admissions criteria for the programme are a minimum 2:2 undergraduate degree and the equivalent to a C in GCSE maths. Applicants with non-standard entry requirements will also be considered, including those with relevant experience (for example, mature students with work experience). These applicants will be requested for additional information to assess their aptitude for the programme and are invited for interview.
Applicants may be interviewed before they are accepted on the course, to make sure that they are suitable for the course. Students can study this programme either full-time (one year), or part-time (normally two years).
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications:
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/ for information on equivalent qualifications.
Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page:
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses. These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills/
Fees and Funding
For eligible students, there are more ways than ever before to fund your postgraduate study, whether you want to do a taught or research course. For those wishing to undertake a Master's course, UK students can apply for a loan as a contribution towards the course and living costs. Loans are also available to those who wish to undertake doctoral study. The University offers a number of scholarships and funded studentships for those interested in postgraduate study. Learn how Master's and PhD loans, scholarships, and studentships can help you fund your studies on our Postgraduate Fees and Funding pages.
Programme-Specific Additional Costs
For each course you may find that there are additional costs. These may be with regard to the specific clothing, materials or equipment required, depending on your course. Some courses provide opportunities for you to undertake field work or field trips. Where these are compulsory, the cost for the travel, accommodation and your meals may be covered by the University and so is included in your fee. Where these are optional you will normally (unless stated otherwise) be required to pay your own transportation, accommodation and meal costs.
With regards to text books, the University provides students who enrol with a comprehensive reading list and you will find that our extensive library holds either material or virtual versions of the core texts that you are required to read. However, you may prefer to purchase some of these for yourself and you will be responsible for this cost.
How you are assessed
Assessments vary from research proposals, to research reports, essays, and presentations.
The University of Lincoln's policy on assessment feedback aims to ensure that academics will return in-course assessments to students promptly - usually within 15 working days of the submission date.
Career Opportunities
This programme is particularly suited to you if you are considering completing a PhD in psychology or working in psychological research.
The course will also provide you with the chance to learn fundamental analytical, organisational, and presentational skills which could be applied across a range of careers.
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Postgraduate Events
Find out more about how postgraduate study can help further your career, develop your knowledge, or even prepare you to start your own business at one of our postgraduate events.
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