Program Overview

Psychology, MRes

Introduction

This MRes degree programme provides you with comprehensive training in the skills required for psychological research. You will attend lectures and participate in hands-on workshops, and complete a research project supervised one-on-one by an academic member of staff.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: MRes
• Duration: 12 months or 24 months
• Study Mode: Full Time or Part Time
• Start Month: September

What You'll Study

Stage 1

• Compulsory Courses
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006)
  • Introduction to Postgraduate Process & Professional Research Skills 1 (PS5015)
  • IT Skills for Researchers (PS5016)
  • Basic Research Methods for Postgraduates (PS5302)
  • Critical Review (PS5043)

Stage 2

• Compulsory Courses
  • Quantitative and Qualitative Methods and Research Design (PS5557)
  • Professional Research Skills (PS5520)
  • Advanced Research Methods for Postgraduates (PS5801)
  • Research Communication (PS5560)

Stage 3

• Compulsory Courses
  • Research Project for Postgraduate Students in Psychology (PS5060)

Funding Opportunities

• The University of Aberdeen is very pleased to offer a 20% discount on postgraduate tuition fees for all alumni who have graduated with a degree from the University of Aberdeen.
• All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students starting in September 2025 will receive an £8,000 scholarship.

How You'll Study

• Teaching consists of lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical classes.
• A lot of research training is through hands-on learning by designing and running studies and analysing data in close coordination with supervisors.

Learning Methods

• Group Projects
• Individual Projects
• Lectures
• Research
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Workshops

Assessment Methods

• Assessment includes weekly worksheets, small projects, essays, exams, oral and poster presentations, and a final thesis reporting your research project.

Why Study Psychology?

• You will be introduced to state-of-the-art research concepts and theories taught by award-winning teachers and world-class researchers, exposing you to the latest thinking in the field.
• You will benefit from the key research strengths within the School of: social psychology, neuroscience, language, perception & attention and cognitive psychology.
• A major focus of the MRes is in designing and running a unique research project to a professional level and working closely with an academic supervisor.

Entry Requirements

• A 2:1 degree in Psychology or a cognate discipline.
• English Language Requirements:
  • IELTS Academic: OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
  • TOEFL iBT: OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
  • PTE Academic: OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
  • Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency: OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Careers

• This programme provides an excellent platform for those students wanting to pursue a career in psychological research, particularly those wishing to study towards a PhD.
• Potential careers for MRes Psychology graduates include human factors, industrial research, data science and business administration.

Facilities

• Psychophysiology Centre
• Eye Tracking Facilities
• Sir Duncan Rice Library

Our Experts

• The School of Psychology provides an exciting and vibrant research environment.
• Our degrees are taught by a range of experts across our 3 research themes, Cognition, Perception and Attention and Social Cognition.
• Programme Coordinator: Dr Joost Rommers