Program Overview

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Psychology: Social Psychology (MSc)

Award

Master of Science

Typical Offer

2:1 degree

Duration

1 year

Course Type

Full-time

Campus

Highfield

Next course starts

September 2025

About this course

This MSc Psychology pathway is ideal if you have a strong interest in social psychology. You'll learn advanced research skills and techniques. You'll also have the opportunity to carry out both a research apprenticeship and a dissertation with mentorship from a social psychologist.

You'll study a variety of research methods using tools including the statistical software package R.

You'll explore developments in the field and gain in-depth knowledge of specific psychology topics, issues and methods.

The degree will teach you how to:

• relate and apply your research to psychological issues
• analyse and communicate complex ideas
• creatively plan and manage projects

Our globally recognised researchers at the School of Psychology will support you in your learning. During your apprenticeship you'll work alongside them to get practical experience carrying out ongoing departmental research. You'll learn how to conduct studies, describe your findings and write up the results.

When you successfully complete this master's in social psychology you'll be ideally placed for a PhD in cognitive psychology or for a career in data science.

Flexible study

If you prefer, you can apply to study this course as:

• a part-time master's - study the same course content over 2 or more years

Your modules and fees may vary if you choose a different study option.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Course lead

The course lead is Dr Pascal Burgmer, Lecturer in Psychology and member of the Centre for Research on Self and Identity. Dr Burgmer's research focuses on social perception and behaviours, such as trust, empathy, morality and lay beliefs and theories that people hold on these issues. Find out more on Dr Burgmer's staff profile.

Related pathways

If you'd prefer to focus your psychology studies in a different area you can choose from one of 3 other pathways:

• MSc in Psychology - pick modules to match your training needs and interests on this flexible pathway
• MSc in Psychology: Research Methods - choose this pathway to improve both your fundamental and advanced research skills
• MSc in Psychology: Cognitive Psychology - this pathway is suitable if you have a strong interest in cognitive psychology and want to pursue a career in related fields

Accreditations

Economics and Social Research Council (ESRC)

Entry requirements

You'll need a 2:1 degree in either:

• psychology
• a related discipline, if you can demonstrate that it includes quantitative research skills

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

• overall score: 7.0
• reading: 6.5
• writing: 6.5
• speaking: 6.5
• listening: 6.5

If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before your course starts.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Course structure

This master's degree in psychology is usually studied over 12 months full-time, from September to the following September.

The taught part of the degree consists of 30 study weeks split into 2 semesters, during which time you'll study 8 modules.

You'll carry out 3 months of supervised research for your master’s dissertation.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. 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. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.

For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026

• Year 1
• Year 2

Year 1 modules

You must study the following modules in year 1:

• Concepts & Skills
• Current Topics in Cognitive Psychology
• Designing Research for Psychology
• Moral Psychology
• Open Science in Psychology
• Qualitative Research Methods for Psychology
• Quantitative Analysis for Psychology
• Research Apprenticeship in Cognitive Psychology
• Research Apprenticeship in Social Psychology
• Statistical Programming in R

You must also choose from the following modules in year 1:

• AI Applications in Psychology
• Advanced Statistical Methods in Psychology
• Current Topics in Cognitive Psychology
• Designing Research for Psychology
• Evidence Synthesis
• Human Sexual Diversity
• Moral Psychology
• Qualitative Research Methods for Psychology
• Quantitative Analysis for Psychology
• Research Apprenticeship in Cognitive Psychology
• Research Apprenticeship in Psychology
• Research Apprenticeship in Social Psychology
• Social and Psychological Approaches to Understanding Sexual Health

Year 2 modules

You must study the following modules in year 2:

• MSc Dissertation in Cognitive Psychology
• MSc Dissertation in Social Psychology

You must also choose from the following modules in year 2:

• MSc Dissertation
• MSc Dissertation in Cognitive Psychology
• MSc Dissertation in Social Psychology

Learning and assessment

Learning

You'll cover the theory, practice and context of a wide range of research approaches, using a combination of:

• lectures
• seminars
• workshops
• independent study
• e-learning

Assessment

We'll assess you using:

• research papers
• presentations
• quizzes
• problem sets
• exams (including multiple choice and essay questions)
• your research dissertation

Dissertation

Supported by a supervisor, you’ll plan and write a 10,000 word in-depth study based on what you have learned.

During this time, you'll be able to develop and apply your own specialist research methods and skills.

Academic Support

You’ll work with a senior tutor to plan and research your dissertation.

Careers and employability

Employability skills

This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.

The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:

• Research
• Critical thinking
• Self-management
• Confidence
• Communication
• Creativity
• Problem solving

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Download skills overview

Career pathways

Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:

Health and social work,

Education,

Professional,

Scientific and Technical,

Research,

Local government,

Corporate sector.

Careers directly related to this course:

• Health psychologist
• Assistant psychologist
• Research assistant
• Psychological wellbeing practitioner
• High intensity therapist
• Behavioural therapist
• Health and wellbeing coach
• Smoking cessation advisor
• Progression coach
• Behaviour change officer

See more

Wider career opportunities:

• Research officer
• Trainee accountant
• Trainee teacher
• Project manager
• Data analyst
• Data scientist
• Social researcher
• Operations manager
• Business intelligence analyst
• Counsellor
• Therapist

See more

Example job titles of Southampton MSc Psychology graduates*:

• Health psychologist
• Assistant psychologist
• Research assistant
• Psychological wellbeing practitioner
• Health and wellbeing coach
• Group facilitator
• Social prescriber
• Smoking cessation advisor
• Progression coach
• Health advisor

See more

Work experience opportunities

Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.

Read more

Careers services and support

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV and interview skills and workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.

More about careers support

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £30,300.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

Funding your postgraduate studies

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal. .
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

There are different application deadlines for this course. Applications are expected to close:

• International students: Tuesday 29 July 2025, midday UK time
• UK students: Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

You’ll need to include information about:

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to submit two academic references.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We will aim to send you a decision 6 weeks after you have submitted your application.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Related courses

Psychology: Social Psychology (MSc) is a course in the Psychology subject area. Here are some other courses within this subject area:

• PGCert Psychological Practitioner in Homelessness
• PGDip Advanced Clinical Practice and Supervision (Senior Wellbeing Practitioner)
• PGCert Advanced Supervision
• PGDip Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) (Anxiety and Depression)
• PGDip Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) (Severe Mental Health)
• PGCert Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) (Severe Mental Health)
• PGDip Education Mental Health Practitioner
• MSc Foundations of Clinical Psychology
• MSc Health Psychology
• PGCert Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with IAPT PWP Status
• MSc Psychology
• MSc Psychology: Cognitive Psychology
• MSc Psychology: Research Methods