Program Overview

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Psychology

Postgraduate research degrees

PhD/MPhil/MSc by Research

Attendance

Full-timePart-time

Campus

Preston CampusBurnley Campus

Start

October 2025January 2026April 2026

Duration

1 - 3 years

Start

October 2025

Delivery

Blended learning

Our postgraduate research degrees in psychology will enable you to enhance your skills as a researcher and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in this field.

What you'll do

• We hold an annual Psychology Postgraduate Research Conference, where you’ll be able to gain a wider understanding of the research going on across the school and share your own research with others.
• Take advantage of the comprehensive training programme to develop your professional and research skills. This includes grant writing, public engagement and working with a PhD in industry events.
• Receive regular support in your development from a Director of Studies, other supervisors and two Research Degree Tutors. They will all work with you to ensure your development and successful completion of the research programme.

Academic expertise

• Dr Emma Threadgold
• Dr Kat Cartmell
• Dr Leah Greenwood
• Dr Reyhan Furman

Research areas

• Cognitive and neuroscience
• Forensic psychology
• Health and clinical psychology

Entry requirements

• MPhil or PhD: A recognised UK first degree, second class honours or above; or a UK Master’s degree or equivalent qualification. PhD studentships normally require at least an upper second class honours first degree.
• MSc (by Research): A recognised UK first degree, second class honours or above or equivalent qualification.

Fees and funding

2025/26

UK

• Full-time£5,250 per year
• Part-time£2,625 per year

International

• Full-time£17,900 per year

Additional costs

As part of your course there may be additional costs to consider that are not included in your tuition fees. Most of these will be optional, but some courses have essential additional costs.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer many scholarships, bursaries and funds to support you during your studies. Select your country or region to see if you are eligible and how to apply.

Learning and assessment

As this is a research degree, there are no formal teaching sessions on this programme. However, you’ll undertake a range of online training courses which will contribute to your personal development and enhance your research skills.

With a strong tradition in experimental research, the school owns a wide range of equipment which you’ll utilise to carry out your own independent and collaborative research which will contribute towards the advancement of knowledge in Psychology. This includes our Cognitive Psychology Complex (CPC), Brain Imaging Laboratory (BIL), EvoFIT system for eyewitness testimony research, and Child, Observation Suite (COS).

The individually tailored programme of further study and guided reading you undertake alongside research training within the school will equip you with the skills to develop and complete your programme of research. This is supplemented by a centralised training and support programme from within our Graduate Research Office.

You’ll have the option of undertaking collaborative work within the school or working as part of a multi-disciplinary group across the wider University. As you progress through the course, you’ll have regular meetings with the Director of Studies and other members of the supervisory team alongside annual monitoring from our Research Degrees Tutors to ensure that you’re supported every step of the way.