MSc in Research Methods in Psychology

Programme Director: Dr Robbie Sutton

Introduction

The MSc in Research Methods in Psychology is a generic research methods programme which, like all our Masters programmes, offers advanced and broad based training in the major methods and statistical techniques in use in Psychology. The major difference between this and the other programmes is that it offers a wider range of optional modules to allow students to tailor their studies to suit their own particular interests. Thus, modules may be chosen from those on offer in the more specialised programmes and a project undertaken in one of the major research areas of the School.

back to top

Entry requirements

1. Degree requirement:

You are required to hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with:

a. Adequate level of academic achievement

This is defined as a final degree classification (grade average) with at least a 2.1 or Merit in the UK system, the second highest classification after First/Distinction.

Academic results from institutions in other countries will be assessed individually according to this standard, as institutional practices and marking systems vary.

b. Statistics and research methods training in the social sciences

You must have taken a minimum of one term each in statistics and social science research methods courses (or two terms of a joint statistics and research methods course), and passed these courses, as noted on your degree.

Our Masters’ courses involve a rigorous one-year statistics sequence which you must normally pass in order to receive a degree. The teaching assumes that you are familiar with the following topics before arriving:

1. Means and standard deviations
2. Distributions, hypothesis testing and statistical significance
3. t-tests
4. Correlation coefficients
5. Variables and measurement

Evidence required:

An authorized copy (not a photocopy) of the university transcript, sent directly from the issuing institution to the Information, Recruitment and Admissions Office, The Registry,
University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NZ. Tel: +44 (0)1227 827272/824040, Email: recruitment@kent.ac.uk, Web: www.kent.ac.uk/aps/information-recruitment-admissions.
The transcript is part of the general University postgraduate admission procedures.

The degree does not necessarily have to be in psychology as long as the statistics training requirement is met.

2. English language

For students whose degree is from a non-English-speaking institution, you must meet at least one of the following University English language test requirements for postgraduate study:

  • 6.5 in the International English Language Test (IELTS) with a minimum of 6.0 in each of the reading and writing categories
  • 600 in the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
  • 250 in the computer-based TOEFL and a TWE of 4.0
  • 90 in the internet-based TOEFL (TOEFL iBT) with a minimum of 20 in writing and reading
  • 'C' in the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English
  • 'B' in the Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English.
Evidence required:

An authorized copy (not a photocopy) of the test certificate sent to the Information, Recruitment and Admissions Office, The Registry, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NZ. Tel: +44 (0)1227 827272/824040, Email: recruitment@kent.ac.uk, Web: www.kent.ac.uk/aps/information-recruitment-admissions. These test results are part of the general University postgraduate admission procedures.

3. References

Two reference letters are required from academic referees at the applicant’s degree granting institution who are able to assess the applicant’s suitability for postgraduate study. Reference writers should describe their impression of the applicant’s academic achievements, preparedness and motivation for postgraduate study in the chosen field, and personal qualities relevant to postgraduate study. They should give specific examples of things the applicant has done, where possible, that illustrate the reasons for their judgment of the applicant. Also, those applicants who do not qualify for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society must request that their referees complete the appropriate School of Psychology pro-forma available for download on our website.

References should take the form of letters on official headed paper of the institution, sent directly by the reference writer to the Recruitment and Admissions Office, The Registry, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NZ, with completed pro forma attached where applicable.

See also the University's general entry requirements.

back to top

Aims and objectives

  • To foster the intellectual development of postgraduate students by providing them with specialised knowledge in order that they should be better equipped to make their own original contribution to psychological knowledge.
  • To provide postgraduate students with the statistical and methodological expertise required by research psychologists.
  • To develop general research skills and transferable skills as preparation for postgraduate students to enter academic or other careers as research psychologists.
back to top

Programme structure

The programme consists of 2 compulsory modules and 4 optional modules:

   
Kent credits
ECTS credits
1. Advanced Statistics and Methodology
40
20
2, 3. Option Modules taken from Current Issues in Theory and Research
2 x 20
2 x 10
4, 5. Option Modules taken from Advanced Research in Psychology
2 x 20
2 x 10
6. Dissertation
60
30

See this year's timetable (PDF)

Option Modules
TWO modules should be taken in the Autumn Term and TWO in the Spring Term.
Current Issues in Theory and Research ( 2 x 20 credits; 2 x 10 ECTS credits)

Students take EITHER

OR choose two modules from the following:

Advanced Research in Psychology (2 x 20 credits; 2 x 10 ECTS credits)

Students choose two modules from the following:

Dissertation in Psychology (60 credits; 30 ECTS credits)

Module convenor Professor Adam Rutland

Each student conducts an independent piece of research under the supervision of a member of the School. These dissertations can be in any area of psychology in which staff have active research interests. The research is written up as an 8,000-10,000 word dissertation.

[Programme Specification]

back to top

Further information

For further information please Email R.Sutton@kent.ac.uk.

For informal enquiries please phone +44 (0)1227 827709 or Email psypgadmissions@kent.ac.uk.

back to top

How to apply

You can apply for this programme at any time but applications for the next academic year must be submitted by the end of July.

You can apply either online or by post. For further details see the University's application Web page.

Please make sure that you have fulfilled the entry requirements as detailed under the tab above.

back to top