MSc Psychological Research Methods

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Our course provides broad training in the fundamentals of psychological science – the modern approach to studying mind and behaviour.

Psychological Research Methods

Key facts

  • Award Masters / MSc, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma
  • Start date September 2025
  • Duration MSc full-time: 12 months, MSc part-time: 24 months
  • Mode of study full time, part time
  • Delivery on campus

Overview

Our Psychological Research Methods course combines training in psychological theory with practical research skills development - a modern approach to studying mind and behaviour preparing you for a future career in psychology and psychology research. You’ll gain a thorough introduction to quantitative and qualitative research, the analysis and interpretation of data, and a critical, sceptical approach to psychological science.

The unique feature of this course is flexibility - you’re free to investigate a wide range of topics across the discipline while maintaining a high standard of training. This encourages an understanding of different methods and perspectives within the field of Psychology helping you make choices which will benefit your future career.

There are three degree pathways available:

  • Child Development
  • Cognition and Neuropsychology
  • Perception and Action

Opportunities for practical hands-on skills development are built in, ranging from low-tech observational assessment to high-tech eye-tracking. You’ll carry out a work placement, typically in an external company, charity or third sector organisation. This provides you with a fantastic opportunity to develop relevant work-based employment skills, and to develop a network of contacts relevant to your future career goals. Students benefit hugely from this experience, combining skills and experience with personal and professional development.

You’ll be based in a dedicated office for Masters students, or within an appropriate research group, and allocated a peer mentor. You’ll also have an academic supervisor in psychology who supports and guides your development, including your research dissertation project.

The course will develop your theoretical understanding, and give you the practical and interpersonal skills required for carrying out research. Our aim is to encourage you to make the complex transition to become a fully independent research scientist.

You’ll carry out a work placement, typically in an external company, charity or third sector organisation. This provides a fantastic opportunity for you to develop relevant work-based employment skills, and to develop a network of contacts relevant to future career goals. Students benefit hugely from this experience, combining skills and experience with personal and professional development.

There is no provision or expectation of study abroad. However, some students choose to conduct their placement abroad.

Students will be able to study for this course remotely if necessary.

If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.

The Division of Psychology has outstanding laboratory space fitted with high-quality equipment. It has excellent computing infrastructure, and both research and teaching activities are supported by in-house technical staff with computing, programming, electronic and audio-video expertise.

We’ve invested heavily in research infrastructure, including our own pre-school kindergarten, which provides an outstanding facility for developmental research and teaching. Purpose-built laboratory space has also been created to support human electrophysiology research (EEG/ERPs), health research (including GSR and heart rate monitoring), face research (including eye-tracking) and vision research (including stereoscopic displays).

The University of Stirling is rated 2nd in Scotland for research impact in Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience (Research Excellence Framework 2021), with 100% of our research impact and environment rated as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Our Masters students get involved in our lively and collegial community of research excellence.

 

What our students said

Stacey Mitchell
MSc Psychological Research Methods (Child Development)
It is the best decision I have made in furthering my career prospects and I wouldn't change it for the world!
Read Stacey's story
Anna Bobak
MSc Psychological Research Methods (Psychology of Faces)
The academic knowledge and research skills gained throughout the MSc have helped me tremendously to secure a fully funded PhD studentship and pursue a career as a psychology researcher.
Read Anna's story
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