Psychological Research

The broad-based research training programme covers:

• behavioural neuroscience, from animal models to human functional imaging and TMS
• cognitive neuroscience, including MEG, EEG, neuropsychology
• developmental science, comprising Babylab studies and studies with children with developmental disorders
• social psychology and psychological disorders, focusing on inter-group behaviour, emotion, anxiety and post-traumatic stress

The course contains 9 modules which are taught at the University of Oxford. You will be required to pass 8 modules and the research project to be awarded the MSc. The course is taught through the attendance of seminars, lectures and workshops with some of the modules spanning two terms. The five core modules currently comprise:

• Research Evaluation
• Project Design
• Statistical Theory and Methods
• MATLAB Programming for Experimental Psychology
• Philosophical Foundations of Psychology

You will also undertake three of the four available optional modules, currently comprising:

• Emotion, Personality and Social Behaviour
• Language and Development
• Brain and Cognition
• Computer Modelling of Brain Function

The modules are assessed via written submissions, examinations and presentations. You will complete a research project consisting of a 10,000-word dissertation, submitted at the end of the course.

You are individually supervised for your research project and you will work on this project (dissertation) throughout the academic year. You will also meet with your academic advisors on an individual basis.

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Department of Experimental Psychology and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Department of Experimental Psychology.

In the case of students who require specific help to adjust to an academic programme or to a new range of skills, the MSc Course Director and/or the Academic Advisers will work with them to ensure that they have additional support.

A majority of MSc in Psychological Research students go on to undertake a DPhil (PhD) either within the department or within other departments of the Medical Science Division here at Oxford or at other institutions. Others go on to pursue careers in consultancy and government.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. In certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information, please see our page on changes to courses.

Other courses you may wish to consider

Applicants are strongly advised to visit the Medical Sciences Graduate School website to help them identify the most suitable course and supervisors.

If you're thinking about applying for this course, you may also wish to consider the courses listed below. These courses may have been suggested due to their similarity with this course, or because they are offered by the same department or faculty.

Courses suggested by the school

Experimental Psychology DPhil
Neuroscience MSc
Clinical Neurosciences DPhil
Experimental Psychology MSc by Research

All graduate courses offered by the Department of Experimental Psychology

Experimental Psychology DPhil

Experimental Psychology MSc by Research

Psychological Research MSc

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Entry requirements