Course description

Our new Master of Research (MRes) programme aims to offer you the finest possible preparation for undertaking original research in psychology.

• Build the high-level skills you need to become a professional researcher
• Design and deliver a substantial piece of independent psychology research on an original theme of your choosing
• Tailor your research project to reflect your professional and personal interests, your current job role or your career aspirations
• Develop a confident command of a range of research skills and methods, with a focus on both quantitative and qualitative methods
• Work with psychology experts at the cutting edge of their specialist areas
• Benefit from personal individual supervision
• Balance your studies with your other commitments through our flexible blend of online learning and short study blocks on campus
• Harness our sophisticated psychology research facilities, including a video observation suite and the latest eye tracking equipment
• Open the doors to new career opportunities as a researcher in academic, commercial or public sector settings
• Gain the ideal platform for progression to a PhD
• Join the programme with a 2:1 in your undergraduate degree (other entry requirements apply)

If you want to become a researcher in psychology, skilled in delivering evidence-based research, this course is for you.

A distinctive and challenging masters degree

The MRes is designed for intellectual graduates with strong honours degrees and behavioural science professionals who are keen to enhance their career prospects by taking their research skills to the next level. It differs from more traditional taught masters programmes – such as an MSc –because of its focus on enhancing research methods and skills. Covering both quantitative and qualitative approaches, you will gain a thorough grounding in the methods and processes which underpin original research in psychology and then conduct your own major independent research project under expert supervision.

The research skills you build culminate in you undertaking a research project supervised by a member of staff, the assessment of which includes a viva voce examination, excellent preparation for a PhD. These are some of the research areas currently supervised within the department, and some studies that you can choose from, alternatively, feel free to discuss your own ideas with us.

Build a toolkit of research skills

There is a choice of modules in research methods to offer a degree of flexibility in your studies. We do, however, strongly recommend that you take modules in both quantitative and qualitative research: a distinctive feature of this programme. This will help set you apart as a fully trained researcher and will maximise your career opportunities. Research skills options, which are primarily delivered online, cover themes such as managing and funding research, research ethics, information literacy, research leadership, thesis writing and getting your research published or exhibited.

Focus on a theme of your choice

We provide every opportunity for you to tailor your studies to match your current job role, your personal and professional interests, and your career ambitions. For the Negotiated Module in Science, you will complete a written report and make a presentation on a topic agreed with the teaching team. The most substantial part of the programme is taken up with your independent research project. This will span the initial development of a research question, planning the research project, selecting appropriate research methods, sourcing information, analysing the results and communicating your findings. You are free to choose many different approaches, from qualitative studies to experimental research.

You will be allocated a research project supervisor who will oversee your progress and mentor you through your development as an active, engaged researcher. We encourage you to design research projects which relate directly to real-world issues. There may be opportunities to work with some of our partners across the voluntary and charitable sectors to deliver research findings which help them shape their future services.

Learning which fits around you

The structure of the MRes enables you to balance your learning with your work and personal commitments. This includes flexible full-time and part-time routes to the qualification. You will benefit from a blended learning approach which integrates online learning with on-campus study blocks. Your generic research skills modules are all delivered online while other modules include an intensive three-day study block at the University.

In addition, the individual supervision you receive will be arranged in ways that offer maximum flexibility and convenience as you shape and progress your research project.

Become part of a thriving research community

As an MRes Psychology student, you will join a flourishing research community at the University and your own project will contribute to the body of scholarly knowledge we produce. You will be supported and guided by our team of nationally and internationally recognised psychological researchers. They cover a vast range of specialist areas and regularly share their findings in leading journals and at international conferences. Well versed in using research to inform their teaching, they have particular expertise in helping students develop initial ideas into practical research projects.

You can also draw inspiration from the work of our renowned  as well as our strong links with professional bodies such as the British Psychological Society. We arrange regular research seminars featuring influential guest speakers.

How you will learn

The course uses a blended learning approach integrating periods of online learning combined with short campus study blocks and flexible individual supervision.

Assessment

The assessment methods are a range of different forms of coursework.

Teaching Hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will be communicated after enrolment on your course.