A research degree in the Centre for Psychological Research allows you to develop your skills and contribute to internationally recognised psychology related research supported by skilled staff and a vibrant, cross-discipline research student community.

Staff in the Centre work in a wide range of research areas allowing a huge range of potential study areas. Furthermore, the Centre offers high quality training and research facilities that can be accessed by both part-time and full-time students.

All research students become part of the University's Graduate College, which runs a comprehensive programme of training sessions and workshops to give you the opportunity to acquire both research and transferable skills to advance your career. The department complements this with research methodology courses, seminars featuring eminent academics, and the opportunity to present work at the Annual Faculty Research Student Symposium.

Research expertise

The Centre is underpinned by groups researching a wide ranging number of research areas. These fit broadly into four research groups:

 those interested in aspects of Developmental Psychology
 those interested in Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience (in typical and clinical populations)
 those interested in aspects of applied social psychology
 those interested in the prevention of certain behaviours.

Some members of staff work across these groups but their work can be found from the links below. These links also include details on our current research students.

Institutes and Centres

 Centre for Psychological Research (CfPR)

Groups

 Applied Social Psychology
 Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience (C&CN)
 Developmental Psychology
 Health Behaviour and Wellbeing

Degree routes

All students enrol as probationer research students. During the first year you will formally register your research proposal for one of the below routes.

MPhil

If you undertake an MPhil you will:

 critically investigate and evaluate an approved topic
 demonstrate understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field
 Present and defend a substantial thesis by viva.

Length of study: Full-time: 2 years. Part-time: 3 years.

Entry requirement: The minimum entry requirement for an MPhil degree, or an MPhil with the intention of transferring to a PhD, is a first-class or upper second-class UK honours degree or equivalent qualification.

Applications are also welcomed from those holding qualifications other than the above and will be considered on their merits and in relation to the nature and scope of the work proposed. You will be required to provide the names of two academic referees.

MPhil with the possibility of transfer to a PhD

A candidate registered initially for an MPhil may be able to transfer to a PhD, and has to complete a transfer process within the Faculty, once sufficient progress has been made on the work to provide on the evidence of the development to PhD.
This is normally after 18 months of full-time study or 24-26 months of part-time study). Transfer comprises three main elements:

 a 1000 word transfer report which should be sent to the relevant Postgraduate Research Tutor and the supervisory team
 an oral presentation and/or interview
 an additional piece of work as indicated by the Faculty, Department/School or supervisory team.

Length of study: Full-time: 3 years. Part-time: 4 years.

PhD (direct entry)

If you undertake a PhD you will:

 critically investigate and evaluate an approved topic, resulting in an independent and original contribution to the field
 demonstrate understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field
 present and defend a substantial thesis by viva.

Length of study: Full-time: 2 years. Part-time: 3 years.

Entry requirement: The normal entry requirement for the degree of PhD is a master’s degree in a discipline which is appropriate to the proposed research and which has included research training and a research project.

In exceptional cases, applicants who have a good honours degree (or equivalent) may apply for direct registration to PhD if they have appropriate research or professional experience at postgraduate level which has resulted in published work, written reports or other appropriate evidence of accomplishment.