Details
Psychologists work in basic and applied research in fields that include education and child development, clinical work, the courtroom (acting as expert witnesses), industry (helping to design efficient machines or optimising business organisations), and in universities researching every branch of human behaviour from visual perception to sexuality. This BPS-accredited programme covers all aspects of psychology.
If you apply for this degree and are not admitted you will automatically be considered for admission into BSc Psychology. We allow up to five students to transfer from BSc Psychology into MSci Psychology and Psychological Research after their second year. High academic performance in the first two years will be an important criterion for the transfer. Combining students directly entering the course via UCAS and those who transfer from BSci, we expect a cohort of ten students in MSci Psychology and Psychological Research in the third and fourth years.
Please note that you may be required to come to the School of Psychology for an interview as a part of the application process for this course.
First and second years
In your first two years you will study the core theories and methods of psychology, covering child development, learning, abnormal behaviour, cognitive psychology, perception, personality, social psychology, and brain and behaviour. You will also learn how to design experiments and collect and analyse data.
Third year
In the third year, under the guidance of your supervisor, you will undertake a substantial piece of independent research work. You also choose options from a list of advanced modules on contemporary psychology including topics such as forensic and clinical psychology, social cognition, psychology and culture, and cognitive neuroscience.
Fourth year
In the fourth year, you will gain hands-on experience in cutting edge research at an internationally competitive level through a research placement and an independent research project that are supervised by our academic and research staff. Taught components are Masters level modules. You will take taught modules on transferable skills (eg, presentation skills) and choose options from a list of modules that include advanced research seminars and training in advanced scientific methods (eg, functional brain imaging, computational modelling of behaviours).
Download our MSci course brochure.
See Psychology and Psychological Research MSci frequently asked questions (PDF 104KB)
Why study this course
Situated at the heart of the Edgbaston campus, we are one of the strongest Psychology departments in the country, with over 45 academic teaching staff and around 490 undergraduates. We are a broad school with expertise in clinical, forensic, social, developmental, and cognitive psychology, and behavioural and social neuroscience. We have recently opened a new £2 million brain imaging centre. We are ranked among the top three Psychology departments in the country for research and have been rated as ‘excellent’ in government reviews of our teaching.
Our programmes are all accredited by the British Psychological Society as conferring eligibility for Graduate Membership of the Society with the Graduate Basis for Registration, provided the minimum standard of second class honours is achieved. This is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist. For more information please contact the British Psychological Society.
For many careers in psychology, relevant experience and a good undergraduate degree are important, even for entry-level jobs. Our MSci programmes are designed to provide relevant, specialist experience through placements and projects and, because they are Undergraduate Masters degrees, your Local Education Authority should be willing to support your study for the full four years.
Here at the University of Birmingham we were the first to offer MSci programmes dedicated to psychology. We are uniquely placed to offer these opportunities because of our experience (we are the only UK university with postgraduate courses training chartered clinical, forensic and educational psychologists) and because we offer top quality research experience.
Modules
Year 1: (all compulsory modules)
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Perception and Attention
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Memory and Language
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Introduction to Psychobiology: from Ion Channels to Abnormal Behaviour
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Psychobiology of Memory, Emotion and Motivation
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Introduction to Learning
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Introduction to Mental Health and Psychological Problems
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Research Methods A: Basic Skills
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Research Methods B: Introduction to Psychological Investigations and Statistics
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Plus two modules outside the main discipline (MOMDs)
See Year 1 module descriptions (PDF 207KB)
Year 2: (all compulsory modules)
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Research Methods C: Qualitative and Relational Analysis
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Visual Perception and Illusions
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Cognitive Neuropsychology
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The Development of Attachment Behaviour
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Cognition in Infants and Children
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Research Methods D: Inferential Analysis and Experimental Methods
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Introduction to Psycholinguistics
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Neural Basis of Movement
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Introduction to Social Psychology
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Personality and Individual Differences
See Year 2 module descriptions (PDF 198KB)
Year 3
This year of study is designed to be flexible and allow for the development of individual interests and abilities.
Project work is compulsory and accounts for one third of the year's work. Under the guidance of a supervisor, you will undertake a substantial piece of independent research work. This project usually begins at the end of the second year and involves designing a study of your own choice, collecting, analysing, and interpreting the data, presenting an oral description of the work, and submitting a literature review and written report. This type of work gives you detailed experience in your chosen area.
You will also choose four modules from the following:
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Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology
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Development and Disorders of Language in Children
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Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
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Forensic Psychology
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Higher Cognitive Functions
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Introduction to Minds, Brains and Models
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The Lying Brain
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Pain
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Parental Cognition, Psychopathology and Behaviour
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The Psychology of Severe Intellectual Disability
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Sleep
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Adaptive Behaviour: Responding to Modern Threats to Health and Survival
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Speaking and Reading
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Theoretical Issues in Non-Verbal Behaviour
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Understanding Emotions: a Neurocognitive Perspective
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Visual Cognitive Neuroscience and Art
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Why We Eat What We Eat: A Psychological Perspective on Appetite
See Year 3 module descriptions (PDF 325KB)
Year 4
During the fourth year, you will complete a 3-month research placement and a 6-month research project within the School, and thus gain experience of cutting-edge science. You will also receive training in transferable skills and advanced scientific methods.
Compulsory Modules
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MSci Research Project (40 credits)
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Research Placement 1* (20 credits)
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Professional Skills* (10 credits)
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Communication Skills* (10 credits)
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Design and Analysis 2* (10 credits)
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Foundation / Psychological Issues* (10 credits)
Optional Modules (all 10 credits) two from:
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Contemporary Topics in Psychology
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Vision and Action/Posture and Balance*
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Computer Use*
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Brain Imaging & Cognitive Neuroscience 1*
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Brain Imaging & Cognitive Neuroscience 2*
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Matlab Programming*
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Web Programming*
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Introduction to Formal Modelling*
* Those marked * are shared with MRes programmes
Fees and funding
Entry requirements
Number of A levels required: 3
Typical offer: AAA
Required subjects and grades: We prefer applicants to take at least one of the following subjects: Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics/Statistics, Physics or Psychology. Grade C in each of GCSE English and Maths is also required.
General Studies: We do not accept General Studies, Critical Thinking, Citizenship Studies, Applied Science, Communication and Culture, Critical Studies, Global Perspectives, Science in Society and World Development.
BTEC: Not accepted
Access to HE courses: Not accepted
Additional information:
International students:
International Baccalaureate Diploma: 36 points, including a Science subject at HL (Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics or Psychology). Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay points are not considered. 5 points in each of SL English and Maths if not offered at GCSE or equivalent.
Standard English language requirements apply
Learn more about international entry requirements
Depending on your chosen course of study, you may also be interested in the Birmingham Foundation Academy, a specially structured programme for international students whose qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to UK universities. Further details can be found on the foundation academy web pages.
How to apply
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