Psychology (MRes)

Course overview

Our MRes course provides the opportunities and support needed to develop into a competent psychological researcher. This course is ideal for aspiring researchers and aspiring applied psychologists alike.

Why study this course with us?

On our MRes course, over 75% of your time will be dedicated to conducting your own research project, with expert supervision. The remaining time is spent learning how to design a study, collect and analyse data, and write up and disseminate your findings.

The key to any MRes course is the availability of supervision with expertise relevant to your research question. Chester’s School of Psychology offers a broad range of experience and expertise, covering both applied areas and fundamental psychological science.

Teaching methods

Both taught modules are classroom-based and provide good staff-student ratios to ensure you get the support you need. Enrolling on an MRes is contingent on your research fitting with the expertise of one of our supervisors, and you will then work with that person throughout the course on a one-to-one basis.

Assessment

If studying full time, you should expect to spend up to 40 hours per week studying. Though it depends somewhat on the project you design, it’s reasonable to expect no more than six hours of contact time per week.

Across the course you should also expect approximately 60 hours of classroom/lecture time and 12 hours of supervision. Time allocation would be approximately half of this per year for part-time study, taken across two years.

Job prospects

By completing an MRes, you will develop skills and experience in research, analysis and evaluation that will serve as great preparation for a career in research in psychology and cognate disciplines, either in an academic setting or in the commercial or public sector. These skills are also transferrable to non-research orientated roles within project management, marketing and consultancy services, or healthcare settings.

Possession of a 2:1 honours degree in any area of psychology or social science relevant to the proposed area of study, together with a demonstration by the applicant at interview that they are prepared for study at MRes level, is required. The proposed area of study must fit with the School of Psychology’s research portfolio. A 2:2 honours degree will only be considered in combination with extensive relevant experience.