Postgraduate Study

To apply for On-Demand Study programmes within the School of Psychology at the University of Aberdeen, please visit the link here.

To apply for our Psychological Studies MSc within the School of Psychology at the University of Aberdeen, please visit the prospectus here.

To apply to the MRes Programme within the School of Psychology at the University of Aberdeen, please follow the steps below:

1. View the list of potential projects and staff research interests to select areas of research which interest you.
2. Visit the Taught Postgraduate Applications page, read the guidelines carefully and complete the online application form. You should specify in your application three members of academic staff you might be interested in doing a research project with during the MRes. Note that this does not commit you or the School to carrying out a project with these particular supervisors. You are welcome to contact potential supervisors during the application process to find out more about their research interests. You do not need to prepare a research proposal at this stage.
3. Arrange for two academic referees to prepare references to support your application. If your referees agree to share these with you, they can be sent along with your application form. Alternatively these can be sent either by post or by email after your application has been submitted, either by yourself or directly from your referees. References must be on institution headed paper and signed by your referee.

Please note, admission is dependent upon satisfactory academic standards, evidence of proficiency in English language, academic references, and evidence of adequate financial support for maintenance and fees.

We aim to notify you of a decision on your application within 4-6 weeks of receipt of the required documentation. You will be notified via email, so make sure the email address you provide on your application is valid, and let Postgraduate Admissions know if this changes.

Full-time or Part-time:

Most students study full-time for the MRes, which is a one year degree. It may be possible to study part-time as long as students are able to attend the required taught components and complete the assessments of the course.

Funding:

Most students study full-time for the MRes, which is a one year degree. It may be possible to study part-time as long as students are able to attend the required taught components and complete the assessments of the course.

Key Contact:

If you have any queries please contact the course co-ordinator Dr Joost Rommers.

To apply for the PhD Programme within the School of Psychology at the University of Aberdeen, please follow the steps below:

1. View the list of potential projects and select an area of research which interests you.
2. Contact the listed supervisor to discuss the project and their availability to supervise your degree.
3. Visit the Postgraduate Research Applications page, read the guidelines carefully and complete the online application form.
4. Send a research proposal to supplement your application to Postgraduate Admissions. The research proposal should provide a brief background to your proposed research (including reference to relevant psychological literature/theory). It should also outline the empirical methods you propose to use and your research aims/questions. The proposal is helpful in reaching a decision regarding whether the School has suitable facilities and can provide a supervisor in the proposed research area. You might want to get feedback on your proposal from potential supervisors before applying. The research proposal should be 1-2 pages long.
5. Arrange for two academic referees to prepare references to support your application. If your referees agree to share these with you, they can be sent along with your application form. Alternatively these can be sent either by post or by email after your application has been submitted, either by yourself or directly from your referees. References must be on institution headed paper and signed by your referee. We will be unable to process your application without references.

Please note, admission is dependent upon satisfactory academic standards, evidence of proficiency in English language, academic references, evidence of adequate financial support for maintenance and fees, and the availability of academic supervision and research facilities in the proposed area of research. Potential PhD candidates may be interviewed before final decisions on admissions are made.

We aim to notify you of a decision on your application within 4-6 weeks of receipt of the required documentation. You will be notified via email, so make sure the email address you provide on your application is valid, and let Postgraduate Admissions know of any updates.

Full-time or Part-time:

Postgraduates holding studentships, or having other financial support, normally study full-time. Those holding full-time jobs, whether in the University or elsewhere, may only register part-time. They are expected to spend part of their time at the University working for their degree projects or attending courses. The minimum study time is lengthened to take account of this. It is sometimes possible for individuals to work as Research Assistants on grant-aided projects. In that case they may sometimes be allowed to register part-time for higher degrees. This is not an automatic right, and depends on the nature of the project and the student's own qualifications.

Funding:

Funding for higher degrees is highly competitive. In the past our postgraduate students have obtained funding from various organisations, including the various UK-research councils, the European Union, and from charitable organisations. We encourage you to discuss funding options with your potential supervisor.

Key Contact:

If you have any questions about our PhD programme please contact Professor Patric Bach for further information.

Why did you choose to study at the University of Aberdeen?

First and foremost, I had heard that the psychology depatment had a good reputation. I did some research of my own online and looked at the lecturers' profiles on the University of Aberdeen School of Psychology profile page.

I also looked at the course content and what would be taught and how it would be structured. I thought that each module sounded interesting and after a visit to the campus and a meeting with Dr David Sutherland (programme coordinator), I concluded that this was the course for me. 

What do you enjoy most about your experience at the Unviersity of Aberdeen?

For myself the course has been the most enjoyable element of my experience here at Aberdeen. 

The lecturers and tutors are very approacable/accessible and enthusiastic too, which has made it so easy for me to enjoy myself studying. Outside of the course, the library facilities have been a joy to use. 

What is it like living in Aberdeen? What do you enjoy about living in the City?

The beach is a lovely commodity and is super close to the city centre. Personally though, the countryside is more my thing. Seaton Park is just off campus and is a lovely walk on a sunny day!

What advice would you give to others considering doing an MSc at the University of Aberdeen?

My advice to any that wish to study here is simply 'make the most of it', take the opportunities that are given to you and be prepared to work hard. if you do this, you will not be disappointed.

Why did you choose to study your postgraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen?

Having grown up nearby in Elgin, and lived in Aberdeen some time ago, I still had friends in the City. Added to the fact that I’ve always held the University of Aberdeen in high esteem this seemed like a great move for me. I was also lucky enough to find a course that suited my interest perfectly at the time. I had been running a business in Edinburgh for a long time previously and so was now ready for a change and to get my life back!

What has been your favourite part of your degree so far?

Studying a postgraduate degree is quite different to an undergraduate experience, far more of a challenge. For a while there, in the first semester, we were required to hand in coursework on a weekly basis and everything you do counts towards your GPA. I am someone who likes to be busy, so I suppose I have actually enjoyed this, whereas not everyone on the course feels the same!

What have you enjoyed most about living in Aberdeen?

For me, outside of uni, it has definitely been reconnecting with old friends and family. I have an 18-year-old niece who started first year at RGU the same time as me starting this degree, so it has been fun sharing the experience with her. I have also taken advantage of the geographical location to visit beaches, small towns and to climb the odd hill.

What are you doing for your research project and why did you pick this topic?

My research topic is based around non-verbal behaviours and our ability to communicate them through different modes; either static or dynamic images. There is a healthy interest in this field professionally, but personally as we have increased bandwidth at our fingertips, I find it interesting to look at the implications of moving away from still photographs.

What do you hope to do once you finish your degree?

After this degree I would like to continue in academia, so probably another single year masters, possibly followed by a PhD. There’s a high chance I will continue at the University of Aberdeen, we will see.

What do you enjoy most about your experience at the University of Aberdeen? 

The most incredible experience at the University of Aberdeen is meeting people from all over the world. I am most grateful for the fact that I have gained so much knowledge and appreciation for a multitude of nationalties and cultures.

What is it like living in Aberdeen? What do you enjoy most about the City?

I have been living in Aberdeen for more than 4 years now and I still discover new places around Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. The city is quite compact and it has a lot to offer. 

How do you think your Mres will help you in your career? 

I believe the masters programme is designed in a way that it develops a wode range of skills that will all contribute to our future career. The most important part of the master is the research compnent which provides you with the opportunity to take full leadership on a project and to know how to manage your time and tasks, while building resilience all throughout the process. 

What advice would you give to others considering doing an MRes at the University of Aberdeen?

Take advantage of the seminars, workshops, tutorials offered by the department as well as the wider university. Some will come in handy and you will also get to meet new people interested in research as well. You should also find some activities to balance your studies, be it a sport or one of the many student societies (over 140!).

Why did you choose to study at the University of Aberdeen?

I chose to study at the University of Aberdeen because of the breadth of experience in the School of Psychology.

What do you enjoy most about your experience at the University of Aberdeen?

I have enjoyed the atmosphere in the University of Aberdeen the most. The School of Psychology is accepting and encouraging of new postgraduates and the staff is genuinely interested in students' opinios and ideas. Also, the atmosphere in the University in general is upbeat and welcoming.

How do you think your MRes will help you in your career?

I aspire to be a professional researcher and MRes can provide me with the necessary skills to commence doctoral study. The courses are very relelvant for what I want to do in the future ranging from professional research skills such as giving a giving a talk in a confernce and grant writing to advance ed statistical methods and usage of statisical programming tools such as R and Matlab. The degree has also given me practice in giving presentations for a professional audiance and I have had the possibilities to attend events and exchnge ideas with researchers. While Ihave increased mt technical skills, MRes has also enchanced my confidence in conducting research and networking.  

What advice would you give to others considering doing an MRes at the University of Aberdeen? 

I can receommend MRes for anyone considering a career in research, and I would advise them to try finding an area of research that they feel passionate about.