Psychology
Apply onlineThe MRes Psychology provides advanced research training and the opportunity to conduct masters level research within our vibrant psychology research culture. It will be particularly suited those considering a PhD or a career using research and/or data analysis. Join us to conduct a project developed in conjunction with our expert researchers and applied psychologists in our supportive learning community.
Course overview
The MRes Psychology provides psychology graduates with masters level training and experience for a competitive edge in their future career. The MRes Psychology will develop skills highly sought after by employers both currently and in the future such as the following: analytical thinking, curiosity and lifelong learning, motivation and self-awareness, creative thinking, and resilience, flexibility and agility (World Economic Forum, Future of Jobs Report 2025).
The programme consists of 180 credits including 60 credits of taught content. The taught content will be delivered in two 30 credit modules and will focus on: i) understanding the application and analysis of different research methodologies and research designs (qualitative and quantitative), and ii) undertaking a detailed scientific literature review or quantitatively-focused systematic review.
The remaining 120 credits are for an extended research project where you will complete a robust piece of scientific research. This project runs for the entire duration of your MRes programme. With expert supervision from a member of our research active psychology team, and by extending the knowledge gained from your taught content, students gain the opportunity to develop their skills through managing and completing their project and reporting their findings for both academic and non-academic audiences.
The programme will be mainly campus-based, with the 30-credit scientific literature review delivered as distance learning. Students will have full access to our dedicated psychology research facilities. This includes specialist facilities such as our alcohol research (bar) lab that is one of only around 8 research laboratories in the world. Our other facilities include the use of equipment for eye tracking, observation suites, and electro-encephalography and neurostimulation. In addition, students can conduct qualitative research and/or make use of our range of specialist software such as for the design and distribution of online surveys.
You can complete the programme as either full-time (one year of study) or part-time (two years of study) making it a flexible option. The MRes provides a strong platform for a career in research and/or progression to doctoral study such as a PhD. Many students who graduate with a PhD enter academia and work to continue to advance the science in their field and share their knowledge with students. Some graduates go on to do further training to become a registered psychologist such as a clinical psychologist, forensic psychologist, or educational psychologist. Some use their specialist skills in research and data analysis and for example, go on to work for the Office for National Statistics. Others go into a career in social work, criminal justice, marketing, human resources, or any job that involves working with other people.
What you need to know
Course start date
September
Location
On campus, Winchester & Distance Learning
Course length
- 1 year full-time
- 2 years part-time
Apply
Apply online
Typical offer
A first or second-class honours degree
Fees
From £9,550 pa
Why Winchester
- Students will join our vibrant psychology research community
- High-quality teaching in advanced research methods
- Study in a friendly and inclusive learning environment. You will be supported with expert supervision from a member of our research active psychology team
- Students will have access to the full range of specialist facilities including our laboratory equipment and technician support. This includes: Electro-encephalography and Neurostimulation Lab, Social Interaction Suite, Infant and Child Observation Suite, Alcohol Research (‘Bar’) Lab and specialist software (e.g. for online surveys), and qualitative research
Course details
Before applying to do this course, applicants are to liaise with a member of the psychology team regarding a potentially suitable research project. Below is a list of staff who will supervise MRes projects and links to find out more about their research interests. Note: we cannot guarantee the availability of a specific supervisor prior to application.
Clinical psychology
Dr Rhiannon Jones: Cognitive neuroscience; psychopathology including obsessive-compulsive disorder
Dr Lynn McKeague: Social psychology; developmental psychology; mental health; stigma of mental health among young people
Dr Jordan Randell: Social influences and outcomes on mental health and wellbeing
Forensic psychology
Dr Debbie Crossland: Recall of eyewitnesses
Dr Feni Kontogianni: Eyewitness memory, investigative interviewing, intelligence gathering
Health psychology
Dr Andrea Gibbons: Impact and management of chronic illness
Dr Samuel Nyman: Older adults; psychology of falls and their prevention; physical activity promotion
Educational psychology
Professor Paul Sowden: Fostering creative thinking in education
Dr Amy Warhurst: Barriers and enablers to pupil outcomes; support for pupils that are disadvantaged
Social psychology
Dr David Giles: Media psychology; ‘parasocial’ relationships with celebrities and other media figures
Dr Joe Stubbersfield: Cultural dynamics; cognitive biases and misinformation
Cognitive psychology
Dr Daniel Gill: Cognitive psychology; social inference from faces
Learning and teaching
We enable students to confidently apply their new psychological knowledge and skills to professional and applied contexts. Teaching on the taught modules is primarily through lecture and seminars, allowing opportunities to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in a smaller group.
In addition to the formally scheduled contact time such as lectures, seminars and workshops, you are encouraged to access academic support from staff within the course team and the wide range of services available to you within the University.
The School of Psychology and Social Sciences places great emphasis on the quality of teaching, and discussions of learning and teaching are regular features of departmental meetings. We highly value the views of our students and encourage them to contribute to our discussions via their student representatives.
The School houses several laboratories which support cutting edge research in social, developmental, cognitive and biological psychology. All academic staff play an active role in research and in this MRes,students are able to undertake a research project with their supervisor and make contributions to the vibrant research culture.
Overall Workload
Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning and assessment activity. The following information gives an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities at each level of the course.
Independent Learning
The course is academically demanding and you will be expected to apply independent and critical learning, engage in independent, problem-solving and analysis with the support of staff. You take responsibility for your own learning and are encouraged to make use of the wide range of available learning resources available.
Location
Most taught elements of the course take place on campus in Winchester. The 30-credit module Scientific Research Review is delivered via distance learning.
Assessment
We use a range of methods for assessing learning. A non-exhaustive indicative list of assessment types you might encounter include research reports, presentations, research study protocol, and a dissertation. We ensure all students have an equal opportunity to achieve module learning outcomes. As such, where appropriate and necessary, students with recognised disabilities may have alternative assignments set that continue to test how successfully they have met module learning outcomes.
Feedback
We are committed to providing timely and appropriate feedback to you on your academic progress and achievement in order to enable you to reflect on your progress and plan your academic and skills development effectively. You are also encouraged to seek additional feedback from your course tutors.
Further information
For more information about our regulations for this course, please see our Academic Regulations, Policies and Procedures.
Modules
Please note the modules listed are correct at the time of publishing. The University cannot guarantee the availability of all modules listed and modules may be subject to change. The University will notify applicants of any changes made to the core modules listed. For further information please refer to winchester.ac.uk/termsandconditions
Modules
The module provides a framework for the consideration of research within psychology and spans a wide range of methods and methodologies both quantitative and qualitative. Issues such as validity, reliability, representativeness, sampling, reflexivity and generalisability will be addressed through a variety of different examples of research. Throughout the module students will be encouraged to examine the assumptions underpinning research and its interpretation and to adopt a critical stance to evaluating the methods and analysis they have previously been taught and those they encounter while undertaking this module. Students will also be encouraged to compare research within frameworks (e.g., between correlational, regression and ANOVA designs) and across frameworks (e.g., between experimental designs and focus group interviews), in order to explore different ways of asking questions and the fundamental processes of discovery and knowledge in human and scientific research.
This module aims to provide students with the opportunity to undertake an in-depth review of current knowledge and understanding in a subject linked to their proposed extended research project. The student, in negotiation with the module leader, will agree a chosen area of interest for the completion of the review. The student will be required to adopt a systematic approach to the review of literature and to be able to comprehensively summarise current understanding in their chosen field. Students will robustly engage in processes aligned with searching for articles through different online databases, how to identify relevant sources, screening and data extraction, reporting guidelines, risk of bias and quality scores, and study write-up. Students will also be introduced to meta-analyses and qualitative considerations including qualitative data synthesis.
This module aims to provide students with the opportunity to undertake a substantial independent research project. The module requires the student to plan, design, organise and conduct research drawing upon the research methods and skills, and ethical considerations, that the student has developed in the earlier part of the programme.
The students will work closely with an academic supervisor(s) to define the aims and objectives of the research and to develop a detailed proposal and plan. Supervisors will provide critical advice and guidance on the application of the methods, the interpretation of the data and the communication of the research.
Entry requirements
Applicants will be invited to submit a research proposal and to then attend an informal interview.
Download the MRes research proposal form.docx
A first or second-class honours degree (or recognised equivalent qualification) in Psychology and Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS). Students who do not fulfil this GBC entry requirement will be considered on an individual basis by the programme team.
Course enquiries and applications
Normally a first or second-class Honours degree.
If English is not your first language: IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in writing or equivalent. Applicants will be invited to submit a research proposal and to then attend an informal interview.
Download the MRes research proposal form.docx
Course enquiries and applications
If you are living outside of the UK or Europe, you can find out more about how to join this course by emailing our International Recruitment Team at International@winchester.ac.uk.
2027/2028 Course Tuition Fees
| UK / Channel Islands / Isle of Man / Republic of Ireland |
International |
|
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £10,050 | £17,450 |
Additional tuition fee information
If you are a UK student starting your degree in January / September 2027, the first year will cost you £10,050**.
If finance is a worry for you, we are here to help. Take a look at the range of support we have on offer. This is a great investment you are making in your future, so make sure you know what is on offer to support you.
**The University of Winchester will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year.
Additional costs
All teaching and assessments are included in your tuition fees, including, lectures/guest lectures and tutorials, seminars, laboratory sessions and specialist teaching facilities. You will also have access to a wide range of student support and IT services.
MRes Psychology students have access to a range of learning resources. This includes digital access to psychology-specific journals and books, as well as books in our library. We have a range of psychology tests and questionnaires and dedicated onsite facilities. This includes the use of our psychology student study areas and specialist laboratories and equipment:
- Electro-encephalography and Neurostimulation Lab
- Social Interaction Suite
- Infant and Child Observation Suite
- Alcohol Research (‘Bar’) Lab
- Eye Tracking Lab
- Virtual Reality Lab
- Colour and Psychophysics Lab
- A suite of two-person, general-purpose project labs
- A psychometric test library
- Psychophysiological measurement equipment (e.g. Actigraphy, BioPAC)
- Support for a wide range of online experiments (e.g. Qualtrics, Matlab, EPrime)
We also have dedicated team of psychology technicians who support students with their independent research projects.
There might be additional costs you may encounter whilst studying. The following highlights the mandatory and optional costs for this course:
Mandatory
Disclosure and Barring Service
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance check may be required if you undertake a placement, volunteering, research or other course related activity where you will have contact with children or vulnerable adults. The requirement for a DBS check will be confirmed by staff as part of the process to approve your placement, research or other activity. The indicative cost is £49.50.
Scholarships, bursaries and awards
We have a variety of scholarship and bursaries available to support you financially with the cost of your course. To see if you’re eligible, please see our .
Career prospects
The MRes provides a strong platform for a career in research and/or progression to doctoral study such as a PhD. Many students who graduate with a PhD enter academia and work to continue to advance the science in their field and share their knowledge with students. Some graduates go on to do further training to become a registered psychologist such as a clinical psychologist, forensic psychologist, or educational psychologist. Some use their specialist skills in research and data analysis and for example, go on to work for the Office for National Statistics. Others go into a career in social work, criminal justice, marketing, human resources, or any job that involves working with other people.
The University of Winchester ranks in the top 10 in the UK for employability (UniCompare, 2026).
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