Research Degrees in

Psychology

in the Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care

Overview

Do you want to advance or change your career, deepen your expertise in a topic, or expand your research and practical skills?

With a PhD or other postgraduate research degree in Psychology you will:

  • Work with leading experts in the field. We are a renowned centre for the study of health. In the most recent national research evaluation, 73% of our Allied Health research was rated world leading or internationally excellent (REF2014). We are in the top 20 universities in the UK for health research power (Research Fortnight).
  • Choose from our flexible study pathways. You can pursue research as a full-time or part-time student. We offer a number of research degrees, including the PhD, MPhil and Master's by Research.
  • Join a thriving intellectual community. Our Health, Psychology and Communities research centre brings together researchers across a number of disciplines with the aim of improving the future health and wellbeing of local, national and international communities.
  • Make use of advanced facilities to support your research. Our award-winning Brooks Building includes experimental testing rooms for quantitative work, and interview booths for undertaking qualitative research.
  • Benefit from our range of partnerships. Our researchers work in collaboration with external groups, such as local councils, academics, pharmacology companies, sports teams, health services, and charities.
  • Undertake tailored personal and professional development training. You can build your own programme of training to enhance your academic knowledge, expand your research skills, and/or prepare you for practice in the psychology, health and social care sectors.

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Areas of supervisory expertise

We can supervise a wide range of Psychology projects. Particular areas of expertise include:

  • Parapsychology
  • Experimental memory
  • Performance psychology
  • Developmental psychology
  • Applied cognition & performance
  • Forensic psychology
  • Social critical and community
  • Neuropsychobiology, health and psychological interventions.

Find out more about our staff's expertise

Research culture

We are engaged in wide-ranging inter- and multi-disciplinary research on parapsychology, the health services, disability and rehabilitation, sport, learning difficulties, and other areas of applied behavioural science. We undertake theory- and practice-driven research, which aims to expand knowledge and deliver interventions that will improve systems and individual wellbeing.

More about our research culture

We are home to the Applied Psychology and Behaviour research group, which blends quantitative and qualitative methodologies to deliver rigorous, impactful research that positively intervenes in people’s behaviours.

We have also recently launched the new Health, Psychology and Communities research centre. This centre brings together researchers from a number of disciplines in order to undertake research that transforms health and social care services.

Our postgraduate researchers are a core part of our intellectual community. We will encourage you to take part in conferences, seminars and engagement events at Manchester Met and beyond. We will also support you to develop the technical and research skills necessary to excel in your studies and your future career.

Courses offered, duration, and start dates

Programmes offered

Find out more about the different research degrees we offer

Start dates

The majority of our students enrol in October. We offer further enrolment points in January and April.

Career prospects

Our research degrees enable you to deepen your existing professional practice, or develop the skills necessary to go on to practice in the psychology, health and social care sectors.

Our intellectually rigorous research training will also provide you with vital technical and research skills necessary for careers in academia, charities, health and social care organisations, and a range of other sectors.

Course structure

This course is research based. You will independently conduct research into your own topic or a topic that we advertise. Your supervisory team will offer expert guidance throughout your studies and review work in progress.

Each year, you will follow a programme of training and development to enhance your research methods, subject-matter expertise and professional skills.

Fees and funding

Find out more

Postgraduate Research Degrees Fees

Please refer to our Fees page for more information about tuition fees.

Loans for research degrees

Many of our PhD and Professional Doctorate programmes are eligible for the government's Doctoral Loan Scheme. MPhil and MA/MSc by Research degrees are eligible for a Postgraduate Loan.

Find out more about tuition fees and financial support

Entry requirements

Find out more

You should, as a minimum, have a first or 2.1 honours degree or an equivalent qualification.

International students must demonstrate a sufficiently high standard of English language ability.

In order to enter most postgraduate courses, the English requirements are IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 575, and TOEFL computer-based 230.

We welcome interest from applicants from non-standard backgrounds. We will take subject knowledge, professional experience, publications, or other appropriate evidence of accomplishment into consideration.

See more about our standard entry requirements.

Enquiries

Before applying for a research degree, you should have a preliminary discussion with a member of staff about your project and ideas. To arrange this, please email Dr Neil Dagnall, n.dagnall@mmu.ac.uk, the Research Degrees Co-ordinator for the Department of Psychology.

For further information on the application process, contact the Admissions team pgradmissions@mmu.ac.uk, +44 (0)161 247 2966

How to apply

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To apply for this degree, please select one of the study options below to begin your application.

Before you apply, you should discuss your project with a member of academic staff. You should also complete the postgraduate research degree thesis proposal form, which you will need to upload as part of your application. The document can be attached at the final checklist section after you’ve submitted your application.


Postgraduate Study