Psychological Studies, MSc

Program Overview

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The MSc Psychological Studies program at the University of Aberdeen provides graduates from other disciplines with a thorough understanding of psychology, preparing them for careers in research, clinical practice, organizational settings, or health. Accredited by the British Psychological Society, the program emphasizes biological, individual differences, cognitive, social, and developmental psychology, equipping students with the knowledge and skills for further study or professional practice.

Program Outline

The MSc Psychological Studies aims to introduce graduates from other disciplines to the study of psychology, as a first step to pursuing a career in this area. The program is designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue a career in psychology or in other areas where a scientific understanding of human behavior is important.

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Program Objectives:

• To provide students with a thorough understanding of psychological research in the core areas of psychology: biological, individual differences, and cognitive.
• To equip students with the necessary skills to pursue a career in psychology or in other areas where a scientific understanding of human behavior is important.
• To prepare students for further study in psychology, such as a PhD or a professional doctorate in clinical, counselling, or educational psychology.

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Program Description:

The MSc Psychological Studies is a full-time program that can be completed in 12 months. The program consists of taught courses, a research project, and a professional development module. The program covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Biological Psychology: This course introduces students to the biological basis of behavior, including the nervous system, hormones, and genetics.
• Individual Differences: This course explores the ways in which people differ from one another, including topics such as intelligence, personality, and emotion.
• Cognitive Psychology: This course examines the mental processes that underlie human behavior, such as attention, memory, and language.
• Social Psychology: This course explores the ways in which people are influenced by their social environment, including topics such as conformity, prejudice, and group dynamics.
• Developmental Psychology: This course examines the psychological changes that occur throughout the lifespan, from infancy to old age.

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Teaching Methods:

The MSc Psychological Studies program uses a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, tutorials, group work, and practicals. The program also makes the most of digital technology, including the recording of lectures for revision purposes.

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Assessment:

There are different types of assessment throughout the program, including written coursework assignments, examinations, and the research project.

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Careers:

Successful completion of the MSc Psychological Studies program can lead to a variety of careers, including:

• Research: Research psychologist, research assistant, research scientist
• Clinical: Clinical psychologist, counselling psychologist, educational psychologist
• Organizational: Occupational psychologist, human resources manager, consultant
• Health: Health psychologist, rehabilitation psychologist, public health specialist

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Other:

The MSc Psychological Studies program is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

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Outline:

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Program Structure:

The MSc Psychological Studies program is a full-time program that can be completed in 12 months. The program consists of the following:

• Stage 1: This stage consists of two compulsory courses,
"Study Skills for Psychology" and "Core Principles: Individual Differences, Cognitive and Biological," and two optional courses chosen from a list of available courses.
• Core Principles: Social and Developmental Psychology
• Stage 2: This stage consists of two compulsory courses, "Core Principles: Social and Developmental Psychology" and "Methods and Analysis in Psychology," and one optional course chosen from a list of available courses.
• Stage 3: This stage consists of a research project worth 60 credits.

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Courses:

• Stage 1:
• Core Principles: Individual Differences, Cognitive and Biological: This course aims to provide students with a thorough understanding of psychological research in three core areas of psychology: biological, individual differences, and cognitive.
• Optional Courses: Students can choose two optional courses from a list of available courses, which may include
• Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace
,
• Organisational Psychology
,
• Positive Psychology at Work
,
• Human Factors in Industrial Practice
, and others.
• Stage 2:
• Core Principles: Social and Developmental Psychology:
This course aims to provide students with a thorough understanding of psychological research in the core areas of social and developmental psychology.
• Methods and Analysis in Psychology: This course introduces students to the use of basic as well as more advanced descriptive and inferential statistics for data analysis in psychology.
• Optional Courses: Students can choose one optional course from a list of available courses, which may include
• Safety Critical Skills in Industry
,
• Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace
,
• Positive Psychology at Work
,
• Human Factors in Industrial Practice
, and others.
• Stage 3:
• Research Project:
Students will complete an empirical project under the supervision of a member of staff, where they will collect and analyze data in answer to a specific research question.

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Assessment:

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Assessment Methods:

The MSc Psychological Studies program uses a variety of assessment methods, including written coursework assignments, examinations, and the research project.

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Assessment Criteria:

The assessment criteria for the program are based on the learning outcomes for each course. Students are assessed on their ability to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the subject matter, as well as their ability to apply this knowledge to real-world situations.

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Teaching:

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Teaching Methods:

The MSc Psychological Studies program uses a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, tutorials, group work, and practicals. The program also makes the most of digital technology, including the recording of lectures for revision purposes.

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Faculty:

The program is taught by a team of experienced and qualified academics. The faculty members are all active researchers in their fields and are passionate about teaching.

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Learning Environment:

The program is taught in a small-group setting, which allows for personalized attention and interaction between students and faculty. The program also benefits from the excellent facilities of the University of Aberdeen.

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Careers:

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Career Opportunities:

Successful completion of the MSc Psychological Studies program can lead to a variety of careers, including:

• Research: Research psychologist, research assistant, research scientist
• Clinical: Clinical psychologist, counselling psychologist, educational psychologist
• Organizational: Occupational psychologist, human resources manager, consultant
• Health: Health psychologist, rehabilitation psychologist, public health specialist
• Professional Development:
The program also provides students with the opportunity to develop their professional skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
• Careers Support:
The University of Aberdeen offers a careers service that can help students with their career planning and job search.

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Other:

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Accreditation:

The MSc Psychological Studies program is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

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Funding:

The University of Aberdeen offers a variety of scholarships and bursaries to help students with the cost of their studies.

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Student Support:

The University of Aberdeen offers a range of support services to help students with their academic and personal needs.

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Study Abroad Opportunities:

The University of Aberdeen offers a variety of study abroad opportunities, which can allow students to gain international experience and enhance their employability.

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Placement Opportunities:

The MSc Psychological Studies program offers students the opportunity to undertake a placement with a relevant organization. This can help students to gain practical experience and to develop their professional skills. The MSc Psychological Studies program is a demanding but rewarding program. Students who are successful in the program will be well-prepared for a career in psychology or in other areas where a scientific understanding of human behavior is important.

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Degree:

MSc Psychological Studies

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Tuition Fees:

• EU / International students: £27,000
• UK students: £11,100
• Fees are listed for the 2024/25 academic year.
• The University offers a variety of payment plans and a refund policy.

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Additional Fees:

• In exceptional circumstances, there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, such as field trips.

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Scholarships:

• Self-funded international students enrolling on postgraduate taught (PGT) programmes will receive one of the University's Aberdeen Global Scholarships, ranging from £3,000 to £8,000, depending on your domicile country.
• To see a full range of scholarships, visit the University's Funding Database.

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Additional Notes:

• Fees may be subject to change.