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MSc Research Methods in Psychology

The programme – launching in September 2025 – is designed for aspiring researchers and professionals. It provides advanced training in research methodologies, data analyses and practical skills, preparing you for a dynamic career in research or data-driven roles.

This programme offers a blend of core psychology research skills and specialist knowledge, with individualised training in relevant research techniques.

You'll dive deep into the principles of psychology research design and data analysis, before specialising in the specific practical, technical and advanced analysis skills required for completion of your own research project.

You’ll also have the opportunity to gain research lab work experience and to develop real-world applications of your research.

Whether you're aiming for a career in academia or looking to bring advanced research skills to the professional world, this programme will give you the tools you need to succeed.

MSc and PhD pathways
SGSSS studentships

Abertay’s MSc Research Methods is approved by the Scottish Graduate School of Social Sciences (SGSSS), who administer PhD studentships and research methods training across Scotland. SGSSS studentship-holders can complete both an MSc in Research Methods and a subsequent PhD at Abertay University. If you are interested in applying for this opportunity, please read SGSSS’s studentship competition information (link to: https://www.sgsss.ac.uk/studentships/) and speak to potential PhD supervisors as early as possible.

MSc Research Methods in Creative Industries (for SGSSS-funded students only)

If you are interested in applying social science research to the creative industries and are awarded an SGSSS studentship, you can choose to complete an alternative pathway: MSc Research Methods in Creative Industries. This pathway includes the core Research Methods in Psychology programme but focuses on applying a social science approach to the creative industries (e.g., game design, film), with industry input and supervision by an academic from our renowned Department of Games and Arts.

Transfer to PhD (for non-SGSSS funded students only)

If you successfully complete the MSc Research Methods modules and are interested in pursuing a PhD at Abertay, non-funded students can apply to transfer to PhD Year 2 instead of graduating with the MSc. This would allow you to complete your PhD within a shorter timeframe, a valuable saving.

Intakes

Application Processing Time in Days: 30

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description	IELTS (1.0 -9.0)	TOEFL IBT (0-120)	TOEFL CBT (0-300)	PTE (10-90)
Expert	9	120	297-300	86-90
Very Good	8.5	115-119	280-293	83-86
Very Good	8	110-114	270-280	79-83
Good	7.5	102-109	253-267	73-79
Good	7	94-101	240-253	65-73
Competent	6.5	79-93	213-233	58-65
Competent	6	60-78	170-210	50-58
Modest	5.5	46-59	133-210	43-50
Modest	5	35-45	107-133	36-43
Limited	4	32-34	97-103	30-36
Extremely Limited	< 4	< 31	< 93	< 30

Job Opportunity Potential

Career Guidance and Information Service

The Careers Service is here to support you with career decision making during your studies and after you graduate.

We provide a professional career guidance and information service for Abertay students and graduates to help them make informed career choices. We work closely with employers and academic schools to support you by developing your skills to maximise your employability.

The Careers Service can support your career planning in a number of ways, including:

Developing your employability skills
Identifying potential career options
Helping you to find work experience
Helping you to understand and demonstrate the skills needed to market yourself to employers
We do this through face to face individual support with our professional advisors and group workshops.

PSW Opportunity

2 Years PSW is applicable after completing a minimum duration of 9 months course (like- Undergraduate, Postgraduate Level)
3 Years PSW is applicable after completing PhD level courses.?

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

The minimum entry requirement for all our research degrees is an Upper Second Class Honours degree (or equivalent) at undergraduate level in an appropriate discipline and/or a Master’s degree. In some cases, appropriate professional or experiential learning may be considered in combination with a lower classification of Honours degree.

If you're not from the European Economic Area (EEA) and/or Switzerland, you may need to apply for a visa. You can find out more about applying for a visa and collecting your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) on our Tier 4 visa page. To identify whether or not you need to apply for a visa, please visit the UKBA website.

If your first language is not English or your undergraduate/Master’s degree was not taught in English, you are also required to hold a suitable English language certificate.

If you require a Tier 4 visa, you must provide one of the following English language certificates:

West African at B(4)
NECO at B(4)
IELTS 6.5 with no band less than 6.0

If you do not need a Tier 4 visa or are an EEA national, you are permitted to use one of the following:

TOEFL 80 with no band less than 18
Pearson’s PTE 61 with no band less than 56

English Language Requirements: Research
We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

UKVI list of majority English speaking countries
If English isn't your first language or your undergraduate/Master’s degree was not awarded from a university from a UKVI designated English Speaking country, you're required to show evidence of one of the following qualifications:

IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component.
TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL “My Best Score” to meet our English language requirements.
CAE and CPE: total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
PTE Academic: 62 overall with at least 59 in each component.
NECO English at B (3)
WAEC English at B (3)

Abertay University

Dundee , Scotland ,United Kingdom