MPhil, PhD Postgraduate research opportunities in Psychology
- Entry year:
- 2024/25
- Start date:
- October 2024, February 2025, June 2025
- Study mode:
- Part-time, Full-time
- Course duration:
- MPhil Full-time: 2 years, MPhil Part-time: 4 years, PhD Full-time: 4 years, PhD Part-time: 7 years
- Campus:
- City
About this course
Excellent research opportunities await at the School of Psychology, enabling you to work at the forefront of developments with leading experts.
- Study full or part-time over two to seven years
- Choose from a wide range of subject areas (see Details tab for more information)
- Complete your research degree (MPhil/PhD) in a Faculty known for its internationally-acclaimed research
- Explore scholarship opportunities
- Benefit from expert supervision and researcher training
- Enjoy excellent facilities and great employment connections
The programme route you undertake will depend on your qualifications and experience.
You will be allocated up to four supervisors, including a Lead Supervisor who will work with you throughout your studies and provide you with appropriate levels of support and guidance.
Throughout your studies, you will also have the support of LJMU’s Doctoral Academy which offers expert advice and guidance to those enrolled on MPhil and PhD programmes.
Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
School of Psychology
Explore the possibilities
The School of Psychology is based in LJMU’s City Campus at the Byrom Street site, in the heart of Liverpool city centre. It offers excellent laboratory and research facilities, including appetite laboratories. psychology testing labs and neuroscience labs.
The School has established relationships with: the University of Florence (Italy), the University of Athens (Greece), the Natural History Museum (London), the Centre Archéologique de la Grotte Scladina (Belgium), Universtiy of Tübingen and Max Plank Institute for History and the Sciences (Germany), University of Algarve (Portugal), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and Universidad de Barcelona (Spain) and Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (University of Manchester).
School staff are involved in overseas research in association with international partners and frequently publish in high profile journals. School staff are involved in overseas research in association with international partners and frequently publish in high profile journals. Indeed, in the 2014 REF, 96% of the Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience research submitted by LJMU was classed as world-leading or internationally important.
The School offers supervision for the degrees of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in:
- Psychology and applied psychology; including cognition, developmental and educational psychology, health psychology, substance abuse and consciousness and transpersonal psychology
Currently recruiting:
Title: How do the Dark Triad personality traits relate to medically unexplained symptoms?
- PhD in Psychology
- Full time
- Self Funded
- Contact: Victoria Blinkhorn - V.J.Blinkhorn@ljmu.ac.uk
This PhD will be the first to examine the relationship between medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) and Dark Triad personality traits. It will further knowledge in the field in terms of why certain individuals claim they experience MUS, and also encourage more research to be conducted which could influence clinical understandings of the issue.
The work has the capacity to be impactful and attract media attention, to inform health policy to direct appropriate resources and interventions to individuals who present with MUS. Once we understand how specific personality traits link to MUS, it will help us to develop more effective treatments, or to target treatments to particular individuals based on personality traits.
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Your Learning Experience
An insight into teaching on your course
To complement your research, specific training needs will be identified on an individual basis. You can study topics such as:
- Advanced Presentation Skills
- Applying for Ethical Approval
- How to be an Effective Researcher
- Poster Presentation/Design
- Postgraduate Employability Skills
- Project Management
- Writing Skills including Creative Planning for Writing your Thesis
- Surviving the Viva
- Speed Reading
How learning is monitored on your programme
Final examination for both the MPhil and the PhD is by thesis and oral examination.
The MPhil differs from the PhD in terms of the depth of study required and the extent of your personal contribution to knowledge. It requires competence in conducting an independent enquiry as well as in the use of appropriate research methods and techniques. Examiners will expect you to display satisfactory background knowledge of the subject.
To gain a PhD you are expected to show mastery of a special field and to have made an original personal contribution to the understanding of a problem, the advancement of knowledge, or the generation of new ideas. Examiners will expect you to be at the forefront of understanding in your chosen topic.
Where you will study
What you can expect from your School
Career paths
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
Studying for a postgraduate research degree enhances your employability in a number of ways.
As well as enabling you to focus on your specific areas of interest and expand your subject knowledge ready for employment in your chosen sector, a postgraduate research qualification enables you to take charge of your career path by demonstrating your contribution to an area of knowledge. It enhances your self-confidence and showcases your ability to work independently and ‘go it alone’.
Some postgraduate research students are already in full-time employment when they begin their studies, whilst others are recent graduates looking to extend their research capabilities and subject expertise.
A good proportion of our students return to their existing roles with enhanced career prospects, others move on to further study or take up teaching roles in educational establishments.
According to a report by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), more than a quarter of graduates felt that their employment prospects were increased by their PG qualification. And when it comes to earnings, those with a postgrad qualification have been shown to earn an average of 24% more than those who leave education with an undergraduate degree.
Fees and funding
How to fund your postgraduate research
Securing funding can be one of the main hurdles you face when considering postgraduate research. However, help is available. LJMU has a team of fees and funding experts who can offer advice based on your personal circumstances. You can contact them on 0151 231 3153/3154 or via studentadvice@ljmu.ac.uk
Entry requirements
You will need:
- (for an MPhil): a minimum of a Masters degree with a research dissertation in a relevant subject
- The applications of those with alternative qualifications will be considered on merit
- Appropriate research and previous experience will be taken into account
- IELTS 6.5 minimum 5.5 in each component)
- 58-64 (minimum 51 in each component for UKVI purposes)
- RPL is accepted on this programme
If you have any specific queries, please contact SCSPGRAdmissions@ljmu.ac.uk
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
All research degree registrations are subject to approval by the Faculty and University’s Research Degrees Committee. The applications process is as follows:
- Complete and submit your application using this online form
- You will receive an acknowledgement
- Your application will be considered by the Admissions Tutor
- We will take up your academic references
- You may need to provide further information or attend an interview
- You will be informed if your application has been successful and will find out about any conditions of acceptance
Your student experience
There's so much more to university than just studying for a degree.
Postgraduate life at LJMU
See the amazing support you will get from the university, the academic expertise of the staff here, the first-class learning environment, fabulous libraries, excellent career guidance and their ongoing love affair with the city of Liverpool.
Accommodation
As a new student at LJMU, we guarantee accommodation right in the heart of the dynamic city centre, with easy access to the main University campuses.
You can view our approved accommodation to see the halls that we offer to new students.
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