MSc Psychology of Individual Differences
The University of Edinburgh - School of Philosophy, Psychology & Language Sciences
Key Information
Campus location
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 - 2 year
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
GBP 26,300 *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* full-time International/EU | £12,500: full-time Scotland/Rest of UK
Introduction
This programme provides an opportunity for intensive advanced training in the psychology of individual differences, addressing the questions of how and why people differ from one another psychologically and how these differences matter in their lives. There are few MSc programmes dedicated to individual differences in Europe as well as in the whole world. The University of Edinburgh is uniquely positioned to offer this programme because of its long history of world-class individual differences research and teaching. Staff involved in teaching and supervision include internationally recognised researchers from our Individual Differences Research Group.
Our staff expertise covers various topics, including the measurement, causes and consequences of personality traits and intelligence, positive psychology, primate behaviour, paranormal beliefs and psychopathology.
Individual differences research group
You will take courses on the theoretical and methodological aspects of individual differences research and conduct an original research dissertation. You will also receive thorough training in advanced academic skills and research methods within psychology, including comprehensive coverage of statistical modelling and research design using the R statistical language. All MSc students are encouraged to take part in weekly journal clubs that feature presentations from staff, postgraduate students and external speakers, and discussions of important new articles.
Curriculum
Programme structure
The programme comprises two semesters of taught core courses and an optional course, followed by a research dissertation, conducted in close collaboration with an expert supervisor over the spring and summer months. In addition to topics specific to individual differences (primarily personality and intelligence), the core courses cover advanced academic skills and research methodology, including research design and statistical modelling. The optional course can be selected to tailor the programme to suit your interests. If you wish, you may choose the optional course from an associated area, such as individual differences, informatics, psycholinguistics, and developmental or social psychology.
Core courses
- Psychological Research Skills - General advanced research methodology
- Univariate Statistics and Methodology using R - Introduction to R and statistical models
- Multivariate Statistics and Methodology using R - Advanced statistical modelling
- Seminar in Personality - The first core course on individual differences consists of lectures covering the basics of the measurement, development, causes and consequences of personality traits, followed by a series of lecturer-assisted student presentations and group discussions on key topics of personality research *Seminar in Intelligence - The second core course on individual differences consists of lectures covering the basics of the measurement, development, causes and consequences of cognitive abilities, followed by a series of lecturer-assisted student presentations and group discussions on key topics of intelligence research
Option course may include:
- Applied Psychological Testing (taught by individual differences research group, covering the psychometric theory and modelling as well as a range of real-world applications of psychological testing)
- Brain Imaging in Cognitive Neuroscience
- Clinical Neuropsychology
- Neuroscience of Language
- Atypical Development
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Or any other course open to MSc students
Dissertation
The dissertation involves conducting an empirical research project in close collaboration with an expert supervisor, sometimes also working with other graduate students. You will produce a written report, similar to an academic journal article; indeed, some dissertations are published as journal articles. The empirical work and writing take place between April and August. The dissertation can be based on data collected by the student or existing datasets (e.g., from large cohort studies, biobanks or other projects). The dissertation is due in August.
Program Outcome
On successful completion of this programme, the student will have gained:
- specialist knowledge of the field of individual differences (primarily personality traits and intelligence) and integrated areas of study (e.g., genetics, psychopathology, epidemiology), in addition to training in advanced psychological research methods.
- an understanding of key research methods in the field of individual differences.
- an understanding of the basic and advanced principles of research design and application.
- competency in applying a range of methods and research tools, including statistical models and programming.
- skills in research management, including managing data and conducting and disseminating research in ways consistent with professional practice and the principles of research ethics.
Career Opportunities
The programme is designed for students who aspire to pursue a research-oriented career in psychology or related fields, such as health psychology, genetics, epidemiology, social psychology, developmental psychology, psychopathology or educational psychology. The programme can also prepare students for a career in organisational psychology / human resources. More broadly, the course also teaches a broad range of transferable skills applicable to a wide range of modern jobs, such as research design, data management and processing, statistical modelling and interpretation, as well as the synthesis and communication of complex literature.