The research degree programme aims to provide students with an outstanding learning experience in a supportive community of learning. The department is known nationally and internationally for excellence in research and teaching and all of its staff are engaged in conducting their own research.

Although the Department of Psychology is relatively new at the University, it already has a thriving research culture among its staff and students and an active research centre, the POWER Centre (People & Well-being in the Everyday Research), through which it interacts with external individuals and organisations. The POWER Centre enables psychologists and counsellors to work together on projects and help increase the impact of research through professional practice. In addition, the Centre is developing a range of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities of use to those in the workplace within the aegis of a strategic agenda to approach local and regional commercial, business and public sector organisations for funding, research, and consultancy.

Aims of the Programme: The main aims of the programme are: a) the creation and interpretation of new knowledge through original research or other advanced scholarship, or of a quality to satisfy peer review, extend the forefront of the discipline and merit publication; b) a systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of the academic discipline; c) the general ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of the discipline, and to adjust the project design in the light of unforeseen problems; d) a detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry appropriate to the discipline. e) maximising the impact of our research, scholarship, and interventions. f) the development of research-based practical interventions that promote self-managed everyday wellbeing.

Having successfully completed this programme you will: have demonstrated a systematic understanding of a field of study and mastery of the skills and methods of research associated with that field have demonstrated the ability to conceive, design, implement and adapt a substantial process of research with scholarly integrity; have made a contribution through original research that extends the frontier of knowledge by developing a substantial body of work, some of which merits national or international refereed publication; are capable of critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of new and complex ideas; be able to communicate with your peers, the larger scholarly community and with society in general about your areas of expertise;be able to promote, within academic and professional contexts, technological, social or cultural advancement in a knowledge-based society.

Assessment methods The award of MPhil or PhD is assessed through submission of a written thesis or equivalent for practice based disciplines and an oral examination with a panel of examiners (viva voce). The viva is compulsory for PhD and optional for MPhil.