The Department of Psychology is committed to conducting, publishing and disseminating high quality empirical research, both quantitative and qualitative. In RAE 2008 15% of our research was rated as internationally excellent, 45% recognised internationally and 40% nationally recognised. Research activity within the Department of Psychology falls under six main areas  Business Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience,  Health Psychology, Psychobiology/Psychophysiology, Psychology in Higher Education and Social Psychology. At any time, there are normally between 10 and 15 research students based in the Department. To see what post graduate research is currently being undertaken in the Department of Psychology please visit the Postgraduate Research Page.  

The Department of Psychology provides research degree training to suitably qualified candidates carrying out projects that relate to the research interests of academic staff. Both Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) research degrees are offered. An MPhil may be completed in around 18 months, whilst a PhD is typically completed in three years by full-time students and in five years by part-time students. Normally, students are registered for an MPhil in the first instance, and apply to transfer to a PhD once sufficient progress has been made with their research project.

Supervision Arrangements

Once admitted, successful candidates will have more than one supervisor and this team may include experts from outside the institution. Students engage in the University research training programme alongside their own research. The research degree is assessed by the submission of a thesis and a viva voce examination by a panel that includes an external examiner.

Support and Resources

Postgraduate research students have access to dedicated office space, telephone and computer facilities in the midst of the Department of Psychology at Regent Street in the heart of the commercial district. This facilitates students' integration into the research culture of the Department. Research students take advantage of various academic events, such as Departmental Research Seminars (in which internal and external speakers present research findings), and their own Research Student Seminars Series. Many of our research students also make a valued contribution to undergraduate teaching in the Department of Psychology. Psychology books and journals are held at Little Titchfield Street and Cavendish Libraries, only a few minutes walk away from the Department. Specialist books and journals not held in our library can be accessed from other libraries within walking distance of the Department, including the BPS collection at The University of London Library.

Admissions process for self-funded research students

Self-funded applicants should normally hold, or expect to be awarded, at least an Upper Second class Honours degree in psychology or a related discipline. Applicants are strongly encouraged to seek a prospective supervisorfrom the Department before making a formal application. This can often facilitate the development of a suitable research proposal. Current research interests of staff in the Department of Psychology can be examined on the Research page section of this web site. Alternatively, candidates may direct initial enquiries to the research student coordinator, Dr Tina Cartwright. If you are interested in studying at the University as a research student, for an MPhil or PhD, please email your correspondence details to researchadmissions@wmin.ac.uk and an application pack and prospectus will be sent to you.

Application deadline

Enrolment for research degrees occurs each year in September, and interviews normally take place earlier the same year in May / June. Please note that the application deadline for Psychology, in common with other disciplines within the School of Social Sciences Humanities and Languages (SSHL) may be earlier than that for the rest of the University, and this date will be specified in the application pack by the Academic Registrar's Department.

Research Student Coordinator: Dr Tina Cartwright
email: cartwrt@westminster.ac.uk