Postgraduate Prospectus 2013 - Swansea University

Psychology
Research opportunities
MPhil/PhD
RAE2008 35% of research in Psychology
rated world-leading (4*) or internationally
excellent (3*)
Professors
P Bennett
D Benton
M Blagrove
T Lloyd-Jones
A Parrott
P Reed
I M Thornton
R L Wood
Academic and research staff 26
Postgraduates 32
Unlocking the secrets of the human mind
is one of modern science’s greatest
challenges. Psychology, the study of
human behaviour, helps us to make sense
of how we understand the world, what
makes us laugh or cry, why we are
conscious, and why we make the choices
we do.
Research degrees in Psychology will:
• Provide you with new and specialised
research and transferable skills such as
presenting to a range of audiences,
publication, and networking
• Prepare you for a career in academic
research and teaching
• Equip you with skills relevant for a
rewarding career in a range of diverse
fields
Research Strengths
Our research is structured around five
strong research groups:
Psychology Applied to Health and
Medicine
Research across this group looks to apply
the principles of psychology to both the
physical and mental health of the
population. Understanding how
behaviours develop and influence
individual’s decision making, alongside
Entry requirements:
MPhil: normally an Honours degree
(2.1 or above) in a discipline related
to the chosen specialty, or a relevant,
approved postgraduate qualification.
PhD: Applicants would normally have,
or be studying for, a Master’s degree.
English Language requirement:
IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.5 in
each component) or Swansea University
recognised equivalent.
the cognition-health interface and studies
into clinical or behavioural change
interventions, are crucial in protecting the
long-term health and well-being of the
population. Examples of research include:
• Coping with health threats
• Adverse effects of recreational drugs
• Nutrition, obesity and body image
• Occupational health
Learning and Behaviour
This group examines the mechanisms that
allow behaviour and thoughts to adapt to
the environment, and investigates the role
of learning and memory processes in
generating such flexible and adaptive
behaviours. These behaviours allow
efficient learning and processing of
information in a wide variety of contexts,
across the age range, and even across
species. Although adaptiveness and
flexibility promote psychological wellbeing,
there can also be unfortunate
negative effects of these behaviours.
Examples of research include:
• Autism and early interventions
• Schizophrenia
• Reward sensitivity theory
Cognition and Perception
Our work in this field spans research into
areas such as the perception, identification
Scholarships and Bursaries
A range of postgraduate scholarships
and bursaries is available. For details,
please visit: www.swansea.ac.uk/
scholarships/Postgraduate
We attract substantial research funding
from a range of organisations, including
the ESRC, the European Union, the Health
and Safety Executive, the Leverhulme Trust,
the Nuffield Foundation, the British
Academy, the Wellcome Trust, the Welsh
Government, and the EPSRC.
and processing of static and dynamic
visual objects and events, or the inhibitory
processes involved in memory and
forgetting in both the theoretical and
applied setting. Work is also underway
on the cognitive and neural basis for word
recognition and production, including the
study of language development in monoand
bi-lingual speakers. Examples of
research include:
• Causes and mechanisms of dyslexia
• Object and face recognition
• Biological motion
Brain and Behaviour
This research group is exploring the
integration of neuroscience and behaviour.
One such area is brain chemistry and the
effect of eating, nutrition, and recreational
drug use on cognition, mood and
behaviour. The interface of
neuropsychology and brain injury is also
proving to be of interest highlighting the
consequences of dyslexia, other reading
disorders, and closed head injuries. Work
is also underway to apply EEG and
neuro-feedback research to clinical
disorders and sleep. Examples of research
include:
• Psychopharmacology
• Brain injury rehabilitation
• Addiction and substance misuse
How can I find out more?
Visit our website:
www.swansea.ac.uk/
humanandhealthsciences/research
Contact:
Maria Davis, Postgraduate Administrator
Email: a.m.davis@swansea.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1792 295309
Evolutionary Behavioural Science
This group explores how evolution and
the credo ‘survival of the fittest’ prevails
within our current society, and goes on to
influence our continued development and
growth through the exploration of
modern day relationships and
interactions. For example, why are some
people jealous and possessive in their
relationship while others take a more
relaxed approach? Examples of research
include:
• Mating behaviour and relationships
• Altruism and aggression
• Philosophical implications of evolution
Students working towards a research
degree have the opportunity to attend
taught modules from any of the taught
masters available within the College of
Human and Health Science. In addition,
students in the first year of their MPhil/
PhD research degree are encouraged to
attend the statistics and computing
components from the MSc in Research
Methods along with a number of
transferable skills courses available to
all postgraduate students at Swansea
University. Research students are also
encouraged to disseminate their own
research findings at national and
international conferences.
Visit the University:
see page 174 for details and Open Day
information
Applications can be made online
at: www.swansea.ac.uk/applyonline
– see pages 176 – 177 for further
information
For details of Master’s courses available
in Psychology, please see page 84.
Our specialised research facilities
available include a sleep laboratory;
computer controlled visual and auditory
displays for work on perception,
attention, memory and language; an eye
movement laboratory and a nutrition
laboratory. In addition, our researchers
and students have access to state-of-theart
fMRI brain scanner and EEG facilities.
Research Degrees – Psychology
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