Postgraduate Prospectus

www.essex.ac.uk/psychology | Psychology
research methods. It is a good foundation if
you wish to proceed to further postgraduate
study, like a PhD, but also provides training
in transferable skills that meet the
requirements of many graduate employers.
MSc Cognitive Neuroscience
Cognitive neuroscience is concerned
with the scientific study of biological
substrates underlying cognition, with a
specific focus on the neural substrates
of mental processes, and addresses
questions of how psychological functions
are produced by the brain. It is a branch
of both psychology and neuroscience,
overlapping with physiological psychology,
cognitive psychology and neuropsychology.
Cognitive neuroscience relies upon
theories in cognitive science coupled
with evidence from neuropsychology
and computational modelling.
Our MSc Cognitive Neuroscience gives
you a thorough grounding in the scientific
investigation of the neural mechanisms
underlying human behaviour, with a
particular reference to cognitive processes.
You are taught the theoretical and biological
foundations of cognitive science, and
undertake advanced statistical training.
A central feature is our extensive instruction
covering the physiological bases and
practical applications of cognitive
neuroscience techniques. This is integrated
with related areas: experimental psychology,
cognitive neuropsychology and
connectionist modelling.
MSc Research Methods in Psychology
If you intend to pursue a career as a
research psychologist, or wish to take a
research degree, then our MSc Research
Methods in Psychology will give you
advanced research training. It is an excellent
preparation for a PhD and greatly enhances
your chances of obtaining PhD funding.
Our aims are threefold: firstly, to provide
an opportunity for advanced study in
psychology that will extend your theoretical
knowledge; secondly, to develop your critical
awareness of psychological science in
relation to its philosophical and biological
contexts, and in relation to research in
the natural and social sciences; and, finally,
to provide you with knowledge and skills
that prepare you for an academic career,
as well as a wide range of alternative
careers, and ensure you are widely
sought by employers.
MSc Psychology
Our MSc Psychology is an advanced
fast-track conversion course that combines
the award of a Masters with eligibility for the
Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership
(GBC) with the British Psychological
Society. The GBC is the minimum academic
qualification required to work as a
professional psychologist, so passing our
course demonstrates that you have studied
and acquired an advanced understanding in
Masters-level study in psychology.
You gain an understanding of the core areas
of psychology, plus some specialisation, and
learn research methods which will enable
you to devise, analyse and carry out an
empirical research project. Our course is
also suitable if you have obtained a previous
degree in psychology (to the required
standard) that is not recognised by the
British Psychological Society, so wish to
gain an internationally recognised
qualification in psychology.
Postgraduate Prospectus 2012 | 191