Psychology facilities

Faculty of Health Sciences

Psychology research degrees

Postgraduate - Research

MRes Research Methods in Psychology MSc by Thesis PhD

Looking for a funded PhD?

Check out our current PhD scholarship opportunities now

About our programmes

We offer three types of research degree: PhD, MSc by Thesis and MRes Research Methods in Psychology.

The PhD programme is three years full-time (or five years part-time). You will research and write a 100,000 word thesis on a topic in which we are able to offer supervision. Alongside your research you will complete research training modules (minimum 60 credits) from the Postgraduate Training Scheme run by the Doctoral College.

The MSc by Thesis is one year full-time (or two years part-time). You will research and write a 50,000 word thesis on a topic in which we are able to offer supervision. Alongside your research you will complete research training modules (minimum 20 credits) from the Postgraduate Training Scheme run by the Doctoral College.

The MRes Research Methods in Psychology comprises 60 taught credits and a 30,000 word research thesis. The taught credits are gained through completion of two compulsory modules covering advanced quantitative research methods and other professional research skills, alongside one elective module (from a choice of three) chosen based on the student’s training needs.

Please note, the MRes Research Methods in Psychology is only available full-time with a September start. The PhD and MSc by Thesis can be taken part-time with a varied start date.

Apply for research programmes in Psychology

 

Details

Open for admission in 2024/25

Qualification Full time Part time
1 year 5 years
MRes Research Methods in Psychology 1 year
MSc by Thesis 1 year* 2 years*
PhD 3 years* 5 years*

* The length of programme registration will be longer as it includes the maximum writing-up phase.

Start in January, May or September

Research

We are a large and diverse department and can offer project supervision in many areas of Psychology. If you are interested in doing an MRes or a PhD project with us, please follow the links below for guidance about the research areas in which the department can offer supervision. Initial inquiries should be made to the member of staff you would like to supervise your research.

Cognition and Development

Cognitive psychology is the scientific investigation of mental processes such as attention, perception, language, learning, memory and reasoning. Members of the group investigate the nature of these processes in adults, how they develop in children and decline in old age, and whether similar processes can be observed in non-human species. Find out more.

Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience

We aim to understand the biological processes underlying cognition and perception, how these processes are established, how they differ in (a-)typically developing populations, and whether they are critically linked to particular brain areas. Find out more.

Psychology of Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing

We seek to better understand how psychological factors affect and interact with health, wellbeing and a range of physical and mental health problems. This knowledge is used to improve interventions and services, and to help health services become more psychologically-minded. Find out more.

Please contact us to enquire about these areas.

"I’m pursing a PhD in Psychology, concerning patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ ME). My work investigates the extent to which patients’ relationships with significant others can influence the condition for better or worse. I won first prize at the 2015 postgraduate conference for my poster describing my study."

Katie Oxtoby, Psychology PhD

Fees and funding

Home


Full time:
£4,712 per year

Part time: £2,356 per year

International


Full time:
£19,950 per year

These fees are for all research degree programmes on this page. For courses lasting more than one year, annual increases apply. For more information, please visit the fees and funding page. 

Postgraduate research programme structures


PhD

  • Full-time: 3 years of research, with up to 12 months writing up if required
  • Part-time: 5 years of research, with up to 20 months of writing up if required

Masters

  • Full-time: one year of research, with up to 12 months writing up if required
  • Part-time: 2 years of research, with up to 24 months of writing up if required

Writing-up and thesis submission


A standard full-time PhD programme comprised three years of research plus up to 12 months of writing-up. Part-time is five years plus up to 20 months writing-up if needed. Full-time standard Masters programmes are comprised one year of research plus up to 12 months of writing-up if needed; and part time Masters programmes have two years of research with up to two years of writing-up.

For full-time students, the writing-up phase typically takes about three months but may be extended to one year without further paperwork. For part-time students, writing-up typically takes one year, but may be extended to two years without further paperwork. The maximum writing-up period is included in your overall programme length, which means that international PGRs will not need to apply for an additional visa to cover the writing-up phase.

If you need to move into the writing-up period of your research degree, you must enrol for this phase and you will be liable to pay a continuation fee.

The fees for the writing-up period for 2023/24 are:

Full time

  • Writing-up fee £345
  • Rebate for submission within first 3 months of the research period end date 100%
  • Rebate for submission between 4- 6 months of the research period end date 50%
  • Rebate for submission between 7-9 months of the research period end date 25%

Part time

  • Continuation Fee £170
  • Rebate for submission within first 3 months of the research period end date 100%
  • Rebate for submission between 4- 6 months of the research period end date 50%
  • Rebate for submission between 7-9 months of the research period end date 25%

Thesis submission timelines


It is expected that you will submit your thesis within the timeframes outlined below:

Masters degrees

  • Submission by one year and 3 months full-time.
  • Submission by 2 years and 6 months part-time.

Doctoral degrees

  • Submission by 3 years and 3 months full-time.
  • Submission by 5 years and 6 months for part-time.

Doctoral Loan

UK students who haven’t secured a scholarship can take out a Doctoral Loan to help with tuition fees and living costs. They provide up to £29,390 for full-time and part-time PhDs in all subject areas.

EU students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 must have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to get student finance. Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.

Additional costs

There are some extra costs that you may have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make. The list below has some examples, and any extra costs will vary:

  • Student visas (international students).
  • Books (you’ll have access to many books through the University library, but you may want to buy your own copies).
  • Optional conference/field/archive/library trips (Faculties support some travel and conference attendance financially. Details vary. Please check with the Department/School to which you are applying).
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want to buy your own).
  • Printing and photocopying (There is a printing allowance in place for all students, currently £20 a year. Some Faculties grant PGR students access to printing and photocopying as staff. Please check with the Department/School to which you are applying).
  • Professional-body membership.
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography).

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel and food – to name just a few.

For information about bursaries and how to fund your studies see our money page, or take a look at our PhD scholarships page for specific funded PhD opportunities.

Watch: find out more about postgraduate study at the University of Hull.

Watch the video

The University’s Postgraduate Training Scheme (PGTS) provides a range of generic and discipline-specific modules to support research students through their programme.

Find out more

The library has an exclusive lounge for postgraduate research students and a dedicated Skills Team to provide a wide range of study and research skills help.

Find out more

The Doctoral College provides support to postgraduate research students. Offering skills development opportunities and dedicated facilities, the school is here to help you achieve your potential.

Find out more

Research at Hull tackles big challenges and makes an impact on lives globally, every day. Our current research portfolio spans everything from health to habitats, food to flooding and supply chain to slavery.

Find out more

Entry requirements

You should normally have, or expect to obtain, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or international equivalent) in psychology or a related discipline.

Please contact your prospective supervisor in the first instance. Once a member of staff has agreed to supervise your research project in principle, please make a formal application.

International students

If you require a student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

  • For 2024 entry, this course requires IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each competency.
  • For 2025 entry, this course requires IELTS 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in each competency.

See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by this University.

If your English currently does not reach the University's required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

Top