MSc SOCIAL AND APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY

From the proliferation of social media to more traditional human encounters, we all take part in hundreds of social interactions every day. But how do they impact on the way we think, feel, and behave? 

Our MSc in Social and Applied Psychology allows you to look at a range of the latest social issues through the lens of psychology. The programme combines research methodology training with in-depth study of topics at the cutting-edge of the field. Among other things, it will equip you with the skills to understand research into social behaviour, and it will offer you an optional, tailored research placement, through which you can acquire and hone advanced research skills. 

You can complete the course in one year full-time or over two years part-time. It is ideal if you are a high-calibre psychology graduate, or a graduate of a related discipline. It is an excellent choice if you are preparing for a PhD in social psychology, or if you’re looking to pursue a career with a significant research element, such as at a university, in the third sector, or within government. 

About

This MSc in Social and Applied Psychology combines research method training with in-depth study of social psychological topics. 

You’ll study prejudice and intergroup relations, identity, attitudes and decision-making, emotion and social cognition. as well as applied social psychology and critical social psychology. You’ll get to grips with research methodologies for conducting social psychological research, including experimental design, measuring implicit and explicit attitudes, interviews and focus groups, experimental questionnaire design and field experiments. 

One of the programme’s key strengths is the opportunity it gives you to experience modern psychological research methods first hand, and to undertake bespoke placements to acquire skills specific to your research aims. It will also equip you with the ability to understand research into social behaviour, prepare research proposals, and undertake your own original research, analysis and synthesis – all within one of current psychology’s most fast-moving and fundamental areas. Plus you’ll develop your transferable skills in oral and written communication, and in the analysis of complex data sets. 

The programme includes compulsory modules to give you a solid grounding in the subject’s key areas, and optional modules, which you’ll select according to your specific interests. It builds towards a substantial piece of Master’s research, which you will undertake with the supervision of active researchers in the field. Before applying, you are welcome to contact our academics to discuss the topics you’re interested in researching and find out how we can help you explore those areas. At the end of this course, you will be able to think like a social psychologist in seeking understanding of and solutions to practical and theoretical problems. 

After the Course

This Master’s degree programme will equip you with advanced training in social psychology research methods. It’s the ideal preparation if you’re interested in studying for a PhD in Social Psychology, or a career with a significant research component, such as in a university, the third sector or within government. 

Career destinations

A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.

Examples of careers you could enter include:

• Research associate 

• The third sector 

• Government setting