Psychology at UEA
Find out more about studying Psychology at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreMSc Social and Applied Psychology
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
Other Course Options
Other Start Dates
Other Start Dates
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Why you should choose us
Course Overview
Learn to think like a social psychologist with our MSc Social and Applied Psychology degree. This helps you understand and solve today’s real-life problems. We have hundreds of social interactions each day. This includes everything from social media chats to face-to-face meetings. But how do they impact the way we think, feel, and behave?
Our Master’s programme in Social and Applied Psychology looks at the newest topics in the field. You’ll learn methods for social psychological research. These include experimental design, measuring attitudes, and using interviews and focus groups. You'll also explore experimental questionnaire design and field experiments.
You'll also gain skills in communicating, writing, and analysing complex data. The course leads to a substantial Master’s research project. You’ll work on this with support from active researchers.
You’ll benefit from a customised research placement designed to help you develop the skills and connections needed to achieve your research and career goals.
This Social and Applied Psychology course is perfect for top graduates in psychology or related fields. These include medicine, neuroscience, education, and biological sciences. Take a look at the School of Psychology’s webpage to find a researcher who works on a topic that interests you. This is great preparation for a PhD in social or applied psychology. It can also lead to a career with a significant research element. These include government sectors, mental health services, education, behavioral technicians, and recreational therapists.
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Study and Modules
Structure
You’ll gain a deeper understanding of social and applied psychology. This helps answer important social questions. You’ll explore modern research methods.
These include:
- measuring implicit and explicit attitudes
- conducting interviews
- running focus groups
- doing field experiments
You’ll explore topics like prejudice, intergroup relations, identity, and attitudes. You'll also cover decision-making, applied social psychology, and critical social psychology.
You'll also develop the skills necessary to conduct research in this field. You’ll learn to gather and analyse data. Also, you’ll discover programming techniques to automate data analysis. You'll also do your own research project. Dive deeper into the topic that interests you most.
Past dissertation topics have included:
- Conspiracy theory beliefs: The role of social identity and intergroup emotions
- The effect of group status and power on reactions to derogatory comments about outgroup members
- Motivating climate change mitigation efforts with availability heuristic priming
- Are there gender differences in adolescents' attentional biases towards empathic stimuli?
Finally, gain hands-on experience and build valuable connections through a flexible external placement. Past placements have included research labs in the UK and abroad, as well as roles in special schools, museums, and the Ministry of Justice.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 40)Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Teaching
You’ll experience different teaching methods: lectures, seminars, workshops, and research placements. You’ll also get hands-on experience with UEA’s state-of-the-art research equipment.
Independent study
Your schedule will include classes, private study, coursework, and session prep. You’ll also complete a major independent research project under expert supervision.
Assessment
Assessment is by coursework, including critical reviews, research proposals, and a research project.
Employability
After the Course
This Master’s degree offers advanced training in social and applied psychology research methods. It's ideal preparation for a PhD in Social or Applied Psychology. It’s also great preparation for careers with a strong research focus.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Research associate
- The third sector (such as charities or NGOs)
- Government setting
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Psychology or related degree (eg. medicine, neuroscience or biological science)
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Psychology or related degree (eg. medicine, neuroscience or biological science)
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 7.0 overall (minimum 6.5 in all components)
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, our UEA International Study Centre offers a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
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- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2026/27 are:
-
UK Students: £9,250
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International Students: £23,850
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.