PhD/MPhil in Psychology | University of Bedfordshire

Overview

A University of Bedfordshire research degree is an internationally recognised degree signifying high levels of achievement in research. It develops extensive subject expertise and independent research skills which are honed over an extended period, depending on the level of the award.

You would undertake a substantial, original research project for the duration of the degree, under the supervision and guidance of two or more academic members of staff. Your supervisory team provides guidance both in the selection of a research topic and in the conduct of the research.

In the School of Psychology, we have an international staff body with expertise in psychological wellbeing and mental health, health across the life course (maternal and child health, adolescents, and end of life), cognitive neuropsychology and community and organisations. These are our current areas of research

Have a look at our staff profiles to find a compatible supervisor. It is advised that you approach a potential director of studies before submitting your proposal. See here for details about our academic staff and their areas of expertise

The school of psychology offers purpose-built dedicated research space and advanced equipment to support experimental and applied research in a range of expert areas.

State-of-the-art virtual reality lab housing omnidirectional slip-mills for unlimited movement in virtual environments, a range of tethered and untethered headsets, and eye tracking capability
Eye tracking facilities also include an EyeLink 1000 Plus and a Tobii eye tracker screen
STISIM driving simulator
Biosemi Active 2 EEG with capabilities for up to 256+8 electrodes plus sensor channels
Extended physiological recording facilities
Psychometrics and cognitive test library
Portable audio and video recording equipment for fieldwork

We also have links with other schools across the university, such as Computer Science and Technology and Life Sciences, able to support with additional resources.

Why study a PhD/MPhil in Psychology?

PhDs and research degrees help you start or continue your research in a field you're passionate about. You can decide what you work on, how you work on it and how you get there with support and guidance from a supervisory team.

Make a world-first discovery, create innovation with lasting impact or shine a new light on important topics. Whether you've just finished your postgraduate degree, are in the workforce or returning to university after a break, a research degree gives you many options.

Five reasons to do a PhD in Psychology

You have a passion for research. If you love learning and are passionate about discovering new things, then it's a good sign that a research degree is for you. You'll pick a topic you're interested in and have the freedom to dive deep into the heart of a problem. Draw on the years of research in your field, forge your own findings or perspective and contribute to a body of exceptional research.
You enjoyed and were successful in your previous study of psychology, so you’d like to take it to the next level.
You want to advance your career in psychology. A research degree is a great way to become a subject matter expert or researcher. A research degree is also a pathway to becoming a lecturer or tutor at a university. You can also apply for postdoctoral research positions and fellowships where you can continue to develop and advance your academic career.
You want to be an expert in a particular area or subject. If you complete a PhD, you will be. No one, not your supervisor, not your external examiner at the end of your PhD, no-one will know more about the subject you researched than you do.
You want to build on the experience and expertise you’ve already gained in your work or other activities (for instance, as a community volunteer).

Following registration, a research student, with the support and direction of the supervisory team, will establish the detailed programme of study.

Students will register for the MPhil course, with the possibility of transferring to a PhD.

Students undertake two Progression Point assessments during their study. These are aimed to help students complete their research degrees successfully and on time. They are designed to align with the need to compile a thesis for the final examination and simulate the final examination processes. The assessments rest on the submission of substantial written documents and a short Viva Voce examination. The documents contain material that will be needed for the final thesis. Upon successful completion of the second Progression Point, the student will transfer to the PhD.

This formal scrutiny process provides quality assurance of the postgraduate research degree progression and effective formal academic feedback for the research student at critical stages during their study.

Timings for the academic progression of part-time students will be longer and will vary depending on the nature of the agreed commitment.

Part-time study

Part-time study is available on most of our research degrees if you are a UK (Home) or EU applicant.

Due to UKVI regulations, we are unable to accept students who require a Tier 4 student visa onto our part-time programmes.

Entry qualifications

Applicants for a research degree should have a good honours degree (2:1 or above) or a Master's degree or equivalent in the relevant subject area.

English Language Entry Requirement - Research Graduate School

All international/overseas research degree applicants for whom English is not their first language* must have a UKVI-recognised English language qualification (ELQ).

Please see the example of acceptable ELQs and the level required:

IELTS

with an overall score of 6.5 or more
The individual tests within IELTS must have a score of no less than 5.5.

For a full list of acceptable English language qualifications, please see GOV.UK Student Visa

Please note that the test must have been taken no more than two years prior to application.

Applicants who have successfully completed a degree from a UKVI-recognised English-speaking institute may use this as proof of English proficiency.

* Please note the UKVI has permitted exemptions from the requirements for sponsors to confirm English language competence for those who are nationals from a majority English-speaking country. Further information can be found at GOV.UK Student Visa - Knowledge of English

For the most current information on the fees to do a PhD for both UK and international students, please visit the Research Graduate School fees page

Research Studentships

Studentships are an amount of money awarded to a student to work on a research project at a university. Where Studentships are available, these are advertised on this area of the University of Bedfordshire website on jobs.ac.uk

Postgraduate Loans

If you are a Home or EU student, you may be eligible for a  Postgraduate Loan from the Government to help with course fees and living costs.

Career Development Loans

You may be able to take out a Career Development Loan (CDL) to help cover the cost of fees and living costs.

Research Council Grants

Research Councils UK are made up of seven awarding bodies. Between them, they offer funding in mostly all areas of postgraduate study.

Each year they award around 6,000 studentships, so there is quite a bit of competition.

Visit Prospects for more information and to find out what your options are.

Support from an employer

This could be an option for you if you are currently working and would like to progress further in the company you are already in.

Employers may wish to sponsor your whole degree or partially fund some of it. Some companies already have sponsorship programmes in place, so it is worth doing your research.

Employer sponsorship could also contribute to the cost of books and materials, day release to attend classes or the provision of study time.

You will be under the supervision and guidance of two or more academic members of staff. You will have a Director of Studies who will act as your main supervisor throughout your PhD. At least one of your supervisors will have experience in seeing research students through to successful completion and both will be actively engaged in an area of research relevant to the student’s field of inquiry. Your supervisory team will provide guidance in the selection of a research topic and in the conduct of the research and will support you across all milestones.

In the School of Psychology, we have an international staff body with expertise in psychological well-being and mental health, health across the life course (maternal and child health, adolescents, and end of life), cognitive neuropsychology and community and organisations. These are our current areas of research

You can see more details about our current students and what they are doing

See here for details about our academic staff and their areas of expertise

Key facts

Duration

Full time	Part time	PhD by published work
3 years	6 years	1 year

International/EU applicants

Starting date	Deadline for application
October 2023	30 June 2023
March 2024	25 November 2023

UK applicants

Starting date	Deadline for application
October 2023	1 August 2023
March 2024	6 January 2024

How to apply

You can find out more details on how to apply here

Here is a checklist of documents and information you will need to submit to the following email address: research@beds.ac.uk

A completed Research Graduate School Application Form [PDF]
Proposal (2000-word max) – see below for guidance
Curriculum vitae or resume
Copy of your photo ID
Copy of your Certificate and Transcript of highest qualification

In order to submit an application to a research degree programme you must provide a research proposal indicating the area of work you are interested in. The proposal should be no more than 2000 words and should include the following: