MSc in Psychology of Individual Differences
Overview
This one-year taught Masters programme provides an exciting opportunity to gain intensive training in the Psychology of Individual Differences. You would take a range of courses covering personality and individual differences, learning modern theories in these fields, and methods of study including multivariate statistics, psychometrics, and behavior genetics.
It can be taken either as a free-standing MSc or as the first part of a PhD. There are two key subdivisions in the study of human individual differences: personality and mental abilities. Psychology at Edinburgh has a uniquely large team of world-class researchers in both fields. All staff are listed on our Differential Psychology Research Group web page.
The course provides advanced graduate-level study in individual differences and related research skills. Graduates receive a strong base of knowledge for further (typically PhD) study. No prior experience of the psychology of individual differences is assumed. However, evidence of quantitative/statistical knowledge is highly desirable.
Programme aims
The programme lays emphasis on the following outcomes:
- Ability to formulate research questions and apply appropriate methods to understand issues in individual differences in human personality and human mental abilities.
- Understanding how ideas in individual differences are being studied and applied in scientific settings.
- Skills in research management: managing data; conducting, disseminating research in ways consistent with both professional practice and the normal principles of research ethics.
- Comprehension of the basic principles of multivariate statistical data analysis techniques and the ability to carry out data analysis on different data sets using appropriate statistical packages.
- A broad understanding of current issues in psychological research.
Programme structure (curriculum)
Students take 120 credit-points worth of courses, including 10 compulsory core courses worth 100 credit points (10 credit points each course). The remaining 20 credits are obtained by selecting courses from a variety of option courses.
In addition to the taught courses, students complete a dissertation on a substantive issue in the psychology of individual differences. The dissertation will involve empirical research and the majority of the work (worth an additional 60 credit points) takes place over the summer.
Entry requirements
The MSc is designed to be accessible to students who have a first degree in psychology or a related discipline. Interested candidates with other backgrounds are encouraged to contact the programme director Dr Alex Weiss in the first instance.
How to apply
Application forms and details of the application procedure are available online from the School Postgraduate Office.
Advice on funding is available from the Psychology PG funding web page and the University's Scholarships and Financial Aid Office.
Further information
For more information about the MSc in the Psychology of Individual Differences, please contact the Programme Secretary, Toni Noble. On academic matters, please contact the Programme Director, Dr Alex Weiss.
Feel free to contact any of the academic staff to explore the possibility of supervision at Edinburgh.
