msc research methods

Social Research Methods MSc

London, Bloomsbury

This MSc offers advanced training in social research methods, designed to be flexible to accommodate students arriving with a range of previous methodological training. The core modules provide a good grounding in the research process and in data science and qualitative methods. The optional modules allow students to build on these and develop more advanced skills in particular methods of interest. This degree has ESRC 1+3 training recognition, meaning that it stands alone as an MSc but can also prepare students for doctoral research.

UK tuition fees (2024/25)

Overseas tuition fees (2024/25), programme starts, applications accepted.

Applications closed

Applications open

• Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard, in a social science discipline.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 4

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

This programme is suitable for international students on a Student visa – study must be full-time, face-to-face, starting October.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website .

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

This degree is designed to cover the research methods and data science used in collating evidence for the design, critique and evaluation of substantive issues in the social sciences. Students will gain hands-on experience in a range of methods used to study issues of interest in the real world. Students will be expected to apply their understanding of methodology to critique existing research, design their own research, carry out their own analysis and communicate clearly with academic specialists and non-specialists. 

Who this course is for

This programme is aimed at students interested in studying the world around them. It is suitable for those looking to lay the groundwork for further work at PhD level as well as those wishing to seek employment with enhanced knowledge and skills.

Applications are invited from anyone with a suitable undergraduate degree in a social science subject or relevant experience in a related field.

What this course will give you

The UCL Social Research Institute is a research-intensive department with world-leading experts in data science, qualitative methods, and systematic reviews - as well as a broad range of social science substantive subjects. We have a lively community of staff, PhD, MSc, and undergraduate students involved in seminars, workshops, and reading groups in addition to formal teaching.

Our department specialises in applying research methods to inform policy in areas such as education, health, labour markets, human development, and child/adult wellbeing.

The department’s staff have a broad range of interests, which includes expertise in economics, sociology, psychology, social statistics, survey methods and data collection, mixed-methods research, and the techniques of policy evaluation.

The foundation of your career

Graduates with skills in social data science and in qualitative research methods are in demand from a wide range of emplyers government departments, academic institutions, the media, finance and marketing. 

Employability

Graduates of this programme are currently working as:

• university and college lecturers and researchers
• civil servants
• third sector employees
• journalists
• social researchers
• market researchers.

MSc SRM candidates study alongside students from other postgraduate programmes at the UCL Social Research Institute . They have the opportunity to collaborate on research projects led by world-leading experts. Furthermore, they can link with an external organisation for the dissertation.

Teaching and learning

The modules are delivered via weekly lectures and seminars. The seminars can be discussion-based, PC based, etc. depending on the module.

When taking this MSc programme, you will normally be assessed by coursework (such as practical assignments and essays), exams, and a 12,000-word dissertation.

Students are expected to work up 150 hours per each 15-credit module. This includes all taught sessions plus office hours.

The first term of the programme introduces a broad range of methodologies. You will study regression techniques, qualitative analysis, systematic review and survey design.

The second term allows you to develop your research interests with a range of advanced optional modules for you to choose both from areas in social data science such as impact evaluation, longitudinal data and analysis, advanced quantitative methods, data management, and from areas based on qualitative methods such as ethnography,  thematic/narrative/discourse analysis, advanced methods and applications of systematic reviews. You will also begin work on your final research project - the dissertation.

In the summer term, you will continue work on the dissertation, with a submission date in early September.

The first year of the part-time programme will ask you to choose some of your compulsory modules, followed by some of your optional modules in year 1. In year 2 you must complete your compulsory and optional modules across Terms 1 and 2.  And carry out your dissertation in Year 2.

You will have between two and five years in which to complete the programme. The modules are taken in generally the same order as on the part-time route. Following approval by the Programme Leader, module order can be varied.

Compulsory modules

Optional modules.

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Social Research Methods.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk . Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team .

Fees and funding

Fees for this course.

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis .

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees .

Additional costs

All full-time students are required to pay a fee deposit of £1,000 for this programme. All part-time students are required to pay a fee deposit of £500.

Students should take into account any travel, accommodation and expenses involved in their report or dissertation.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs .

Funding your studies

Applicants may be eligible to apply for funding from the Economic and Social Research Council via the UCL, Bloomsbury and East London Doctoral Training Partnership. The MSc provides master's-level postgraduate training which can constitute the first year of ESRC 1+3 postgraduate PhD studentships. Further information: https://ubel-dtp.ac.uk/

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website .

IOE-Clarke Scholarships

Deadline: 3 May 2024 Value: Tuition fees, return flights and stipend (1 year) Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need Eligibility: EU, Overseas

IOE-ISH Centenary Masters Scholarships

Deadline: 3 May 2024 Value: Tuition fees and accommodation (1 year) Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees .

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

• why you want to study Social Research Methods at graduate level
• why you want to study Social Research Methods at UCL
• what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
• how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
• where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

Got questions get in touch.

Social Research Institute

[email protected]

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MSc Social Research Methods

• Graduate taught
• Department of Methodology
• Application code L3T1
• Starting 2024
• Home full-time: Limited availability
• Home part-time: Limited availability
• Overseas full-time: Limited availability
• Location: Houghton Street, London

This programme draws on the range of expertise available within the Department, as well as related academic departments, in order to provide advanced training in social research methodologies, combined with the opportunity to focus on a substantive social science area.

The MSc programme will provide you with the opportunity to develop sophistication in research design and quantitative and qualitative research, and to undertake courses in one or more social science disciplines. You will acquire skills of ‘practical scholarship’ and the ability to design, conduct, analyse and report a social research project. The MSc Social Research Methods also offers more specialised streams in Population and Gender.

The syllabus for the MSc goes some way beyond the ESRC's requirements for the first year of a 1+3 PhD programme, and it is designed as training for doctoral research and as pre-professional training for careers in social research in the public and private sectors.

The MSc Social Research Methods (Gender) is offered as a 1+3 PhD programme, in conjunction with the  MPhil/PhD Gender .

The MSc Social Research Methods (Social/Formal) is offered as a 1+3 PhD programme, in conjunction with the  MPhil/PhD Demography (Social/Formal) .

Programme details

For more information about tuition fees and entry requirements, see the fees and funding and assessing your application sections.

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements for msc social research methods.

Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in social science. Relevant professional experience also considered.

In addition, for this programme, if your first language is not English, you must submit a writing sample of five-ten typewritten pages.

Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you meet our minimum entry requirement, this does not guarantee you an offer of admission. 

If you have studied or are studying outside of the UK then have a look at our  Information for International Students  to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

Assessing your application

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students and want to recruit students with the very best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of their background.

We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on your application form, including your:

- academic achievement (including predicted and achieved grades) - statement of academic purpose - two academic references - CV

See further information on supporting documents

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although you do not need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE.  See our English language requirements .

This programme is available as part of an  ESRC-funded pathway onto a PhD programme . The 1+3 scheme provides funding for a one year research training master's linked to a PhD programme and is designed for students who have not already completed an ESRC recognised programme of research training. An application must be submitted for the relevant master’s programme, including a research proposal for the PhD aspect of the pathway. Applicants must also indicate their wish to be considered for the 1+3 pathway within their personal statement.

When to apply

Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis, meaning the programme will close once it becomes full. There is no fixed deadline by which you need to apply, however, to be considered for any LSE funding opportunity, you must have submitted your application and all supporting documents by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section for more details. 

Fees and funding

Every graduate student is charged a fee for their programme.

The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees 2024/25 for MSc Social Research Methods

Home students: £17,424  Overseas students: £27,480

The Table of Fees shows the latest tuition amounts for all programmes offered by the School.

The amount of tuition fees you will need to pay, and any financial support you are eligible for, will depend on whether you are classified as a home or overseas student, otherwise known as your fee status. LSE assesses your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department of Education.

Further information about fee status classification.

Fee reduction

Students who completed undergraduate study at LSE and are beginning taught graduate study at the School are eligible for a  fee reduction  of around 10 per cent of the fee.

Scholarships and other funding

The School recognises that the  cost of living in London  may be higher than in your home town or country, and we provide generous scholarships each year to home and overseas students.

This programme is eligible for needs-based awards from LSE, including the  Graduate Support Scheme ,  Master's Awards , and  Anniversary Scholarships . 

Selection for any funding opportunity is based on receipt of an offer for a place and submitting a Graduate Financial Support application, before the funding deadline. Funding deadline for needs-based awards from LSE:  25 April 2024 .

This programme is also eligible for   Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding  when you apply as part of a 1+3 research programme. Selection for the ESRC funding is based on receipt of an application for a place – including all ancillary documents, before the funding deadline.

Funding deadline for the ESRC funding:  15 January 2024

In addition to our needs-based awards, LSE also makes available scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for students studying specific subject areas.  Find out more about financial support.

Government tuition fee loans and external funding

A postgraduate loan is available from the UK government for eligible students studying for a first master’s programme, to help with fees and living costs. Some other governments and organisations also offer tuition fee loan schemes.

Find out more about tuition fee loans

Further information

Fees and funding opportunities

Information for international students

LSE is an international community, with over 140 nationalities represented amongst its student body. We celebrate this diversity through everything we do.  

If you are applying to LSE from outside of the UK then take a look at our Information for International students . 

1) Take a note of the UK qualifications we require for your programme of interest (found in the ‘Entry requirements’ section of this page). 

2) Go to the International Students section of our website. 

3) Select your country. 

4) Select ‘Graduate entry requirements’ and scroll until you arrive at the information about your local/national qualification. Compare the stated UK entry requirements listed on this page with the local/national entry requirement listed on your country specific page.

Part-time study Part time study is only available for students who do not require a student visa.

Programme structure and courses

The programme has two parts. In the first part you will complete a mix of modules in research design, quantitative research methods and qualitative research methods (to a total of two units) as well as a dissertation (one unit). Within the programme regulations of the degree, you are able to tailor this mix of modules to emphasise either quantitative methods or qualitative methods. In the second part, for all students, courses to the value of one full unit can be taken from a range of optional courses.

In summary the programme will comprise:

Fundamentals of Social Science Research Design Research design necessitates trade-offs between the strengths and weaknesses of different feasible options.  This course aims to introduce the broad range of design options and to foster an appreciation of these alternatives for particular research objectives. 

Quantitative Research Methods You will select one or more half units from a range of Methodology (and, subject to certain conditions being met, possibly Statistics) courses that cover quantitative data analysis from a basic to advanced level.

Qualitative Research Methods You will select one or more half units from a range of Methodology courses that cover methods of qualitative data collection and analysis from a basic to advanced level.  

Dissertation An independent research project of 10,000 words on an approved topic of your choice.

Courses to the value of one unit from a range of options (the options available to you depend on the stream of the degree you have chosen).

For the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page .  

You must note, however, that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.

You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s  Calendar , or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the  updated graduate course and programme information  page.

Teaching and assessment

Contact hours and independent study.

Within your programme you will take a number of courses, often including half unit courses and full unit courses. In half unit courses, on average, you can expect 20-30 contact hours in total and for full unit courses, on average, you can expect 40-60 contact hours in total. This includes sessions such as lectures, classes, seminars or workshops. Hours vary according to courses and you can view indicative details in the Calendar  within the Teaching section of each  course guide .

You are also expected to complete independent study outside of class time. This varies depending on the programme, but requires you to manage the majority of your study time yourself, by engaging in activities such as reading, note-taking, thinking and research.

Teaching methods

LSE is internationally recognised for its teaching and research and therefore employs a rich variety of teaching staff with a range of experience and status. Courses may be taught by individual members of faculty, such as lecturers, senior lecturers, readers, associate professors and professors. Many departments now also employ guest teachers and visiting members of staff, LSE teaching fellows and graduate teaching assistants who are usually doctoral research students and in the majority of cases, teach on undergraduate courses only. You can view indicative details for the teacher responsible for each course in the relevant  course guide .

All taught courses are required to include formative coursework which is unassessed. It is designed to help prepare you for summative assessment which counts towards the course mark and to the degree award. LSE uses a range of formative assessment, such as essays, problem sets, case studies, reports, quizzes, mock exams and many others. Summative assessment may be conducted during the course or by final examination at the end of the course. An indication of the formative coursework and summative assessment for each course can be found in the relevant  course guide .

Academic support

You will also be assigned an academic mentor who will be available for guidance and advice on academic or personal concerns.

There are many opportunities to extend your learning outside the classroom and complement your academic studies at LSE.  LSE LIFE  is the School’s centre for academic, personal and professional development. Some of the services on offer include: guidance and hands-on practice of the key skills you will need to do well at LSE: effective reading, academic writing and critical thinking; workshops related to how to adapt to new or difficult situations, including development of skills for leadership, study/work/life balance and preparing for the world of work; and advice and practice on working in study groups and on cross-cultural communication and teamwork.

LSE is committed to enabling all students to achieve their full potential and the School’s  Disability and Wellbeing Service  provides a free, confidential service to all LSE students and is a first point of contact for all disabled students.

Student support and resources

We’re here to help and support you throughout your time at LSE, whether you need help with your academic studies, support with your welfare and wellbeing or simply to develop on a personal and professional level.

Whatever your query, big or small, there are a range of people you can speak to who will be happy to help.  

Department librarians   – they will be able to help you navigate the library and maximise its resources during your studies. 

Accommodation service  – they can offer advice on living in halls and offer guidance on private accommodation related queries.

Class teachers and seminar leaders  – they will be able to assist with queries relating to specific courses. 

Disability and Wellbeing Service  – they are experts in long-term health conditions, sensory impairments, mental health and specific learning difficulties. They offer confidential and free services such as  student counselling,  a  peer support scheme  and arranging  exam adjustments.  They run groups and workshops.  

IT help  – support is available 24 hours a day to assist with all your technology queries.   

LSE Faith Centre  – this is home to LSE's diverse religious activities and transformational interfaith leadership programmes, as well as a space for worship, prayer and quiet reflection. It includes Islamic prayer rooms and a main space for worship. It is also a space for wellbeing classes on campus and is open to all students and staff from all faiths and none.   

Language Centre  – the Centre specialises in offering language courses targeted to the needs of students and practitioners in the social sciences. We offer pre-course English for Academic Purposes programmes; English language support during your studies; modern language courses in nine languages; proofreading, translation and document authentication; and language learning community activities.

LSE Careers  ­ – with the help of LSE Careers, you can make the most of the opportunities that London has to offer. Whatever your career plans, LSE Careers will work with you, connecting you to opportunities and experiences from internships and volunteering to networking events and employer and alumni insights. 

LSE Library   –   founded in 1896, the British Library of Political and Economic Science is the major international library of the social sciences. It stays open late, has lots of excellent resources and is a great place to study. As an LSE student, you’ll have access to a number of other academic libraries in Greater London and nationwide. 

LSE LIFE  – this is where you should go to develop skills you’ll use as a student and beyond. The centre runs talks and workshops on skills you’ll find useful in the classroom; offers one-to-one sessions with study advisers who can help you with reading, making notes, writing, research and exam revision; and provides drop-in sessions for academic and personal support. (See ‘Teaching and assessment’). 

LSE Students’ Union (LSESU)  – they offer academic, personal and financial advice and funding.  

PhD Academy   – this is available for PhD students, wherever they are, to take part in interdisciplinary events and other professional development activities and access all the services related to their registration. 

Sardinia House Dental Practice   – this   offers discounted private dental services to LSE students.  

St Philips Medical Centre  – based in Pethwick-Lawrence House, the Centre provides NHS Primary Care services to registered patients.

Student Services Centre  – our staff here can answer general queries and can point you in the direction of other LSE services.  

Student advisers   – we have a  Deputy Head of Student Services (Advice and Policy)  and an  Adviser to Women Students  who can help with academic and pastoral matters.

Student life

As a student at LSE you’ll be based at our central London campus. Find out what our campus and London have to offer you on academic, social and career perspective. 

Student societies and activities

Your time at LSE is not just about studying, there are plenty of ways to get involved in  extracurricular activities . From joining one of over 200 societies, or starting your own society, to volunteering for a local charity, or attending a public lecture by a world-leading figure, there is a lot to choose from. 

The campus 

LSE is based on one  campus  in the centre of London. Despite the busy feel of the surrounding area, many of the streets around campus are pedestrianised, meaning the campus feels like a real community. 

Life in London 

London is an exciting, vibrant and colourful city. It's also an academic city, with more than 400,000 university students. Whatever your interests or appetite you will find something to suit your palate and pocket in this truly international capital. Make the most of career opportunities and social activities, theatre, museums, music and more. 

Want to find out more? Read why we think  London is a fantastic student city , find out about  key sights, places and experiences for new Londoners . Don't fear, London doesn't have to be super expensive: hear about  London on a budget . 

Student stories

Laura Sochas, France

The programme prepares you really well for both applied and academic research. It’s very practical. There are almost as many teachers as students, so you can get lots of help if you need it, particularly for your dissertation. The department’s atmosphere is relaxed and collaborative, with great administrative support, which contributes to a stress-free experience. It’s inter-disciplinary as well, meaning everyone has different research interests.

I feel like the quality and breadth of methods training available has been invaluable in terms of building my skills both for research consultancies and academic research. I worked for four years in health research before my masters, which made me appreciate even more how important these skills are to being a confident and independent researcher. I find that in the professional world, it’s much easier to pick up content knowledge than methodological knowledge so I would definitely recommend using your masters to pick up practical methods skills.

Quick Careers Facts for the Department of Methodology

Median salary of our PG students 15 months after graduating: £48,000          

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

• Information, Digital Technology and Data            
• Education, Teaching and Research            
• Financial and Professional Services              
• Advertising, Marketing, PR, Media, Entertainment, Publishing and Journalism           
• Real Estate, Environment and Energy

The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2020-21 were the fourth group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and who were working in full-time employment.

Almost 50 per cent of the graduates of this programme have entered PhD programmes, or are working in social research in universities or national and local government.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Fernando Barranzuela

MSc Social Research Methods, 2011  Director of Postgraduate Programmes, Universidad de Piura (Peru)

I chose the MSc in Social Research Methods at LSE because it gave specific training in social research methods for marketing research. Also, I was looking for research training to apply for a doctoral program, which I am currently doing at Henley Business School. LSE was an unforgettable experience! For my family and I, the LSE experience has been one of the greatest milestones in our lives. 

Support for your career

Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search. Find out more about the  support available to students through LSE Careers .

Find out more about LSE

Discover more about being an LSE student - meet us in a city near you, visit our campus or experience LSE from home. 

Experience LSE from home

Webinars, videos, student blogs and student video diaries will help you gain an insight into what it's like to study at LSE for those that aren't able to make it to our campus.  Experience LSE from home . 

Come on a guided campus tour, attend an undergraduate open day, drop into our office or go on a self-guided tour.  Find out about opportunities to visit LSE . 

LSE visits you

Student Marketing, Recruitment and Study Abroad travels throughout the UK and around the world to meet with prospective students. We visit schools, attend education fairs and also hold Destination LSE events: pre-departure events for offer holders.  Find details on LSE's upcoming visits . 

How to apply

Virtual Graduate Open Day

Register your interest

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• Postgraduate study
• Taught degree programmes A‑Z
• Psychological Science, Research Methods of

Postgraduate taught  

Psychological Science, Research Methods of MSc

Watch the latest Ask Your Academic webinar to find our more about this programme. Watch now .

As a member of our Masters in Research Methods of Psychological Science programme you will receive training and experience in an extensive variety of research methods in Psychology, making use of state-of-the-art facilities for behavioural, neuroimaging, and qualitative research. The programme is team-taught by leading researchers in their field who will help you develop exceptional theoretical, practical, and analytical skills. With our passionate sense of community, collegiate attitude, and year-round seminars and workshops, all students leave our programme with a strong sense of personal development and with the skills and network of collaborators that will afford you the best possible start in your future career in Psychology.

• Academic contact: [email protected]
• Teaching start: September
• Glasgow: Gilmorehill campus
• MSc: 12 months full-time

Why this programme

• Ranked 4th in the UK (The Guardian 2024), our School of Psychology & Neuroscience continues to meet student expectations, combining both teaching excellence and a supportive learning environment.
• You will benefit from innovative assessment, including portfolio of professional skills, peer review and writing up a research project in the format of a journal article.

Postgraduate events

Open Days, information sessions, campus tours, events near you

Postgraduate prospectus

MSc Social Science Research Methods (Sociology)

This programme reflects the expertise of our School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies in research methods training. It provides comprehensive training in the whole process of research conceptualisation, design and operationalisation.

The programme is particularly suitable for those seeking a career as a social science researcher or going on to a PhD, including Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)-funded doctoral study. It has been carefully formulated to reflect the training recommended by the ESRC and has been accredited as a research training programme.

You will develop a thorough theoretical and practical grounding in the variety of qualitative and quantitative data collection methods available to the social scientist, and in the principal methods of analysing data. The programme also covers the philosophies underpinning the research process, ethical considerations, and social theory. You will be encouraged to apply your methods training to your substantive research interests.

On demand academic talks

Hear directly from an academic giving you a deeper insight into this programme.

Programme structure

You will take a combination of mandatory and optional taught units within the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies. Each unit is delivered over the course of 12 weeks and assessed by an essay (or equivalent form of written submission). The taught section of the programme is followed in the summer term by a dissertation.

Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc in Social Science Research Methods (Sociology).

World-leading research

The University of Bristol is ranked fifth for research in the UK ( Times Higher Education ).

94% of our research assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Entry requirements

An upper second-class honours degree or international equivalent in any discipline. Applicants must have evidence of at least 1 quantitative and 1 qualitative module/unit at 2:1 or equivalent. Examples of acceptable units include: Quantitative Research Methods; Programming; Data Analysis; Data Mining; Research Design & Practice. Qualitative Research; Survey; Behavioural Studies/Research; Social Research; Comparative Politics/Research.

For applicants who are currently completing a degree, we understand that their final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades they achieve during their studies.

We will consider applicants whose interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements. We may make these applicants an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so the applicant would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of their degree. Specific module requirements may still apply.

We will consider applicants whose grades are slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements, if they have at least one of the following:

• evidence of significant (6 months in a paid role) relevant work experience in sectors such as NGOs, Government Departments, Think Tanks, Research;
• a relevant postgraduate qualification.

If this is the case, applicants should include their CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when they apply, showing details of their relevant work experience and/or qualifications.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our  profile level C.

Further information about  English language requirements and profile levels .

Fees and funding

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support .

Alumni discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study.  Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding for 2024/25

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career prospects

Bristol graduates are in high demand and have an excellent record of employment following graduation. Students of our MSc programmes go on to pursue varied and interesting careers.

Many sectors - such as the civil service, NGOs and charities - require an MSc and some volunteering or internship experience. Graduates from our programmes have gone on to work for Refugee UK, Shelter, Barnardo's, Amnesty International, government departments and the European Parliament, among others. Find out more from the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies careers webpages .

How to apply

Apply via our online application system. For further information, please see the guidance for how to apply on our webpages.

Overseas applicants: 24 July 2024. Home applicants: 9 August 2024.

Please note that due to high demand, some programmes may close earlier than advertised. Early applications are advised to avoid disappointment. Places are limited and allocated on a continuous basis from September 2023 until all places are filled.

Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies

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Research Methods in Psychology (MSc) 2024 entry

The information on this page is for 2024 entry. If you are considering applying for 2025 entry or later, some of these details may differ and we advise you to check the page again before you apply. To receive a notification of when applications open for 2025 entry, please register your interest .

The MSc in Research Methods in Psychology is designed to train students wishing to pursue a higher research degree in psychology and equips them with the specific skills necessary for undertaking a career as a research psychologist.

Application deadline

Thursday 8 August 2024.

Applicants should apply as early as possible to be eligible for certain scholarships and for international visa purposes.

Entry requirements

• A good 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree in Psychology or a related discipline. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the  international entry requirements .
• English language proficiency. See  English language tests and qualifications .

The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.

Application requirements

• CV or résumé 
• personal statement (500 words) 
• sample of your own, single-authored academic written work (2,000 words) 
• two original signed academic references 
• academic transcripts and degree certificates.

For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.

English language proficiency

If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability.   See approved English language tests and scores for this course.

Course details

The MSc in Research Methods in Psychology is a full-time taught postgraduate programme run by the School of Psychology and Neuroscience. The course is based on an initiative to provide interdisciplinary training in the social sciences plus advanced research training in psychology. 

Highlights 

• The course provides interdisciplinary training in the social sciences plus advanced research training in psychology. 
• Students will complete an independent research project in psychology, which can involve working in the school’s laboratories in neurophysiology, psychopharmacology, psychophysics, animal learning and cognition, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, and social psychology.
• The MSc is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as an accredited course. 

The modules published below are examples of what has been taught in previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your programme. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the module catalogue .

• Dissertation
• Generic Research and Professional Skills in Psychology and Neuroscience : introduces students to the various skills and issues that are important to academic psychologists and neuroscientists irrespective of their particular area of research.  
• Methods of Data Analysis in Psychology : offers advanced training in research design, statistical analyses and qualitative methods.
• Philosophy and Methodology of the Social Sciences : introduces students to the basic theoretical approaches in the social sciences, covering the methodological and epistemological issues involved in conducting social scientific research.  
• Qualitative Methods in Social Research : offers both a theoretical and practical introduction to the collection, analysis and writing of qualitative social science research.  
• Quantitative Research in Social Science : provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts of quantitative analysis - underlying principles, research design, sampling strategies, uncertainty and missing data, and some statistical approaches to data analysis.   

Students must choose two optional modules.  

• Animal Models in Psychology and Neuroscience: focuses on the animals frequently used in psychology and neuroscience research; discussing key physiological and behavioural characteristics of the animals, why these characteristics make them good or bad models for given areas of research, and how these behavioural and physiological characteristics must be accounted for when designing experiments.  
• Data Science for Psychology and Neuroscience : introduces modern data science methods such as machine learning and data mining, with emphasis on the practical utilisation of these methods in the context of psychology and neuroscience.
• Mechanisms of Behaviour: Integrating Psychological and Neuroscience Perspectives explores many physiological and neural systems that modulate patterns of behaviour in a range of species, including humans.

Optional modules are subject to change each year and require a minimum number of participants to be offered; some may only allow limited numbers of students (see the University's position on curriculum development ).  

Student dissertations will be supervised by members of the teaching staff who will advise on the choice of subject and provide guidance throughout the research process. The completed dissertation of not more than 15,000 words must be submitted by a date specified in August.  

• Teaching format

Over two semesters, students will take five compulsory modules, a research project module and one optional module.

These are taught through lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials.

On average, class sizes range up to 80 students for lectures and 20 students for seminars.  The final three months of your course will be dedicated to a 15,000-word research project dissertation. 

Assessment comprises entirely of coursework; there are no exams.  

The School of Psychology and Neuroscience hosts a weekly seminar programme typically held in the Old Library of the Psychology Building.

These seminars include public lectures, open School discussions and papers presented by a variety of guest lecturers from the UK and abroad. Following the seminar, a reception is typically held in the departmental common room. 

The School also hosts an annual Jeeves Lecture as part of its seminar programme. The lectures are given by eminent psychologists and neuroscientists. Staff, students and members of the public are welcome at this lecture. 

See the  psychology and neuroscience seminar programmes .  

Home £11,680

Overseas £29,950

Application fee

Before we can begin processing your application, a payment of an application fee of £50 is required. In some instances, you may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Details of this, along with information on our tuition fees, can be found on the postgraduate fees and funding page.

Funding and scholarships

The University of St Andrews is committed to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances.

15% Recent Graduate Discount

If you have graduated from the University within the last three academic years, you may be eligible for a 15% discount on postgraduate taught tuition fees. Terms and conditions apply.

Taught postgraduate scholarships     Postgraduate loans

After your degree

Many students progress from the MSc to PhD study, and some graduates have been successful in applying for EPSRC PhD studentships.

Others have successfully applied for research assistantships to initiate their research careers. 

Some graduates have applied for positions in government, health care, and management services. 

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.

Further study

Many graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews or elsewhere.

The MSc in Research Methods in Psychology is accredited for the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) 1+3 PhD studentship programme. 

What to do next

Online information events.

Join us for one of our information events where you can find out about different levels of study and specific courses we run. There are also sessions available for parents and college counsellors.

Postgraduate online visiting days

We encourage all students who are thinking of applying to the University to attend one of our online visiting days.

School of Psychology and Neuroscience website

MSc Research Methods

Develop different psychological research methods on this specialist course.

Course search

Search form.

• Delivery: Full time according to Funding Council definitions, Part-Time

Confirm application

This course has multiple potential start dates, please confirm the specific entry point and course details that you would like to apply for:

• Start date:  September, 2024 Delivery:  Full time according to Funding Council definitions Duration:  12 MONTHS Apply now
• Start date:  September, 2024 Delivery:  Part-Time Duration:  24 MONTHS Apply now

​Why study MSc Research Methods at BU?

• Acquire a range of psychological research methods and skills to investigate human behaviour, culminating in an ability to conduct rigorous research independently
• Develop a well-founded knowledge and critical understanding of the mind and behaviour through learning about a chosen area of Psychology (clinical, clinical and developmental neuropsychology and forensic)
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of Psychology as an empirical science
• Develop key transferable skills including critical thinking, project management, presentation and research
• Benefit from the Psychology Department’s research and professional practice collaborations and initiatives
• Undertake rigorous research using state-of-the-art facilities under expert staff guidance.

Find out more about the content of this course .

See some of the facilities used on this course

Key information

Next start date:.

September 2024, September 2025

Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus

September start: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Required subjects:

Psychology, Neuroscience, Biomedical Science, Biological Science and, Social Science

Entry requirements:

• A Bachelors Honours degree with 2:2 (or equivalent) is required in a relevant subject.

International entry requirements:

If English is not your first language you'll need IELTS (Academic) 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all components. For more information check out our full entry requirements .

Course details

Once you have completed this course, you will possess the practical skills and theoretical knowledge necessary to continue into an academic career or secure employment in a range of organisations. This course will equip you with an in-depth knowledge of all aspects of Psychology.

Contact hours and assessment

Details of the assessment methods and contact hours for each unit of the course can be found in the programme specification. 

Download the programme specification (pdf 294kb)

Core units:

• Research Project
• Introduction to Research Methods
• Digital Methods and Data Skills
• Advanced Quantitative Methods or Advanced Qualitative Methods (choose one unit)

Subject Specialism units (choose one in semester 1):

• Investigative Psychology (Forensic Psychology)
• Neurodevelopmental Diversity (Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology)
• Roots and Range of Psychological Disorders (Clinical Psychology)

Subject Specialism units (choose 2 paired units in semester 2):

• Behavioural Analysis of Serious Crime - and  -  Professional Practice and Court Skills (Forensic Psychology
• Clinical and Cognitive Neuropsychology - and -  Ageing and Neurodegenerative Disorders (Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology)
• Clinical Skills - and  -  Psychological Therapy 1 (Clinical Psychology)

Your application

What we're looking for.

For the MSc Research Methods we are looking for applicants who:

• Have an academic interest in psychology as a subject
• Have a first degree in another subject area
• May have obtained a psychology degree overseas but who need the BPS Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) qualification to further their careers (this course is currently going through the accreditation process)
• Are open to new ideas
• Have a mature attitude.

How and when to apply

Please see our website for the application deadlines. You should apply as early as possible to be considered for your course of choice. If you require a student visa, apply for the visa as soon as you have an unconditional offer and receive your CAS. There may be delays in visa processing in your country and you need to be in Bournemouth ready to study for the start of term.

Click the green ‘Apply now’ button to submit your application free of charge online through myHub, our application portal. You will create your own myHub account so that you can track the progress of your application. Don’t forget to save your application as you go; you can return to it at as many times as you want before you submit it. For more information visit our How to apply section .

Selection methods

We select candidates for this course by looking at your application; there are usually no interviews or selection activities needed. For that reason, make sure your application really stands out from the crowd, and leave us in no doubt as to why you should be joining BU. You can find some handy hints about filling in your UCAS form on our  how to apply web pages.

Entry requirements

General entry requirements.

Required subjects include: Psychology, Neuroscience, Biomedical Science, Biological Science and, Social Science.

International entry requirements

You can find details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our  entry requirements for non-UK students' page .

Please see below some examples of the qualifications for entry:

• India: Bachelor’s degree (4 years) from a recognised HE institution with a minimum overall result of 55%
• Nigeria:  Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution with a minimum classification of 2:4
• China: Chinese Bachelor's (Honours) degree from a recognised higher education institution with 65% or above
• Turkey: Bachelor’s degree (Lisans Diplomasi - four years) with a minimum overall GPA of 2.3/4.0
• Vietnam:  Bachelor's degree/Bang tot nghiep dai hoc with an average score of 6.5/10, or 2.25/4, or a Master’s degree/Thac si.

All applications will be subject to a minimum grade and your degree may need to be in a relevant subject area.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you can understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements, for this course are normally:

• IELTS (Academic) 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in writing, speaking, listening and reading or equivalent .
• You can find details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our  entry requirements for non-UK students' page .

View  further information about our English language requirements .

Bournemouth University International College offers a number of pre-sessional English and preparatory programmes to prepare international students for postgraduate study at BU. Admission to the degree is guaranteed on successful completion of your course to the required level. 

The course will prepare students (psychology graduates and graduates from other social sciences’ disciplines) for research-orientated work in a range of sectors such as academia, industry and healthcare. The course also provides an excellent basis for studying for a PhD by conducting a programme of independent, rigorous research under the supervision of expert academic researchers.

Potential job roles

• Research Analyst
• Academic Researcher 
• Behavioural Analyst
• Research Consultant
• Quantitative Researcher

Industries worked in

This course provides a suitable basis to enter employment in the field of psychology and research and strategic work for a variety of industries.

Industries graduates will work in are:

• Health and wellbeing
• Human resources.

Further study

If you want to continue your studies after achieving your Master’s, you can look into our range of doctoral programmes . 

Costs and fees

You can find full information about the deposits required and how to pay your fees in our postgraduate  fees and funding  section, including details of the Postgraduate Loan (subject to fee status).

All fees are quoted in pounds sterling and are per annum. Fees quoted are for tuition only unless stated otherwise. Your tuition fees will be the same for each year of your course.

Find out more about living expenses for postgraduate students

No hidden extras

What's included in your tuition fee.

Your tuition fee covers expenses associated with your course including tuition materials, access to facilities, mandatory field trips and the following:

• Materials for laboratory and mandatory field-based teaching activity.​
• Support for finding placements (UK or abroad) and fieldwork, and non-financial support whilst on placement if this is part of your course of study.
• A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service.
• Access to Brightspace, our virtual learning environment, which offers a responsive and personalised learning experience with powerful learning analytics capabilities, intregrated social media and advanced video features.
• The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces.
• IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow.
• Free software download to your personal device of Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus while you are studying, as well as access to applications provided on AppsAnywhere, subject to licensing and compatibility restrictions
• Disability and additional learning support , according to individual circumstances.
• The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills.
• 24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team.

Costs of living and other expenses you need to consider

Additional costs

We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:

• Laptops, tablets and mobile devices and any software used on personal devices. Access to a personal computer is strongly recommended for your study. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, visit our website for information regarding hardship funds.
• Textbooks, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of text books and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shop stocks a wide range of stationery supplies.
• Accommodation and living costs . Please visit our website for more information.
• Travel costs, for optional field trips, outdoor wear and footwear for mandatory and optional field trips (if applicable).
• Travel costs to and from the University campus. An annual bus pass is included in your rent if you are living in halls of residence/Unilet accommodation or may be purchases separately.
• Travel costs to and from your placement (both in the UK and overseas) if this is part of your course of study. Placement year funding can be found on our website.
•  Clothing or equipment costs required for your placement if this is part of your course of study.
• SportsBU membership .

While all aspects of the programme, including required field trips, are included in the fee, additional, optional or extra curricula activities may be available for which a student contribution is required.

Repeat units

If you need to repeat one or more units during the course of your studies (with or without attendance) the pricing will be pro-rata of the full time fee.

Financial help available from BU

We offer a range of  scholarships and bursaries  to eligible students who are beginning their studies at BU. Please visit www.bournemouth.ac.uk/funding for details on living costs, budgeting and paying your tuition fees.

International (not Rep. of Ireland) students need to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure their place on a postgraduate course. For September 2024 and January 2025 entry, a £5,000 deposit is required. You will need to pay your deposit by the date stated in your offer letter. The remainder of your fee will be payable on registration/enrolment. There are two exceptions to the non-refundable rule on the deposit:

• You fail to meet the academic or English requirements of your offer
• You are refused a visa to enter the UK, provided the reason for the refusal is not a fraudulent application.

On this course you will be taught by staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This could include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners and research students, many of whom are actively engaged in research and/or professional practice which is integrated into the teaching of this course. Please note that teaching staff can change.

Dr Agata Wezyk - Course Leader and lecturer in Psychology

Dr Wezyk's previous research experience focused mainly on broadly defined stress and wellbeing in different contexts. She has a background in both quantitative and qualitative methods including working with multi-modal data (verbal and visual).

Dr Michelle Heward - Lecturer in Psychology

Michelle Heward is Lecturer in Psychology and Service User and Carer Involvement Lead in the Ageing and Dementia Research Centre at BU. Her research focuses on health and social care and support for older people and people with dementia and includes the evaluation of interventions. She is particularly interested in digital technologies and innovation, workforce development and service delivery, inclusive and engaging environments, and co-production and user involvement.

Dr Géza Gergely Ambrus - Lecturer in Psychology

Géza is a lecturer at the Department of Psychology. His recent research focuses on the cognitive neuroscience of perception and memory. Currently, he uses neuroimaging techniques combined with machine learning methods to investigate the neural dynamics and shared neural codes of recognition memory. His work also includes the study of face perception, which he studies using neuroimaging as well as transcranial brain stimulation.

Course changes

Changes for 2024 entry.

Information on this page relates to next entry point (see box containing fees figures), unless indicated otherwise. Statistics shown throughout this page are taken from The Discover Uni dataset (formerly Unistats) and BU institutional data, unless otherwise stated.

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Social Research Methods MSc

Key information.

“ The MSc provided me with a broad methodological base of research skills, making life easier during the design and research for my thesis. ” Samuel Power  Social Research Methods MSc

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.

Pathway to doctoral study

This course is eligible for ESRC SEDarc funding as part of a Masters+PhD scholarship.

Masters and P h D events

Meet us on campus or online

Book your place

Entry requirements

• UK requirements
• International requirements

Please select your country from the list.

Philippines

Saudi Arabia

South Africa

South Korea

Switzerland

United Arab Emirates

My country is not listed

If your country is not listed, you need to contact us and find out the qualification level you should have for this course. Contact us

English language requirements

Ielts (academic).

High level (6.5 overall, including at least 6.0 in each component).

IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.  Find out more about IELTS

We accept IELTS One Skills Retake.

We do not accept IELTS Online.

Check full details of our English Language requirements and find out more about some of the alternative English language qualifications listed below

Alternative English language qualifications

Proficiency tests, cambridge advanced certificate in english (cae).

176 overall, including at least 169 in each skill.

We would normally expect the CAE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.

You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about Cambridge English: Advanced

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

We would normally expect the CPE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.

You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about Cambridge English: Proficiency

LanguageCert Academic SELT

High level (70 overall, including at least 65 in each component).

LanguageCert Academic SELT scores are valid for two years from the test date. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.  Find out more about LanguageCert Academic SELT

We only accept LanguageCert when taken at SELT Test Centres.

We do not accept the online version.  We also do not accept the non-SELT version.

LanguageCert International ESOL SELT

International ESOL SELT B2 with a minimum of 39 in each component.

LanguageCert International ESOL scores are valid for two years from the test date. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about LanguageCert SELT

We only accept LanguageCert when taken at SELT Test Centres. We do not accept the online version.

Pearson (PTE Academic)

High level (62 overall, including at least 59 in all four skills). 

PTE (Academic) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about Pearson (PTE Academic)

We do not accept the PTE Academic Online test.

TOEFL (iBT)

High level (88 overall, including at least 20 in Listening, 19 in Reading, 21 in Speaking, 23 in Writing). 

TOEFL (iBT) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about TOEFL (iBT)

We do not accept TOEFL (iBT) Home Edition.

The TOEFL Institution Code for the University of Sussex is 9166.

English language qualifications

As/a-level (gce).

Grade C or above in English Language.

Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE)/ AS or A Level: grade C or above in Use of English.

GCE O-level

Grade C or above in English.

Brunei/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.

Singapore/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.

GCSE or IGCSE

Grade C or above in English as a First Language (Grade 4 or above in GCSE from 2017).

Grade B or above in English as a Second Language.

Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate

If awarded before 1993: grades 1-6 in English language.

If awarded between 1993 and 2005: grades A-D in English language

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)

Level 4, including at least 3 in each component in English Language.

Indian School Certificate (Standard XII)

The Indian School Certificate is accepted at the grades below when awarded by the following examination boards:

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) – English Core only:  70%

Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) - English:  70% 

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)

English A or English B at grade 5 or above.

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education

Grades A - C in English language

Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) 1119/GCE O-level

If taken before the end of 2008: grades 1-6 in English Language.

If taken from 2009 onwards: grade C or above in English Language.

The qualification must be jointly awarded by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES).

West African Senior School Certificate

Grades A1-C6 (1-6) in English language when awarded by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the National Examinations Council (NECO).

Country exceptions

Select to see the list of exempt english-speaking countries.

If you are a national of one of the countries below, or if you have recently completed a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree or higher in one of these countries, you will normally meet our English requirement. Note that qualifications obtained by distance learning or awarded by studying outside these countries cannot be accepted for English language purposes.

You will normally be expected to have completed the qualification within two years before starting your course at Sussex. If the qualification was obtained earlier than this, we would expect you to be able to demonstrate that you have maintained a good level of English, for example by living in an English-speaking country or working in an occupation that required you to use English regularly and to a high level.

Please note that this list is determined by the UK’s Home Office, not by the University of Sussex.

List of exempt countries: 

• Antigua and Barbuda
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• The British Overseas Territories
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United Kingdom

** Canada: you must be a national of Canada; other nationals not on this list who have a degree from a Canadian institution will not normally be exempt from needing to provide evidence of English.

English language support

If you don’t meet the English language requirements for your degree, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course

• Visas and immigration

Admissions information for applicants

You must write a research proposal of at least three pages. The research proposal should: 

• tell us the areas of research you are interested in
• summarise what you intend to do in your research
• give an indication of the research methodology you propose to use
• include a brief literature review
• state at the top of your research proposal the school and department you want to be affiliated with. 

You must write a research proposal even if you don't intend to progress on to a PhD.

If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us

For details on any additional costs, check out the Fees and scholarships section.

Application deadlines

1 August 2024 (international), 1 September 2024 (UK)

We strongly recommend an earlier application where possible, as some courses are in high demand and may close before the above dates. Find out more at How to apply for a Masters course

Full-time and part-time study

Choose to study this course full time or part time, to fit around your work and personal life. Modules for the full-time course are listed below.  For details  about the part-time course,  contact us .

Core modules

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

Autumn teaching

• Introduction to Qualitative Methods
• Introduction to Quantitative Methods

Spring teaching

• Research Design and Ethics

Summer teaching

• Advanced Methods in Social Research
• Dissertation (MSc Social Research Methods)

Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to the latest research.

When you’re registered at Sussex, you may be able to choose from a range of additional options, subject to timetabling and student demand.

• Critical Debates in Development Theory
• Gender Politics and Social Research
• International Relations Theory
• Migrants and Society: Global Transformations
• Philosophy of Science and Social Science Research Practice
• Thinking Like an Anthropologist
• Action Research
• Discourse Analysis
• Ethnographic Methods of Data Collection
• Policy and Programme Evaluation Research
• Researching Childhood and Youth
• Effective Research Data Management - Ed Summer Sch
• Elite Interviewing
• Evaluation of Policy and Professional Practice
• Multi-sited and Mobile Ethnography
• Researching Hidden and Hard-to-reach Populations
• Social Research in Conflict-affected Areas

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

Fees and scholarships

How much does it cost.

If you study part time over two years, you’ll be charged 50% of the equivalent full-time fee in each year of study. Your second-year fee – if you continue your studies without a break – will be subject to a 3% increase (subject to rounding).

If you’re a self-funded international student, you’re required to pay a tuition fee deposit. Find out more about Masters tuition fee deposits

• Living costs

Find out typical living costs for studying at Sussex

Find out about our terms and conditions

How can I fund my course?

Scholarships.

Our goal is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to regardless of financial barriers, so that we continue to attract talented and unique people.

A full fee waiver for British Muslim Masters applicants

Find out more

Scholarships worth £5,000 available to international applicants

100 scholarships worth up to £5,000 are available for First Class graduates from UK or Irish universities

£3,000 scholarships available to environmental influencers bringing about real-world behaviour change

£800 scholarship available to reward talented organ player studying on any course at Sussex.

Scholarships of £800 are available to reward talented musicians studying on any course at Sussex

$10,000 USD scholarship for a national or citizen of the USA

One full tuition fee waiver in conjunction with maintenance support from the British Council are available to a resident of Palestinian Territories

Full fee waiver and maintenance award for an applicant from South Africa

5 full scholarships available for Masters students from Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria

Fully funded scholarships available to support a forced migrant seeking to study a Masters at Sussex

Cash scholarships available for students who have demonstrated sporting excellence

£2,000 award for previous Sussex graduates returning to study a Masters degree

Unlimited £4,000 scholarships for applicants who are nationals of Bangladesh

Unlimited £4,000 scholarships for applicants who are nationals of Egypt

Scholarships up to £4,000 for 2024 Sussex graduates progressing directly to a Masters at Sussex

£10,000 scholarship for an applicant from China

£10,000 scholarship for an applicant from Indonesia

£10,000 scholarship for an applicant from Mexico

Unlimited £4,000 scholarships for applicants who are nationals of India

Unlimited £4,000 scholarships for applicants who are nationals of Nigeria

Unlimited £4,000 scholarships for applicants who are nationals of Pakistan

Unlimited £4,000 scholarships for applicants who are nationals of Turkey

Unlimited £4,000 scholarships for applicants who are nationals of Vietnam

Working while you study

Our Careers and Employability Centre can help you find part-time work while you study. Find out more about career development and part-time work

This MSc gives you a broad-based knowledge of research methods and methodologies – basic training for those who wish to use social science research in their career. 

Our graduates are well prepared for work in:

• social research
• international development non-governmental organisations
• international aid agencies
• socially responsible businesses.

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Experience Sussex life in our virtual tour.

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International

Meet us in your country

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Subjects A-B

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Subjects F-G

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Subjects H-M

• International Development
• International Foundation Programme (IFP)
• International Relations
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Subjects N-T

• Pharmacology
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Subjects U-Z

• Wildlife Conservation

Subjects A-C

• Business (Post-Experience)
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• Classics and Ancient History
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• Consumer Behaviour
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Subjects D-G

• Data Science
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• Energy and Environmental Engineering
• Environmental Sciences
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• Food and Nutritional Sciences
• Geography and Environmental Science
• Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

• Information Technology
• International Development and Applied Economics
• Physician Associate
• Project Management
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Subjects Q-Z

• Social Policy
• Strategic Studies
• Teacher training
• Typography and Graphic Communication
• War and Peace Studies

We are in the process of finalising our postgraduate taught courses for 2025/26 entry. In the meantime, you can view our 2024/25 courses.

MSc Research Methods in Psychology

• Year of entry 2024/25
• Course duration Full Time:  12 months

Our long-standing MSc Research Methods in Psychology course is designed to provide the fundamental analytical and methodological skills that are essential for all psychologists.

The course prepares you for academic, clinical, educational or health psychology careers, or careers in which analytic techniques are of relevance. The flexibility and research focus of this course make it an excellent choice for those who wish to progress to a PhD.

Teaching and supervision by active researchers mean that you will have the opportunity to learn about, and be involved in, the latest research developments. Our MSc courses are research-intensive, providing essential training in analytical ability, methods awareness and critical thinking, among other fundamental transferable skills.

For more information, please visit the  School of Psychology's website .

Entry requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 5.5 (or equivalent).

Entry requirements: Typically a good second class honours degree (57% or above, with 2.1 marks in Research Methods and project/dissertation modules) in psychology or a related discipline (for example, cognitive neuroscience). It must reflect psychology as a scientific discipline and have included the study of brain and behaviour.

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score, you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

• Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Compulsory modules

Gathering data for cognition and cognitive neuroscience .

Gain working knowledge of research in the field of cognitive neuroscience and practical experience of gathering and analysing fMRI and EEG data. You will focus on robust, open and reproductive methods of data gathering, processing and analysing 

Analysing Data Using R

Learn in-depth strategies of data analysis and their applications to psychological research using R. Building on undergraduate-level statistics, you’ll gain theoretical and practical knowledge of data analysis, and learn how to use R scripts to analyse data for your dissertation.    

Programming for Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences

Learn the importance of experimental design and programming experiments when conducting scientific research in behavioural and cognitive neuroscience. You will become acquainted with  Matlab with Psychtoolbox and Palamedes packages.  

Empirical Project

Explore empirical research in psychology by designing, undertaking and reporting your own research project. You will be introduced to key activities for research as you gain generic and transferable skills.  

Research Placement  

Working with an established researcher, you’ll gain exposure to practical issues in the industry and learn how to address them.  

Gathering Data for Applied Psychology

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/2025 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods. 

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them. 

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading. 

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £12,550

New international students: £26,950

Tuition fee information

The fees listed are for full-time study, unless otherwise stated. Fee information will be confirmed in offer letters sent out to successful applicants. You can find further information, including information for part-time study, through  our dedicated fees and funding page .

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students .

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Our MSc Research Methods in Psychology programme has a long-standing reputation for preparing students to undertake PhD research and postgraduate clinical training. Our students have moved on to PhD positions, research assistant or assistant psychologist posts in the NHS and private sector, clinical training, as well as non-psychology positions in industry.

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Psychological Research Methods

• Entry year 2024
• Duration Full time 1 year, Part time 2 years

Are you interested in pursuing a career in research, or looking to progress into specialist areas of professional psychology? Our programme will enable you to develop the skills and technical knowledge required to advance in these areas.

Our MSc Psychology Research Methods programme provides you with hands-on experience, fantastic teaching, and Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) recognised PhD-level research teaching. Throughout the year, you will benefit from research led teaching delivered by world-leading academics.

You will complete compulsory modules to develop your skills and expertise. You will extend and enhance your ability to analyse and interpret psychology data. And you will gain a high-level of advanced psychological research skills. A solid foundation in these skills will be invaluable as you progress into research or into specialist psychology roles, such as clinical or forensic psychology.

You will choose two optional modules to study. This will allow you to tailor the programme to suit your interests and will ensure you have a detailed understanding of the discipline in specific areas of psychology.

Within the degree programme, you will be taught vocational skills that you will need to obtain and sustain a career in psychology and other fields, such as CV writing, interview skills, team work and presentation skills.

At the core of your experience, you will undertake an independent research project, supervised by a member of our research-active staff. This dissertation will allow you to apply all that you have learnt to a dissertation topic of your choice. As well as developing your conceptual understanding, research design, data-analysis, and communication skills, this project will be an exciting learning experience that will give you the opportunity to prove your skills, interests, and enthusiasm. What you achieve in your project will be important evidence of your skills and knowledge for prospective employers or postgraduate research student selection committees.

We teach using a mix of lectures, seminars and practical lab sessions, encouraging increasingly independent study as your degree progresses. You will carry out regular web assessments to make sure your learning is on track, as well as practical work, essays, written examinations, practical lab reports, and presentations.

As a university, we commit to providing you with timely feedback on all aspects of your work.

Our community

Our students are key members of a thriving academic community. We offer an excellent staff-to-student ratio and an open door policy to enable you to really get to know your lecturers. We believe this fosters a productive learning environment, helping you to achieve your potential.

In your time at Lancaster, your programme director will serve as your academic tutor. They will be here to make sure that you reach your personal goals. You will also be able to call on help, with any aspect of your studies, from the Director of Studies, from teaching coordinators, and from student learning advisors. We strive to inspire and encourage our future psychologists.

Our Master's in Psychological Research Methods will equip you with transferable skills valued by all employers: in communication; critical thinking; numeracy; and self-management. From research analysts to retail managers, a good grasp of human behavioural patterns and the science of the mind makes psychology graduates attractive to a wide range of employers.

Helping you to prepare for your future career is important to us. We will help you decide on your career path and give you the chance to develop the right skills. There are three Academic Employability Champions within the Psychology Department whose role is to ensure that our students become highly sought after, employable, graduates. This includes providing students with information about pathways to various careers inside and outside of psychology, and advice about further study. We offer one-to-one careers sessions, regular drop-in Psychology Careers cafés, and careers fairs.

Some psychology graduates go on to become chartered psychologists, specialising in clinical, educational, occupational, forensic, health or sports psychology. You will be equipped, also, to engage in opportunities in new and emerging areas such as environmental psychology, consumer psychology, and business intelligence. The workplace is a fiercely competitive field. In graduating with a Master's from Lancaster, you will be given a wider range of opportunities, and gain an edge when applying for new roles. This advanced qualification will also support your career progression as you move into more senior positions.

Your department

• Psychology Faculty of Science and Technology
• Telephone +44 (0)1524 592032

Studying a Master's degree in Psychology

Frances Jackson talks about why she came to Lancaster to study a Master's degree in Developmental Disorders.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements.

2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in Psychology or related cognate discipline. Your degree must have covered some Statistics and Research Methods modules.

We will also consider applications on an individual basis where you have a degree in an unrelated subject, or a 2:2 or equivalent result. In these cases, you should clearly demonstrate how your experience and skills have prepared you for postgraduate study, in particular providing you with a background in statistics and research methods appropriate to psychology.

If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.

English Language Requirements

We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.

We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 7.0, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications .

If your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes .

Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email [email protected]

Course structure

You will study a range of modules as part of your course, some examples of which are listed below.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, but changes may be necessary, for example as a result of student feedback, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes, and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

core modules accordion

A range of analytical techniques, both written and practical, that are standard in professional practice in psychological research will be taught. With emphasis on quantitative observation, students will explore a core set of analytic methods through a combination of lectures and practical workshops, and will learn how to apply statistical tests, such as ANOVA, correlation and regression, and t-tests, in a variety of settings. Problem solving skills will be honed by learning how to define the link between observed outcomes and psychological effects in a wide range of contexts.

Students with be equipped with the capacity to confidently identify the appropriate technique for analysing data across a wide range of investigation types, applying the R statistical software to their own research. They will reinforce decision making and evaluation skills through examining different forms of evidence, and gain experience in presenting and interpreting findings effectively in a journal-style short report.

This module builds on 'Analysing and Interpreting Psychological Data I' by further developing the ability to conduct and present quantitative data analysis techniques through a combination of lectures and workshops, using R statistical software. Practical exercises will draw upon observations taken from real psychological data to develop flexibility and the capacity for critical thinking in the application of analytic skills. Statistical techniques will include modelling approaches such as (general) linear models and (generalised) linear mixed-effects models due to their power, flexibility and accuracy across the widest range of applications in psychological science.

This module will give students the opportunity to apply their research and professional skills in an independent investigation. Students will focus in depth on a particular psychological question, and develop theoretical understanding of research methods to investigate that question. They will then communicate their findings in a report equivalent in standard to a published article in a professional psychology journal.

While carrying out research on the dissertation topic, students will develop essential skills in the critical evaluation of research literature. During the dissertation itself, they will independently complete the development and testing of a hypothesis, the design and construction of study and test materials, and the collection or collation of data relevant to testing their hypotheses. Students shall also determine the appropriate use of analytic methods, interpret and successfully communicate their research findings.

By the end of the dissertation, the students will have used empirical methods to collect original data or to select, prepare, and analyse secondary data; conducted appropriate analyses of the data; shown an understanding of the research findings and presented that understanding effectively.

This module aims to develop skills in critical reading, review, thinking and communication, alongside an awareness of ethical concerns in Psychology and Behavioural Analytics. Student will learn how to understand and accommodate for the moral and ethical implications of experimental and observational studies, complete literature reviews of scientific papers from across psychological domains, as well communicate experimental findings – in both written and oral mediums – in a format suitable for academic and non-academic settings.

optional modules accordion

The module aims to examine a range of developmental disorders and, through description and analysis, consider the clinical continuum of early detection, diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. The module also aims to foster the ability to synthesise and integrate concepts across specific disorders, and to consider the appropriate level of explanation and methodological approach for understanding atypical cognitive development.

By means of reviewing key, up-to-date publications, students will be exposed to the most recent theories and methodologies that bear upon this continuum. The main thrust of these reviews will be to foster a critical, but constructive, attitude to the ways in which psychologists can contribute to a better understanding of developmental disorders in general.

Students will develop an understanding of developmental psychology research, methods and theories that apply when working with children. A wide range of approaches used in contemporary research in psychology will be addressed, and there will be focus on different theoretical assumptions underlying individual research techniques.Expanding on elements previously introduced at undergraduate level, this module examines the various stages of developmental change and includes a balance of historic and contemporary methods such as ERP and Near-infrared spectroscopy. Students will gain a working knowledge of how to implement different types of research procedure and learn how to write within the conventions implemented by the American Psychological Association in how to publish a research article.

Students will learn about the ethics which are required for events involving children, and, after submitting their own ethics proposal, will conduct independent research on a matter of their choice in order to contribute with other students in the ‘Hot Topic Debate’.

This module involves a self-directed literature review, undertaken by the student on a psychological topic of their own choosing, under expert supervision. Students will be encouraged to develop an in-depth knowledge of a specific area of psychological research. This will include both classic theories and studies in the area, as well as up-to-date knowledge of current approaches and recent research findings.

Students will engage and develop skills in literature searching, in addition to the understanding they will gain in evaluating evidence, summarising findings from primary sources, and drawing conclusions on the basis of existing research. Students will obtain the practical knowledge and experience required to use electronic and other forms of library resources to identify published research in psychology, and will be aware of different traditions of theory and research in their chosen topic area.

Paired lectures and seminars will cover a wide range of indicative topics, including auditory and visual languages, psycholinguistic programmes and the subliminal power of advertising such as non-conscious effects, persuasion and emotional appeals.

Students will advance their skills in the critical examination of empirical evidence and theoretical arguments. They will examine the main cognitive psychological factors that impact on advertising success, ranging from lower-level perceptual, attentional and memory processes through to higher-level interpretational and inferential processes.

In addition, this module provides an understanding of the psychology of advertising from both a developmental and adult perspective, while also examining methodological issues associated with the study of child and adult cognition.

A range of contemporary theories in social psychology will be explored, with students gaining familiarity with key methods and debates concerning core social psychological constructs. They will develop an understanding of the ways in which social psychological theory, findings, and methods can be applied to contemporary social problems. The aim is to get students thinking like independent researchers,by encouraging them to engage critically with issues relating to the practicality, ethics and political issues of real-world application. Students will be empowered with the ability to address social psychological questions in the real-world via applied work in social psychology.

This module will equip students with the skills required to critically evaluate social psychological theory and research, with a view to questions of methodological adequacy, theoretical integrity, and the quality and quantity of empirical evidence.

Fees and funding

General fees and funding information

Additional fees and funding information accordion

There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.

Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.

College fees

Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small College Membership Fee which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.

For students starting in 2024, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses. Fees for students starting in 2025 have not yet been set.

Computer equipment and internet access

To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.

The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.

For most taught postgraduate applications there is a non-refundable application fee of £40. We cannot consider applications until this fee has been paid, as advised on our online secure payment system. There is no application fee for postgraduate research applications.

For some of our courses you will need to pay a deposit to accept your offer and secure your place. We will let you know in your offer letter if a deposit is required and you will be given a deadline date when this is due to be paid.

The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your fee status .

If you are studying on a programme of more than one year’s duration, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are not fixed for the duration of your studies. Read more about fees in subsequent years .

Scholarships and bursaries

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

If you're considering postgraduate research you should look at our funded PhD opportunities .

We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries .

Similar courses

• Clinical Psychology DClinPsy
• Developmental Disorders MSc
• Developmental Psychology MSc
• Natural Sciences MSc by Research
• Natural Sciences PhD
• Psychology PhD
• Psychology and Behavioural Analytics MSc
• Psychology of Advertising MSc

Postgraduate Master's Loan

The government offers a number of loans to UK and some EU national students wishing to study for a Master's degree.

Important Information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2024/2025 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information .

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies .

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Psychology Research Methods MSc

• Full-time: 12 months
• Part-time: 24 months
• Start date: September 2025
• UK fees: £12,750
• International fees: £30,750
• Entry requirements: 2:1

Course overview

Psychology is a broad and fast-changing field, and to conduct ground-breaking research you need to be familiar with the latest methods. You will learn from leading academics whose research has led to greater understanding of conditions like autism, Parkinson's disease and brain tumours.

This masters course will help you:

• critically assess qualitative and quantitative psychological research methods, and different types of data
• develop skills in literature search and review
• acquire professional skills for advanced research in the academic, public and private sectors

The strength of this programme is the wide range of optional modules on offer, from Psychology, Social Sciences, Institute of Mental Health, and Medicine and Health Sciences.

You will also conduct an independent research project in one of our research groups:

• Accident Research Unit
• Behavioural Neuroscience
• Cognition and Language
• Computational Neuroscience
• Human Development and Learning
• Perception and Action
• People and Society
• Visual Neuroscience

Find out more about this course from our recent graduates .

Why choose this course?

The School of Psychology is ranked in the top 10 in the UK for research power

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Optional modules

from Social Sciences, and the Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology

• Research project

in a wide range of fascinating topics

Excellent facilities

including a driving simulator, eye-tracking suite, and EEG suites

Learn skills

for a professional career in research

More than £1 million

annual research income

from research councils, the EU, Government, charities and companies.

Core modules

This module covers general research skills and personal development skills. It contains a number of workshops examining areas such as presentation and writing skills, careers, understanding the wider context of research, consultancy, and practical and ethical issues, along with appropriate Graduate School courses.

The module provides an insight into some more advanced or specialised techniques of data collection, organisation and analysis in psychological research (eg eye-tracking, EEG, fMRI, fNIRS, systematic reviews). 

The project is designed to provide students with the opportunity to engage in and learn from, supervised project work in their chosen field of study.

On completion of this module, students should be able to:·

• Design, manage, analyse and report on an empirical study
• Appreciate the ethical implications of such a study
• Understand the social, psychological and research management skills necessary for the successful completion of such a study.

This module looks at domain-specific topics in academic research in psychology.

You will elect to study one of the following areas:

• Developmental
• Educational
• Experimental
• Occupational
• Social Psychology

You will explore in-depth your chosen knowledge area and its related methodological issues with the view of applying basic theory to your own research interests.

Students will take 60 credits of optional modules from these areas.

ESRC Doctoral Training Programme modules

Public health is an evidence-based discipline. Systematic reviews are an important type of evidence that public health practitioners use as they are regarded as the gold standard for supporting decision making. Systematic reviews comprehensively identify, collate, and summarise the body of knowledge on a particular topic or question to provide a complete interpretation of the research. This means that public health decisions can be made based on the best available evidence. Systematic reviews are important for decision making because their rigorous and explicit methodology promotes findings that are free of bias.

The methodology of systematic reviews enables students to link across many core public health topics related to study design, critical appraisal, data management, analysis skills, and library skills.

The module will take you on an exciting journey through the steps involved in conducting a systematic review. We cover the methods that apply to a range of different types of public health interventions, including those focusing on feasibility, appropriateness, meaningfulness, and effectiveness. We look at how to frame the question for the systematic review, searching and screening the evidence, critical appraisal of the evidence, synthesis of the evidence, and assessing the confidence in the findings of the review. Students learn the theory of these steps and have practical sessions throughout the module to apply their learning.

Understanding the theory and practical application of systematic reviews is a key aspect of public health. All public health professionals will need to be able to read and understand the findings from systematic review articles and critique the quality of a review. Additionally, some public health graduates may need to conduct their own systematic review of the evidence for a specific topic or area. Gaining knowledge of the process and experience in conducting the steps of a systematic review will provide the foundations for conducting your own systematic review.

The module convenors are Directors of the Nottingham Centre for Evidence Based Healthcare, which is a JBI Centre of Excellence. The Centre is internationally recognised as a leader in evidence synthesis, comprising of world-leading experienced academic researchers, information scientists, and clinical practitioners, all specialising in evidence synthesis. We are highly experienced in delivering accredited short courses and bespoke workshops locally, nationally, and internationally on all aspects of evidence synthesis, including systematic reviews and scoping reviews.

As experts in evidence synthesis and systematic reviews, we enjoy teaching and sharing our knowledge, hints, and tips with our students. The content follows a linear format focusing on the steps of a systematic review and the delivery is split between the expertise of the two module leads, where we cover approaches to systematic reviews for quantitative and qualitative study designs. We particularly enjoy discussing the topic of the assignment with the students since choosing their own topic means that students apply the principles and practices of systematic reviews to a context which has meaning to them.

Your module leaders are:

Professor Jo Leonardi-Bee – Professor of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology

“ I love teaching students how systematic reviews can be used to help make the most of existing research evidence to help healthcare professionals, patients, and the public to make informed decisions about health. I work closely with JBI, which is one of the main organisations at the forefront of evidence synthesis, to develop systematic review methods.”

Professor Catrin Evans – Professor of Evidence Based Healthcare

“ I am an enthusiastic and award-winning educator who enjoys supporting students to achieve their potential. I am passionate about working with health professionals to understand how to use evidence to inform policy and practice. ”

The module is one of a number of modules offered as part of the Universities ESRC doctoral training centre in advanced research methods. This module will explore the philosophical and practical foundations for using mixed methods in health research. Mixed methods research will be explored by considering issues around conceptualising and designing mixed methods research to selecting methods, analysing and interpreting data and reporting findings. In common with the other advanced modules offered by the ESRC DTC, you will engage in workshops with additional guided reading and work.

This module will introduce you to the main approaches and methods available for the evaluation of health and social care policy and practice. You will be prepared in how to assess the effectiveness of the interventions they implement, the programmes and services they deliver and the policies they plan or seek to enact using both qualitative and quantitative methods.

You will be taught frameworks to support their decision-making concerning the appropriate criteria by which to measure effectiveness in different situations. You will be able to distinguish between interventions, services and policies that aim for the achievement of goals, and outcomes and interventions that are goal free. You will therefore be equipped to evaluate structures, processes and outcomes and - more importantly - be able to identify where best to evaluate structures, processes or outcomes.

The module will prepare you to identify and demonstrate the benefit of interventions to individual users, organisations or whole populations.

In this module, you will engage with three distinct parts:

• science and the philosophical critique of science
• epistemological debates in the social sciences - including, but not limited to, positivism and its critics, interpretative approaches including phenomenology, critical realism, social construction and the politics of knowledge and the sociology of science
• the funding environment - interdisciplinarity and the impact agenda

This module considers in detail 'ethnography' as a qualitative research method. It explores the underlying principles and practices of the approach, which, broadly speaking, involves studying people 'at first hand', in detail, usually at length and in the context in which they live, work, play etc. It will explore:

• Key concepts and approaches
• Important ethnographic studies
• Critiques, strengths and weaknesses
• Designing and planning your own ethnographic study

Students will experience a range of learning methods including lectures, workshops, film viewings, student presentations and group work.

This module provides an intermediate level induction in modern multi-level modelling for social science research. 

You will not only be introduced to these methods, but you will also critically evaluate them in relation to other analytical options, and the course provides, in addition to substantive and methodological instruction, practical training in conducting these kinds of analysis.

This course focuses on the analytical, practical and ethical organization of social science research. The analytical organization is often referred to as ‘research design’ and will constitute the bulk of the content of this course. Research design consists of choices necessary to transform a research question into actual research. These choices pertain to strategies and modes of case selection, observation methods, data collection and modes of analysis, and these choices pertain equally to so-called ‘qualitative’, ‘quantitative’ and ‘mixed methods’ studies.Every research question can be elaborated in different ways (i.e., with different designs), none of which will be ideal in all respects as the various choices pertain involve. Each design has its own implications in terms of costs and in terms of potential threats to the validity of its eventual conclusions. The course discusses these implications and how to handle the resulting choice problems in actual practice.The practical organisation of research is closely related to design choices, but focuses particularly on logistical timing and resource issues.Ethical organisation of the research involves awareness of ethical issues, of ethical consent procedures and of their implications for research design and practical organisation.

This module provides a conceptual overview of the various approaches and debates associated with theory and practice of qualitative research. It examines a range of contrasting perspectives on the design of research including problem identification, selection and sampling, and analysis. Research ethics, and the role of the researcher in generating qualitative data, are key themes which run through the module. Specific consideration is given to the ways in which qualitative and quantitative approaches may be seen as complementary, and the use of mixed methods. The module will also cover the ways in which qualitative research can be evaluated. The module will also facilitate dialogue between members of different social science disciplines, to give an understanding of how some issues or practices may be viewed differently from different disciplinary perspectives.

The objective of this module is to introduce students to specific intermediate-level issues of quantitative data analysis. In doing so, it will focus on examples from the analysis of cross-sectional survey data. The lecture component of the module will explore the most common issues that arise when examining cross-sectional survey data. This includes issues such as: measurement error, non-response, missing data, weighting, recoding, and merging data sets. The lecture will also discuss the relative strengths of different survey modes: face-to-face, telephone and Internet. Finally, the lecture will discuss logistic regression. In the laboratory component, students will learn to address the most common issues and the use of logistic regression, using a range of the most popular survey data sets. Through assignments, students will have the opportunity to develop and test hypotheses and explanations using major survey data sets. The module should provide the skills necessary to take cross-sectional survey data sets, and conduct the analysis necessary to conduct a full scale research project. The module will also provide students with the intermediate-level quantitative skills necessary to take more advanced quantitative modules, in survey analysis or otherwise.

This block will involve practically-oriented sessions where to explore a variety of individual and group interview approaches. This will include focus groups as well as structured, semi-structured, and more open-ended styles of interviewing (including narrative approaches). It will also consider the use of stimulus material, vignettes, and critical incidents as possible ways of structuring interview interactions.

Sessions will include practical demonstrations of interviewing, and will involve the analysis of interview transcripts, along with published research papers, which use different analytical approaches. Among a range of issues that will be considered, it will discuss some of the ethical issues that can arise when this type of fieldwork is being conducted, and there will be plenty of opportunity for you to draw upon your own research experiences within this and other discussions. This is a hands-on module.

This course focuses on the use of structural equation models (SEM), in empirical social research. SEM is sometimes referred to as causal modelling, because of the possibility to specify a full causal model and subject it to empirical scrutiny. Such models differ from, e.g. regression and ANOVA models because they do not distinguish between a single dependent variable, and all other variables being independent. Instead, the distinction is between exogenous (not influenced by other variables, reflected in a graphical representation of the model by the absence of incoming arrows) and endogenous variables (which are influenced by others, shown in graphical representations by incoming arrows). Endogenous variables can simultaneously be influenced by other variables and exert influence on yet other ones. Under certain conditions SEM can even model reciprocal effects between variables. This allows the development of empirical models that are closer to substantive theories, as well as the explicit comparative evaluation of rivalling causal theories. In addition to this aspect of ‘causal’ modelling, SEM also comprises aspects pertaining to the measurement of latent variables with multiple indicators (i.e. confirmatory factor analysis, or CFA).

The course covers the methodological background of SEM, practical considerations in actual applications, empirical examples from different disciplines, and hands-on training (using the STATA software; however, the course is also relevant for those using other software such as AMOS, LISREL or MPlus).

This module is a selection of workshops on advanced statistics for the neurosciences. 

This module examines the nature of contemporary debates and issues in social work by focusing on the nature of knowledge in social work and some of the main social theories which conceptualise social work and its relationship to the state, society and the individual.

You will be able to understand how different theoretical approaches provide different ways of thinking about the nature of social work in advanced modern societies and their implications for social work practice. 

The debates covered will include:

• how to protect children and vulnerable adults
• personalisation and adult care
• the role of research in social work and evidence-based practice
• reflexivity
• structure/agency, power and inequalities
• risk and the bureaucratisation of social work

This module will offer a masterclass in key debates and issues in the Anglo-American media in order to explore a range of i) theories about popular media and ii) different approaches to studying a range of media genres. It problematises the role of the media in contemporary culture and society in three specific contexts: Media, education and citizenship, Gender and identity and 'cities and urban life'. The cities and urban life block will focus upon urban sociological research and theory addressing the representation of cities and urban life, such as on the rural/urban binary and issues of stigma and place. Drawing on these contexts and case studies, it will equip students with appropriate theoretical and methodological tools to critically analyse a range of media texts and audienceship practices. Students will practice various research methods by experimenting with different methodological and analytical approaches.The media, education and citizenship block will explore issues around media and citizenship, with a focus on culture, ideology and politics. The Gender and Identity block, will explore feminist theories about popular media, with the emphasis on exploring research methods and methodologies appropriate for analysing gendered mediated representations as they intersect with other axes of difference such as race, class and sexuality.

School of Medicine

Institute of mental health.

This lecture-based course will cover topics in the following areas:

• definitions and disorders
• classification systems and surrounding issues
• models in mental health research (incl. ethical considerations)
• cognitive/affective mechanisms and the symptom approach
• the neuroscience approach to mental health research
• pharmacological and non-pharmacological management approaches in mental health
• service user-led research approaches
• the role of trauma and stress in the aetiology and trajectory of mental health problems

This module introduces research methods for investigating the neural processes that underlie cognitive function in mental health and illness. You will engage in a mixture of lectures, group work (informal presentations), workshops, and self-directed learning.

Topics will include:

• an introduction to neuroimaging methods (including MRI, PET, EEG, MEG, TMS) and task design (including ethical considerations)
• neuroanatomy and functional connectivity between brain regions underlying psychological function
• reality distortion
• disorganisation
• inhibitory control and impulsivity
• moral evaluation
• social cognition

You will also learn the relevance of these dimensions to the diagnosis and treatment (pharmacological, cognitive and behavioural) of psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, mood disorders, personality disorders, ADHD, autism).

On this module you will gain insights into the difficulties of assessing, diagnosing and treating mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions in children and adolescents.

You’ll hear from experts in the field about what works, what doesn’t work and the factors that can influence outcomes in children and young people.

You will be encouraged to read widely to enhance your understanding of the effects of lifespan factors on conditions that emerge in childhood and will be exposed to the latest scientific developments in the field.

Your knowledge will be assessed by an oral presentation which you will put together and deliver to a small group of peers and staff and you will also design a research project that could advance the field.

This module is ideal for those of you considering pursuing a career focusing on child and adolescent mental health or for anyone with an interest in this area.

This course will provide you with multi-disciplinary perspectives on dementia – an increasingly common condition that may affect, directly or indirectly, many of our lives.

There are many areas of enquiry that improve our understanding and can improve the quality of life for people with dementia, their families and professionals who work with them.

We hear from leading researchers and experienced practitioners: psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, music therapists, arts therapists and care providers. We discover from sociolinguistic experts how dementia is represented in the media and about the impact on public understanding. We find out that alcohol is a risk factor, and reflect on how public health messages about drinking can best be framed. We hear about the latest research in assistive and information communication technologies for people with dementia, about managing dementia whilst still in employment, and the challenges of providing healthcare in rural communities. We also learn about decision-making and ethical challenges.

School of Psychology

This module will introduce you to the concept of abnormal psychology and the application of psychology in clinical settings. The module will illustrate how psychological models are developed and how they are applied in developing interventions. The emphasis will be on examining theory and evaluation of interventions for a number of disorders/clinical issues.

This module explores how psychologists study and understand disorders of cognitive development. The course focuses largely on disorders which include impairments in attention, memory and/or executive function. Disorders covered include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, reading disorders and Down Syndrome. 

The area of forensic mental health is extremely pertinent in both the criminal justice system and mental health services, as well as the integration of the two. It is a growing area of research in psychology and it is a popular area of work for many psychology graduates.

The module will concentrate on offending behaviours, typical categorisation of those who commit crimes or harm themselves, standard interventions for offenders and the neuroscience of offending. It will also cover the current research on specific offending behaviours, and examine the role of the criminal justice system and health service in dealing with individuals who offend.

This module provides an introduction to clinical research with patients with acquired brain injury. Emphasis will be placed on the evaluation of studies which apply cognitive neuroscience and brain imaging. Topics will include:

• mechanisms of recovery
• visuospatial disorders
• dysexecutive syndrome.

The incidence and nature of these impairments will be reviewed alongside consideration of contemporary theories and evidence on the effects of rehabilitation therapies.

The module will provide you with knowledge about a range of neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g. ADHD, communication disorders, developmental coordination disorder, preterm birth). 

You will also cover contemporary issues in the field such as early diagnostic markers, co-occurring conditions, and developmental differences in underexplored groups.

This module will require you to critically engage with front line material on major contemporary topics in developmental psychology covering the broad spectrum of research, covering social, emotional, biological and cognitive development. The module will also introduce you to the wider context of developmental disorders such as diversity, inclusion, cultural issues, and theoretical perspectives on development.

This module will examine:

• Conduct disorder
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder
• Childhood onset schizophrenia
• Therapies for young people
• Risk, resiliency, prevention and infant mental health

An introduction to the contexts in which educational psychologists operate by examining the historical development of the profession within a set of major legislative and policy contexts, such as the drive to increase social inclusion.

The module will concentrate on assessment and intervention work with specific populations such as young people who display challenging behaviour in schools, vulnerable adolescents, and bilingual learners.

You will also examine psychological approaches to group work with teachers and pupils as well as the application of system theory in helping transform aspects of schools and other organisations.

There will be two hours of lectures per week.

Examine the psychological and neural basis for the planning and control of human action. Students will be introduced to scientific research, through their guided exploration of the neuropsychological bases for human action.

During the module, you will experience the multi-disciplinary nature of research into human behaviour, and by the end of the course, you will understand how a single issue can be addressed from multiple perspectives including:

• experimental psychology
• neurophysiology
• neuroanatomy
• neuropsychology
• functional brain-imaging

You will cover modern version of nativist and empiricist theories of cognitive development.

This module will also give you an overview of current theories which have been proposed to explain Autism Spectrum Disorder. It will provide an evaluation of these theories using behavioural, clinical and neurophysiological evidence from a range of domains including drawing and musical skills (savant skills), scientific knowledge, maths, social learning (trust and imitation) and social motivation.

You will have two hours of lectures per week for this module.

You will learn road user behaviour from a number of psychological perspectives. Topics will include a critical review of brain scanning studies of driving, the visual skills required for driving, the effects of aging and experience, distraction (from in-car devices such as mobile phones, and from out-of-car objects such as road-side advertisements), and the skill of hazard perception (and whether this can be adequately measured as part of the licensing procedure).

The module will also cover memory for driving events (from every day driving to road traffic accidents), influences of emotion on driving (eg does the aggression-frustration hypothesis explain road rage?), and social and individual differences related to crash risk (eg sensation-seeking and risk propensity).

The central theme of this module is to explore how cognition functions in the real world, and to demonstrate the relevance of cognitive psychology to everyday life. In particular, it will address how cognitive models and theories can be applied to tasks that we all perform. Topics that will be covered will include attention in driving, memory for emotional events, and spatial navigation. As well covering contemporary cognitive psychology at an advanced level, components of the module will also integrate across other relevant research areas, including developmental psychology and neuropsychology.

This module considers how aspects of the brain and mind change with age.

• perception and cognition
• decision making
• memory and forgetting
• social factors
• executive function

This module will outline the major theories of ageing and draw on evidence from behavioural experiments, large scale studies, meta-analyses, brain imaging and studies in animals. After reading, you will develop a structured research proposal to address an outstanding question or gap in knowledge.

This module is an opportunity to work in-depth on a specific topic in cognitive neuroscience. You will tailor your chosen topic and its related methodological issues to your own research interests. The topic is based on a seminar provided in the School of Psychology, with approval from the convenor. The module concerns independent study in addition to supervision sessions.

You will examine the deficits seen in individuals who have suffered brain damage. You will learn about the impairments to language, memory, perception, attention, motor control, executive control, and emotion.

This module evaluates both the clinical and theoretical aspects of these syndromes. In particular, you will evaluate the implications regarding how the healthy brain functions.

Experience a brain imaging session at our on-campus MRI centre. You will then analyse one of the data sets in further lab classes. 

You will be introduced to some of the standard tools used across many labs (including FSL, the FMRIB Software Library from Oxford).

This module involves problem-based learning to support lectures on neuroimaging topics. Topics covered include an introduction to computer programming with MATLAB, the design and analysis of behavioural experiments, and the analysis of functional MRI data.

This module will enable you to obtain practical research experience, including a range of activities such as literature searching, study design, ethics, obtaining participants, data collection and analysis, and writing reports. The actual content will depend on the individual internship.

Learning and assessment

How you will learn.

• Project work
• Supervision
• Discussion group

Teaching is provided by academic staff. There may be additional support in small group and practical classes from PhD students and post-doctoral researchers.

Classes for core modules consist of around 20 students.

How you will be assessed

• Presentation

Modules are assessed using a variety of individual assessment types which are weighted to calculate your final mark for each module. There will be a research project assessed by a 8000 word report.

You will need an average mark of 50% to pass the MSc overall – you won't get a qualification if you don't achieve this this. You will be given a copy of our marking criteria when you start the course and will receive regular feedback from your tutors.

Contact time and study hours

Psychology Research in Context consists of 10 two-hour seminars.

The Professional Skills module comprises 15 hours of workshops, 30 hours of flexible training, 20 hours of seminars and 135 hours of independent study.

Advanced Methods in Psychology comprises 10 3-hour workshops

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.

• Home / UK students
• EU / International students

Alternative qualifications

Meeting our english language requirements.

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our  Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

For on-campus presessional English courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. For online presessional courses, see our CELE webpages for guidance

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.

We treat all applicants with alternative qualifications on an individual basis. We may also consider relevant work experience.

If you are unsure whether your qualifications or work experience are relevant, contact us .

Our step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know about applying.

Where you will learn

University park campus.

University Park Campus  covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities. It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.

Most schools and departments are based here. You will have access to libraries, shops, cafes, the Students’ Union, sports village and a health centre.

You can walk or cycle around campus. Free hopper buses connect you to our other campuses. Nottingham city centre is 15 minutes away by public bus or tram.

Psychology facilities

The School of Psychology has a range of facilities for students to use for their projects. These include:

• Eye-tracking to look at cognitive processes such as attention, memory and decision making
• Driving simulator for research into driver behaviour
• EEG to detect electrical activity in the brain
• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation which uses magnetic fields to stimulate brain nerve cells
• Virtual reality headsets for exploring visual and spatial cognition

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice .

We do not anticipate any extra significant costs, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses. You should be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies which you would need to factor into your budget. Personal laptops are not compulsory as we have computer labs that are open 24 hours a day but you may want to consider one if you wish to work at home.

Due to our commitment to sustainability, we don’t print lecture notes. You are welcome to buy print credits if you need them.

There are many ways to fund your postgraduate course, from scholarships to government loans.

We also offer a range of international masters scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

• Careers advice
• Job prospects

We offer individual careers support for all postgraduate students .

Expert staff can help you research career options and job vacancies, build your CV or résumé, develop your interview skills and meet employers.

Each year 1,100 employers advertise graduate jobs and internships through our online vacancy service. We host regular careers fairs, including specialist fairs for different sectors.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route . Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Graduate destinations

You will be well placed to pursue a career in research. Over a third of recent graduates from this course have gone on to study at PhD level.

Our graduates are highly regarded by employers in both private and public sector organisations. You will gain an impressive skill set suitable for a broad range of careers, including

• industrial or corporate research
• research in the public or third sector
• work with evidence based policy.

Career progression

78.9% of postgraduate taught students from the School of Psychology secured graduate level employment or further graduate study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £23,016.*

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022. The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on data from graduates who completed a full-time postgraduate degree with home fee status and are working full-time within the UK.

Related courses

Psychology (conversion) msc, psychology (conversion) distance learning msc, developmental disorders msc, cognitive neuroscience msc, computational neuroscience, cognition and ai msc.

The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) is a national grading system, introduced by the government in England. It assesses the quality of undergraduate teaching at universities and how well they ensure excellent outcomes for their students in terms of graduate-level employment or further study.

This content was last updated on Thursday 18 July 2024. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur given the interval between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.

• Postgraduate study
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Psychological Research Methods

Explore this course:.

Applications for 2024 entry are now open. Apply now or register your interest to hear about postgraduate study and events at the University of Sheffield.

School of Psychology, Faculty of Science

Course description

Throughout your course, you will learn the latest techniques in cutting-edge psychological research from the psychologists who are using them in their published studies.

These include neuroimaging (EEG, fMRI), behavioural genetics, experimental methodologies, qualitative methods (including diary studies), systematic review and meta-analysis methodologies as well as specialist methods for working with infants, children and co-producing research with non-academic partners.

We'll teach you the skills you need and give you the opportunities to apply them to the area of psychology that you are interested in. 

From week one, you'll begin training in a range of skills that are important for psychologists in academia and professional roles. You will understand ethical issues in research, learn how to write a grant proposal, receive training in multivariate statistics, and develop your presentation skills ready to take part in our annual student-led summer conference.

The research project gives you the opportunity to focus on a chosen psychological research question in detail under the supervision of one of our world-class researchers. You can choose a supervisor from an area of psychology that matches your research interests and future career aspirations within cognitive, developmental, social or clinical psychology.

These projects give you the opportunity to put your new research methods knowledge into practice while addressing an issue at the cutting edge of psychological research.

• Identifying risk factors for poor treatment outcomes in clinical therapy
• The roles of self-control, ambivalence and decision-making in the context of health behaviour change
• The development of cognitive flexibility / inhibitory control in the preschool / school years

It's common for MSc research projects and literature reviews to form the basis of publications in peer-reviewed journals.

• Simmonds-Buckley, M., Osivwemu, E. O., Kellett, S., & Taylor, C. (2022). The acceptability of cognitive analytic therapy (CAT): Meta-analysis and benchmarking of treatment refusal and treatment dropout rates . Clinical Psychology Review , 96 , 102187.
• Griffin, B., Conner, M., & Norman, P. (2022). Applying an extended protection motivation theory to predict Covid-19 vaccination intentions and uptake in 50–64 year olds in the UK . Social Science & Medicine, 298 , 114819.
• Tait, J., Edmeade, L., & Delgadillo, J. (2022). Are depressed patients’ coping strategies associated with psychotherapy treatment outcomes? Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 95 , 98–112.

Psychological Research Methods at Sheffield

In addition to Psychological Research Methods, at Sheffield we offer two other specialist masters courses in this area that allow you to specialise further and develop the skills you need for a successful career:

• MSc Psychological Research Methods with Advanced Statistics
• MSc Psychological Research Methods with Data Science

Book a 15-minute online meeting with our director of postgraduate recruitment to find out more information and ask further questions.

Book an appointment with Dr Vanessa Loaiza

An open day gives you the best opportunity to hear first-hand from our current students and staff about our courses.

You may also be able to pre-book a department visit as part of a campus tour. Open days and campus tours

• 1 year full-time
• 2 years part-time

You’ll learn through small-group teaching in a mixture of seminars, workshops and one-to-one supervision.

Your individual research project contributes one third of the overall course credit. Here you’ll gain first-hand experience as a researcher, and will have access to the outstanding research facilities offered in Sheffield.

For the research project, you will be partnered with a dedicated academic mentor who will provide guidance and oversee your work. This involves weekly meetings with your supervisor, fostering a platform for in-depth discussions surrounding your independent exploration of the research question.

For part-time students, the engagement with the research project and systematic review assignment takes place in the second year of the program, allowing for a structured and paced approach to your academic work.

All assessment is coursework-based. Regular feedback is provided, so students can understand their own development throughout the course.

Your career

This course is great preparation for a PhD or the next step towards clinical training. Our graduates have gone on to PhD training in neuroimaging, health psychology and social psychology. Graduates also go on to find roles in:

• NHS trusts or other public health organisations, in roles including Assistant Psychologist or Research Assistant
• charitable and not-for-profit organisations such as the Alzheimer's Society, Mind and Righsteps in roles including Psychology Practitioner or Mental Health Support Worker.
• academia as a psychological researcher or lecturer.

Discover where your psychology masters could take you

Student profiles

The MSc was fantastic in giving me skills that would help me become a researcher

Dr Emma Blakey Lecturer in Developmental Psychology, MSc Psychological Research Methods

Emma came to Sheffield to study Psychology as an undergraduate and after discovering a passion for Developmental Psychology research, chose to progress onto the MSc Psychological Research Methods course to develop the skills to become a researcher.

Entry requirements

Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in psychology or a related subject. Applicants will need evidence of undergraduate training in statistics for psychology. 

If you're an international student who does not meet the entry requirements for this course, you have the opportunity to apply for a pre-masters programme in Science and Engineering at the University of Sheffield International College . This course is designed to develop your English language and academic skills. Upon successful completion, you can progress to degree level study at the University of Sheffield.

If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the department .

Fees and funding

Each year we offer two bursaries to students on this course. If you're awarded a bursary you'll receive a £1,500 reduction in your tuition fees. These bursaries are awarded on a competitive basis, based on:

• academic performance as indicated by a grade point average and transcript
• other relevant skills and knowledge (for example, programming courses outside the degree or relevant work experience)
• research activity (co-authoring papers, conference presentations, etc)
• personal statement, which should include information on why you want to do the course you have applied for and how it fits with your aspirations

To be considered for a bursary in the year that you intend to start your course, submit your application to study with us by 31 May. All applications received before this deadline will automatically be considered for a bursary.

You can apply now using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.

More information

School of Psychology

[email protected] +44 114 222 6533

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Ranked 25th university in the uk.

The Guardian University Guide 2024

Key Course Details

Course Overview

Gain expert training in advanced psychology research methods and carry out basic and applied research projects in a wide range of areas with this Master’s degree course.

You will learn to use a range of research tools, such as databases, statistical software, and computer programmes and develop extensive practical research skills to apply in any context where human behaviour is important. 

You will develop a keen understanding of the nature and limitations of the scientific method and the main alternatives, alongside a knowledge of the historical, theoretical, and philosophical issues underlying psychological and behavioural science.

Why Research Methods in Psychology at Swansea?

Our experience of translating our science from research into real-world impact for patients and society directly benefits our students as it informs our course content. In the latest research assessment, 100% of our research was considered internationally excellent in terms of our impact (REF2021). 

We are also ranked 25th University in the UK by The Guardian University Guide 2024.

Our state-of-the-art research facilities include a high-density electroencephalography (EEG) suite, a fully fitted sleep laboratory, a social observation suite, eye-tracking, psychophysiological, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and conditioning labs, a lifespan lab and baby room, plus more than 20 all-purpose research rooms.

Your Research Methods in Psychology experience

Our wide range of optional modules means that you can tailor your studies to your particular interests and goals for further study.

Based in our School of Psychology, you will benefit from a diverse teaching and research environment, with many opportunities to make connections across disciplines.

Many of our academic staff are leaders in their specialist fields of research, including clinical and health psychology, brain injury, sleep, cognition, neuroscience and developmental psychology.

Research Methods in Psychology careers

A Master’s degree in Research Methods in Psychology opens up career opportunities in in research in various fields not only in psychology but also in a range of social and health sciences. It also provides a solid academic foundation for further study and training in professional and applied areas of psychology.

You will study a combination of compulsory and optional modules covering key aspects of qualitative and quantitative research, statistical methods, the philosophy of psychology, applied behaviour analysis, and forensic psychology.

MSc 1 Year Full-time

Year 1 (level 7t), fheq 7 taught masters / pgdip / pgcert.

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

Optional Modules

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Choose one of the following optional modules.

Year 2 (Level 7D)

Fheq 7 taught masters dissertation.

MSc 2 Year Part-time

Students choose 60 credits from the following:

Choose Exactly 60 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Select 60 credits from the following compulsory modules:

Choose Maximum Of 50 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Choose up to 50 credits from the following compulsory modules

Choose Maximum Of 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Choose up to two optional modules from the list below.

NOTE : Select up to 50 credits from the following compulsory modules

Entry Requirements

To apply you will need a minimum of a UK 2.2 degree in Psychology, or a related discipline, if you don’t have a suitable degree qualification you should be able to evidence substantial research activity in your current role.

If your first language is not English you will need to have a minimum of IELTS 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in all domains, or a University approved equivalent, prior to starting the programme.

You will also need to demonstrate a commitment to a subsequent career within a research setting.

How You're Taught

Teaching is delivered through a unique mix of small group seminars, workshops, lectures and practical classes. You will have regular support from the team and one-to-one teaching support from demonstrators for technical subjects.

We assess learning through written coursework and reports of empirical projects carried out individually and in groups. 

We are proud to provide an outstanding educational experience, using the most effective learning and teaching approaches, carefully tailored to suit the specific needs of your course. Apart from a small number of online-only courses, most of our courses consist of in-person, on-campus teaching, enabling full engagement with your lecturers and fellow students.

Practical skills sessions, lab work seminars, and workshops predominantly take place in person, allowing for group working and demonstrations. We also operate virtual labs and Simulated Learning Environments which will facilitate greater access to training opportunities in the future. However, our approach also includes the use of some online learning to support and enhance traditional face-to-face teaching. 

Online learning may take place ‘live’ using software such as Zoom, allowing you to interact with the lecturer and other students and to ask questions. Lecture recordings also allow for more flexibility to revisit material, to revise for assessments and to enhance learning outside of the classroom. Some modules have extra resources in Canvas, such as videos, slides and quizzes enabling further flexible study.  

Welsh Provision

At least 40 credits.

There are opportunities for Welsh speakers to study at least 40 credits of this postgraduate course through the medium of Welsh. Many University departments develop and offer Welsh medium or bilingual modules as part of their courses so you will need to discuss the possibilities with the relevant Programme Director. You can study a module or modules through the medium of Welsh where possible or submit your dissertation in Welsh with guidance from a subject specialist through the medium of Welsh.

Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you throughout your time at Swansea University. We can offer you:

• Access to generous Welsh-language study  scholarships or bursaries .
• Access to the Arwain mobile app for the latest information about Welsh-medium courses and modules available to download free on the  App Store  and  Google Play .
• An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
• Personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.
• The option to create and submit your coursework or sit exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and your work will be assessed in Welsh.
• A Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor.
• One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.
• An opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers.
• Membership of the Swansea University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

Visit the Welsh Language Rights webpage for further information about Students' Welsh Language Rights.

Continuing to study through the medium of Welsh will be:

• a natural step for you if you have studied through the medium of Welsh at undergraduate level.
• a way of maximizing your chances of getting the best education.
• a way of receiving a high level of support as the study groups are smaller.
• a valuable addition to your CV and career development.

Meet Your Lecturers

Many of the School of Psychology team are leaders in their specialist fields of research. They undertake novel and original research in a variety of areas, including clinical and health psychology, brain injury, sleep, cognition, neuroscience and developmental psychology.

Find out more about the  Psychology team  at Swansea.

Tuition Fees

Msc 1 year full time.

MSc 2 Year Part Time

Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page .

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page .

International students and part-time study: It may be possible for some students to study part-time under the Student Visa route. However, this is dependent on factors relating to the course and your individual situation. It may also be possible to study with us if you are already in the UK under a different visa category (e.g. Tier 1 or 2, PBS Dependant, ILR etc.). Please visit the University information on Visas and Immigration for further guidance and support.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page .

Funding and Scholarships

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

If you're a UK or EU student starting a master’s degree at Swansea University, you may be eligible to apply for Government funding to help towards the cost of your studies. To find out more, please visit our postgraduate loans page.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

We also have a range of  Taught Master's Scholarships  available.

Additional Costs

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up .

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

• Travel to and from campus
• Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
• Purchase of books or texts
• Gowns for graduation ceremonies

Careers and Employability

Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

• Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
• Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
• Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
• Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
• Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

Academic Support

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal tutor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

• Academic writing
• Maths and statistics
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Digital skills
• Presentation skills
• Note taking
• Revision, memory and exam techniques
• English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

Please apply through the University’s central application system .

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.

Application Deadlines

We recommend that you submit your application to our courses as early as you can in advance of our application deadlines. Courses will close earlier than the application deadlines listed if all available places are filled. You can find further information on our Application Deadlines webpage.

• Schools & departments

Psychological Research MSc

Awards: MSc

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

Discovery Day

Join us online on 21st August to learn more about postgraduate study at Edinburgh.

Find out more and register

Programme description

This programme provides an opportunity for intensive advanced training in psychological research while giving you flexibility to select courses in the areas of psychology and cognitive neuroscience of most interest to you.

In addition to advanced training in general academic skills and statistical modelling, you will be trained in a variety of specific methodologies, typically including:

• brain imaging
• neurodisruption
• eyetracking
• clinical case analysis
• psychometric modelling
• discourse analysis

Key research areas

Building on the research methods training, you will take topical courses in one or more of the core research areas of our department: social psychology, cognitive neuropsychology, individual differences, psychology of language, and human development.

Your MSc culminates in a research dissertation in a core research area: an original, publication-quality piece of research, undertaken in close collaboration with researchers in the relevant group.

Psychology is rated 3rd in the UK by Times Higher Education for the quality and breadth of the research using the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).

What will I learn?

You will take courses on the theoretical and methodological aspects of psychological science and conduct an original research dissertation in your area of interest.

You will receive thorough training in advanced academic skills and research methods within psychology, including a comprehensive coverage of statistical modelling and research design using the R statistical language.

Is this MSc for me?

This programme teaches you core research methods and specialist techniques, and you can flexibly choose optional courses to customise your learning in areas you are most passionate about.

It provides excellent preparation for further psychological research, whether you choose to pursue this in a professional setting or as part of a PhD programme. So whether you want to continue in academic research or move into professional training in psychology, this programme is for you.

Reputation, relevance and employability

The University of Edinburgh has a long tradition of research expertise in psychological research. Our large Psychology department is home to academics leading research in the field.

You will benefit from the breadth and strength of the interdisciplinary academic community at Edinburgh, having the opportunity to select option courses and attend research seminars across different disciplines.

Our students’ research projects are often published in academic or professional journals.

Our programme has an excellent reputation amongst employers and educators. Many of our graduates have gone onto PhD training and academic careers, or advanced professional training in psychology.

We maintain close contacts with professional organisations such as the British Psychological Society (BPS).

• Find out more about our community

The School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences is home to a large, supportive and active student community, hosting events and activities you can join in with throughout the year. As a postgraduate student, you will have access to a range of research resources and projects, state of the art facilities, research, seminars and reading groups.

Programme structure

This programme comprises two semesters of taught core and optional courses followed by a dissertation.

The taught courses and their assessments take place between September and December (Semester 1) and January and April (Semester 2). Planning for the dissertation will take place before April, and it is carried out between April and August.

Core courses

The core courses cover advanced research skills (how to plan for, conduct, publish and communicate research), statistics and qualitative research methods, and provide a grounding in computer programming using the R language.

Semester 1 core courses

• Psychological Research Skills - General advanced research methodology
• Univariate Statistics and Methodology using R - Introduction to R and statistical models

Semester 2 core courses

• Multivariate Statistics and Methodology using R – Advanced statistical modelling
• Qualitative Methodologies in Psychological Research Methods

Optional courses

The optional course can be selected to tailor the programme to your interests. These are normally selected from the core research areas of Psychology, but may also be selected from associated areas such as linguistics or informatics. Examples of optional courses are:

• Brain Imaging in Cognitive Neuroscience
• Clinical Neuropsychology
• Psychology of Language
• Neuroscience of Language
• Applied Psychometrics
• Any other course open to MSc students subject to approval from the programme director

Dissertation

The dissertation involves conducting an empirical research project in close collaboration with an expert supervisor, sometimes also working with fellow MSc students.

You will produce a written report, similar to an academic journal article. Indeed, some dissertations are published as journal articles.

You should liaise with potential supervisors and determine your choice of topic in the months before April. It is useful to start thinking about dissertation topics and supervisors early if possible. The empirical work and writing takes place between April and August and it is due in August.

The dissertation can be based on data collected by the student or existing datasets (e.g., from large cohort studies, biobanks or other projects).

How will I learn?

Most courses are taught through lectures, and some include seminars/tutorials and practical sessions. The number of contact hours and the teaching format will depend to some extent on the option courses chosen.

After classes finish in April, you will spend all your time working independently on coursework, exam revision and on your dissertation. When you carry out your supervised dissertation research, you will receive guidance from your supervisor through one-to-one meetings, comments on written work and email communication.

Learning outcomes

This programme provides you with a range of knowledge and skills to prepare you for a variety of career paths. On successful completion of this programme, you will have gained:

• an understanding of advanced topics, methodologies and issues in the areas of psychological science that are of most interest to you
• an understanding of the basic and advanced principles of research design and application
• competency in applying a range of methods and research tools, including statistical models and programming
• skills in research management, including managing data and conducting and disseminating research in ways consistent with both professional practice and the normal principles of research ethics
• transferable skills in written and verbal communication, group and teamwork, computing, programming and numeracy, time and project management
• the ability to work as an independent researcher and as part of a team

Career opportunities

The programme is primarily designed for students who aspire to pursue a research-oriented career in psychological science. However, students interested in careers outside research will obtain a broad range of highly desirable transferable skills applicable to a wide range of modern jobs, such as:

• research design
• data science
• data management and processing
• critical evaluation and synthesis of scientific literature
• statistical modelling and interpretation
• synthesis and communication of complex ideas
• Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service plays an essential part in your wider student experience at the University, providing:

• tailored advice
• individual guidance and personal assistance
• internships and networking opportunities (with employers from local organisations to top multinationals)
• access to the experience of our worldwide alumni network

We invest in your future beyond the end of your degree. Studying at the University of Edinburgh will lay the foundations for your future success, whatever shape that takes.

Important application information

Your application and personal statement allow us to make sure that you and your chosen MSc are good matches for each other, and that you will have a productive and successful year at Edinburgh.

We strongly recommend you apply as early as possible. You should avoid applying to more than one degree. Applicants who can demonstrate their understanding and commitment to a specific programme are preferred. If you plan to apply to more than one programme, you should discuss your choices with us before you submit your application.

Personal statements

When applying you should include a personal statement detailing your academic abilities and your reasons for applying for the programme

The personal statement helps us decide whether you are right for the MSc programme you have selected, but just as importantly, it helps us decide whether the MSc programme is right for you.

Your personal statement should include:

• What makes this particular MSc programme interesting for you?
• What are the most important things you want to gain from the MSc programme?
• The key courses you have taken and that are relevant for this specific programme.
• Your experience with collecting empirical data (e.g., preparing and carrying out experiments, surveys or interviews).
• Your experience with statistical analysis and programming or qualitative research methods.
• Your experience with writing empirical research reports (including any that have been published).
• Any other information which you feel will help us ensure that you are a good match to your intended MSc programme.

A good personal statement can make a big difference to the admissions process as it may be the only opportunity to explain why you are an ideal candidate for the programme.

You will be asked to add contact details for your referees. We will email them with information on how to upload their reference directly to your online application. Alternatively, they can email their comments to:

• [email protected]

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

• How to apply

Psychology at Edinburgh

Entry requirements.

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in psychology or a related discipline.

We may also consider candidates with a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a non-psychology subject if they can demonstrate evidence of their aptitude for research or research methods.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country
• English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced ( CAE ) / C2 Proficiency ( CPE ): total 185 with at least 176 in each component.
• Trinity ISE : ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 62 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

Fees and costs

Tuition fees, scholarships and funding.

There are a number of highly competitive scholarships and funding options available to MSc students.

Deadlines for funding applications vary for each funding source - please make sure to check the specific deadlines for the funding opportunities you wish to apply for and make sure that you submit your application in good time.

• Drever Trust Scholarship

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding

Further information

• PPLS Postgraduate Office
• Phone: +44 (0)131 651 5002
• Contact: [email protected]
• Programme Director, Prof Martin Corley
• Phone: +44 (0)131 650 6682
• Contact: [email protected]
• Dugald Stewart Building
• 3 Charles Street
• Central Campus
• School: Philosophy, Psychology & Language Sciences
• College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

This programme is not currently accepting applications. Applications for the next intake usually open in October.

Start date: September

Awards: MSc (12 mth FT, 24 mth PT)

Application deadlines

This MSc programme operates a gathered field approach to applications. This means that all complete applications which meet our minimum entry requirements will be held until the nearest deadline at which point the Admissions Panel will meet to consider all applications received at this time.

Gathered field deadlines for this programme are as follows:

Applications submitted after the deadline date will unfortunately not be considered.

Please read through the ‘Important application information’ section on this page before applying.

Press release

New round of msc funding supports research to help fisheries safeguard stocks and minimise impact on wildlife.

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) today (17 July 2024) announced 32 new grants through its Ocean Stewardship Fund (OSF) supporting projects from India, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua and Peru.  

Since the OSF was established in 2018, it has issued over 140 grants totalling US$6.6 million (approx £5.25 million)* to deliver lasting change. These have supported a wide range of projects which aim to improve the health of stocks, manage harvesting levels carefully, and protect the marine environment. 

The 2024 funding includes student research grants aligned with the MSC’s goal to protect biodiversity in the ocean, which will help non MSC certified fisheries to make environmental improvements including minimising harm to wildlife and ecosystems.  

The non-profit commits 5% of annual royalties from sales of MSC ecolabel products certified as meeting its sustainability standard into the OSF. Increasingly, third-party philanthropic donations and funds from businesses are also contributing to support the fund in accelerating progress in sustainable fishing globally.  

The OSF funding in 2024 also includes 9 grants totalling £445,000 to non-certified fisheries working on improvement projects, with the aim of becoming environmentally sustainable. 

In addition, up to £5,000 per grant to student researchers supplement individuals’ costs and support their research projects with fisheries. Some of this year’s grant recipients include:    

• Rocío Nayeli Avendaño Villeda, from the Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, who will gather data to improve understanding of a Mexican sardine fishery’s impacts on large seabirds. Her research will help scientists calculate accurately the brown pelican population size. Avendaño´s project is funded through a donation to OSF by Carrefour Italy and seafood brand Delicius, as part of MSC Italy’s Sustainable Seafood Week, 2023.   
• Lindiwe Makapela of Stellenbosch University, South Africa, will research the South Africa hake longline fishery’s interactions with orca and Cape fur seals and propose operational techniques to minimise any risk to these marine mammals. Research outputs will also improve the accuracy of stock assessments, and management measures will be shared with other fisheries in the region to help drive best practice. 
• Mishel Valery Rañada, from Vrije University, Brussels, aims to improve data gathering processes at a fishery in Suriname. A lack of information on interactions with endangered, threatened and protected species is a major barrier to sustainable fishing for the demersal trawl finfish fishery. The creation of a database using smartphones to log observations will help the fishery and others in the region will help fishers understand and mitigate their impact.   

Dr Beth Polidoro, Research Director, of the MSC, said:  

“The Ocean Stewardship Fund is an excellent vehicle to support scientists early in their careers to test hypotheses and make new discoveries. The marine environment is significantly changing around the globe, and fisheries will have to continue to adapt.  Supporting initiatives for improved data and solutions informed by science are imperative to navigating these challenges. 

“Student research projects can provide invaluable insights for fisheries that are not already certified to improve the way they fish by producing data and analyses that can inform actions to reduce bycatch and fishers’ interactions with vulnerable species and birds.  

“Scientists and fishers can learn a lot from each other. The Ocean Stewardship Fund facilitates this collaboration to drive the innovation and progress needed to conserve our ocean’s precious resources.”  

Discover the grants being awarded this year    

NOTES TO EDITORS  

*Currency conversion accurate on 21 June 2024. 

• Open access
• Published: 18 July 2024

Optimization strategies for mesenchymal stem cell-based analgesia therapy: a promising therapy for pain management

• Jing Zhang 1 ,
• Ping Wu 1 &
• Qingping Wen   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-3999-4770 1  

Stem Cell Research & Therapy volume  15 , Article number:  211 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

64 Accesses

Metrics details

Pain is a very common and complex medical problem that has a serious impact on individuals’ physical and mental health as well as society. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioids are currently the main drugs used for pain management, but they are not effective in controlling all types of pain, and their long-term use can cause adverse effects that significantly impair patients’ quality of life. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown great potential in pain treatment. However, limitations such as the low proliferation rate of MSCs in vitro and low survival rate in vivo restrict their analgesic efficacy and clinical translation. In recent years, researchers have explored various innovative approaches to improve the therapeutic effectiveness of MSCs in pain treatment. This article reviews the latest research progress of MSCs in pain treatment, with a focus on methods to enhance the analgesic efficacy of MSCs, including engineering strategies to optimize the in vitro culture environment of MSCs and to improve the in vivo delivery efficiency of MSCs. We also discuss the unresolved issues to be explored in future MSCs and pain research and the challenges faced by the clinical translation of MSC therapy, aiming to promote the optimization and clinical translation of MSC-based analgesia therapy.

Graphical Abstract

Introduction

Pain is the most common reason for people to seek medical treatment and is the leading cause of disability worldwide. The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) revised the definition of pain in 2020, redefining it as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with actual or potential tissue damage [ 1 ]. In addition to nociceptive pain caused by tissue injury and inflammation that stimulates nociceptors, and neuropathic pain caused by nerve injury, IASP introduced the term "nociplastic pain" as a third mechanistic pain descriptor and defined it as pain that arises from altered nociception despite no clear evidence of actual or threatened tissue damage causing the activation of peripheral nociceptors or evidence for disease or lesion of the somatosensory system causing the pain [ 1 , 2 ]. Previous studies have shown that over 30% of people worldwide suffer from pain. Pain-induced opioid analgesic abuse, depression, and suicide seriously damaged the quality of life of patients, caused a huge personal and financial burden, and have become a major challenge to global healthcare [ 3 ].

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioid analgesics are the main drugs used in clinical pain management. Adjuvant analgesics such as antidepressants and anticonvulsants are often used in combination with NSAIDs or opioids to achieve better analgesic effects. Opioids are the most effective analgesics discovered so far. The opioid-based three-step analgesic therapy remains the preferred treatment for cancer-related mixed pain [ 4 ]. However, the adverse effects of NSAIDs and opioid analgesics are the major issues limiting their clinical application and undermining their analgesic efficacy. The long-term use of NSAIDs can induce adverse reactions such as gastrointestinal ulcers, liver and kidney injury, and coagulation disorders [ 5 ]. The long-term use of opioid analgesics can cause respiratory depression, addiction, tolerance, and hyperalgesia, resulting in poor pain control and futile dose escalation [ 6 ]. Clinical data indicate that neither NSAIDs nor opioid analgesics can provide sustained and effective pain relief for patients with chronic pain, and some patients suffering from cancer-related mixed pain are not sensitive to opioid analgesics. In the face of these issues, there is currently no effective strategy to avoid the side effects of opioid analgesics, nor have any new analgesics been developed that can replace the analgesic effects of opioid analgesics. This situation is the biggest obstacle in the field of pain management, therefore, it is necessary to explore new effective analgesic strategies.

Stem cell therapy, as an emerging treatment, has shown promising efficacy in pain management. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells derived from the mesoderm, possessing strong proliferative and differentiation potential, as well as immunomodulatory abilities. They have a low risk of transplant rejection, which supports the use of allogeneic transplantation [ 7 , 8 ]. MSCs can relieve pain through multiple mechanisms, such as alleviating neuroinflammation and inhibiting excessive activation of neurons and glial cells [ 9 , 10 ]. They can also improve morphine tolerance and morphine-induced hyperalgesia [ 11 ]. MSCs have been used in the treatment of nociceptive pain, neuropathic pain, and nociplastic pain, and their effectiveness and safety have been validated in numerous preclinical studies and clinical trials [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. However, unmodified MSCs have only shown moderate benefits in clinical trials. Researchers believe that this may be due to some limitations in the production, in vitro culture, and in vivo delivery of MSCs, which compromise their effectiveness [ 15 ]. Therefore, exploring strategies to enhance the analgesic efficacy of MSCs to overcome these challenges has become a focus of MSC research in recent years. With the deepening of biomaterial science research, researchers have also attempted to use biomaterials to optimize the in vitro culture environment of MSCs and promote their in vivo delivery.

Currently, there is no review comprehensively summarizing the application of MSCs in pain treatment. Therefore, this article reviews the role and advantages of MSCs in pain treatment and summarizes the recent progress in preclinical and clinical studies related to MSC-based analgesic therapies. Subsequently, we focus on the approaches and innovative methods to enhance the analgesic efficacy of MSCs, including engineering strategies to optimize the in vitro culture environment of MSCs and improve the in vivo delivery efficiency of MSCs. Finally, we discuss the unresolved questions to be explored in future MSCs and pain research, as well as the challenges of applying MSC therapy to clinical pain management, to promote the optimization and clinical translation of MSC-based analgesia therapy.

MSC and its secretome

Msc characteristics.

MSCs are a kind of pluripotent stem cells which has powerful functions of regeneration, anti-inflammation, and immunosuppression. MSCs can be obtained from bone marrow, adipose tissue, umbilical cord, placenta, synovial fluid, synovial membrane, dental pulp, etc. So far, MSCs have shown satisfactory efficacy in preclinical animal models and clinical trials of a variety of diseases. In recent years, the role of MSCs in the treatment of pain has been gradually considered by researchers.

MSCs have the ability of self-renewal and multi-directional differentiation and can differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes, and cardiomyocytes. Due to their strong regeneration and differentiation characteristics, MSCs are used to supplement the loss of cells to replace damaged tissue. Therefore, MSC-based cell therapy was initially widely used in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, providing an unparalleled repair strategy for tissue and organ injuries. At present, MSCs have shown effective tissue regeneration and repair effects in clinical trials of trauma, bone hypoplasia, cartilage defect, spinal cord injury, myocardial infarction, and other diseases [ 8 ]. MSCs do not express class II cell surface receptor human leukocyte antigen-DR isotype (HLA-DR) of major histocompatibility complex, so it has low immunogenicity. Preclinical studies have indicated that MSCs exhibit strong immunomodulatory effects [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. MSCs can prevent anti-immune rejection in organ transplantation and significantly reduce the incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) or chronic rejection in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation [ 20 ]. Clinical studies have also confirmed the beneficial role of MSCs in modulating the immune system of patients undergoing liver or kidney transplantation [ 21 , 22 ]. The low immunogenicity of MSCs supports their allogeneic use in clinical pain management, expanding their clinical applicability. MSCs can be administered to patients through different methods such as intravenous injection, intrathecal injection, or local delivery to the injured site. Various cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and adhesion factors released from the injured tissue microenvironment recruit MSCs to the damaged site [ 23 ]. This process is called MSC homing and can be divided into systematic and non-systematic homing. Non-systematic homing involves directional migration of MSCs in the local or adjacent areas of the damaged tissue, while systematic homing includes multiple steps of MSCs entering the blood circulation, entering the tissue around the lesion, and finally migrating to the injured site [ 24 ]. The homing feature of MSCs enhances their effectiveness in treating various diseases. Some studies have explored strategies to enhance MSC homing to enhance the efficacy of MSCs [ 25 ].

In summary, these characteristics of MSCs determine their suitability for pain treatment. MSC-based analgesia therapy can become a promising new therapy for pain management with good clinical translational prospects.

MSC secretome

MSC secretome includes a series of protective bioactive factors such as growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, and cell adhesion molecules, as well as lipid mediators, hormones, extracellular vesicles (EVs), and exosomes. MSC-derived EV is a lipid bilayer vesicle, which is rich in integrins, transmembrane proteins, ligands of cell surface receptors, signal transduction proteins, as well as genetic materials such as DNA, RNA, and miRNA [ 26 ]. Since the boundary of EV subclasses implied in the guidelines recommended by the International Society for EV is not clear, this review primarily focuses on well-documented microvesicles and exosomes. Microvesicles and exosomes can be distinguished by their cell origin and diameter. The diameter range of microvesicles is about 100–1000 nm, which originates from the budding of the plasma membrane. The diameter range of exosomes is about 30–200 nm, which originates from the inward budding of the late endosome membranes called multivesicular bodies (MVBs). When MVB fuses with the plasma membrane, the exosome is released into the extracellular environment and plays its biological role through a variety of mechanisms [ 27 ].

More and more studies are devoted to exploring the therapeutic role of MSC-EVs or exosomes secreted by MSCs in various diseases. The study of MSC-based “cell-free therapy” is mainly based on two considerations. On the one hand, it has been found that the therapeutic effect of MSCs is mainly mediated by MSC-EVs and a variety of cytokines secreted by MSCs [ 28 , 29 ]. MSC secretome can penetrate the parenchyma of damaged tissue, rather than the MSCs themselves [ 30 ]. On the other hand, in MSC-based cell therapy, MSCs are usually cultured and expanded in vitro to obtain a sufficient number of cells. However, the long-term expansion of MSCs in vitro is accompanied by loss of cellular stemness, abnormal differentiation, and cell senescence [ 31 ]. In addition, mesenchymal stem cells transplanted into organisms are at risk of tumorigenesis and accidental differentiation. The use of MSC secretome for disease treatment is considered to be safer than the direct application of in vitro expanded MSCs. The MSC secretome lacks cellular entities that can replicate themselves, so there is no risk of tumorigenesis and accidental differentiation. Importantly, the MSC secretome does not contain the immunogenic MHC antigen found in MSCs, so the immunogenicity is low [ 32 ]. In addition, the acellular nature of the MSC secretome allows it to be aseptically filtered, thereby reducing the risk of contamination and bacterial transmission [ 33 ]. However, from the point of view of clinical transformation, the low production of EVs and exosomes has become a limiting factor for large-scale clinical applications. Therefore, future research should explore cell engineering strategies to increase the production of EVs and exosomes to realize the application of MSC secretome in clinical pain management.

MSC-based analgesia therapy

Advantages of msc-based analgesia therapy.

Many preclinical studies have proved that MSCs have an effective analgesic effect on nociceptive pain induced by osteoarthritis, neuropathic pain induced by nerve injury or spinal cord injury, and cancer-related mixed pain. For patients who do not respond well to traditional pain treatments, MSC therapy is an option to consider. Compared to traditional pain management methods, MSCs have unique advantages. Using MSCs alone or in combination with opioids can provide satisfactory pain relief while reducing the dosage of opioid analgesics and avoiding the risk of addiction and tolerance [ 11 ]. In contrast to neuroregulatory analgesia methods like nerve electrical stimulation, MSCs do not pose any risk of nerve injury or damage. In the treatment of osteoarthritis and discogenic pain, injecting MSCs into the articular cavity and local injured tissue can help relieve pain by repairing the damaged tissue and regulating the inflammatory microenvironment. This approach is a safe and effective alternative to surgery, as only a minimally invasive procedure is required to administer the injections. In neuropathic pain, MSCs transplanted intravenously or intrathecally homing to the site of nerve injury to facilitate nerve repair and provide analgesia. In the management of cancer-related mixed pain, intrathecal injection of MSCs is expected to replace more invasive treatments such as implantation of the intrathecal morphine pump.

Mechanisms of MSC-based analgesia therapy

The mechanisms by which MSCs relieve pain include reducing the activation of inflammation-related pathways and the release of inflammatory factors, inhibiting the overactivation of nociceptive neurons and glial cells, and reducing hyperalgesia (Table  1 ). In the rat model of osteoarthritis induced by monosodium iodoacetate, intravenous and intra-articular administration of human adipose tissue-derived MSCs (hAD-MSCs) can reduce the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in joints by inhibiting signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway, thus improving cartilage damage and restoring osteoarthritis-related mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia [ 10 ]. In the study of neuropathic pain, it was found that early transplantation of bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) at day 3 after spinal cord injury (SCI) improved motor function and reduced pain hypersensitivity to mechanical and thermal stimulation. The pain analgesic effect of BM-MSCs is achieved by downregulating tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin(IL)-6 (IL-6), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), C–C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), CCL5, and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1), upregulating granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and inhibiting the expression of protein kinase C-gamma (PKC-γ) and phosphorylated cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein (p-CREB) in neurons of the spinal cord dorsal horn. BM-MSCs can reduce the damage of the blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) and the recruitment of CD11b and green fluorescent protein double-positive hematogenous macrophages to the injured site. BM-MSCs significantly downregulated p-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK1/2) in hematogenous macrophages and resident microglia [ 34 ]. Furthermore, intrathecal injection of BM-MSCs can relieve neuropathic pain in the mouse model of chronic constriction injury (CCI) by secreting transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and attenuates neuropathic pain in rats with chronic compression of the dorsal root ganglion (CCD) by down-regulating purinergic receptor P2X4 (P2X4R) in spinal microglia [ 14 , 35 ].

Many preclinical studies have confirmed the effectiveness of the MSC secretome in pain management. One study established a neuropathic pain model by ligating the spinal nerves of rats to explore the effect of exosomes derived from human umbilical cord MSCs (hUC-MSCs) on pain. The results showed that exosomes derived from hUC-MSCs could inhibit the activation of neurons and microglia in the spinal cord of rats, reduce the expression of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1β, increase the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10, and increase the expression of neurotrophic factors brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), netrin-1 and ninjurin, which could promote nerve regeneration while anti-inflammation, thus relieving neuropathic pain in rats [ 36 ]. Another study found that exosomes from hUC-MSCs can inhibit lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced activation of spinal microglia and toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)/myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signal pathway by reducing the expression of radical S-adenosyl methionine domain containing 2 (Rsad2) in CCI model of chronic nerve compression injury, thus relieving neuropathic pain in rats [ 9 ]. In addition, in the mouse model of osteoarthritis-induced pain, it was found that MSC-EVs could normalize the hyperexcitability of nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced sensory neurons and significantly reduce pain-like behavior in mice [ 13 ].

Considering that miRNA carried by MSC-EVs and exosomes are important components that play a therapeutic role, some studies have explored the mechanism of the analgesic effect of miRNA secreted by MSC-EVs and exosomes. A study has found that hUC-MSCs-derived exosomes can reduce mechanical abnormal pain and thermal hyperalgesia in complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced nociceptive pain in mice by transferring its miR-146a-5p to the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, up-regulating miR-146a-5p/tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) signaling pathway, increasing microglia autophagy and inhibiting microglial pyroptosis [ 37 ]. Another study found that MSC-EVs derived from hUC-MSCs can also transfer its miR-99b-3p to the dorsal horn of the mouse spinal cord to inhibit the activation of microglia by promoting autophagy of microglia, thereby alleviating neuropathic pain [ 38 ].

To sum up, preclinical studies have shown that MSC-EVs and exosomes can effectively contribute to pain treatment. Further preclinical studies will continue exploring the potential molecular mechanisms of MSCs in providing analgesic effects. This research will provide theoretical support and guidance for clinical applications of MSCs.

Clinical trials of MSC-based analgesia therapy

According to the records of ClinicalTrials.gov, as of April 14, 2024, we summarized 28 interventional clinical trials of MSC-based analgesia therapy with pain as the outcome measure (Table  2 ). In these clinical trials, discogenic pain and joint-related pain accounted for the majority, while there were 2 trials of pancreatitis pain, and one each for refractory migraine and trigeminal neuralgia. It can be seen that currently, clinical trials on MSC-based pain therapies are mainly focused on neuropathic pain and nociceptive pain. There are currently no clinical trials on using MSCs for the treatment of cancer-related mixed pain, mainly due to concerns about the safety of MSCs in cancer patients. Many preclinical studies on MSC therapy for cancer-related mixed pain have inconsistent conclusions regarding whether MSCs have potential pro-cancer effects. The discrepancies could be attributed to the differences in animal models, cancer cell lines, MSC doses, and delivery routes used in the experiments. Therefore, preclinical experiments in the future need a more comprehensive, systematic, and long-term assessment of the safety of using MSCs to treat cancer-related mixed pain. More importantly, when conducting clinical trials for cancer-related mixed pain in the future, the lowest effective dose of MSCs should be used, and the delivery route should be selected reasonably, with long-term follow-up of the participants.

Optimization strategies for MSC-based analgesia therapy

Strategies for improving the in vitro proliferation and efficacy of MSCs

MSCs have been used to treat a wide variety of diseases. However, the quantity of MSCs that can be extracted from tissues is often limited and insufficient for disease treatment purposes. Therefore, it is necessary to culture and expand the extracted MSCs in vitro in order to obtain a sufficient number of cells for subsequent applications. The term “stem cell niche” refers to the specific environment in which stem cells exist. This environment consists of MSCs, non-stem cells in the surrounding area, extracellular matrix (ECM), cell adhesion molecules, soluble factors, vascular networks, and nerve fibers. In vivo, these components work together in a complex and dynamic manner to regulate the activity of MSCs and determine their fate [ 40 ]. The stemness properties, surface markers, transcriptional spectra, and differentiation characteristics of MSCs can change during in vitro culture due to the disparity between the in vitro culture environment and the in vivo microenvironment. These changes ultimately reduce the proliferation rate of MSCs in vitro and impact their survival rate and therapeutic effectiveness after in vivo transplantation [ 41 , 42 ]. Therefore, various strategies, including transforming MSCs and optimizing their culture environments, have been developed to maintain the original characteristics and functions of MSCs while promoting their proliferation in vitro (Fig.  1 ).

Intracellular engineering strategies

Intracellular engineering strategies primarily involve genetic modification and epigenetic modification. Gene modification is a genetic engineering technique that modifies DNA sequence by biochemical methods. The gene modification system can change the genome and gene expression of target cells by inserting, deleting, or modifying genes, to regulate the functional characteristics of cells. Currently, gene modification methods include viral vector-based gene modification systems consisting of lentiviruses, retroviruses, adenoviruses, and adeno-associated viruses, and non-viral gene modification systems such as DNA, RNA, protein, and protein-RNA complexes [ 43 ]. Epigenetic regulation refers to heritable changes in gene function through modifications to the chromatin state, without changing the DNA sequence of the gene. The regulatory mechanisms of epigenetics include DNA modification, histone modification, and regulation of non-coding RNA [ 44 ]. The strategy of gene modification or epigenetic modification of MSCs has been widely used in preclinical research. By modulating the expression of specific genes in MSCs, it is possible to increase the proliferation ability of MSCs, control their differentiation tendency, and improve their therapeutic efficacy in various diseases [ 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ]. In addition, as a direct gene editing technology, CRISPR/Cas9 is a new genetic modification tool with simple operation and high efficiency in gene editing [ 50 ]. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated protein 9 (Cas9) specifically cleaves the target DNA sequence to produce DNA double-strand breaks. Subsequently, the intracellular DNA repair system repairs the double-strand breaks and changes the DNA sequence during the repair process [ 51 , 52 ]. Many studies have utilized CRISPR/Cas9 to modulate the gene expression of MSCs with the aim of augmenting the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs in conditions such as diabetes, osteoarthritis, and other diseases [ 53 , 54 , 55 ].

The intracellular engineering strategies of MSCs have been used for pain management. The μ-opioid receptor (MOR) plays a crucial role in the signaling pathway of pain, and its expression can be inhibited by repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor (REST) [ 56 , 57 , 58 ]. It is reported that miR-9-5p secreted by BM-MSCs can regulate the expression of REST and MOR. Therefore, a study upregulated miR-9-5p in BM-MSCs using a lentiviral vector to investigate the effect of miR-9-5p modified BM-MSCs on bone cancer pain. The results showed that intrathecal injection of miR-9-5p modified BM-MSCs could reduce the expression of REST and increase the expression of MOR, inhibit the release of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the spinal cord dorsal horn of mice, and relieve bone cancer pain [ 12 ]. In addition, in another study, the researchers modified hBM-MSCs with the human proenkephalin (hPPE) gene, which has an analgesic effect [ 59 ]. This study found that intrathecal injection of hPPE-modified hBM-MSCs could effectively relieve bone cancer pain in rats by inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β and IL-6 [ 39 ]. Furthermore, GDNF, IL-10, and TGF-β are the analgesic factors in the secretome of MSCs. Increasing the expression of these analgesic proteins in MSCs by viral transduction can enhance the analgesic efficacy of MSCs in pain treatment [ 60 ]. Therefore, these studies demonstrate the potential role of genetic engineering in pain management.

However, it is worth noting that while genetic modification and epigenetic modification have been widely used in preclinical research for many diseases, they have some limitations. Due to the lack of specificity, these modification strategies may accidentally change the DNA sequence of non-target regions, resulting in gene mutations or cytotoxicity [ 61 ]. Hence, the clinical applications of genetic modification and epigenetic modification are limited by public concerns regarding ethical and safety issues.

Extracellular engineering strategies

The extracellular engineering strategies aim to modify the in vitro culture environment to mimic the in vivo niche of MSCs, or to pretreat MSCs to enhance its functional properties. These methods are considered safer and more feasible than genetic modification. In recent years, new strategies have emerged, including the regulation of oxygen and glucose in the culture environment, the construction of the three-dimensional (3D) culture environment, the optimization of substrate stiffness, the co-culture of MSCs and other niche cells, and the pretreatment of MSCs.

Modulation of oxygen and glucose in the culture environment

MSCs reside in microenvironments in vivo with low oxygen concentrations ranging from 1 to 15%, depending on their tissue sources. The physiological oxygen concentration in vivo is significantly lower than the commonly used 21% oxygen concentration in the laboratory culture of MSCs under normoxic conditions [ 62 ]. Research has shown that high oxygen concentration in the culture environment can cause DNA damage and accelerate senescence in MSCs by generating more reactive oxygen species (ROS) [ 63 ]. Therefore, it is recommended to apply hypoxia to the culture environment of MSCs to regulate their proliferation and metabolism in vitro. Hypoxia, as a physiological stimulus, can activate intracellular signaling pathways and promote cell adaptation [ 64 ]. A recent study demonstrated that exposure of MSCs to moderate hypoxia with a 5% oxygen concentration resulted in increased proliferation rate, shorter doubling time, and metabolic hyperactivity, which depended on oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis. In contrast, when MSCs were exposed to severe hypoxia with a 1% oxygen concentration, their proliferation was stagnant, and they exhibited low metabolism dependent on anaerobic glycolysis [ 65 ]. These findings suggest that moderate hypoxia with approximately 5% oxygen concentration is an ideal condition for culturing MSCs in vitro.

The growth and differentiation of MSCs are significantly influenced by the glucose levels in their surrounding environment. Hormones such as insulin and glucagon play a vital role in regulating blood glucose levels in healthy individuals, maintaining it at around 1 mg/mL. When MSCs are exposed to a high glucose medium of 4.5 mg/mL, it results in significant inhibition of proliferation and cell senescence [ 66 ]. Additionally, a high glucose medium promotes osteogenic differentiation but weakens the chondrogenic capacity of MSCs [ 67 ]. Thus, when culturing MSCs in vitro, it is crucial to maintain a glucose level similar to that of their natural niche.

Construction of the 3D culture environment

The in vivo niche of MSCs is a microenvironment with a 3D structure, which provides adhesion sites and physical support for MSCs so that MSCs can interact with each other. In addition to providing a suitable dimension for MSCs, ECM in the niche is rich in collagen, fibronectin, laminin, and other matrix proteins. The chemical signals transmitted by these proteins regulate the activity and function of MSCs [ 68 , 69 ]. In the two-dimensional (2D) plane culture environment in vitro, due to the lack of the 3D environment and matrix proteins provided by ECM, MSCs lose their signal connection with other cells and proteins. This is also one of the main reasons for the low survival rate and proliferation rate of MSCs in vitro. At present, researchers have designed many strategies to simulate the 3D culture environment of MSCs in vivo. These strategies include extracting natural ECM from vivo, forming spheres of MSCs by hanging drop culture plates and low adhesion plane technology, and using biomaterials such as hydrogel to construct 3D scaffolds [ 70 , 71 , 72 ]. The natural ECM extracted from the body tissue contains a complete ECM protein, which better simulates the ECM environment in vivo [ 73 ]. The strategy of MSCs spheroid culture and using biomaterials to construct the 3D culture environment requires the addition of ECM matrix proteins, and it is worth noting that complete ECM matrix proteins should be added instead of a single matrix protein [ 72 , 74 ].

The 3D culture environment affects the morphology, proliferation, and differentiation of MSCs. Compared to MSCs cultured in a 2D environment, 3D-cultured MSCs show a spindle-shaped or spherical shape, a higher proliferation rate, and a stronger ability for multi-lineage differentiation [ 75 ]. In various inflammatory diseases, 3D-cultured MSCs showed stronger anti-inflammatory ability and better therapeutic efficacy than 2D-cultured MSCs [ 76 , 77 ]. The 3D-culture strategy of MSCs has also shown excellent effects in pain management. Some studies have found that in the neuropathic pain model of sciatic nerve ligation, the in vivo survival rate of tonsil-derived MSC (T-MSC) spheroids cultured by the hanging drop method is higher than that of monolayer 2D T-MSCs. T-MSC spheroids can effectively relieve the pain of mice by significantly inhibiting the expression of inflammatory factors TNF-α and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and the infiltration of macrophages into the injured tissue [ 78 ]. In addition, in another study of neuropathic pain induced by sciatic nerve injury, researchers created a heparin-based hydrogel micropatches loading with hAD-MSCs. The heparin provides adhesion sites for hAD-MSCs, while the hydrogel provides physical support. The heparin-based hydrogel micropatches can promote the proliferation and maintain the stemness of hAD-MSCs in vitro. Furthermore, they can improve the survival rate and retention rate of hAD-MSCs in injured nerve tissue, and enhance the therapeutic effect of hAD-MSCs in nerve repair and pain relief [ 79 ].

Optimization of culture substrate stiffness

The characteristics and behavior of MSCs are regulated by the physical properties of the in vivo niche. For MSCs cultured in vitro, the stiffness of the culture substrate is an important physical characteristic to control the fate of MSCs [ 80 ]. A rigid matrix can improve the proliferation ability and promote osteogenic differentiation of MSC, while a soft matrix is beneficial to adipogenic differentiation [ 81 ]. MSCs cultured in a soft matrix have a stronger immunomodulatory effect and can significantly reduce macrophage-mediated inflammatory response in vivo. The immunomodulatory effect induced by soft matrix is mainly related to the promotion of TNF-α-stimulated gene 6 (TSG-6) expression in MSCs [ 82 ]. Therefore, adjusting the stiffness of the culture substrate is helpful to enhance the anti-inflammatory effect of MSCs in vivo. This strategy is expected to be used in the culture of MSCs in vitro and the MSC-based therapies for pain.

Co-culture of MSCs and other niche cells

The niche of MSCs is a complex environment. In addition to MSCs, there are many different types of non-stem cells, including macrophages, hematopoietic stem cells, endothelial cells, osteoblasts, adipocytes, and nerve cells. The close interaction between MSCs and these cells affects the proliferation and differentiation of MSCs. In the niche of MSCs, MSCs interact with macrophages through intercellular contact, secretion of soluble factors, and organelle transfer. Macrophages can regulate the proliferation and differentiation of MSCs. M2 macrophages promote the proliferation of MSCs, while M1 macrophages induce MSC apoptosis [ 83 ]. Macrophages in various polarized states, including M1 and M2, can inhibit the adipogenic differentiation of MSCs, while M1 macrophages promote the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs [ 84 , 85 ]. In addition, it has been found that MSC-macrophage crosstalk plays an important role in maintaining the homeostasis of the inflammatory microenvironment. The intercellular contact between MSCs and M1 macrophages enhanced the inhibitory regulation of MSCs on T cells and promoted the transformation of macrophages to anti-inflammatory phenotype [ 86 ]. IL-8, CCL2, and CCL5 secreted by macrophages can induce high expression of TSG-6, CCL5, and CXCL10 in MSCs, and increase its anti-inflammatory and migration ability in inflammation and tissue injury response in vivo [ 86 , 87 ]. Therefore, the co-culture of macrophages and other cells in MSCs in vitro can enhance the proliferation and anti-inflammatory function of MSCs. Given that neuroinflammation is an important participant in the mechanism of pain, MSCs co-cultured with macrophages in vitro may be more effective in inhibiting inflammatory response and relieving pain.

Pretreatment of MSCs

Neuroinflammation is a crucial component of the central mechanism of various types of pain. Neurons and glial cells activated in the spinal cord and brain secrete large amounts of inflammatory factors, creating an inflammatory microenvironment [ 88 ]. The inhibition of neuroinflammation by MSCs is a key mechanism through which they exert analgesic effects. This neuroinflammatory environment can affect the in vivo survival and immune regulatory abilities of MSCs. The immune regulatory ability of MSCs is not constitutive but induced by inflammatory cytokines. Only when MSCs are exposed to sufficiently high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines can they exert immunosuppressive effects. The activation level of MSCs may vary depending on the level and type of inflammation in the resident tissue [ 89 ]. TNF-α and IFN-γ are key inflammatory factors released by immune cells during inflammation. In in vitro cell experiments, TNF-α or IFN-γ are often used to simulate the occurrence and development of the inflammatory environment in the body. Studies have found that pretreatment of MSCs with TNF-α and IFN-γ can enhance their immune regulatory abilities [ 90 ]. TNF-α or IFN-γ pretreated MSCs exhibit significantly enhanced regulatory abilities in T helper 1 cell (Th1)/Th2 responses and macrophage M1/M2 polarization in inflammatory environments [ 91 , 92 ]. Furthermore, MSCs pretreated with IL-17A and IL-1β have also been found to have this enhancing effect [ 93 , 94 ]. These pretreatment strategies aim to enhance the anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory capabilities of MSCs in inflammatory environments, as well as bolster their resilience against the impacts of such environments. Therefore, many current strategies aim to specifically pretreat MSCs with the consideration of the host environment in which they are transplanted, to maximize their efficacy.

In summary, the survival, proliferation, and functional properties of MSCs will be influenced by genetic modification, pretreatment, and in vitro culture conditions. Efforts should be made to consider the mechanisms and characteristics of pain as much as possible and to modify MSCs and their cultural environment in a targeted manner. This will help stimulate the optimal analgesic efficacy of MSCs.

Strategies for improving the in vivo delivery efficiency of MSCs

After achieving high-level expansion of MSCs in vitro through various cell engineering strategies, the next step is to select a suitable method of administration to deliver MSCs to the target site in the body. The occurrence of pain is based on the activation status of various cells in the nervous system and changes in signaling networks. Drugs and cells used for pain management must target the tissues and structures involved in pain signal transmission pathways, such as the dorsal root ganglia, spinal cord, and brain [ 36 , 95 ]. In current preclinical studies, MSCs are primarily used for pain management in experimental animals through intravenous injection, intrathecal injection, and intranasal administration. These methods of MSC administration deliver MSCs to the dorsal root ganglia, spinal cord, and brain through various delivery mechanisms, effectively alleviating pain in different pain models such as neuropathic pain, nociceptive pain, and nociplastic pain in experimental animals. MSCs administered through intravenous injection rely on their homing characteristics to migrate to the specific spinal cord segment where pain occurs [ 24 ]. In contrast, MSCs administered through intrathecal and intranasal injection can directly contact the spinal cord by utilizing cerebrospinal fluid circulation and substance transport within neurons. This mechanism allows for more direct and potent analgesic effects [ 35 , 96 ].

The efficacy of MSCs in preclinical pain research provides ample evidence and theoretical support for their clinical translation. It should be noted that in clinical practice, the method of administering MSCs to patients needs to consider potential complications and safety risks. These three methods of MSC delivery, namely intravenous injection, intrathecal injection, and intranasal administration, each have their own advantages and disadvantages for patients, as well as different safety risks. The optimal method of intrathecal injection for analgesia in experimental animals may result in various complications in clinical patients, such as spinal cord injury and infection. Intranasal administration and intravenous injection, as minimally invasive drug delivery methods, have drawbacks such as low homing efficiency and poor targeting. In recent years, many studies have utilized biomaterials and cell engineering techniques to optimize the in vivo delivery of MSCs for enhancing the clinical translation of MSC-based analgesia therapy. These strategies aim to address various drawbacks of different MSC delivery methods and enhance targeted delivery efficiency and analgesic effects of MSCs (Fig.  2 ).

Intravenous delivery

Intravenous injection is the most commonly used method of drug administration in clinical practice. Intravenous injection is widely accepted by patients because of its advantages, including minimal trauma, ease of implementation, and the absence of need for specific tools and equipment. It is also suitable for long-term, continuous, or multiple drug infusions. MSCs have the ability to migrate preferentially to the injured site, a characteristic known as homing. Ischemic, hypoxic, or injured tissues express a variety of signaling molecules, such as chemokines and adhesion molecules, which attract MSCs to migrate toward blood vessels and colonize the target tissue through vascular endothelial cells [ 24 ]. Due to this characteristic, MSCs have played a significant role in the treatment of many diseases. It is worth noting that many preclinical studies have found that the homing rate of MSCs is low when they are injected intravenously to treat pain in experimental animals. MSCs injected intravenously into the body must first pass through the pulmonary circulation [ 97 ]. In some studies, an in vivo imaging technique was used to monitor the fate of MSCs injected into the tail vein of mice. Most of the MSCs labeled with fluorescence were found to be trapped in the lungs of mice. Over time, some of the MSCs stranded in the lungs will detach and migrate to the damaged tissue [ 98 ]. However, this process prolongs the time needed to achieve the desired therapeutic effect and reduces its effectiveness. The diameter of the smallest capillary in the human lung is 6–9 μm, allowing only substances smaller than 5 μm to pass through smoothly. In contrast, the diameter of MSCs ranges from 15 to 25 μm. Therefore, this obstacle also exists when intravenous MSCs are used in clinical treatment. The diameters of extracellular vesicles and exosomes released by MSCs are 0.1–1 μm and 0.05–0.15 μm, respectively [ 99 ]. They can pass through the pulmonary capillary intima smoothly, making them a popular alternative to MSCs in the treatment of various diseases. In addition, the blood–brain barrier is a crucial factor that prevents many drugs for the nervous system from being administered intravenously. Intravenous MSCs are unable to pass through the blood–brain barrier. Many preclinical studies have observed the regulatory effect of MSCs on spinal cord neurons and glial cells in pain. This effect may be achieved through the secretion of cytokines, as well as the release of extracellular vesicles and exosomes [ 100 ]. Extracellular vesicles and exosomes have the ability to traverse the blood–brain barrier, making them valuable tools for delivering drugs to the brain. Therefore, the primary obstacle to the application of MSCs for pain treatment is the limited effectiveness of MSCs homing to the spinal cord. The primary challenge that requires urgent attention is how to overcome the dual limitations of pulmonary capillaries and the blood–brain barrier to improve the effective homing of MSCs or their extracellular vesicles and exosomes for pain management.

Enhancing the targeting of MSCs to injured tissues can improve efficacy and reduce the side effects associated with the retention in other tissues and organs. To improve the targeting capability of MSCs in the treatment of neuropathic pain, a study developed composite superparticles Fe 3 O 4 @polydopamine (PDA) by using iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) in the form of Fe 3 O 4 as the core and PDA as the shell. The superparticles were then combined with MSCs to create Fe 3 O 4 @PDA-labeled MSCs. Superparamagnetic Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles are biocompatible and commonly used as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging in clinical settings to diagnose cancer [ 101 ]. The PDA coating is formed through the spontaneous polymerization of dopamine (DA). This coating demonstrates excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability [ 102 ]. After injecting Fe 3 O 4 @PDA-labeled MSCs into rats with chronic compression sciatic nerve injury (CCI) via the caudal vein, a magnetic field was used to guide the MSCs to the injured segment of the spinal cord. This process promotes the homing and aggregation, ultimately enhancing spinal cord repair and alleviating pain. It has been found that Fe 3 O 4 @PDA does not affect the characteristics or viability of MSCs. Fe 3 O 4 @PDA-labeled MSCs exhibited increased migration to the spinal cord with minimal retention in the lungs 24 h after intravenous injection, while the majority of unlabeled MSCs remained in the lungs. In addition, Fe 3 O 4 @PDA-labeled MSCs reduced spinal nerve demyelination and the expression of the pain-related factor c-Fos. They also inhibited the activation of microglia and astrocytes, and generated an immediate and long-lasting analgesic effect in neuropathic pain [ 103 ]. These results demonstrate the safety and feasibility of this MSC labeling strategy in enhancing the targeting effect of MSCs in vivo. Furthermore, it serves as a reference for the development of MSC engineering strategies and their application in clinical neuropathic pain patients.

In another study, to overcome the barrier of pulmonary capillaries and deliver MSCs, the nucleus of MSCs was removed using density gradient centrifugation. Enucleated MSCs exhibited a smaller cell volume and improved deformability, allowing them to pass through 5 μm pores in vitro. In the in vivo study, enucleated MSCs injected into mice with acute ear inflammation and acute pancreatitis through the tail vein showed a lower pulmonary retention rate and a higher homing rate to the injured tissue compared to untreated MSCs in vivo imaging systems. The enucleated MSCs effectively reduced inflammation and tissue injury. Given that a variety of chemokines and integrins are expressed at the injured site, enhancing the expression of chemokine receptors and integrin receptors in MSCs through genetic modification can increase their ability to migrate to the injured tissue [ 104 ]. These findings suggest that nuclear removal can be an effective strategy for improving the homing rate of MSCs. More importantly, enucleated MSCs lose the ability to proliferate, which prevents the risk of abnormal differentiation and tumor formation of MSCs in vivo, ensuring the safety of their application in clinical pain management. In addition, enucleated MSCs have acquired the ability to carry drugs, making them suitable as cellular carriers for delivering analgesic drugs.

Intrathecal delivery

The intrathecal injection can deliver MSCs directly to the central nervous system without being hindered by the blood–brain barrier. MSCs injected into the subarachnoid space were intended to migrate to the injured site of the central nervous system via the cerebrospinal fluid. Hence, the intrathecal injection of MSCs can produce a faster and more potent analgesic effect compared to intravenous injection. However, as an invasive method of drug administration, intrathecal injection and intrathecal catheter implantation not only have many clinical contraindications but also carry the risk of complications such as intraspinal hemorrhage, hematoma, infection, nerve injury, and catheter blockage. As a result, the acceptance of intrathecal injection is much lower than that of intravenous injection. In addition to the well-known clinical risks of intrathecal injection, researchers have gradually noticed some limitations of using MSCs to treat pain through intrathecal injection. Because the MSCs injected into the sheath can move freely in the cerebrospinal fluid, the postural changes accompanied by spontaneous movement of experimental animals or patients will result in continuous repositioning of the injected MSCs within the sheath due to the influence of gravity. For example, when humans stand or sit, the cells often settle around the cauda equina below the spinal cord [ 105 ]. Therefore, the retention rate of MSCs in the targeted spinal cord segment is very low. Furthermore, research has shown that intrathecal injection of MSCs leads to the spontaneous formation of aggregates in cerebrospinal fluid and results in ventricular dilatation in rats. The high expression of Integrin α4 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), along with their interaction, may be the primary factors promoting MSC aggregation [ 106 ]. Given the tendency of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to aggregate spontaneously, it is crucial to fully consider the risk of obstructing the flow of cerebrospinal fluid when administering a high dose of MSCs into the sheath of patients experiencing clinical pain.

Due to these limitations, many studies have focused on developing engineering techniques to incorporate MSCs into biomaterials. This aims to tackle the challenges of inadequate cell deposition and poor cell biology in the intrathecal space, to enhance the feasibility and safety of intrathecal MSCs in patients with clinical pain. The hydrogel scaffold has a porous structure that facilitates cell attachment and growth, mimicking the natural ECM of MSC to enhance MSC survival at the target site. The cells embedded in the hydrogel scaffold will not be affected by gravity-induced cell sedimentation, which can increase the retention rate of MSCs at the target site and facilitate the sustained release of MSCs [ 107 ]. When selecting hydrogels for intrathecal delivery of MSCs, it is crucial to consider whether they possess the following attributes: excellent biocompatibility, the capacity to sustain cell survival and function, injectability, rapid gel formation and retention at the target site, and the ability for cell release that can degrade in vivo without the need for surgical removal. To date, only a limited number of injectable hydrogels have undergone in vivo safety testing and are deemed suitable for intrathecal cell delivery. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is the main component of the natural ECM and can be safely used to deliver MSCs. Hyaluronan and methylcellulose (HAMC) is a material created by mixing two physical gels, HA and methylcellulose (MC). It is a fast-gelling, injectable material. HAMC has already reached the gelation point before injection. It is injectable due to its shear-thinning property, and its gel strength increases with temperature. It has been proven that HAMC has good biocompatibility in rats and is beneficial for the treatment of spinal cord injury [ 108 , 109 , 110 , 111 ]. In addition, researchers have developed an injectable biocompatible hydrogel based on manganese, which allows for image-guided cell delivery. The hydrogel was created by blending methacrylated gellan gum (GG-MA) and HA and supplemented with paramagnetic Mn 2+ . MA/HA can serve as a carrier for cell delivery and allows the real-time visualization of hydrogel deposition through T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [ 112 ]. In summary, these engineering strategies combine biomaterials with MSCs to create an effective intrathecal delivery system for pain management.

Intranasal delivery

The intranasal route offers several advantages, including rapid absorption, easy dose control, convenient repeated drug delivery, and minimized systemic side effects. In comparison to systemic transvenous delivery, transnasal cell delivery is not impeded by the blood–brain barrier, exhibits superior targeting of the central nervous system, and presents clear advantages in pain management. In a study investigating peripheral neuropathy and pain induced by cisplatin or paclitaxel chemotherapy, intranasally administered MSCs rapidly enter the brain, spinal cord, and meninges in peripheral lymph nodes. MSCs promote the production of IL-10 by macrophages, improving mitochondrial dysfunction in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, thus significantly reducing mechanical allodynia and spontaneous pain in mice [ 96 ]. The intranasal delivery of MSC-EVs has been observed to undergo axonal transport and cerebrospinal fluid circulation through the olfactory and trigeminal pathways, ultimately reaching the olfactory bulb, thalamus, hippocampus, subarachnoid space, and spinal cord in mice and rats [ 113 ]. Moreover, nasal delivery offers a non-invasive method for drug administration, which presents a lower risk of tissue injury and infection in comparison to intrathecal injection. The safety profile and patient acceptance of intranasal delivery also surpass those of intrathecal injection. These advantages make intranasal delivery a more attractive approach for delivering MSCs. The effectiveness and safety of intranasal delivery of MSCs have been thoroughly validated in preclinical research on Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease [ 114 , 115 ]. However, there are limitations and challenges present in the clinical application of intranasal delivery of MSCs. First and foremost, the anatomical structure of the human nasal cavity and central nervous system differs significantly from that of rodents. The olfactory epithelium serves as the primary gateway for the entry of cells or drugs into the brain through the nasal cavity. The area, distribution, and permeability of the olfactory epithelium are significantly different between humans and rodents, as well as the absorption rate and deposition dosage of nanoparticles [ 116 ]. Secondly, while animal experiments effectively demonstrate the improvement of diseases resulting from intranasal delivery of MSCs, they are unable to provide precise assessments for non-disease indicators such as drooling, sleep, and nocturnal breathing. These indicators are significantly important for evaluating clinical feasibility. These issues indicate that intranasal delivery of MSCs may provide greater advantages compared to other delivery methods in preclinical trials. However, it remains challenging to predict its actual effectiveness and safety in clinical practice. Therefore, future research should collect data from larger animals with anatomies more closely resembling those of humans, as well as evidence from clinical trials. Additionally, further investigation is needed to explore strategies for enhancing the effectiveness of nasal delivery of MSCs.

Some studies use biomaterials to treat nasal mucosa or modify MSCs to increase the delivery rate and targeting of intranasal delivery of MSCs. Some researchers have found that pretreating the olfactory epithelium with hyaluronidase can significantly increase the permeability of the nasal mucosa by prolonging the adhesion time of MSCs to the olfactory epithelium [ 117 ]. It is worth noting that studying the permeability of MSCs from the human nasal mucosa in preclinical research can improve the transferability of the results to clinical settings. In another study, the penetrating peptide (Penetratin, P) and rabies virus glycoprotein 29 (RVG29) were embedded into the phospholipid bilayer membrane of the exosome derived from MSCs. The surface-modified exosome was then combined with the biomaterial poly (propylene sulfide)-polyethylene glycol (PPS-PEG) to create an engineered exosome with enhanced penetration capabilities. The P-peptide increased the adhesion and penetration rates of the engineered exocrine in the nasal mucosa, thus effectively increasing the concentration in the brain [ 114 ]. The engineered exosomes demonstrate enhanced inhibitory effects on glial cell activation and neuroinflammation, suggesting the potential of this strategy for intranasal MSC delivery in analgesia therapy. In summary, these innovative cell engineering strategies offer potential research directions for optimizing the efficiency of nasal delivery of MSCs. The feasibility of their clinical application still requires further evaluation.

Transdermal delivery

Recently, research has explored innovative methods of transdermal delivery of MSCs for the treatment of pain. Microneedles are minimally invasive devices that can penetrate the stratum corneum of the skin without causing pain. They facilitate the delivery of large-molecule drugs, such as DNA, RNA, antibodies, and vaccines, into the skin. Borneol is a substance that can effectively enhance the penetration of drugs through the blood–brain barrier [ 118 ]. Some researchers combined exosomes derived from MSCs with borneol-modified liposomes, loading Ziconotide inside, to create microneedles capable of penetrating the skin and the blood–brain barrier. Animal experiments have shown that this transdermal delivery system can transport exosomes to the cerebrospinal fluid through the skin without the need for invasive procedures, such as intrathecal injection [ 119 ]. From a clinical perspective, the transdermal delivery system is non-invasive, painless, and well-received by patients, making it a potential new method for delivering MSCs.

In conclusion, all of these innovative studies have provided a promising strategy for MSC engineering. By using cell engineering technology to assemble biomaterials and MSCs together, an effective MSC delivery system can be formed for pain management. It is worth noting that many ongoing clinical trials on intrathecal and intranasal delivery of MSCs have been terminated due to a lack of efficacy and safety. This failure in clinical translation can partly be attributed to the significant differences between experimental animals and human anatomical structures. Therefore, when treating clinical patients with MSCs for pain, the translatability of preclinical research results should be fully considered. Most importantly, when selecting the optimal method for infusing MSCs in patients, it is crucial to comprehensively evaluate factors such as the invasiveness of the delivery method itself, potential safety risks, and the efficiency of MSC delivery. This evaluation should consider the individual characteristics and disease progression of each patient. Consequently, personalized MSC delivery routes should be chosen for each patient.

Challenges in clinical translation of MSC-based analgesia therapy

The source and heterogeneity of msc.

MSCs from different sources exhibit unique characteristics and functions. The age, gender, health status, and associated diseases of the MSC donor, as well as the tissue source and isolation method of the MSCs, can all influence the characteristics and analgesic efficacy of MSCs [ 120 ]. MSCs derived from younger and healthier donors often exhibit stronger proliferation, differentiation, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory capabilities compared to MSCs obtained from older donors with chronic diseases. They also exhibit stronger resistance to disease environments and greater therapeutic efficacy in treating diseases [ 121 , 122 ]. A biostatistical analysis investigated the sex-related dimorphism on the hAD-MSCs transcriptome. The data showed that differentially expressed genes between hAD-MSCs sourced from males and females were associated with multiple biological processes such as cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, senescence, immune regulation, and cell communication. Specifically, compared to hAD-MSCs sourced from males, female hAD-MSCs exhibited higher expression of genes involved in cell cycle regulation, such as TFPI2 and GNG11, which were associated with increased susceptibility to cell apoptosis and lower proliferation and migration capacity. In contrast, compared to hAD-MSCs sourced from females, male hAD-MSCs showed lower expression of CXCL3, which may explain their lower adipogenic differentiation ability. Additionally, genes involved in cell–cell or cell-ECM adhesion processes also displayed significant gender differences, suggesting possible different ways of communication between male and female hAD-MSCs [ 123 ]. In a comparative study comparing hBM-MSCs and hUC-MSCs in the treatment of neuropathic pain, hBM-MSCs and hUC-MSCs transplantation can relieve neuropathic pain and promote the recovery of motor function after spinal cord injury. Electrophysiological evaluation showed that hUC-MSCs could repair neurons in a large dynamic range better than hBM-MSCs. Moreover, the survival rate of hUC-MSCs was significantly higher than that of hBM-MSCs [ 124 ].

Furthermore, it is worth noting that even within the same tissue source of MSCs from the same donor, there is significant heterogeneity within the cell population. Single-cell sequencing of extracted MSCs has revealed the presence of multiple cell clusters with different functional characteristics within MSCs. MSCs from different clusters have distinct surface markers and secrete various proteins [ 125 , 126 , 127 ]. Therefore, considering the differences within MSC clusters, utilizing cell sorting techniques to select MSCs with functional characteristics that are most suitable for pain treatment can enhance the efficacy of MSC therapy in pain management.

Individual differences in recipients and their disease microenvironment

The age of the recipient can affect the distribution and efficacy of MSCs in the body. The tissue and organ distribution of MSCs transplanted intravenously is broader in young mice compared to older mice, indicating that MSCs may be less effective in elderly patients than in younger patients [ 128 ]. The inflammatory and oxidative stress microenvironment created by diseases can lead to the rapid aging or death of MSCs that migrate to the site of the disease. Different patients with the same disease may have varying effects on MSCs due to individual differences in their disease microenvironment. This is also one of the important reasons for the differences in efficacy of MSC therapy among different patients.

The gender differences in the mechanisms of pain occurrence are receiving increasing attention from researchers. Microglia is a crucial participant in the mechanism of pain. Studies have found that interventions inhibiting microglia cells can effectively relieve pain in male mice, but the efficacy in female mice is poor. The reason for this phenomenon may be that most previous pain studies only included male animals, and the research results obtained may not accurately represent the situation in female animals. The pain mechanism in female mice may be more related to the role of adaptive immune cells [ 129 , 130 ]. Therefore, it is encouraged to include both males and females in future preclinical research, and in the process of clinical translation, treatment strategies suitable for male and female pain patients should be developed separately based on gender-specific pain mechanisms.

Potential safety risks of MSC

Although MSCs have shown great potential for clinical transformation. However, it is important to carefully evaluate the potential risks and adverse reactions associated with their use in patients. It is important to note that the use of MSCs in preclinical and clinical trials for certain diseases has shown potential safety risks, including tumorigenesis and accidental differentiation.

Some studies have reported that MSCs have the risk of tumorigenesis in the treatment of diseases. A study conducted to explore the therapeutic effect of MSCs on myocardial infarction and diabetic neuropathy found that the 4th–8th generation of MSCs cultured in vitro could induce tumor formation after transplantation into the injured site in mice. Further analysis of the chromosomes of tumorigenic MSCs revealed several abnormalities, such as chromosome fusion, breakage, and ring formation. However, tumorigenic MSCs did not show any abnormal morphology or abnormal surface epitopes. The chromosome abnormalities of MSCs may be accumulated in the process of culture and amplification in vitro. However, it is worth noting that chromosome aberrations were detected even in the fourth generation at the early stage of MSC culture. This is usually the minimum passage number required to obtain sufficient MSCs for preclinical or clinical research [ 131 ]. Therefore, this study gives us an important hint that it is necessary to closely monitor the chromosome status of MSCs cultured in vitro for disease treatment.

The strong multi-directional differentiation of MSCs enables them to play a repair role in the damaged tissue. However, while the MSCs transplanted into the body differentiate into target tissue cells, they also differentiate into other types of cells. In a study to explore the therapeutic effect of MSCs on myocardial infarction, the researchers injected bone marrow-derived MSCs into infarcted myocardium in mice. Calcification and ossification of the capsule structure were detected 10 days after MSC injection in the infarcted myocardium [ 132 ]. This finding reveals the potential risk of using MSCs in myocardial infarction. It is worth noting that since the cellular origin and mechanism of calcification and ossification have not been determined, and mouse data cannot be used to represent human conditions, it is not possible to conclude that MSCs are not suitable for the treatment of myocardial infarction. In another study of age-related macular degeneration, three patients developed severe bilateral vision loss, retinal hemorrhage, and detachment 3–16 days after intravitreal injection of autologous adipose-derived MSCs [ 133 ]. The cause of retinal damage induced by MSCs may be related to the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into myofibroblasts [ 134 ]. These risks of accidental differentiation highlight the importance of monitoring and regulating the differentiation status of mesenchymal stem cells. Numerous studies have focused on finding ways to induce specific differentiation of MSCs to avoid any undesired outcomes arising from accidental differentiation [ 135 , 136 ]. In the treatment of pain, it is crucial to maintain the cellular stemness of MSCs to ensure their efficacy in pain relief. Therefore, for ongoing clinical trials involving MSCs, reducing the dose of MSCs could lower the risk of tumorigenesis and accidental differentiation. Patients participating in these trials should be closely monitored and followed up over a long period.

Conclusions and perspectives

Choose an MSC type with functional properties appropriate for treating pain, minimize internal MSC heterogeneity, optimize the MSCs’ in vitro culture environment, and select a personalized MSC delivery method suitable for each patient. These are crucial strategies to enhance the analgesic efficacy of MSCs and important directions for further research. Enhancing the targeted migration of MSCs to the target site in vivo is also a significant research direction. Some studies have developed an engineering strategy to improve the targeted delivery of MSCs to injured sites by modifying the surface of MSCs with an arginine-glycine-aspartic (RGD) peptide. RGD peptide has a strong affinity for integrins, which are widely expressed on the surface of various cells. The interaction between RGD and integrins drives the targeted migration of MSCs towards tubular epithelial cells in acute kidney injury, neovascular endothelial cells in spinal cord injury, and microglia in retinal degeneration, thereby enhancing their therapeutic efficacy [ 137 , 138 , 139 ]. Given that integrins are also widely expressed on the surfaces of neurons and glial cells, we speculate whether surface-modified MSCs with RGD can achieve targeted migration in pain treatment. This engineering strategy could potentially enhance the analgesic effect of MSCs by promoting their targeted migration towards activated neurons and glial cells, which is worth exploring, as the overactivation of spinal cord neurons and glial cells is a crucial mechanism of pain.

Considering that chronic pain patients usually take NSAIDs and opioid analgesics, it is worth exploring whether MSC therapy combined with commonly used analgesic drugs can enhance the analgesic effect. At the same time, future research should investigate the interaction between MSC and commonly used analgesic drugs. Whether MSC therapy can reduce the dosage and occurrence of side effects of opioid analgesics is an interesting research direction. It is important to take gender differences into account in future preclinical studies of pain mechanisms and analgesic strategies. The inclusion of experimental animals of different genders in the study will improve the credibility of the research results and promote their clinical transformation.

It should be noted that any strategy that changes the characteristics and efficacy of MSCs will have a profound impact on them. Hence, it is essential to closely monitor the potential adverse effects that may arise from modified MSCs over an extended period. The MSC clinical research guidelines issued by the United States Food and Drug Administration emphasize the need for systematic and thorough safety verification in animal experiments before using MSC therapy in patients [ 140 ]. Therefore, research into the modification of MSCs to enhance their efficacy should not only focus on their effectiveness in preclinical research but also pay close attention to the clinical safety and transferability of the modified MSCs. Additionally, the economic cost of large-scale clinical use of modified MSCs and whether it is affordable for patients should also be considered. Currently, there are no established MSC quality control standards to guide MSC production, which is a task that needs to be completed as soon as possible in the future. Despite the challenges in clinical transformation, MSC therapy is a promising strategy for pain management owing to its unique characteristics and is expected to provide better analgesic effects for patients.

Availability of data and materials

Not applicable.

Abbreviations

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor

Chronic constriction injury

C–C motif chemokine ligand 2

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein

C–X–C motif chemokine ligand 1

Two-dimensional

Three-dimensional

Dorsal root ganglion

Extracellular matrix

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase

Extracellular vesicles

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor

Methacrylated gellan gum

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor

Hyaluronic acid

Human adipose tissue-derived MSCs

Human bone marrow-derived MSCs

Human umbilical cord MSCs

Interferon-γ

Interleukin-6

Mitogen-activated protein kinase

Methylcellulose

Matrix metalloproteinase-9

μ-Opioid receptor

• Mesenchymal stem cells

Myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88

Nuclear factor kappa-B

Nerve growth factor

Nanoparticles

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Purinergic receptor P2X4

Polydopamine

Protein kinase C-gamma

Repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor

Arginine-glycine-aspartic

Reactive oxygen specie

Spinal cord injury

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3

Transforming growth factor-β1

Toll-like receptor 2

Tonsil-derived MSC

Tumor necrosis factor alpha

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6

TNF-α-stimulated gene 6

Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1

Vascular endothelial growth factor

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Project of Science and Technology Innovation Fund of Dalian Municipal Government (2022JJ12WZ058) and the Liaoning Provincial Natural Science Foundation Doctoral Research Start-up Fund Project (2023-BS-165).

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Zhang, J., Wu, P. & Wen, Q. Optimization strategies for mesenchymal stem cell-based analgesia therapy: a promising therapy for pain management. Stem Cell Res Ther 15 , 211 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-024-03828-8

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-024-03828-8

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Improve your research skills with our research methods in psychology programme. You'll gain advanced training in a range of research and data analysis techniques. The course is ideal if you want to do PhD study in the future, or you're interested in becoming a professional researcher.

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If you'd prefer to focus your psychology studies in a different area you can choose from one of 3 other pathways:

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You must study the following modules :

Advanced Statistical Methods in Psychology

This module is divided into two components that focus on cutting-edge statistical techniques. The first half focuses on Structural Equation Models, covering Path Analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis, Structural Equation Modelling, Multigroup Models ...

Applied Research Methods (ARM): Correlational Methods

Topics covered will include: •The strengths and weaknesses of correlational designs •How to construct a questionnaire •Psychometrics in classical test theory (including reliability, validity, and exploratory factor analysis) •Correlation analyses (Biv...

Applied Research Methods (ARM): Planning & Designing Research

The Applied Research Methods Modules cover the common needs for training in research methods and statistics of all students in their first year of postgraduate study in psychology. As one of a series of research units, it provides trainees with knowledge ...

Applied Research Methods: Statistical Analysis of Comparisons & Group Differences

One of the pre-requisites for PSYC8042

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Evidence synthesis.

Evidence synthesis practices are a cornerstone of modern scientific research, enabling researchers to quantify, with great precision, different aspects of large volumes of experimental and other work. This module will equip you with the skills and underst...

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MSc Dissertation in Social Psychology

Moral psychology.

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Open Science in Psychology

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Qualitative Research Methods for Psychology

The module progresses through the key phases of qualitative research design and implementation, emphasising the (often iterative) links between these activities: epistemological concerns, research questions, data collection and analysis techniques, and th...

Research Apprenticeship in Cognitive Psychology

Modern psychological research involves a wide array of different research skills. Many of these skills are practical in nature, including the writing and approval of ethical applications, the use of specific hardware and software, and the day-to-day runni...

Research Apprenticeship in Social Psychology

Statistical programming in r.

The Statistical Programming in R Module is focused on extending existing skills in analyzing data from quantitative research. The focus of this course will not be on extensively expanding the mathematical knowledge of the techniques employed but will be o...

You must also choose from the following modules :

MSc Dissertation

Research apprenticeship in psychology, learning and assessment.

You'll cover the theory, practice and context of a wide range of research approaches, using a combination of: 

• workshops 
• independent study

We'll assess you using:

• research papers
• presentations
• problem sets
• exams (including multiple choice and essay questions)
• your research dissertation

Dissertation

Supported by a supervisor, you’ll plan and write a 10,000 word in-depth study based on what you have learned. 

During this time, you'll be able to develop and apply your own specialist research methods and skills.

Academic Support

You’ll work with a senior tutor to plan and research your dissertation.

After you graduate from this master's in psychology research you’ll be well placed to study for a PhD in Psychology . You can also work as:

• a data scientist
• a data analyst
• an applied psychologist
• a consultant
• a researcher in settings like the NHS, higher education and health promotion

Careers services at Southampton

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator,  Futureworlds
• a wide variety of  enterprise events  run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator,  SETsquared

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees.

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £28,900.

Check fees for other versions of this course .

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to  pay your tuition fees .

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

Funding your postgraduate studies

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

• Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
• Search for the course you want to apply for.
• Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
• Submit your application.

For further details, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications .

Application deadlines

• International applicants: Monday 29 July 2024, midday UK time
• UK applicants: Friday 30 August 2024, midday UK time

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page .

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to submit two academic references. 

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We will aim to send you a decision 6 weeks after you have submitted your application. 

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our  Equality and Diversity Statement .

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Advanced supervision, cognitive behavioural therapy (cbt) (anxiety and depression), cognitive behavioural therapy (cbt) (severe mental health), education mental health practitioner, foundations of clinical psychology, health psychology, low intensity cognitive behavioural therapy with iapt pwp status.

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Apotex Inc looking for Research Scientist - MSc, B.Pharm Apply

Apotex Inc. is a proudly Canadian, global pharmaceutical company that produces high-quality, affordable medicines for patients around the world. Apotex employs almost 8,000 people worldwide in manufacturing, R&D, and commercial operations.  Apotex Inc. exports to more than 100 countries and territories and operates in more than 45 countries, with a significant presence in Canada, the US, Mexico, and India. Through vertical integration, Apotex is comprised of multiple divisions and affiliates including Apotex Inc., focused on generics; Apobiologix, a division of Apotex Inc. focused on biosimilar development; Aveva, an affiliate of Apotex Inc.

Post : Research Scientist, Analytical R&D

Job Description Job Summary Execution of analytical method optimization /development, validation/ verification of analytical test methods related to Compendia, In-house developed methods, Site transfer methods, Regulatory queries, Method Life Cycle Management (MLCM) studies, Supplier Driven Changes( SDC) and other procedural updations.Preparation of method validation/verification protocols and reports.

Job Responsibilities • Execution of Method optimization / development studies. Method validation/ verification of In-house methods, Compendia, SDC, MLCM and Cleaning Analytical methods by adhering to the regulatory procedures. • Preparation of Method verification/ Method transfer Protocols and reports. • Execution of Method transfer analysis and reporting. • Execution of analytical studies related to Regulatory queries/submisiion requirement. • Perform all work in accordance with all established regulatory compliance and safety requirements. • Responsible for the activities in the Quality Control Laboratory, including cGLP, documentation and implementation of departmental quality system. • Works in a safe manner collaborating as a team member to achieve all outcomes. • Demonstrate behaviours that exhibit our organizational Values: Collaboration, Courage, Perseverance, and Passion. • Ensure personal adherence with all compliance programs including the Global Business Ethics and Compliance Program, Global Quality policies and procedures, Safety and Environment policies, and HR policies.  • All other relevant duties as assigned.

Candidate Profile • Minimum MSc/BPharm or any equivalent degree. • Command on Microsoft-Office (Word, Excel). • Knowledge in Method optimization/development activities. • Best in effective completion of work activities to meet the time lines. • Able to perform multi parameter analysis on HPLC instrument. • Minimum 3 to 6 years of experience in GMP regulated Pharmaceutical Industry.

Additional Information Experience : 3 to 6 years Qualification : MSc / BPharm Location : Bangalore, KA Industry Type : Pharma / Healthcare / Clinical research Functional Area : Analytical R&D End Date : 30th July 2024

Apply Online

  See All    B.Pharm Alerts    M.Pharm Alerts    M.Sc Alerts    D.Pharm Alerts See All   Other Jobs   in our Database Subscribe to Pharmatutor Job Alerts by Email

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MSc Social Research Methods and Statistics / Overview

Year of entry: 2024

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We require a UK bachelor's degree with a First or Upper Second classification or the overseas equivalent, in  a humanities related discipline.

When assessing your academic record we consider your degree subject, grades you have achieved and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.

Full entry requirements

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Course overview

• Benefit from a thorough training in advanced quantitative methods taught within an applied social science framework.
• Learn methods of data analysis, including advanced statistics for complex data.
• Study a skills-based course with practical training that is highly regarded for future employment within government, the private and voluntary sectors and academia.

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On this day, you will find out more about the School, our resources, and meet academic and admissions staff who will be able to answer any questions you have.   

For more information, see open days and visits .

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:

• MSc (full-time) UK students (per annum): £14,500 International, including EU, students (per annum): £30,000
• MSc (part-time) UK students (per annum): £7,250 International, including EU, students (per annum): £15,000
• PGDip (full-time) UK students (per annum): £9,667 International, including EU, students (per annum): £20,000
• PGDip (part-time) UK students (per annum): £4,833 International, including EU, students (per annum): £10,000

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

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We offer a number of postgraduate taught scholarships and merit awards to outstanding applicants and international students.  

In addition, the Manchester Alumni Scholarship Scheme offers a £3,000 reduction in tuition fees to University of Manchester alumni who achieved a First class Bachelor's degree and are progressing to a postgraduate taught master's course. 

For more information, see fees and funding or search the University's postgraduate funding database.

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JSmol Viewer

Recent advances in hydrogel technology in delivering mesenchymal stem cell for osteoarthritis therapy.

1. Introduction

2. osteoarthritis (oa), 2.1. pidemiological characteristics and physiopathological mechanisms of oa.

Click here to enlarge figure

2.2. Current Dilemma in OA Treatment

3. Roles of MSCs in OA Therapy

3.1. physiological characteristics of mscs.

3.2. The Therapeutic Potential of MSCs for OA

3.2.1. ad-mscs, 3.2.2. bm-mscs, 3.3. difficulties of applying mscs in oa treatment, 4. bio-application of hydrogel technologies, 4.1. characteristics of hydrogel technologies and their biomedical application, 4.2. biofabrication of hydrogel, 4.3. functionalization of hydrogel, 4.4. strategies based on combination of mscs with hydrogels for oa treatment, 4.5. recent advances in application of combining mscs with hydrogel in oa treatment, 5. conclusions and future perspectives, author contributions, conflicts of interest.

• Wei, G.; Lu, K.; Umar, M.; Zhu, Z.; Lu, W.W.; Speakman, J.R.; Chen, Y.; Tong, L.; Chen, D. Risk of Metabolic Abnormalities in Osteoarthritis: A New Perspective to Understand Its Pathological Mechanisms. Bone Res. 2023 , 11 , 63. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
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Share and Cite

Wang, X.; He, W.; Huang, H.; Han, J.; Wang, R.; Li, H.; Long, Y.; Wang, G.; Han, X. Recent Advances in Hydrogel Technology in Delivering Mesenchymal Stem Cell for Osteoarthritis Therapy. Biomolecules 2024 , 14 , 858. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14070858

Wang X, He W, Huang H, Han J, Wang R, Li H, Long Y, Wang G, Han X. Recent Advances in Hydrogel Technology in Delivering Mesenchymal Stem Cell for Osteoarthritis Therapy. Biomolecules . 2024; 14(7):858. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14070858

Wang, Xiangjiang, Wentao He, Hao Huang, Jiali Han, Ruren Wang, Hongyi Li, Ying Long, Guiqing Wang, and Xianjing Han. 2024. "Recent Advances in Hydrogel Technology in Delivering Mesenchymal Stem Cell for Osteoarthritis Therapy" Biomolecules 14, no. 7: 858. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14070858

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