Psychology of Individual Differences MSc
Awards: MSc
Study modes: Full-time, Part-time
Funding opportunities
Programme website: Psychology of Individual Differences
I feel privileged to be learning from and working with leading researchers in the field. For many of my classes, the key readings always include staff within the University. I know they're just people but it can be a bit surreal to know I'm studying with some of the more renowned scholars in my area. To add to that they have been approachable and welcoming to my needs, questions and interests.
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This programme provides an exciting opportunity to gain intensive training in the psychology of individual differences by a large team of world-class researchers.
It provides advanced graduate-level study in the field of the psychology of individual differences and psychological research skills, and forms a strong basis for further (typically PhD) study.
There are two key subdivisions in the study of human individual differences: personality and mental abilities. Psychology at Edinburgh has a uniquely large number of world-class researchers in both subdivisions.
The programme covers psychometric research methods, the foundations and correlates of human individual differences (including approaches involving information processing, brain-imaging, molecular genetics and biometric models), and the application of individual differences in personality to health. No prior experience of the psychology of individual differences is assumed.
This programme comprises two semesters of taught courses, followed by a research-based dissertation supervised by a member of staff with similar research interests.
Compulsory courses:
- Seminar in Personality
- Seminar in Intelligence
- Current Topics in Psychological Research
- Multivariate Statistics and Methodology Using R
- Psychological Research Skills
- Univariate Statistics and Methodology using R
Option courses may include:
- Intelligence, Personality and Health (MSc)
Find out more about compulsory and optional courses
We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSc | Psychology of Individual Differences | 1 Year | Full-time | Programme structure 2019/20 |
The programme is aimed primarily at students who are considering advanced research in the area. Students who follow this programme will gain:
- an in-depth understanding of current research issues, research and methodology in the psychology of individuals
- the ability to formulate research questions and apply appropriate research methods to increase understanding of individual differences in human personality and human mental abilities
- advanced understanding of seminal and recent scientific findings relating to the study of human individual differences and the ways in which individual differences are currently being studied or applied
- skills in research management, including managing data and disseminating research in ways consistent with professional practice in the field of individual differences and the normal principles of research ethics
- advanced knowledge of the basic principles of multivariate statistical data analysis techniques (including multiple regression, factor analysis and structural equation modelling) and epidemiological techniques (including logistic regression and survival analyses), and the ability to carry out data analysis on different data sets using appropriate statistical packages
- a firm basis for subsequent advanced specialised research within the psychology of individual differences
- a broad understanding and awareness of issues and findings in the psychology of individual differences through application to other disciplines such as human cognitive neuropsychology, molecular genetics, evolutionary psychology, epidemiology and health psychology
This programme has been designed to help you progress your research career and offers a firm basis for further postgraduate study.
A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in psychological, biological or social sciences, or any similar subject based on methodological and statistics studies.
International qualifications
Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:
English language requirements
You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.
English language tests
We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
IELTS: total 7.0 (at least 6.5 in each module)
TOEFL-iBT: total 100 (at least 23 in each module)
PTE Academic: total 67 (at least 61 in each of the "Communicative Skills" sections)
CAE and CPE: total 185 (at least 176 in each module)
Trinity ISE: ISE III with a pass in all four components
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, PTE Academic or Trinity ISE, 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:
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.
If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than three and a half years old at the beginning of your programme of study.
Find out more about our language requirements:
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSc | Psychology of Individual Differences | 1 Year | Full-time | Tuition fees |
MSc | Psychology of Individual Differences | 2 Years | Part-time | Tuition fees |
Featured funding
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, and your residency status. (Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.)
Other funding opportunities
Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:
- PPLS Postgraduate Office
- Phone: +44 (0)131 651 5002
- Contact: pplspgoffice@ed.ac.uk
- Programme Director, Dr René Mottus
- Phone: +44 (0)131 651 5002
- Contact: rene.mottus@ed.ac.uk
- PPLS Postgraduate Office
- Dugald Stewart Building
- 3 Charles Street
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9AD
- Programme: Psychology of Individual Differences
- School: Philosophy, Psychology & Language Sciences
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
- Prospectus: Philosophy, Psychology & Language Sciences prospectus (PDF)
Applying
Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.
MSc Psychology of Individual Differences - 1 Year (Full-time)
MSc Psychology of Individual Differences - 2 Years (Part-time)
Applications are held for processing over three deadlines:
Round | Application deadline | Places awarded |
---|---|---|
1 | 1 December 2019 | 31 January 2020 |
2 | 1 February 2020 | 27 March 2020 |
3 | 1 April 2020 | 10 June 2020 |
We operate a gathered field approach to applications for MSc Psychology of Individual Differences. This means that all complete applications that satisfy our minimum entry requirements will be held until the nearest deadline and the admissions panel will meet to consider all applications received together after that date. To be considered as having met the deadline, your application must include transcripts and an academic reference.
Applications must be complete with all supporting documentation to be passed on for consideration, this includes references. Please ensure that you inform referees of any deadline you wish to meet.
You must submit one reference with your application.
References
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:
Personal statement
In addition to the supporting documents requested on the application form, you should include a personal statement detailing the background of your interest and why you are attracted to the programme. We expect you to have a good understanding of the field you propose to study.
Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:
Further information
- PPLS Postgraduate Office
- Phone: +44 (0)131 651 5002
- Contact: pplspgoffice@ed.ac.uk
- Programme Director, Dr René Mottus
- Phone: +44 (0)131 651 5002
- Contact: rene.mottus@ed.ac.uk
- PPLS Postgraduate Office
- Dugald Stewart Building
- 3 Charles Street
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9AD
- Programme: Psychology of Individual Differences
- School: Philosophy, Psychology & Language Sciences
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
- Prospectus: Philosophy, Psychology & Language Sciences prospectus (PDF)