Could You Be a Research and Experimental Psychologist?

Does delving into the inner workings of human behaviour sound like something you’d enjoy? A career as psychology research could be for you.

Gaining a master’s in Psychology is a common route for many Undergraduate students looking to expand their knowledge and hone their skills for the workplace. While Postgraduate training is not a mandatory requirement for some related careers, it’s a required step for those looking to become chartered psychologists.

Furthermore, a master’s degree is highly beneficial for anyone wishing to pursue alternative psychology career paths, such as advanced or experimental research.

If the mechanisms of the human mind (and how they impact behaviour in society) sounds interesting to you, this could be a fantastic line of work to get into.

The MSc Psychology programme at the University of Bolton in Greater Manchester is a great stepping stone for research and experimental psychologists in the making. Here’s a look at the profession, its importance in the field, and the job prospects available.

What do research and experimental psychologists do?

As an experimental psychologist, you will look at human behaviour, delving into the factors that influence what we do, and why we do things. You will devote your career to conducting, publishing and analysing research, which is why a master’s degree is essential for building these core skills.

Research topics in this line of work can range from substance abuse and addiction to family mental health, child development, and learning and memory. All of these are key areas of focus if we want to improve the lives of others, making this profession a positive factor on society.

It takes a great deal of insight and understanding about the human mind to do a job like this, and our master’s programme is designed to hone your skills in this area.

More importantly, during your studies you will get to work on a range of hands-on research projects to prepare you for the workplace.

Did you know…research psychologists earn an average base pay of £34,000 a year, going up to much higher with experience?

Where can this specialism take you?

Research and experimental psychologists use scientific methods to collect data, leading and managing vital research projects. They can work in a variety of settings, including major universities, research centres, in government organisations or for private employers.

The exact research you will be performing will depend on your educational background, experience and personal interests.

This means you will get to specify your area of focus early on, giving you an opportunity to choose research topics that are close to your heart or inspire you the most.

There’s also the opportunity to take your skills into higher education teaching, an important role that offers a great deal of job satisfaction.

At the University of Bolton, we nurture your talents and passions, putting you, and your needs first. Our dedicated course tutors will support you as you embark on your own independent research, and all students will be invited to join our research seminar programme.

Begin your career journey here

If you want to explore a range of psychology career paths, there’s nowhere better to begin your journey than the University of Bolton, a leading Manchester university.

As well as having a friendly campus with a positive learning environment, we’ve been voted No.1 in the UK for Student Satisfaction in Psychology Courses* for the second year running!*

Our goal is to prepare you for your chosen career, and that’s why independent study and research is something we push at Postgraduate level. If you’re interested to find out more, be sure to get in touch with our admissions team.

Apply to us in 2021 to enjoy #UniAsItShouldBe. Head over to our MSc Psychology course page for details.

* Complete University Guide in 2021 and 2020