This programme has been carefully developed for students who are interested in gaining advanced knowledge of psychological theory as this relates to social and political issues and the potential for such knowledge to generate progressive social change.
David Marchant, MSc Applied Social and Political Psychology student
Jane Quek, MSc Applied Social and Political Psychology alumna
"As a mature international student with previous working experience, I think that the MSc in Applied Social and Political Psychology in Keele equips their students with the essential skills and realistic expectations for the real world. "
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read more about Jane Quek, MSc Applied Social and Political Psychology alumna
About the course
Applied Social and Political Psychology programme lead, Dr Masi Noor has received international acclaim from the Washington-based Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPPSI) by scooping a coveted prize for innovative teaching on the programme. Dr Noor has been awarded the 2020 Innovative Teaching Award, which recognises innovative teaching with an international significance, and is one of the most internationally prominent teaching awards available.Read the full story.
Overview
This programme has been carefully developed for students who are interested in gaining advanced knowledge of psychological theory as this relates to social and political issues and the potential for such knowledge to generate progressive social change. The degree programme will equip you to engage critically and analytically with these issues and help you to develop novel ways of thinking about yourself, those around you and society at large. The theoretical and applied nature of this programme will offer you the opportunity to study how psychology helps interpret some of the most pressing social and political issues facing human society in the 21st Century and how it can contribute to tackling some of them.
In addition to your taught components, you will have the opportunity to undertake a dissertation project on a topic of your choice under the direct supervision of a member of staff. You will be able to use quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-method approaches.
A further unique feature of this degree programme is that it involves you in the design and implementation of an Action Research Project that is aimed at bringing a tangible, positive change on or off campus in collaboration with your fellow students and under the supervision of your Module Leader.
The programme is aimed primarily at students with a degree in Psychology but will also be valuable and relevant to students with an interest or background in Criminology, International Relations, Politics, Sociology, History, and other relevant Social Sciences degrees. Applicants without a degree will be considered on a case by case basis, where they can provide evidence of relevant professional experience or other experiential prior learning.
Key features of your MSc programme in Psychology will include:
Strong focus on your personal skills development throughout the course to help you pursue your career goals
Opportunities to pursue your personal interests with expert support
A broad range of research methods training to maximise your employability skills
Small group specialist teaching in your chosen field from research-active tutors
A large cohort of MSc students sharing the core modules provides a lively and supportive peer community
Aims of the course
Above all, we aim for this programme to have a positive professional and personal impact on you.
An important aim of this programme is to develop your knowledge of research evidence and theory as this relates to a range of social and political issues.
The programme is aimed to provide you with opportunities to experience hands-on how research and theory (e.g., through the Action Research Project and your own dissertation project of choice) can be used to bring about social change in local communities and society at large.
To develop a range of advanced research skills.
Empower writing and presentations skills necessary to articulate your arguments and disseminate psychological theory and research.
To assist you to develop as a competent, empowered, and employable psychologist.
The overall aims of all our MSc Psychology programmes are as follows:
To equip you to formulate and conduct psychological research projects;
To develop your knowledge of different theoretical perspectives, philosophical traditions and methodological approaches to psychology;
To enable you to understand the strengths and weaknesses of different research methods and different forms of data, and to evaluate their appropriateness for different research problems;
To enable you to define and formulate research questions and testable hypotheses, and to design appropriate research to answer these questions using relevant methods of data collection, consistent with British Psychological Society principles of ethics and research governance;
To provide you with knowledge of quantitative and qualitative approaches to research and data analysis techniques;
To provide you with a range of opportunities to engage with advanced research in substantive areas relevant to their own research topic and to the discipline of psychology;
To provide you with opportunities to enhance and develop your written and communication skills, independent learning skills, and critical reflection and evaluation skills.
You will develop these skills in the context of your chosen specialism.
Course structure
How the course is taught
Our MSc Psychology programmes are designed to foster a vibrant and collaborative peer culture amongst our MSc students. Several of our modules are shared by all four of our MSc psychology programmes. We also know it’s vital that you develop the advanced specialised skills you will need to pursue careers in your chosen fields. Throughout your MSc degree you are supported and encouraged to focus your work to help you conduct in-depth explorations of your specialist subjects and personal interests.
You will be taught by staff who are research active, some of whom are globally recognised for their research and impact, but also who genuinely care about using psychology to address major social issues and challenges in contemporary society. Our research activities, applied networks outside academia, and importantly our belief in your potential to develop as a powerful and yet thoughtful agent of social change will keep you engaged with this programme and ensure it equips you to undertake a wide range of professions.
Our staff offer expertise in various research areas, including (but not limited to): Crowds, riot, hooliganism and policing, protection of young people, cyber psychology and bullying, inter-group and inter-ethnic conflict and relations, wellbeing and inclusion, social justice for marginalised communities, critical and creative methodologies, gender inequality and cultural definitions of motherhood, the social construction of reality, the negotiation of power and authority in interaction, persuasive communication, victimhood, reconciliation and intergroup forgiveness, trust, prejudice reduction, social identity, collective action, the social and psychological dimensions of health and well-being, self-harm and suicide, terrorism and radicalisation, refugee integration, social influences on learning and effectiveness in the classroom – including the study of the relationship between gender and subject choice.
In addition to your dissertation project, you will participate in designing and implementing an Action Research Project with the aim to bring about a tangible, positive change on or off campus in collaboration with your fellow students and under the supervision of your Module Leader.
Assessment
Each module has different prescribed learning activities, including formal lectures and seminars, discussions and consultation with staff. You should expect some lively debates and interesting discussions. Please be aware that you will be expected to contribute to the programme, in the form of advance reading (of which there is a substantial amount), preparing presentations and contributing to discussions in seminars, and bringing your own ideas to bear on the teaching material.
The programme is assessed through a range of formats including:
Blog portfolios
Personal skills audits
Research Critiques
Lab Reports
Unseen exams and class tests
Verbal presentations
Independent research written up as a dissertation.
Taught Modules
Over the course of the MSc, students will complete 120 credits across 7 modules (see below for more info). Of these 180 credits, 120 credits are focused on specialist Applied Social and Political Psychology content. The remaining 60 credits develop students’ general Psychological skills and knowledge.
Advanced Study in Applied Social and Political Psychology
45 credits
You will undertake this triple weighted module that spans both semesters of the programme. Through combining the applied social aspects of human psychology with its political psychological dimensions, this advanced module offers a unique opportunity to understand and analyse contemporary applied social and political issues in modern society. You will study three to five topics drawn from the following indicative topics: crowds, riots and policing, genocide and intergroup conflict, conflict mediation and post-conflict reconciliation, gender inequality, nationalism, leadership, cyberpsychology, discourse and social constructionism, terrorism and radicalisation, minoritised groups and social justice, community health and suicide, etc. In addition to research active staff, where possible, teaching will be supported with inputs from a range of non-academic professional experts, activists and NGOs from applied settings, who will share their real-life experiences to validate and challenge psychological theories and research.
Dissertation Module
60 credits
Research is a key emphasis in our programmes and you will be supported by a specialist tutor in your chosen field to undertake original research as part of the Dissertation module. Our expert staff and specialist facilities can support a range of projects across the field.
Research Apprenticeship in Psychology
15 credits
Every year we run apprenticeships in which students join staff working on real research projects across a broad range of areas of psychology. Students are allocated to an apprenticeship based on the self-development goals you each identify in your personal skills audit. This ensures the apprenticeship provides you with experiences and opportunities that will support your future career ambitions and encourage you to learn new skills.
This is a breadth module that enables you to engage with psychological research across a range of topics and sub-disciplines at the cutting edge of contemporary research in psychology. You will attend research seminars given by experts within and outside Keele and reflect on and critically evaluate the theoretical, methodological and ethical issues associated with a wide range of contemporary topics and issues in psychological research.
Advanced Research Skills and Design
15 credits
This innovative module gives you a broad range of advanced research skills and familiarity with a range of cutting edge research designs in psychology, the help you progress through the rest of the programme being able to set your work in wider context. It introduces new techniques not typically covered at undergraduate level as well as equipping students with the advanced research skills or critical literature reviewing, generating a suitable research question, identifying a suitable method, ethical issues in research, and managing time and research relationships. You will complete a detailed skills audit and engage in some complex reflections of your own abilities and how you can progress through the course - an innovative assessment praised by our external examiners for encouraging engagement and thinking about personal development.
Advanced Quantitative Data Analysis
15 credits
The topics covered in this module are: extensions of the regression model, analysis of variance, logistic regression, and multivariate data reduction techniques such as factor analysis, together with a few more specialist methods, which you can select between based on your interests. The material is taught using SPSS, and although the module encourages a sound understanding of statistical principles, the primary emphasis is on practical data analysis.
All students can tailor their research methods training to suit their needs and interests by choosing one of the following optional modules and complete a project in an area of Social and Political Psychology:
Qualitative Research Methods
15 credits
This module will give you an appreciation of different approaches to qualitative data collection and analysis. We encourage you to try out data collection and analytic methods you haven't used before. During the module you will design, conduct, analyse and reflect on a qualitative research study based on a topic you are interested in. Students often choose to explore something that complements or extends their dissertation research.
Advanced Cognitive Neuroscience Research Methods
15 credits
This module develops your knowledge and practical skills with contemporary methods in cognitive psychology and cognitive neurosceince such as electroencephalography (EEG), eyetracking, and other contemporary methods. It prepares you to design, conduct, and critically appraise research using these methods. Lectures cover the theoretical background of the methods and, for several months, you will gain hands-on experience with data collection, data analysis, and use of specialist software and equipment. This module will emphasise a framework which will allow you to understand existing methods and follow the development of new methods going forward.
Entry Requirements
Academic entry requirements
This course is open to graduates with a first or upper second-class degree in psychology, political science, international relations, peace studies, philosophy, gender studies, history, sociology, anthropology or overseas equivalent.
English Language entry requirement for International Students
IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
During your degree programme you can study additional english language courses. This means you can continue to improve your English language skills and gain a higher level of English.
Funding
Some travel costs may be incurred if an external project or placement is undertaken; any such costs will be discussed with the student before the project is confirmed. It will be possible for the student to select an internal project and that would not incur any additional travel costs. There may be additional costs for textbooks and inter-library loans.
Living costs
Keele University is located on a beautiful campus and has all the facilities of a small town. Student accommodation, shops, restaurants and cafes are all within walking distance of the teaching buildings. This is a very cost effective way to live and to reduce your living costs.
Scholarships and funding
We are committed to rewarding excellence and potential. Please visit our scholarships and bursaries webpage for more information
Because we want this programme to be a key building block for a successful and meaningful career for you, this programme is designed to be as applied as possible (including opportunities to meet inspiring individuals from our non-academic networks), with ample opportunity for research training in diverse methods.
Following this programme, you will have an excellent basis to pursue the various career paths, including:
PhD research degree
Media political & social analysist
Researcher and advisor in local and national governments
Researcher and consultant in non-profit organisations
Researcher and advisor to community and mental health organisations
Development officer in educational and training settings
Human resources
Civil service
Setting up your own start-up company in social enterprise
Course endorsements
The quality, content and structure of our Applied Social and Political Psychology Programme has been highly praised by leading international experts in the field.
“The requirement of an action research component is excellent!”
Professor Chris Crandall (Professor in Psychology at Kansas University and Past President of Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues)
“The graduates of this programme will be true political psychologists equipped to work in the field as well as qualified to pursue PhD-level research with high applied relevance.”
Dr Eva Green (Associate Professor in Social Psychology at University of Lausanne and President of International Society of Political Psychology).
“…the aims and scope of the proposed course fit well with the Impact agenda, and are likely to lead to MSc dissertations on applied, ‘real-world’ topics…”
Dr John Drury (Reader in Social Psychology at University of Sussex and Co-Editor in chief of British Journal of Social Psychology).
“It [the programme] is designed with a critical student in mind. A student that not only is eager to learn how to do rigorous research, but also with an eye to the real world out there and the important and pressing issues that we are faced with today.”
Professor Bertjan Doosje (Professor in Psychology and Political Sciences at University of Amsterdam).
“The graduates of this programme will be true political psychologists equipped to work in the field as well as qualified to pursue PhD-level research with high applied relevance.”
“…the aims and scope of the proposed course fit well with the Impact agenda, and are likely to lead to MSc dissertations on applied, ‘real-world’ topics…”
