Psychology MPhil

The Department of Psychology at City has a long history of excellence in research that builds upon the traditions of the discipline whilst advancing new approaches. Over 30 members of faculty carry out cutting edge research in purpose built facilities that include two state-of the-art Electroencephalography labs, a Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation lab, a baby lab and about a dozen behavioural labs with access to eye-trackers, psychophysiological recording suits and a comprehensive psychometrics test library.

The MPhil programme is a research training doctorate mainly aimed at students who wish to pursue a career in academic research. In addition to attending formal courses in advanced research methods, PhD students carry out an extended piece of original, empirical research under the direction of one or more members of academic staff. The degree of PhD is awarded on successful completion of the research methods courses, the submission of a thesis embodying the results of the programme of research and successful performance in an oral examination based on the thesis.

It is important to note that all students on graduate research programmes are initially registered for an MPhil award. Promotion to registration to PhD is not automatic, but contingent on the satisfactory outcome of a review process, which normally involves an oral presentation in May and the submission of a formal progress report at the end of the first year of registration (or the second year in case of part-time students). An academic panel comprising the candidate’s supervisor(s) and the Senior Tutor for Research will evaluate progress against the expected milestones of Year 1 outlined above. If the outcome is satisfactory, students will be upgraded to PhD. Progress in subsequent years will continue to be monitored through the annual review process and any failures to meet expected target milestones may lead to the withdrawal of candidates.