Master of Science in Psychological Research Methods

at University of Stirling United Kingdom

This course provides you with expert training in the latest methods and approaches used in criminological research.  We're ranked 1st in Scotland and Top 10 in the UK for Criminology (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022).

We cover the principles of collecting, analysing and reporting on qualitative and quantitative data whilst also taking account of ethics, reliability and validity. You’ll critically examine the theoretical foundations that underpin criminology and socio-legal research, as well as exploring issues with comparative research and developing an understanding of the relationship between criminological research and policymaking.

Our Masters degree in Gender Studies examines the history, context and development of key debates around gender, sexuality and identity, exploring commonalities and differences in the ways they have played out in a range of contemporary, historical and global cultures.

Developed by specialists who are passionately engaged with gender, feminist and queer issues, the strength of our programme lies in its interdisciplinary curriculum which branches across multiple fields ranging from: film, media and literary studies, sociology, history, philosophy, curation and politics.  

Through core modules like Understanding Gender, Researching Gender and Key Feminist Thinkers, you’ll explore a range of theoretical and methodological approaches for studying gender. You’ll also delve into the ways in which academic debate informs, is shaped by and is at times distanced from how gender actually ‘works’ in true situations.

The course places the application of learning to real-world contexts at the heart of its teaching. You’ll have the opportunity to apply your learning on a research placement. The course team has established links with potential placement providers from the third sector, as well as with a number of organisations who are committed to gender equality as part of their work in arts, culture and sport.

How are our minds related to our bodies? Do we really have free will? What can we truly know about the world around us, about other people or about ourselves?

These questions lie at the heart of philosophy – and if you seriously want to search for the answers, this is the course for you. Our Philosophy BA will challenge you to develop a strong set of critical, imaginative and informed reasoning skills. It will also deepen your understanding of the nature of the human mind, language, morality and politics, art, science and logic. We offer breadth and variety – from modules focused on individual philosophers, to others built around specific topics such as metaphysics, moral philosophy and environmental ethics.

You’ll be introduced to key philosophical issues in your first two years, before focusing in on the areas that interest you most. Along the way, you’ll benefit from the expert insights of your lecturers and tutors, whose own cutting-edge research feeds into course content and keeps you on the frontline of academic thinking.

Our Philosophy course has consistently achieved top marks for student satisfaction, and your studies will play out in a supportive, vibrant environment with an extremely active Student Philosophy Society. If you want to investigate the burning questions that shape humanity while gaining vital employability skills, choosing Philosophy at the University of Stirling is the perfect starting point.

Our BSc (Hons) Sport Psychology degree will enable you to develop an in-depth understanding of the diverse, complex, and wide-ranging territory of the disciplines of psychology and sport and exercise psychology. The course will explore academic knowledge and practice associated with sport and exercise psychology, analyse psychological issues across a range of sport and exercise psychology settings (for example, from local communities to high performance settings), examine research evidence associated with sport and exercise psychology, and investigate a myriad of contemporary issues facing practitioners. The course will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to be a successful contributor to the disciplines of psychology, sport psychology, and exercise psychology at local, national, international and global levels. The course will also provide you with:

• Skills and abilities in critical thinking, problem solving and creativity, allowing you to apply these effectively in the sport and exercise psychology sectors.
• The ability to be an independent learner, capable of critical analysis and competent in communicating through a range of mediums to a range of audiences.
• Knowledge and understanding of the value of inclusion and diversity in sport.

This Masters course is part of the St Andrews and Stirling Philosophy (SASP) Graduate Programme - which is Scotland's leading centre for graduate study in Philosophy, and one of the highest-ranked and largest philosophy schools in the United Kingdom. It also has an outstanding placement record for its graduates.

The course is primarily designed for recent philosophy graduates, and serves as a preparatory year for entry to postgraduate research by giving you a firm foundation of general understanding and skills in philosophy. Those skills will give you a sound basis for philosophical research.

The MLitt is a one-year taught course delivered mainly in St Andrews by staff from both universities. After gaining the MLitt, you may progress to a PhD at either Stirling or at St Andrews. Previous graduates have also gone on to leading institutions in the UK and abroad.

On this course, you’ll benefit from excellent teaching from authoritative and knowledgeable researchers in a wide range of areas, including the history of philosophy.

As you study, you’ll use evidence and real-world applications to challenge economic theories and models. This approach is combined with finance theory and practice to gain a deep understanding of, and the capacity to analyse, financial markets, investment potentials and risks.

Combining practical economics with finance prepares students for professional roles in:

• The finance and banking sector
• Central banks
• Treasury offices
• Different offices at national, supranational and local government level around the world

Texts are all around us – from books and magazines to TV, email and the internet. The ability to analyse them and their often subtle meanings is a skill that can open doors in a wide range of professional fields.

English Studies at the University of Stirling offers you the perfect chance to dedicate yourself to reading and enjoying a range of great novels, plays and poems from across the world. Your own creative writing can form part of this degree, too – as we believe it aids your understanding of literary style and technique and develops your imagination. You’ll also have the opportunity to take a range of language-based courses which will inform your understanding and appreciation of literary texts. These are just some of the factors that make our BA a little different from other English courses.

You’ll study literary works from the medieval period to the present day, as well as learn about linguistics, creative writing and the history of the English language. Along the way, you’ll benefit from top-rated teaching, visits from outside experts and the annual staging of the Booker Prize Initiative on campus – giving you the opportunity to meet world-renowned contemporary authors and discuss their work.

Our Investment Analysis students have successfully competed in the prestigious CFA Institute Research Challenge, winning a place in the UK Final in ten out of twelve years. The competition is considered the “investment Olympics” for university students, and requires participants to assume the role of investment analysts and produce a report on a publicly traded company with a buy, hold or sell recommendation. The opportunity to be a part of our CFA Institute Research Challenge team gives you a unique opportunity to test your knowledge in a 'real-world' scenario.

On this Masters course you’ll:

• Study the use of qualitative and quantitative techniques to value investments
• Develop and evaluate portfolio management strategies
• Cultivate the ability to extract essential information from financial reports
• Understand risk management tools
• Assess macroeconomic and market trends
• Analyse financial data relating to investments
• Tearn about the techniques used to value investments and investment portfolios
• Understand the importance of investment regulation and ethics

Bringing together theory and practice, our Film and Media course draws from the University of Stirling’s legacy as a pioneer in Film and Media research and teaching.

This course not only ensures you’re well-versed in theoretical and critical aspects of the subject area, but also have the opportunity to become fully trained in practicalities such as audio production, video editing, screenwriting and more. Our emphasis on all-round training means you’ll graduate ready to follow in the footsteps of previous Stirling students who have forged successful careers in a range of media roles – from broadcasting and publishing, to advertising and public relations.

You’ll study in a stimulating environment marked by world-class teaching and invaluable opportunities to be part of our campus television, filmmaking and radio stations. There are also regular visits from members of our professional advisory board – who are experts able to bring crucial insights from the front-line of industry directly to you.

Our Masters degree will give you a solid grounding in the scientific principles that underpin Environmental Management. We cover topics including the ecological, economic, social, political and legal aspects of environmental management. We give comprehensive training in quantitative, theoretical, analytical and practical skills.

Environmental managers play a vital role in the protection and sustainable use of resources. You’ll learn to address issues such as adaptation to climate change, biodiversity and sustainable energy management. At the local level, Environmental Management focuses on conservation and protection of land and water resources and natural habitats.  

You’ll also benefit from employability skills training, a residential field skills course and the chance to carry out an environmental management related dissertation project which may include working collaboratively with a business.