Psychology (research)

The Research Master's Psychology programme is firmly embedded in the experimental approach to Psychology that characterizes the research in psychology at the University of Amsterdam.

This programme is designed for excellent and motivated students with a genuine interest in psychological research, who are interested in a career in academic or applied (industry) research. Specialised courses are taught in informal, highly interactive small groups settings. In addition to courses covering all areas in psychology, the programme offers a series of advanced courses on research methods and statistics, programming and computer skills, and writing and presentation skills. International orientation Taught by international top researchers, the Research Master's programme offers a unique opportunity to further specialise in any area of psychology including: Brain & Cognition Clinical Psychology Developmental Psychology Methodology and Statistics Social Psychology Work and Organisational Psychology Finally, the programme has a strong international orientation. The teaching staff has an extensive international network, and cooperates on a regular basis with top-level researchers across the world. Students are explicitly encouraged to spend parts of their research training abroad.

Over a two-year period, students complete advanced courses on research methods and statistics. Furthermore, students will be trained in computer skills (programming) and writing and presentation skills. During the remaining time, students will take courses in two fields of their choice and receive excellent research experience.

The programme requires two separate research projects resulting in two research papers (Research Internship and Research Thesis), the latter should be written in the form of a publishable journal article. In their first masters year, students write their internship in close collaboration with a supervisor wheareas the research thesis is carried out independently.

Schematically, this leads to the following study programme:

• Specialized courses in at least two fields of psychology
• Courses on research methods and statistics
• Writing and Presenting Skills
• Programming Skills
• Research Internship
• Research Thesis

Total 120 EC

• Advanced courses (36 EC)

Students will attend six specialized courses in at least two areas of psychology, preferably four courses in their major and two in their minor, to be selected out of the following six specializations:

• Clinical Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Methodology and Statistics
• Brain and Cognition
• Social Psychology
• Work and Organizational Psychology

Each of these fields organizes a total of four advanced courses (6 ECTS each) dealing with recent developments in theory and research.

• Methods and Statistics Courses (18 EC)

The research Masters programme is firmly embedded in experimental psychology. Over a two-year period, students complete advanced courses on research methods and statistics. All students should attend the course Applied Continuous Multivariate Analysis (6 EC). Furthermore, students attend a total of 12 EC in advanced methods and statistics, to be selected out of 12 courses ranging from 2 to 6 EC. Choice for each course may depend on interest and relevance for one's own research project and specialization.

• Writing and Presenting Skills (6 EC)

Students will be trained in writing and presentation skills. The course How to write and present (6 EC) is included in the first year of the programme and should be attended by all students. This course is designed to improve student's scientific communication skills in articles and presentations.

• Programming Skills (6 EC)

Students will be trained in computer programming skills. Two types of programming skills courses (6 EC each) are available. Students choose one of these two programming skills courses. The choice depends on the research. Studies from Psychonomics usually involve other programming skills than studies from Social Psychology.

• Research projects (54 EC)

In the final part of each year, students will devote their time primarily to their own research and the writing of a thesis. The programme requires two separate research projects (Research Internship and Research Thesis) that will be supervised by senior staff members. These theses should not focus on the same issue, and should preferably include an internal research project and an external research project. This requirement should widen the scope and research expertise of our students and prepare them for intra- and interdisciplinary collaboration later in their career.

For both theses the student is expected to carry out one or two empirical studies, analyze the data and write up the results in the form of a journal article (in English). Preferably, reporting will be in the form of a publishable journal article.

In order to further enhance the scope and breadth of the programme, students will be encouraged to carry out one of the two research projects abroad. Members of staff of the Psychology Research Institute with extensive international networks are also key teachers in the research master's programme.

For this programme a numerus fixus of 40 applies. Grade average: For this master's programme we're aiming at the top 10% students. Applicants to the research master's programme in Psychology are expected to have an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least: * A-/B+/3.5 (American system) * 2.1 HONS (an upper second class honours degree in the British system) * B (ECTS stystem), or * 7.5 (Dutch system) Grade list Language test: All international applicants who are non-native English speakers have to demonstrate sufficient pro­ficiency in English to enrol in university-level courses. Students must be able to read textbooks, understand lectures, take part in classroom discussions and undertake written work in English. Applicants must submit one of the following tests. No other tests are accepted. Please note that only international, not institutional tests are accepted. * International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Students are required to have a score of at least 7 on the academic module, with a minimum score of 6.0 for the separate components of the test. * Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Students are required to have a score of at least 100 (internet based test), with a minimum score of 20 for the separate components of the test. * Cambridge International Examination Students are required to have a minimum score 'A' for the Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or 'B' for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). Please note: applicants who obtained their bachelor's degree in the Netherlands, or applicants who can prove to have successfully finished an Eng Previous education: Applicants should have at least a bachelor's degree in Psychology (equivalent to at least three years of Dutch academic training) or an equivalent degree in a similar field. The minimum entry level for the Research Master's programme in Psychology is three years of Dutch university education. Students with a bachelor's degree in other disciplines than Psychology can apply for admission to the research master's programme, but they should have at least general knowledge of Psychology and its sub disciplines, as well as knowledge of statistics and methodology. Applicants should also have experience with the topic of specialization in the master's programme. Experience with setting up, conducting and reporting experimental research is neces­sary. Methodological knowledge and statistical knowledge is necessary. The book that reflects the level of statistical knowledge that is needed is: Andy Field, Discovering statistics using SPSS (2009). See: http://www.uk.sagepub.com/field3e/ Written request: The applicant has to state in about 500 words the reasons to at­tend the programme, and which specialization the applicant would choose as major and which as minor. Also any sug­gestions for research topics and interests can be put forward here. Grade average: A-/B+/3.5 (American system) 2.1 HONS (an upper second class honours degree in the British system) B (ECTS stystem), or 7.5 (Dutch system) We're aiming at the top 10% students. Language test: -International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Students are required to have a score of at least 7 on the academic module, with a minimum score of 6.0 for the separate components of the test. -Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Students are required to have a score of at least 100 (internet based test), with a minimum score of 20 for the separate components of the test. -Cambridge International Examination. Students are required to have a minimum score 'A' for the Certificate in Advanced Eng­lish (CAE) or 'B' for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). Written request: BSc in Psychology or a closely related field Additional language requirements:Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English: A1Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: B1IELTS overall band: 7IELTS listening: 6IELTS reading: 6IELTS writing: 6IELTS speaking: 6TOEFL internet based: 100 English Language Requirements IELTS band: 7 CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 80 (Grade A) TOEFL paper-based test score : 580 TOEFL iBT® test: 100

Scholarships / Grants:

The University of Amsterdam:
The University of Amsterdam provides a limited number of full and partial scholarships for excellent students from outside the European Economic Area. The Amsterdam Merit Scholarships have specifically been designed to offer talented, ambitious and dedicated students the opportunity to pursue a Mast
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Accreditation

Accredited by: NVAO in: The Netherlands