Evidence Based Practice (Psychology)

Develop advanced research skills and prepare for doctoral study or a research-focused career in Psychology.

The Master of Research (MRes) in Evidence Based Practice is a postgraduate degree designed for individuals seeking to build expertise in research methods and practice across a range of disciplines. Whether you're a recent graduate or a professional aiming to advance your career, the MRes provides a rigorous and flexible route into research-intensive roles or PhD study.

Delivered by research-active staff, the programme offers opportunities to engage with real-world projects and develop independent research aligned to your interests. You will gain a strong foundation in qualitative and quantitative methodologies, critical analysis, and academic writing, while benefiting from expert supervision and a supportive research environment.

The Psychology pathway supports students in developing advanced research skills in psychological science. With access to expert supervision and ongoing research projects, students can explore topics ranging from mental health and cognition to behaviour and wellbeing. This pathway is suitable for graduates and professionals aiming for careers in psychological research or progression to PhD study.

With multiple specialist routes available—including Policing, Criminology, Psychology, Health and Care Studies, and Clinical Research—the MRes allows you share experiences with others on the course, network and benefit from cross-disciplinary perspectives.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MRes Evidence Based Practice (Psychology)

Duration

This part-time postgraduate course usually runs for 3 academic years.

Course content

Our MRes in Evidence-Based Practice is split into three modules. The main module is your research project, which you will lead under supervision from an academic. Designed with real-world impact in mind, the research will be expected to address a topic relevant to your specialist pathway.

You will also complete a taught module exploring evidence-based research and research methods.

Another taught module will look at how to communicate your research, including how to publish the work, explore funding opportunities, gain ‘buy in’ from stakeholders, and track the research impact.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Communicating Research	20 credits
Evidence Based Research Methods	40 credits
Research Project	120 credits

Entry requirements

A degree from a UK university or equivalent is desirable but not essential. We also welcome applications from those with relevant professional experience plus evidence of ability to successfully undertake the course and benefit from it.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Get country-specific details on entry requirements, fees, scholarships and support services. Choose your country to see how University of Staffordshire can support you from application to arrival.

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Facilities

Libraries

We have Libraries and service desks at both sites in Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford. Our experienced and friendly staff can answer your IT queries, help you to access resources, show you how to research for your assignments and help with referencing.

Blackboard (VLE)

Blackboard is a virtual learning environment which houses your learning content. It enables online teaching/learning, provides spaces to build online communities and knowledge sharing.

Counselling Suite

The counselling suite contains four cubicles for practising counselling skills or conducting interviews with participants, and a base room for teaching and peer observation of counselling sessions. Read more

Find out more about our Counselling Suite.

Psychology Simulation Facilities

Simulation equipment is available throughout the psychology laboratory areas and as stand-alone resources for facilitating research and teaching. Read more

Find out more about our simulation facilities.

Psychology Cognitive Cubicles

The Psychology Cognitive Cubicles are a set of small cubicles used to run Psychology based tests on individual participants using specialist software. Read more

Find out more about our Psychology Cognitive Suite.

Sports Psychology Lab

The Basil Ashford Sports Psychology laboratory and consulting room are used extensively for teaching, research and consultancy in the areas of Sports Psychology, Exercise Psychology and Motor Learning. Read more

Find out more about our Ashford Sport Psychology Lab.

Psychology Eye Tracking Cubicles

The Psychology Eye Tracking Cubicles house desktop and portable eye trackers that allow us to track participants’ visual attention during psychology experiments. Read more

Find out more about our eye tracking cubicles.

Psychology Observation Suite

The Observation Suite contains an Observation Laboratory setup with a one-way mirror, video cameras and microphones to allow activities to be observed and recorded from the Control Room. Read more

Find out more about our Psychology Observation Suite.

Science Centre

Our £30 million Science Centre in Stoke-on-Trent contains specialist laboratories with the latest state-of-the-art equipment. Read more

Find out more about our Science Centre Facilities.

Careers

This pathway is suitable for graduates and professionals aiming for careers in psychological research or progression to PhD study.

Students on this programme have the opportunity to enhance their studies with a placement year, gain valuable work experience, and take part in international activities—potentially supported by the Turing funding.

All students have access to Careers, Placements & Employability, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

As a master's by research this programme takes a heutagogical approach which sees learners as being co-producers of knowledge rather than receivers of dispensed ideas. The course is structured to provide learners with the ability to undertake supervised, self-directed research in any form which suits their chosen discipline. The emphasis will be on empirically driven research but the required tools to undertake theoretical research will also be covered.

With 120 credits being the research element of the course, the most important aspect of the learning approach is that of close supervision from academics. Each learner will be assigned to an expert in their chosen field and will have the ability to submit formative versions of all research writing throughout their research period.

Learners will be encouraged to take part in relevant post graduate enrichment programmes. Throughout the programme, students will have access to academic support and supervision from the delivery team as well as the wider University’s services, such as the library, digital and wellbeing support amongst others. Where relevant, students will be signposted to industry-specific continuing personal development opportunities throughout the course of their research.

The digital learning environment will have different sections with readings and supporting materials which are relevant to the different subject areas. There will also be discipline specific tutor sessions, during the taught elements, in order to provide students with the subject specific support they need. This will be followed up by subject specific research supervision undertaken throughout the research period of the course.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
Academic writing (including how to reference)
Research skills
Critical thinking
Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Staff

You'll be taught by experts in their fields who have a wealth of experience in research.

Dr John Lamb

Senior Lecturer

John's research expertise focuses on areas including counter terrorism, radicalization, intelligence services and use of force by state officials. His PhD examined policing, national security and the implementation of PREVENT in the West Midlands.

John's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 26 January 2026 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for MRes-Part-time, January start
Study option	UK / Channel Islands	International
Part-time	£9,135 per course	£16,740 per course

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Alumni discount

If you have previously completed an undergraduate degree with us, you may be entitled to an alumni discount off your course fee for any subsequent postgraduate taught course. For further information please contact feesandbursaries@staffs.ac.uk.

Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,570 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning.

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Apply

Location	Award	Study option	Start date	Apply Link
Stoke-on-Trent campus	MRes	Part-time, January start	26 January 2026	Apply now

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Evidence Based Practice (Psychology) MRes

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