MSc Autism Research

Our innovative approach combines training and teaching in psychological research methods with hands-on experience during a practical placement in an autism-relevant context, and the opportunity to engage in an autism-based research project.

Masters students have their own dedicated MSc office and are integrated into the thriving research culture of the Psychology department.

Work placements

You’ll undertake a practical placement in an autism-relevant context, identifying areas where you would like to enhance your experiences and skills. Past placements have included working with autism researchers across the UK, helping autism charities with policy, doing support work with autistic people, or gaining experience with social enterprises related to autism.

Flexible learning

This course will include a mixture of teaching that you can access in your own time via our virtual learning environment, as well as lectures or seminars.

If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.

Faculty facilities

The Psychology department has outstanding laboratory space fitted with high-quality equipment. It has excellent computing infrastructure, and both research and teaching activities are supported by in-house technical staff with computing, programming, electronic and audio-video expertise.

We’ve invested heavily in research infrastructure, including our own Kindergarten on campus which provides an outstanding facility for developmental research and teaching. Purpose-built laboratory space has also been created to support human electrophysiology research (EEG/ERPs), health research (including GSR and heart rate monitoring), face research (including eye-tracking) and vision research (including stereoscopic displays).

Research overview

In REF 2021, 100% of our research impact and environment, and 87% of our overall research in Psychology is classed as world leading or internationally excellent - positioning us 2nd in Scotland for research impact in Psychology.

Teaching

Teaching is done via seminars, lectures, a research placement in a relevant context and a research project supervised by a relevant expert. The way we teach research skills ranges from explicit hands-on demonstrations of tools to discussion of different approaches to research.

The Autism Research MSc is designed for those going on to do further research about autism, or as the foundation for a career working with autistic people. The structure of the course includes both a practical placement and a research project, allowing you to develop relevant skills for both research and applied careers.

Students who complete this MSc may also be eligible to apply for an ESRC 1+3 PhD studentship.

94.3% of our graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, HESA)