MSc Psychology of Individual Differences

This programme provides an opportunity for intensive advanced training in the psychology of individual differences, addressing the questions of how and why people differ from one another psychologically and how these differences matter in their lives. There are few MSc programmes dedicated to individual differences in Europe as well as in the whole world. The University of Edinburgh is uniquely positioned to offer this programme because of its long history of world-class individual differences research and teaching. Staff involved in teaching and supervision include internationally recognised researchers from our Individual Differences Research Group.

Our staff expertise covers various topics, including the measurement, causes and consequences of personality traits and intelligence, positive psychology, primate behaviour, paranormal beliefs and psychopathology.

Individual differences research group

You will take courses on the theoretical and methodological aspects of individual differences research and conduct an original research dissertation. You will also receive thorough training in advanced academic skills and research methods within psychology, including comprehensive coverage of statistical modelling and research design using the R statistical language. All MSc students are encouraged to take part in weekly journal clubs that feature presentations from staff, postgraduate students and external speakers, and discussions of important new articles.

About us

The School comprises Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences (Linguistics and English Language). The school aims to maintain its internationally-renowned reputation for research and to use this as a solid foundation for teaching.

There are over 100 academic staff within the School, and the breadth of expertise ranges from analytic philosophy and the study of English language, through theoretical and applied linguistics and experimental psychology, to cognitive neurosciences and genetic influences on human behaviour.

The School is unique in offering outstanding opportunities for interdisciplinary teaching and in pioneering novel forms of research that reach across traditional boundaries.

Each year, the School welcomes a diverse mix of over 1,400 undergraduate and postgraduate students from around the world. The School has well-established links with other areas of the University such as Clinical Neuroscience, Medicine, Informatics and Edinburgh College of Art.

All subject areas have active links with research organizations outwith the University and a broad network of collaboration with a range of universities around the globe. The School offers extensive support for academics, including dedicated undergraduate and postgraduate teaching offices, research and knowledge exchange support team and IT resources team.

The School is part of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.