Psychology

Profile of the programme

Program Objectives

The aim of the PhD program in Psychology is to train the next generation of researchers and academics in the field of Psychology. The program focuses on developing the skills necessary for graduates to become independent researchers at post-doctoral level. The program comprises several areas of specialization; however, candidates will have to propose projects within the specialist areas within the supervisor’s fields of expertise.

Doctoral students are expected to design and execute an independent original research project and produce a Thesis. Through their research project students are expected to evidence an original contribution to knowledge, develop or apply innovative research or intervention methods, and as a result advance scientific knowledge in an area of Psychology.

Specific aims of the program are to:

a) Develop students’ in depth understanding and critical analysis of current literature and research methodology in the field of Psychology.

b) Enhance students’ research skills and facilitate the development of expertise relevant to their research specialization area.

c) Educate students in how to disseminate research findings, through publishing in academic journals and/or presenting their work in academic conferences and seminars.

d) Prepare students to conduct high quality and internationally recognized independent research.

Programme Resources:

• Handbook of Regulations and Procedures

Admissions Criteria

Stage 1, Written application

Candidates need to provide with their application:

1. An accredited Bachelors degree*
2. An accredited Masters degree*
3. Initial Research Proposal (Information on how to prepare the proposal available below)
4. Statement of Purpose: Applicants are required to submit a comprehensive letter outlining their academic and individual competencies and state why they believe they are suitable for admission to the Program. The statement should not be more than one page long (Times New Roman 12, single spaced)
5. Letters of Recommendation: Applicants must obtain two recommendation letters from individuals who have known the applicant in an educational and/or professional environment. At least one of the recommendation letters must be from an academic institution where the applicant has studied previously.
6. English Language Proficiency: TOEFL (paper based test 600, computer based test 250, internet based test 100) or IELTS 6.5. For students who graduated from an English speaking University, English language is not a requirement.
7. Application form: Applicants must submit an application form for admission and enrolment to the program. The application form requests general information about the applicant, their qualifications, relevant experience.

*At least one of the previous degrees (Bachelors or Masters) must be in Psychology.

Deadlines: 30th May for Fall Semester start 30th November for Spring Semester start

Applications submitted after the deadline (late) will not be assessed and only be considered at the next deadline

Criteria of assessment include:

1. Minimum Entry requirements
2. Quality of the research proposal (more detailed information is available on the “Regulations for application proposal” document).
3. Quality and appropriateness of the recommendation letters
4. Fit of the proposed project with current supervisor research areas (note that applications that fall outside the areas of expertise of the supervisory team will not be considered)

Stage 2, Interview

The Department Postgraduate Programs Committee (DPPC) and the Director of Doctoral Programs will assess all written applications and invite for an oral interview only those applicants who pass the first stage of assessment. The interview will assess the candidate’s abilities in critical thinking, scientific communication, fit of the proposed project with the department’s lines of research and supervisory match and availability. If the candidate is successful at interview level, an invitation letter to join the program will be sent within two weeks of the interview date.

Interview dates*:

2nd and 3rd week of January (for Spring Semester start)

1st and 2nd Week of July (for Fall Semester start)

*these are only provisional timings. These can be changed depending on staff’s availability at the time.

Regulations for application proposal

Assessment comprises of the examination of the thesis proposal, the thesis, the presentation of the thesis as a public lecture and the oral examination (viva).

The PhD in Psychology program at UNIC is designed to follow international guidelines in the field and as such our graduates are able to pursue positions in academia (e.g. lecturing or post-doctoral research) and in the industry (e.g. consulting). Given the several soft skills that are also trained in the program, graduates are also attractive prospects for areas that overlap (e.g. policy making) or that are outside of psychology (e.g. management).

Programme Learning Outcomes

By the end of the period of doctoral study, students are expected to:

1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of a specific field of Psychology and mastery of the skills and methods of research associated with that field.
2. Demonstrate the ability to conceive, design, implement and adapt a substantial process of research with scholarly and ethical integrity.
3. Have made a contribution through original research that extends the frontier of knowledge by developing a substantial body of work, some of which merits national or international refereed publication.
4. Critically analyse, evaluate and generate new and complex ideas.
5. Disseminate with their peers, the larger scholarly community and with society in general, their research, though, for example, conferences presentations, seminars, lectures, research articles.
6. Generate within academic and professional contexts, technological, social or cultural advancements in the field of Psychology.

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Semester 5

Semester 6