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The MRes is a great introduction to research study and is a one-year programme for those interested in going on to a career in research or even as preparation for a PhD.
About the MRes
The Master of Research Programme (MRes) offered by the Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, provides a one year training in research suitable for those who wish to proceed to enrol for a PhD programme, but at the same time is a research degree recognised in its own right.
The overall educational aim of the MRes programme is to provide graduate students with knowledge and understanding of research methods, training in appropriate technical skills and scholarship skills, such as critical thinking and the capacity to write in the style of their discipline, along with advanced study in areas of their discipline. Importantly, students apply for and enrol to complete a specified research project, and the rest of the course is tailored to support conducting that research.
The function of this programme is to provide students with a range of research-related skills and the capacity to proceed to PhD programmes. Undergraduate programmes do not necessarily provide enough of these skills, and there is a national and an international trend towards requiring completion of a Master’s degree prior to entry to PhD programmes.
The overall structure allows for several pathways in areas of Biomedical Sciences, Geography & Environmental Sciences, Psychology and Medicine. This a research degree where initial training in discipline areas and research methods is followed by research project preparation and scholarship skills training, and then by completion of the research project and the dissertation.
The overall programme takes 12 months to complete through full-time study, with dissertation submission being required in September.
Pathway Leads:
- Biomedical Sciences - Finbarr O'Harte
- Geography and Environmental Sciences - Robert McNabb
- Psychology - Dermot Barnes-Holmes
- Medicine - Elaine Murray
Pearse McCusker
What motivated you to enrol on the MRes Psychology programme?
After completing my undergraduate degree in Psychology at Ulster, I knew I wanted to continue developing my research skills in a focused and structured way. The MRes programme stood out as the ideal bridge between undergraduate study and doctoral-level research. I was particularly motivated by the opportunity to work closely with academic staff on real-world projects and to receive advanced training in research methods, analysis, and academic writing. Having taken a substantial amount of time away from education earlier in life, I saw the MRes as a way to build a solid foundation for a long-term career in psychological research and academia.
Tell us about your research project.
My MRes dissertation involves a secondary data analysis of the MAGIC project (Measurement and Assessment of Grief in an International Cross-Cultural Sample). This global dataset explores how grief is experienced and assessed across different cultural contexts. My project aims to examine possible associations between symptoms of Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) and somatisation (how psychological distress can manifest physically). By investigating these patterns within an international sample, the research seeks to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of grief's impact on both mental and physical health across diverse populations.
How has undertaking the MRes Psychology prepared you for your next career step?
The MRes has been invaluable in preparing me for doctoral research. It provided intensive training in research design, statistics, and critical analysis, skills that are central to progressing in academia, particularly in research orientated study. The opportunity to work independently while also receiving close supervision has helped me grow in confidence as a researcher. I also learned how to manage large data sets, write for publication, and present complex findings clearly, all of which will be essential during the PhD I start in September 2025, which is the next part of my 4.5-year scholarship with the NINE DTP (Northern Ireland and Northeast of England Doctoral Training Partnership). Most importantly, it has affirmed my commitment to pursuing a possible career in psychological research and higher education as a lecturer.
Rebecca Taylor
What motivated you to enrol in the MRes Psychology program?
I applied for the ESRC DTP Master's and PhD scholarship, which required me to select a Master’s program. My supervisor recommended the MRes in Psychology, and after speaking with former students, I learned that it provides excellent preparation for a PhD due to its emphasis on independent learning and research methods.
As I prepare to start my PhD in September, I can see how the MRes has helped me develop skills in self-directed learning, time management, and research autonomy, all of which mirror the structure of PhD work. The program also allows flexible module selection, enabling me to tailor my learning to fit my mixed-methods research approach. While some of the content refreshed my undergraduate knowledge, the advanced research focus has significantly strengthened my skills.
Tell us about your research project.
My MRes research project, titled "Examining How Physical, Emotional, and Social Factors Affect Pain and Its Impact on Quality of Life and Motor Function in Adults with Cerebral Palsy (CP)," is closely connected to my PhD work on pain measurement in adults with CP. This research is particularly meaningful to me as I have CP myself. I have found it exciting to contribute to an often under-researched area while also developing strong research and analytical skills. The MRes program has provided me with a solid foundation for conducting rigorous and impactful research, allowing me to engage with relevant communities and organisations.
How has undertaking the MRes Psychology prepared you for your next career step?
The MRes program has significantly prepared me for my PhD by providing a solid foundation in CP research and the opportunity to forge important connections in the field. Throughout this program, I have developed expertise in mixed-methods research, built relationships with organisations and communities related to CP, and learned to implement accessible and inclusive research practices. This experience has boosted my confidence and readiness to transition into my PhD, ensuring that I begin with a clear research direction and strong methodological skills.
Students apply for and are accepted onto approved projects put forward by the pathway staff team. Inclusion of a project on the advertised list for an academic year indicates that the named supervisors have undertaken to offer support of research project preparation in Semester 2 linked to research project supervision in Semester 3.
Applications to the MRes programme must be made for specific research projects proposed by members of Ulster University academic staff, which are usually advertised in the Spring/Summer of each academic year. Current opportunities are listed here.
Programme Structure
The overall structure consists of five related elements. These are:
Advanced study in discipline
30 credit points (through one or two modules) are completed that are appropriate to the discipline and planned research project topic. These are normally selected from MSc modules taught on the campus where the student and planned project are located.
Advanced research methods
30 credit points (through one or two modules) are completed that are appropriate to the discipline and planned research project methodology. These are normally selected from MSc modules taught on the campus where the student and planned project are located.
Scholarship skills
This is a 30-credit module taken by blended learning, usually in Semester 2. It covers critical thinking skills and scholarly writing skills and is focussed on materials from the student’s discipline area.
Research project preparation
(30 credit points): The student is in contact with the project supervisory team throughout the year. Usually in Semester 2, directed training to develop specific skills for the conduct of the research project is undertaken and assessed.
Completion of research project and dissertation
Work on the project may begin in Semester 2 (or even earlier) but is completed and assessed through dissertation submission (in the format of a manuscript suitable for submission to a relevant science journal along with an extended literature review) in Semester 3, the summer period.
Projects undertaken are typically in similar areas to those being undertaken by PhD students in the research group to which the supervisors are attached, but they are of a scope and level appropriate for the MRes.
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced study in discipline (30 credit points) | Scholarship skills (30 credit points) | Completion of research project and dissertation (60 credit points) |
| Advanced research methods (30 credit points) | Research project preparation (30 credit points) |
Why the MRes and Why at Ulster?
Michelle Clements talks about her experience as an MRes researcher at Ulster.
