Psychology Research Experience Scheme (PRES)

What is the research experience scheme?

The Psychology Research Experience Scheme (PRES) is a program intended to develop the undergraduate and master students’ research skills further and encourage them to see research and post-graduate study as a career option on graduation. Students are given the opportunity to work as research assistants and boost their employability skills by working with one of the academic researchers on a diverse range of research projects.

How can PRES benefit students?

This scheme gives students a chance to: a) gain valuable work experience before they graduate; b) develop new skills and refine others; c) apply knowledge gained from coursework to on-the-job situations; d) reality-test tentative career choices; e) meet and work with professionals, establishing contacts for letters of reference and networking; f) experience new work environments; and g) boost their CV.

How can students be involved?

Students are invited to apply for volunteer research experience to work alongside researchers and PhD students with expertise in different areas of psychology. Specific duties may include, experiment design and implementation, helping to test participants using a variety of methods, recruitment and scheduling of participants, coding of data, and literature searches. Students will also learn to work within a research team, and can benefit from our reading groups and seminars on various research topics. We take into account students’ research interests and what they would like to get out of the experience, as well as gearing projects to suit students’ strengths.

What is required?

All students are required to volunteer a minimum of between 4 and 8 hours per week during term time or between 8 and 20 hours per week out of term time.

How long are the experiences for?

Three different options are available:

1. Term: Experience takes place during the term time and will last from between 10 and 12 weeks.
2. Summer: Experience takes place during the summer vacation and will last from between 6 and 12 weeks.
3. Short-term: Experience takes place during vacation time and will last from between 2 and 4 weeks.

How do I apply?

If you would like to apply for volunteer research experience at the Psychology Department please look at the opportunities and fill in the application form.

What happens after I sent my application?

All applications will be reviewed and all selected candidates will be contacted to schedule an interview with the responsible researcher. Interviews will be conducted and notifications will be sent to all applicants selected.

We look forward to hearing from you.