MSc Autism Research
A unique course giving you an in-depth understanding of autism research. It combines teaching in psychological research methods with hands-on experience.
Key facts
- Award Masters / MSc, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma
- Start date September 2023, September 2024
- Application notes For students who need a visa: we are closed for September 2023 entry. Applications for 2024-25 entry will open in September 2023.
- Duration MSc full-time: 12 months, MSc part-time: 24 months
- Mode of study full time, part time
- Delivery on campus
Overview
Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition, whereby autistic people experience and perceive the world differently to non-autistic people. Autistic individuals experience a constellation of
The MSc Autism Research is a unique course designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of both psychological research methods and current topics in autism research. You'll learn
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
Masters students have their own dedicated MSc office and are integrated into the thriving research culture of the Psychology department.
Top reasons to study with us
Course objectives
By the end of the course, you will:
- Have learned about key issues not only in autism research, but more broadly within Psychology
- Mastered key research skills both in quantitative and qualitative methods
- Be able to communicate about research more effectively to a range of audiences
- Have a wide range of transferable skills for the next steps in your career, such as project management, written and oral communication, analysing information
- Have gained practical experience through a work placement
- Completed your own autism research project with an expert in the area
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.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second class honours degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent in a relevant subject. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
- IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition Test 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
- Trinity ISE II Pass overall with a Pass in each sub-skill, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills
- Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills
- LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator - High Pass overall with minimum 25 in each sub-skill
Last updated: 23 August 2022
For more information on ways that you can meet our English language requirements, including options to waive the requirement, please read our information on English language requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
Psychology has powerful methods to help us better understand and support autistic people and their families. The MSc Autism Research is made up of modules designed to provide training in the fundamentals of research methods and how these apply to these to autism research.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2022). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course Details
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. In 2022/23, we will be using a mix of online (blended) teaching and small, in-person teaching on campus.
Assessment
The course includes a wide range of different assessments that aim to test and develop your skills in writing, reflecting, analysing and communicating. One of the most significant assessments of this course is the Dissertation, which is based on the autism research project you conduct.
Course director
Key staff
You will be taught be a range of experts on autism research, and both autistic and non-autistic scholars. You will also learn from people who are not in academia. More broadly, you’ll also benefit from the methodological expertise from across the Psychology department in Stirling.
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| 2022/23 | 2023/24 | |
|---|---|---|
| Students from the UK | £9,850 | £10,350 |
| Students from the Republic of Ireland | £9,850 | £10,350 |
| Overseas (non-EU) students | £23,325 | £23,825 |
| European Union students | £23,325 | £23,825 |
Students from the UK
Course fees
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study or repeat study, you will be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from the Republic of Ireland
Course fees
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study or repeat study, you will be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
European Union students
EU Postgraduate Scholarship
Eligible EU students will automatically receive our EU Postgraduate Scholarship, which provides a 40% fee discount on full-time, on-campus postgraduate degrees at the University of Stirling.
Course fees
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study, you will be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Overseas students (non-EU)
We offer a range of funding options for overseas students.
Course fees
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Scholarships and funding
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £5,500 from Student Finance NI.
Other sources of funding
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
European Union and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
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)
Employability skills
You will gain a range of skills that will help you with your future career, such as:
- How to talk about research in an accessible and engaging way
- How to work with, listen to and support the autistic community
- How to analyse both statistics and qualitative data to an advanced level
- How to manage and deliver complex projects on time
- How to do incorporate different perspectives into your work
- How to work efficiently both independently and with others
- How to apply your knowledge to practical contexts