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Psychology, Culture and Evolution MSc

Course code

CULTEVOLFTD – Full time; CULTEVOLPTD - Part time

Start date

September

Subject area

Psychology

Mode of study

1 year full-time

2 years part-time

Fees

2024/25

UK £12,650

International £23,615

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Overview

In order to understand the deeper workings of the human mind and to recognise why we are who we are, it is important to look closely at two of the most fundamental and powerful influences on behaviour - culture and evolution.

As part of the Psychology, Culture and Evolution MSc you will delve into evolutionary and cross-cultural psychology, analysing how an external influence can create an internal choice or characteristic within individuals. You will look at personal relationships and how we choose a mate, morality and belief systems such as how we conclude our standing on politics and religion, and conflict and cooperation and how inequality can become a source of social conflict.

This master's programme will give you the analytical research skills, knowledge and expertise you'll need to pursue a PhD in fields such as cross-cultural psychology, evolutionary psychology, anthropology, behavioural ecology, human ethology, comparative sociology, and multicultural and cross-cultural counselling.

Dean’s International Scholarship: This course is eligible for a £2,000 fee waiver, per academic year, subject to availability. This Scholarship is for full-time international students only. Find out more.

You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.

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Course content

The Psychology, Culture and Evolution MSc consists of a variety of optional modules, allowing you to choose which taught aspects you'd like to specialise before you undertake your dissertation.

This course can be studied 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, starting in September.

Year 1

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

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Careers and your future

You’ll gain transferable cognitive, analytical, and research skills that will enhance your employability in careers related to global and public health, international agencies including governmental and nongovernmental research institutes, creative industries such as advertising and market research, international business and intercultural communication, as well as general private sector employment (e.g. management training programmes).

You can also pursue further PhD study using the knowledge and expertise gained on this degree, in fields such as cross-cultural psychology, evolutionary psychology,anthropology, behavioural ecology, human ethology,sociology, and multicultural and cross-cultural counselling.

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UK entry requirements

  • A UK 2:2 Honours degree (or overseas equivalent) in Psychology, Anthropology, Biology, or a related subject in the Psychological, Social, Behavioural, or Life Sciences (as single honours, or as major components of a joint honours degree).

Applicants with good other Honours degrees, and/or with relevant work experience, are also eligible to apply.

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EU and International entry requirements

If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
  • Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
  • BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
  • TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all) 

You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.

Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.

Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.

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Fees and funding

2024/25 entry

UK

£12,650 full-time

£6,325 part-time

International

£23,615 full-time

£11,805 part-time

More information on any additional course-related costs.

Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase. 

See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.

Scholarships and bursaries

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Teaching and Learning

How the course will be delivered

Required equipment

How you'll learn on your course

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Assessment and feedback

You will be assessed on a combination of coursework essays, quantitative reports, synoptic seen examinations, seminar presentations, and your dissertation.

Throughout the course, you will also have the opportunity to engage with formative assessment tasks which do not count towards your final grade. These will provide you with feedback which will help with your marked work.

Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.

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