Psychological Science - MSc (Psychology)

"Jack Loughnane, MSc Psychological Science" I began my time at the University of Limerick in 2013 when I enrolled in the BSc. in Psychology undergraduate course. The extent to which I enjoyed my time in UL is exemplified by the fact that I remained a part of the UL community until 2023 when I completed my PhD research. During this 10-year period, I was constantly supported and inspired by so many lecturers, staff members, and fellow students. During a brief hiatus from studying after my undergraduate degree, I realized that I had a strong desire to continue learning. Since my undergraduate experience had been so positive, a return to UL was a natural decision and I applied to the MSc. in Psychological Science.

I joined the social psychology stream of the course. Being able to narrow my focus to social psychology meant that I was studying topics that I had a genuine passion for and interest in each week. It was during this time that my passion for research was truly ignited. The Major Research Project that I undertook during this course provided the opportunity to develop my research skills greatly. The support and encouragement provided by my supervisor provided the perfect environment for my passion for and ability to conduct research to thrive. Additionally, the Advanced Analysis modules that I completed during this degree set me on my way to being able to conduct research to a publishable standard.

It was during this time that I also developed skills of research dissemination and confidence in my ability to communicate research findings effectively. This was down in no small part to the Professional Skills modules that were available during this course. After completing my MRP, I presented the findings at the International Society of Political Psychology Annual Meeting, where my paper was selected for additional promotion through the Conference Within a Conference scheme.

I would strongly recommend to anyone beginning this course to identify those lecturers and other students in the department who share your research interests and join their research labs. This will give you the opportunity to attend research presentations and discussions that are equal parts informative and inspiring in a friendly and encouraging environment.

This masters degree, and the MRP in particular, gave me the confidence to join the structured PhD programme at UL. The skills I gained during that time played no small part in my ability to secure funding from the Department of Psychology for the first two years of my PhD studies and from the Irish Research Council for the final two years. The solid foundation in research methods and analysis that I obtained during the masters programme allowed me to hit the ground running with my PhD research. I published two studies in peer-reviewed academic journals and had a further two papers invited for resubmission to reputable journals before successfully defending my thesis in August 2023.

Since completing my PhD, I have begun a new role as a Senior Quantitative Researcher with an NGO in London. The skills I acquired during my time at UL have made me an asset to my new organization and have given me the confidence to take the lead on important research projects. I would highly recommend the MSc. in Psychological Science for anyone interested in a research career, either within or outside of academia.