Psychology - Conversion

The Higher Diploma in Psychology is an intensive two-year postgraduate conversion course for graduates with an honours degree in a discipline other than psychology, who would like to take the first step towards a professional career in psychology.



Course features:

- Psychology conversion course

- Equivalent to Honours BA degree in Psychology

- Two years fulltime or four years part time

- Accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI)

- Internationally recognised degree

- Enables further postgraduate training in clinical, counselling, health or other types of psychology



The purpose of the Higher Diploma in Psychology in UCD is to foster an evidence-based appreciation of mind, brain, lived experiences, social context, and behaviour, and the nature and outcomes of their complex interactions. Students will learn the importance of psychological approaches to problems in modelling the full richness of mental life, as well as the role of empirical research in shaping and influencing theory. The programme stresses the importance of critical thinking, informed awareness of the multiplicity of levels of understanding psychological phenomena, the significance of building research skills, and of ethics in research and practice.



Professional Accreditation

The degree is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) as a first degree (equivalent to an Honours BA in Psychology), and confers eligibility for Graduate Membership of PSI. The Higher Diploma in Psychology is an internationally recognised degree that allows graduate membership of relevant psychological societies including the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Module Trimester Credits



Stage 1 Core Modules

PSY10060 Brain and Behaviour Autumn 5

PSY10080 Introduction to Social Psychology Autumn 5

PSY20020 Child & Adolescent Development Autumn 5

PSY20050 Laboratory Practicals in Psychology I Autumn 5

PSY20150 Foundations of Psychology Autumn 5

PSY20160 Research Methods & Stats II Autumn 5

PSY20240 Language, Perception & Social Cognition Spring 5

PSY30110 Laboratory Practicals in Psychology II Spring 5



Stage 1 Options - A)4 of:

Select 4 of the following

PSY20100 Introduction to Disability Studies Autumn 5

PSY20130 Introduction to Work and Organisational Psychology Autumn 5

PSY20170 Clinical Psychology Autumn 5

PSY20180 The Science + Art of Therapy: From Freud to Zinn Autumn 5

PSY20200 Psychology for Everyday Life Autumn 5

PSY20110 Introduction to Health Psychology Spring 5

PSY20220 Psychology of Ageing Spring 5

PSY30080 Psychology and Crime Spring 5

PSY30290 Applied Health Psychology Spring 5

PSY30320 Career development in psych Spring 5

PSY30380 Youth Mental Health Spring 5

PSY30470 Mindfulness for Life Spring 5



Stage 2 Core Modules

PSY30050 Behavioural Neuroscience Autumn 5

PSY30340 Human Intelligence and Personality Autumn 5

PSY30410 Advanced Cognitive Psychology Autumn 5

PSY30480 Research Data & Analysis 3 Autumn 10

PSY30500 Research Project Design Autumn 5

PSY30040 Lifespan Developmental Psychology Spring 5

PSY30140 Advanced Social Psychology Spring 5

PSY30490 Research Project Dissertation Spring 10



Stage 2 Options - A) Min 2 of:

Select a minimum of 2

PSY20020 Child & Adolescent Development Autumn 5

PSY20100 Introduction to Disability Studies Autumn 5

PSY20130 Introduction to Work and Organisational Psychology Autumn 5

PSY20170 Clinical Psychology Autumn 5

PSY20200 Psychology for Everyday Life Autumn 5

PSY30400 Cross-Cultural Psychology Autumn 5

PSY20110 Introduction to Health Psychology Spring 5

PSY20180 The Science + Art of Therapy: From Freud to Zinn Spring 5

PSY20220 Psychology of Ageing Spring 5

PSY20250 Careers in and with psychology Spring 5

PSY30080 Psychology and Crime Spring 5

PSY30380 Youth Mental Health Spring 5

PSY30440 How to Change Behaviour Spring 5

PSY30470 Mindfulness for Life Spring 5

Between 15 and 20 students are admitted to the Higher Diploma in Psychology each year.



Applicants to the Higher Diploma in Psychology programme must be graduates with an honours degree (typically a 2.1 or higher), or final year students on an honours degree programme in any discipline. Offers to applicants who are not yet graduates will be contingent on degree results. The programme welcomes applications from mature students. The selection process for the Higher Diploma in Psychology will take account of: 1) undergraduate record and, where relevant, postgraduate record; (2) certified modules or courses in psychology; (3) experience of psychology through work or voluntary activities; (4) employment record; (5) references; (6) applicant's personal statement on the application form.



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/



Teaching in Irish Universities is normally through the medium of English. All applicants are therefore required to demonstrate a high level of competence in the English language. Applicants whose first language is not English, and who are not presenting the subject English in a school-leaving examination which is at least of pass Leaving Certificate standard (e.g. GCSE grade C) must meet the minimum English Language Requirements in relation to TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System) specified at the following website: https://www.ucd.ie/global/study-at-ucd/undergraduate/entryrequirements/

Apply online



Who Should Apply?

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EU) applicants: Yes



Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants: No



A number of places on the Higher Diploma in Psychology are offered each year to international applicants. Applications for this programme typically open in October and close in mid-March. International applicants may contact psychology@ucd.ie in the first instance to indicate their interest in applying for the Higher Diploma in Psychology. International applicants may apply for the Higher Diploma in Psychology through the UCD Online Applications homepage.

2 years full-time (W014),

4 years part-time (W202).

W014 Higher Diploma Psychology

Higher Diploma Full-Time

Commencing September 2026



W202 Higher Diploma Psychology

Higher Diploma Part-Time

Commencing September 2026

Enables further postgraduate training in clinical, counselling, health or other types of psychology.