Psychology - Conversion Course

Course Outline
The Higher Diploma in Psychology is a conversion course to psychology for students with degrees in subjects other than psychology or with psychology as a minor subject. Completion of the Higher Diplomain Psychology effectively converts your degree to the equivalent of an honours degree with psychology as the main subject.

It is designed for non-psychology graduates who wish to gain a qualification that makes them eligible to become Graduate Members of the relevant professional society, The Psychological Society of Ireland. This is a pre-requisite for accredited professional training in psychology.

Why Choose This Course
The Higher Diploma in Psychology is a conversion course for graduates with degrees in disciplines other than psychology or for those who have taken psychology as a minor subject. Completion of the Higher Diploma in Psychology effectively converts your degree to the equivalent of an honours degree with psychology as the major subject. Graduates of the Higher Diploma in Psychology are eligible to become members of a relevant professional society (The Psychological Society of Ireland - PSI or the British Psychological Society - BPS). Membership of these national psychological organisations is a prerequisite for most postgraduate training in psychology.

Core areas taught on the programme include:
Research Methods
Cognitive Psychology
Biological Psychology
Social Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Individual Differences
Abnormal Psychology
Psychological Therapies
*In addition to the above, successful applicants who have not completed the equivalent of year 1 of the BA in Applied Psychology will be expected to attend a brief course prior to commencing on the Higher Diploma in Psychology.

For further details of the programme modules and module descriptions, see the Postgraduate College Calendar

Modules
Further details on the modules listed above can be found in our book of modules. Any modules listed above are indicative of the current set of modules for this course but are subject to change from year to year.

University Calendar
You can find the full academic content for the current year of any given course in our University Calendar.

Requirements
- Candidates should normally have at least a Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8).

- It may be necessary to limit numbers, and candidates will have to satisfy a Selection Committee at interview. Previous study of psychology, although not a requirement is highly advantageous

- The Additional/Supplementary Statement Question MUST also be completed during the online application. Relevant previous experience of psychology should be included in this statement

English Language Requirements
Applicants that are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university approved English language requirements.

For applicants with qualifications completed outside of Ireland:
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements.

International/non-EU applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure please visit our how to apply pages for international students. In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

For more information please contact the International Office.

Closing Date: 11 April 2022.

How Do I Apply

1. Choose Course
Firstly choose your course. Applicants can apply for up to two courses under one application. Details of taught courses are available on our online prospectus.

2. Apply Online
Once you have chosen your course you can apply online at the online application portal. Applicants will need to apply before the course closing date. There is a non-refundable €50 application fee for all courses apart from the Education - Professional Master of Education - (Secondary School/Post-Primary Teacher Training) which has a €100 application fee.

Applicants for the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Nursing must apply on the PAC website when the programme opens for applications.

3. Gather Supporting Documents
Scanned copies of the following documents will need to be uploaded to the online application portal in support of your application. Applicants may need to produce the original documents if you are accepted onto a course and register at UCC.

- Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC

- Any supplementary items requested for your course.

Please log into the online application portal for more details.

4. Application processing timeline
Our online application portal opens for applications for most courses in early November of each year. Check specific course details.

5. Rounds
For courses that are in the rounds system (Irish and EU applicants), please check the rounds closing dates.

Questions on how to apply?
Please use our web enquiry form to contact us.

Additional Requirements (All Applicants)
- Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

- You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.

- Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.

All applicants must supply the names and contact details (address, email address and phone number) for two referees, (one an academic source and the other from a (either voluntary or paid), who may be contacted by the School of Applied Psychology, UCC, during the selection process

Some shortlisted Applicants may be interviewed during selection.

Deferrals
Deferrals are not permitted on this programme.

The closing date for non-EU applications is 11 April 2022.

Assessment

Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards Book and for each module in the Book of Modules

2 years full-time.

Additional Teaching Mode Information
The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over 4 years.

Start Date: 7 September 2020

Skills and Careers Information
The Higher Diploma in Psychology is an entry level qualification (equivalent to a degree). Completion of the programme entitles graduates to membership of the PSI or BPS a prerequisite for most postgraduate training or research programmes. Clear and comprehensive information on postgraduate opportunities and career development may be found on these national society websites at www.psihq.ie or www.bps.org.uk.