Psychology - Conversion Course

This masters programme enables you to become eligible for Graduate Basis of Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS) by developing a comprehensive and critical understanding of key concepts, theories, methods and debates in all areas of psychology. You’ll critically examine how psychological theories and different kinds of evidence are applied in real-world settings, and gain an awareness of the importance of ethical issues in the practice of psychological research, including your own independent dissertation study. By completing this rigorous masters degree, you’ll build your numeracy, literacy, communication, presentation, observational, cognitive and organisational skills as appropriate to the discipline.



This course is accredited by:

• BPS Conversion

To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits from the following:



For module details please see "Course Web Page" above.

The MSc in Psychology (Conversion) is only open to students who don't already hold an undergraduate degree which gives eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) from the British Psychological Society (BPS).



You must hold a UK honours degree (2:2 at least) or equivalent to be accepted for the MSc Psychology (Conversion). As your primary degree won't be in Psychology, your educational achievements should demonstrate that you can master the skills expected of a psychologist over the course of the MSc. These include being able to:

• write accurately, clearly and concisely

• read large quantities of text quickly, accurately and critically

• classify evidence precisely and assess its value and reliability

• argue logically and consistently

• select and interpret evidence to support a logical argument.



This qualification has a required study order. Consequently, you will study with a cohort of peers throughout, while the modules and assessments build on one another systematically. All students will begin with the postgraduate module, Critically exploring psychology 1 (D810). This module equips you with the requisite skills needed to undertake postgraduate-level study. However, it does not offer remedial training.



Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum score of 6.5 under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see their website for details. If you’re not sure whether your English skills are good enough, there is some help and guidance at our Skills for OU Study website.

2 years part-time study.



How long it takes

Most students study the MSc in Psychology (Conversion) part-time, completing one module a year over two years. Typically, this means 25 study hours each week.



You must complete the MSc in Psychology (Conversion) within 10 years.

See Course Web Page link for next start date.

Career relevance

This masters degree fulfils the requirements for Graduate Basis of Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS). As such, the MSc Psychology (Conversion) allows you to advance your career as a professional psychologist in any of the applied areas of psychology regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council in the UK.



The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) regulated titles include:

• clinical psychologist

• counselling psychologist

• educational psychologist

• forensic psychologist

• health psychologist

• occupational psychologist

• sports and exercise psychologist.



This degree provides ideal preparation for the further study, training and/or work. As well as specific knowledge, you'll develop many transferable and work-related skills including:

• communication

• numeracy

• effective team-working

• independent and critical thinking

• IT and data handling

• analysing and evaluating diverse sources of information, including qualitative and quantitative data

• problem-solving and reasoning

• application of learning to real world problems and situations

• independent learning.