Psychology - Conversion Course

This masters programme offers you the opportunity to gain your first qualification accredited by the British Psychological Society. You’ll develop a comprehensive and critical understanding of the key concepts, theories, methods and debates in psychology. This will include critically examining how psychological theories and research methodologies are applied in real world settings and assessing different kinds of evidence from quantitative and qualitative data. You’ll also gain an awareness of the importance of ethical issues in the practice of psychology. By completing this rigorous masters degree, you’ll build your numeracy, literacy, communication, team working, 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".

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. Your first degree need not be in psychology, but you must have the skills expected of a social sciences graduate.



This qualification has a required study order. All students will begin with the postgraduate module, Critically exploring psychology 1 (D810). This module will help equip you with the requisite skills needed to undertake postgraduate-level study, but it does not offer remedial training for those who have an unsuitable bachelors degree or inadequate experience. You will have the opportunity to study with a cohort of peers throughout, while the modules and assessments build on one another systematically.



You must be 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.



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).

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

Careers as a professional psychologist in the applied areas of psychology will require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree – for which this course provides ideal preparation.



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.



As well as the specific knowledge gained from studying this masters degree, you'll develop many transferable and work-related skills that are highly valued by employers.



These include:

• 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.



Accreditation/Professional recognition



This masters degree is designed to deliver the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).