Psychology - Conversion Course

MSc in Psychology (Conversion)
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.

Key features of the course
• Builds your knowledge and understanding of a broad range of core topics in psychology.
• Gives you an appreciation of different perspectives within psychology and the ability to evaluate them critically.
• Accredited by the British Psychological Society and the first step to becoming a psychologist.
• Gain valuable analytical and communication skills that will enhance your employability.

Modules
To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:
Compulsory modules
• Critically exploring psychology 1 (D810) 90
Next start: 03 Sep 2022

• Critically exploring psychology 2 (D811) Planned 90
Next start: Sep 2023

You should note that the University's unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.

You must hold a UK honours degree (2:2 at least) or equivalent to be accepted for the MSc in Psychology (Conversion). Your first degree need not be in psychology, but you must have the skills expected of a social sciences graduate.

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 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
•marshal 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). Please see the IELTS 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.

This qualification has a required study order, so there is only one pathway. This provides you with the opportunity to study with a cohort of peers throughout, while modules and assessment build on one another systematically.

2 years.

How long it takes
You will be able to complete this masters qualification within two years by studying one module each year.

Career relevance
By studying this psychology postgraduate programme you will develop advanced skills in assessing psychological claims and evidence in key specialisms in psychology. These skills are relevant to a broad range of careers related to public policy, social justice, management, advertising and marketing, as well as the third sector.

The skills developed will be recognised by employers in all fields who value people who can complete a complex psychological project independently; communicate clearly and effectively to diverse academic and non-academic audiences; analyse and evaluate complex information; and who are capable of independently seeking out and selecting good research evidence relevant to real-life issues.

This qualification is not accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.