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Psychology MSc

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    This course is eligible for Master's loan funding. Find out more.
    This course is eligible for Master's loan funding. Find out more.
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    Overview

    This course provides a high quality, broad based education in psychology. This conversion course was specifically designed for graduates of any discipline, as well as those who have previously studied psychology in their undergraduate degree which was not accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

    You will be taught by a team with research interests in applied psychology across seven major content areas; Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology, Biological Psychology, Individual Differences, Research Methods and Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology. You will explore quantitative and qualitative research methods, as well as data analysis. This will help to prepare you to conduct your own research project, supported by a subject matter expert. Ethics is an integral part of psychology; therefore, you will be taught research ethics and the wider application of ethics to the workplace and society. The optional modules provide an insight into professional careers such as forensic, educational and health psychology. *Successful completion of the course currently leads to eligibility to register for Graduate Basis Chartered membership (GBC) with the BPS. Once registered, the GBC status allows you to apply for further postgraduate BPS accredited courses.

    Key Information

    Entry requirements

    You must satisfy the following requirements as defined by the BPS and have either:

    • An Honours degree (2:2 or above) in Psychology (or a similar subject) that has not been accredited by the BPS as leading to the GBC.
    • Or an Honours degree (2:2 minimum) in a subject other than Psychology and GCSE Maths (or the equivalent at grade C or above).

    If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.5 overall with no element lower than 6.0, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

    Due to the BPS requirements, it is not possible for you to gain accreditation for your prior learning.

    Start dates

    21 September 2026

    Duration

    1 year full-time

    Course Detail

    Brain-Behaviour and Cognition

    This module provides the opportunity for you to develop a critical understanding of cognitive and biological explanations of human behaviour. You will explore a diverse range of topics including psychopharmacology, behavioural genetics, memory and human perception.

    Developmental Psychology and Professional Development

    In the developmental psychology part of the module you will be supported to build on your knowledge of human development across the lifespan in a variety of contexts. You will learn about different methodological approaches to studying human development and how to critique them. In the professional development part of the module, you will reflect on your personal and professional skills development and how psychology-related skills can be used beyond university.

    Social Psychology and Personality

    You will explore and apply contemporary perspectives in social psychology. Through developing and applying your knowledge and understanding and with a critical focus you will research and offer solutions to current ‘real-world’ topical issues. This will consist of your solutions to a ‘real-world’ topical issue and will be pre-dominantly relevant to human social life. You will be assessed by one piece of coursework and an unseen exam. In this module you will examine the perspectives, methods and theoretical stances taken by social and personality psychologists in relation to key contemporary issues, social processes and conflicts. You will examine each approach from its respective social and personality psychology perspective, where continuities and discontinuities will be highlighted and evaluated. You will further examine a broad spectrum of epistemological approaches and place these in their context. The module will be delivered thematically, each theme reflecting major topic areas in social psychology and personality psychology. Outline Syllabus Social psychology and personality psychology – Mainstream and critical qualitative perspectives, conceptual and historical issues, methods and knowledge, identity theories, emotions, close relationships, sexuality, crowds, groups processes, personality theories and individual differences.

    Research and Analysis Skills in Psychology

    This module provides the opportunity for you to acquire a critical understanding of the range of quantitative approaches to research in Psychology, including experimental, quasi-experimental, non-experimental and qualitative methods. You will also have the chance to develop the ability to define appropriate participant samples and groups, understanding of the purposes and limitations of specific research techniques, the application of appropriate statistical methods or qualitative analysis to data from various designs and interpret the results, use appropriate methods of data collection and statistical tests or qualitative analysis.

    Research Proposal in Psychology

    This module helps to support you in the development of your ideas for your research proposal, in readiness for the project module. In addition you will explore how to complete a submission of the proposal for ethical approval for research involving human participants or data derived from them. You will learn about ethics beyond research and professional conduct.

    Research Project in Psychology

    In this module you will carry out an independent piece of research under the supervision of a member of Psychology staff who has Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS). You will submit a proposal for ethical approval for research involving human participants or data derived from them. You will have the opportunity to develop the ability to manage the process of constructing and carrying out a piece of research, analysing and interpreting the empirical data derived from it and communicating your findings in an appropriate report format.

    Plus one from the following option modules:

    Forensic Psychology

    You will be introduced to the major approaches, concepts and issues within the field of forensic psychology. Two main themes are used to explore these controversial and emotive issues that relate to the psychology of crime, detection and punishment. You will critically consider a range of research areas in forensic psychology including prison treatment programmes, eyewitness and expert testimonies, interrogative suggestibility, crime and mentally disordered offenders. You will also study a range of crimes and the psychological explanations of why these are committed.

    Health Psychology

    Health psychology is the study of how behavioural, psychological and social processes influence physical health and illness. This module introduces you to the exciting discipline of health psychology through lectures, seminars and directed study. You will explore some key theories, concepts and research through one piece of coursework. The module is aligned with the scientist-practitioner model, with its emphasis on evidence-based approaches to treatment, as well as research methods and skills which is reflected in the module content.

    The Psychology of Education

    This module takes a critically reflective approach to the theories and practices of education, seeking to understand the mechanisms of enablement and disablement in education from a lifelong learning perspective. You will explore the complex factors which interact to construct learning, and will critically examine theory and practice within the context of these factors.

    Psychological Difficulties and Clinical Psychology

    This module explores psychological difficulties and ways in which clinical psychologists (and psychiatrists) have tried to understand, explain and manage behaviour that is perceived as ‘abnormal’ or ‘atypical’. You'll study the classification and management of different mental illnesses, such as personality disorders, eating disorders and schizophrenia. You'll be introduced to the diagnosis and aetiology of the mental illnesses by considering biological, psychological and social perspectives in understanding these difficulties.

    Learning and teaching is delivered through a variety of methods including lectures, tutorials, student led seminars and practical sessions within our psychology laboratories. You will be allocated a supervisor for one to one support during the first term. The nature of assessment varies across modules but includes a combination of essays, reports, presentations and examinations.

    This course has modules making up 180 credits over the 1 Years, with each credit being 10 hours of study (1800 hours in total). An average of approximately* 13% (238 hours) of the study time on this course is spent with your tutors [face to face or online] in [lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical's and workshops]. The remainder of the time will be spent on independent study. Assessments takes place through a variety of [exams, coursework, etc].

    Subject to mode of study. *Based on current core and compulsory modules. Calculated using data from the academic year 2024/25, as of November 2024.

    Teaching

    The teaching year for most courses normally starts in September with breaks at Christmas and Easter, finishing with a main examination/assessment period around May/June. Teaching on other courses including professional courses, postgraduate taught, research, distance learning and apprenticeship may have other start dates including January and May. All start dates can be found on each course page and term dates are also available. Students on a full-time course may have to attend every day of the week. Students who choose to study a full-time course on a part-time basis will generally attend modules at the same time as our full-time students. Timetables are normally available one month before registration.

    Our courses are taught at our University campus and you can expect that your lectures and seminars will be held face to face, except in cases of emergency or if specifically stated otherwise in the module description.

    Feedback

    Feedback (usually written) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on exam performance/final coursework is available on request after the publication of results.

    Progression

    You may progress to the next stage of your course or research degree, subject to meeting University assessment criteria and professional, statutory, or regulatory body guidelines.

    1. Triple proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2024). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.

    2. We are first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 22 since 2008 (2023 data).

    3. We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

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    Important information

    We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

    Changes to a course you have applied for

    If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

    Cancellation of a course you have applied for

    Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

    Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

    We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

    Changes to option modules

    Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

    Major changes

    We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

    For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

    Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

    Termination of course

    In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

    When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

    The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.