MSc/PGDip/PGCert Psychology

Overview

We have designed this conversion course for students who want to become professional psychologists. Our Psychology MSc is ideal if you are a graduate of a subject other than psychology, or a psychology graduate whose undergraduate degree is not professionally recognised. You will gain a qualification in psychology that:

confers eligibility for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS)
establishes the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC).

You will develop a grounding in key theories, methods and the practice of psychology in the core areas of:

• development psychology
• cognitive psychology
• biological psychology
• individual differences
• social psychology
• historical and conceptual issues
• psychological health and disorders
• research paradigms
• methods and measurement techniques
• statistical and qualitative analysis.

The integration of theory, research and practice, apparent throughout the course, will enable you to put your knowledge into practice to conduct a piece of hands-on, independent research.

Career prospects

For many of our students, their MSc is a stepping-stone to professional training for careers in psychology (e.g. educational, occupational or clinical psychology). Some choose to continue their academic studies, progressing to specialised masters courses or PhD research. Others have told us they have applied the skills and knowledge they have learnt in varied settings including the hospitality industry, the charitable sector and publishing. In addition to the development of broad psychological literacy in terms of knowledge and skills as required by the BPS, successful graduates of this course are equipped with interpersonal, practical, communication and analytical skills which are indispensable for many careers, within or outside of psychology.

The Psychology Team offer many opportunities for students to enhance their experience and knowledge of career/training possibilities in order to refine and support their future choices. For example, students have the opportunity to work as research assistants with one of the academic researchers on a diverse range of research projects, learn about the ongoing research and research equipment used in our research labs, get involved with volunteering for local charities and organisations with which we have links or attend our regular careers talks and lively research seminars. In regular meetings with their Academic Adviser, students are encouraged to think about their skill sets (including transferable skills developed from the course), career plans and training/experience needs, advised about ways to progress and offered practical help with applications for future training and employment.

Students can also exit with Pgcert/Pgdip awards.