Program Overview

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Psychology (Conversion) MSc

Overview

This master's is a conversion course that is suitable for graduates who have not studied psychology as a first degree. Successful completion provides the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership by the British Psychological Society. The course is offered full-time over one year or part-time over two or three years.

At the end of the course, you could choose to undertake further study that is required to become a chartered psychologist. Alternatively, your understanding of psychology will help you in sectors such as advertising, social work, public services, general management, and human resources.

Why us?

• Psychology was awarded an Athena Swan Bronze Award in 2021, in recognition of its commitment to supporting and transforming gender equality
• The course is accredited by the British Psychological Society

Course structure

We use various teaching and learning methods, including lectures, seminars, workshops, and tutorials. Our thriving research programme in health behaviours and mental health supports the research aspects of the course. Our tutors’ specialisms include social psychology and evolutionary psychology.

Assessment methods are a combination of coursework, including practical reports, research proposals, and presentations.

Compared to an undergraduate course, you will find that this master's requires a higher level of independent working.

If you choose to study this course full-time, you'll be on campus two days a week, Mondays and Tuesdays, from approximately 9am/9:30am until 4pm/4:30pm.

If you study part-time, you'll be on campus one day per week. In year one, this will be a Monday, and in year two, this will be a Tuesday, same timings.

If you study this course part-time, you can choose to study it over two or three years.

Modules

Introduction to Psychology (15 credits)

This module presents a wide selection of interesting, detailed, and prominent psychological discoveries from topic areas such as child development to personality, brain functioning to interpersonal relationships. In the process you will learn how psychologists work in academic and applied settings, and how the discoveries made about the human mind and behaviour can inform both. You will be given the tools to critically assess psychological claims to see how well they hold up once you have examined the evidence behind them, including the development of skills needed to understand and evaluate original research articles and claims made in psychology.

Brain and Behaviour: Biological Psychology (15 credits)

You'll become familiar with the foundations of biological psychology including the anatomy and function of the human brain and nervous system, psychophysiological processes, the endocrine system, behavioural genetics, and neuroscience measurement techniques, alongside the comparative and evolutionary models of human behaviour. During this module you will apply your knowledge to a variety of applied topics within biological psychology, ensuring you have an insight into how biological psychology can be applied to real-world scenarios relevant to your field of study.

Social Psychology: Interactions and Influences (15 credits)

Develop an understanding of social psychology as the scientific study of human behaviour that focuses on the interplay between individuals and groups. You will learn about key theories, concepts, and empirical research in social psychology. This will enable you to gain insights into thoughts, feelings, and behaviour of individuals within social contexts.

Personality and Psychometrics (15 credits)

Everybody is different, but how do we describe and measure that? This module focuses on how psychologists define and quantify individual differences and disorders in personality, where those differences might originate, and how those differences affect our personal and working lives. We will consider the implications of being introverted or sociable, cautious or impulsive, neurotic or carefree, kind or psychotic, and what personality traits might be useful to predict behaviour, success, or wellbeing in applied contexts such as in organisational, health, educational, forensic, sports, or clinical psychology.

Understanding Growth and Change: Developmental Psychology (15 credits)

Develop an understanding of how humans grow and change across the lifespan, from conception to old age. You will examine the biological, cognitive, social, and emotional development of individuals as they progress through different stages of life.
Through this module, you will learn how individuals acquire knowledge, perceptual abilities, memory, language, and higher-order thinking skills. You will also explore the influence of relationships, social interactions, and societal factors on identity, self-concept, and emotional well-being. Through engaging with research and case studies, you will enhance your ability to critically evaluate developmental theory and apply it to real-life situations.

Ordinary and Extraordinary Minds: Cognitive Psychology (15 credits)

As you hurry about your everyday life, trying to get your shopping done, your assignments finished, your chores done, hoping for some time for a good chat with your friends, reading a novel or a comic, catching up on your favourite series, exploring the local sights, or maybe playing a game or dancing along to some music, you will be using all your cognitive capacities. This module will uncover the amazing and complex skills that underlie these everyday activities and explore how cognition differs in animals, in people with acquired brain injuries, and in those who have extraordinary skills, such as polyglots and mnemonists.

Measuring Minds: Exploring Quantitative Research (15 credits)

This module will take you through a journey of quantitative methodologies and their application within psychology. You will acquire essential skills for designing and conducting practical research. Additionally, you will master a range of descriptive and inferential analysis techniques, including hands-on experience with relevant statistical software. Proficiency in professionally reporting psychological research findings is a key outcome. Beyond analytical and digital competencies, this module prepares you for potential quantitative research projects or post-study applications as well as a host of other essential transferrable skills.

Beyond Numbers: Exploring Qualitative Research (15 credits)

Explore a selection of qualitative research paradigms and learn how their associated techniques are used across psychology and allied disciplines. Develop a nuanced understanding of the underlying philosophy of such paradigms. Use your knowledge to design, and carry out your own research, then learn how to present and evaluate your own research.

Research Project (60 credits)

This is the final module in your programme, where you put together all the psychological skills and knowledge that you have been learning in previous modules, to design and carry out an independent research project under supervision.

Facilities

Psychology is based in the Murray Library on City Campus, close to the city centre and a three-minute walk from the University metro station.

You’ll find a range of specialist laboratories and excellent library resources here.

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is:

Qualification | Minimum grade
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a bachelor's degree (3 years)| 2:2 classification

If you already hold a postgraduate qualification, please see our Applying for additional postgraduate degrees Help and Advice article.

If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.

If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at for further advice.

We usually require applicants to hold at least a second class honours degree in any subject. This course is designed to be a conversion course for those who do not already hold the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society.

The course is therefore not suitable if you have already achieved an honours degree in psychology.

If English is not your first language, please see our English language requirements.

Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.

Fees and finance

Fees are:

• £9,000 if you are from the UK/Europe
• £17,000 if you are an international student

Part-time fees are £500 per 10 credits. Please note that part-time courses are not available to international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK.

The course is offered full-time over one year, or you can choose to study part-time over two or three years. Please note, however, that the three-year route is not eligible for a government student loan.

Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

Career ready

This conversion course is a way to move into a sector that offers both satisfying careers and excellent salary potential. On completion of this course you will be equipped to apply for the further postgraduate training that is required to become a chartered psychologist.

Career options

There are nine types of psychology in which it is possible to become chartered: clinical, educational, forensic, occupational, counselling, sport and exercise and health psychology, as well as neuropsychology and teaching/researching in psychology.

Equally, the course prepares you for employment in a broad range of sectors. The insights, rigour and methodology of psychology are valued in roles in management, advertising, marketing, human resources, the police force, the prison service, social care, health services and teaching.