MSc Psychology (Conversion)

Program Overview

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MSc Psychology (Conversion)

Thinking of a career in psychology? Or just want to expand your knowledge in the field? Studying MSc Psychology (Conversion) at The University of Law is a great place to start. Specifically designed for non-psychology graduates, this course is a great introduction to critical psychological skills, knowledge and values applied to real world contexts.

Key Facts

Entry requirements

An undergraduate degree at 2:2 or above in any discipline (or equivalent).

Undergraduate Psychology degrees accredited by the BPS cannot be accepted for this programme.

Locations

Leeds, London Bloomsbury and Online

Study mode options

Full-time or Part-time

Next start date

September 2025

Course Details

MSc Psychology (Conversion)

If you’re looking to make the change to psychological study and already have an undergraduate degree in another discipline, then our Master’s in Psychology Conversion course is your place to start.

On completion, you’ll be equipped with core knowledge and understanding of key psychological theories, principles and concepts, that can be applied to everyday life as well as a professional setting. You’ll have also built skills in scientific reasoning, be able to understand the role of evidence and make critical judgements in psychological arguments.

Employability is embedded into this course from the beginning. Our unique Professional Development and Applications of Professional Psychology module will allow you to explore and prepare for your career while you study.

You’ll graduate with skills such as problem solving, research, communication and self-evaluation – competencies that can be applied to future studies, as well as enhancing your professional skills.

Why study the MSc Psychology (Conversion) with us?

• Flexibility to learn your way: Choose from full-time and part-time (roughly 2 days per week), study online or at one of our campuses, so you can flex your studies around your lifestyle.
• Award-winning Employability support: From day one to beyond graduation, you’ll have access to 1:1 support from our experienced Employability Service, including mentoring, work experience support, CV and job application advice and resources.
• High-quality teaching: Our lecturers are experts in contemporary psychology. They bring the course to life with their individual perspectives, unique career paths and cutting-edge research - from gender differences, to addressing how different factors impact bystander intervention into sexual violence, and how digital innovations can support mental health.
• An innovative approach: Small class sizes, state of the art facilities and practical course content will set you up for success in your future career.

Course Structure

Full-time

• Neuroscience of Behaviour (15 credits)
• Cognitive Psychology (15 credits)
• Personality and Individual Differences (15 credits)
• Social and Critical Psychology (15 credits)
• Lifespan Development (15 credits)
• Applications of Professional Psychology (15 credits)
• Research Methods (30 credits)
• Dissertation (60 credits)
• Professional Development (0 credits)

Part-time

Year one

• Social and Critical Psychology (15 credits)
• Research Methods (15 credits)
• Lifespan Development (15 credits)
• Professional Development (0 credits)

Year two

• Neuroscience of Behaviour (15 credits)
• Cognitive Psychology (15 credits)
• Applications of Professional Psychology (15 credits)
• Personality and Individual Differences (15 credits)
• Dissertation (60 credits)

Module details

Neuroscience of Behaviour

This module is the study of the biological bases of human behaviour, using quantitative design and analysis and considering ethics. You will use methods including the recording of physiological signals and brain-imaging techniques to address questions such as: What is the relationship between genes and behaviour or bodily reactions and emotion? What is the purpose of sleep? How are memories stored in the brain?

Cognitive Psychology

In this module you will develop knowledge of theories, concepts, and research about human cognition. Covering a range of topics and approaches to understanding Cognition, including the historical roots, conceptual aspects to the subject area, social cognition, mental representation, decision making, memory, language, and consciousness.

Personality and Individual Differences

Reviewing the main theories of personality and using contemporary empirical evidence you will explore the complex relationship between personality and behaviour. With sessions focusing on personality disorders and problems assessing and classifying such disorders, the module will also enable you to examine some of the broader societal issues relating to individual differences in personality.

Social and Critical Psychology

This module will introduce you to new topics within social psychology, but arguably more importantly, new perspectives by which to view topics such as social constructionism, social psychology of the self, problems of experimental social psychology, group performance and decision making, and crowd behaviour.

Lifespan Development

Exploring key theories of psychological development throughout the lifespan you will learn to think critically about these theories and consider how psychological wellbeing could be enhanced at every stage of a person’s development.

Applications of Professional Psychology

In this module you will consider the pragmatic, ethical and methodological aspects of applying psychological principles and knowledge to real-life contexts by learning how psychology is used in a range of professional practices, such as health, education, sport and may other professional psychology careers, helping to inform your own future career choices.

Research Methods

By developing your ability to design psychological investigations and assess the data collected, and understanding the ethical implications of various methods used, on this module you will develop a range of transferable skills that are highly valued in employment settings, including communication, numeracy and critical thinking.

Dissertation

This module involves an independent research study in a clearly defined area of psychology involving both a theoretical and an empirical component. You will be supported by lecturers to develop the study in an area that you are passionate about, helping bring to life the knowledge you have gained throughout the course with confidence.

Professional Development Module

A distinctive element of the course is our in-built Employability module, designed with our conversion students in mind. On this module you’ll be guided through identifying industry relevant experiences, building up a professional network, recognising and articulating your strengths and presenting these via your CV, professional applications, interviews and more. By the end of the module candidates will feel confident to approach graduate level employers and further education opportunities.

Course Start Dates

September 2025

• MSc Psychology (Conversion)
  • Full-time: Leeds and London Bloomsbury
  • Part-time: Leeds and London Bloomsbury

February 2026

• MSc Psychology (Conversion)
  • Full-time: Leeds and London Bloomsbury
  • Part-time: Leeds and London Bloomsbury

June 2026

• MSc Psychology (Conversion)
  • Full-time: Leeds and London Bloomsbury
  • Part-time: Leeds and London Bloomsbury

Online

Study MSc Psychology (Conversion) Online starting June 2025, September 2025, February 2026 or June 2026

Fees and Applying

How to Apply

You can apply for the MSc Psychology (Conversion) directly with the University.

Fees and Funding

2025/26 Course Fee (for courses starting on or after 1 July 2025)

Domestic students

• London: £10,400
• Outside London: £9,850

Non-domestic students

• London: £17,000 (or £15,500 including a £1,500 International Bursary*)
• Outside London: £16,000 (or £14,500 including a £1,500 International Bursary*)

*Terms and Conditions apply: pdfinternational-bursary-tcs-.pdf (law.ac.uk)

By studying a Master's degree you could be eligible for a Postgraduate Loan.

If you’re a ULaw alumnus, you may be eligible to receive our £1000 Academic Master's Alumni Discount.

We also have a range of scholarships and bursaries available to help you invest in your future.

International

We have students from over 120 different countries throughout our campuses, with a dedicated team to help international students.

If you are an international student and are coming to the UK to study, then you must apply to the Home Office for a visa. In most cases you will need to obtain a Student Route visa. In order to apply for this visa you must be sponsored by an education provider which is licensed by the UK Home Office.

The Home Office has also introduced a Graduate Work visa which allows Graduates to work flexibly, switch jobs and develop their career in the UK for 2 years post completion of a UK degree. The Graduate route is an unsponsored visa, meaning students will not need a job offer to apply for this visa.

Please note that the University does not currently provide visa sponsorship to students for part-time study. We also cannot sponsor students for online courses due to Home Office regulations.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

This MSc Psychology (Conversion) program is designed specifically for non-psychology graduates who wish to pursue a career in psychology or expand their knowledge in the field. It provides a comprehensive introduction to critical psychological skills, knowledge, and values applied to real-world contexts. The program is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) for on-campus courses, enabling graduates to progress towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist. The online version of the program is also BPS accredited.

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Objectives:

The program aims to equip students with:

• Core knowledge and understanding of key psychological theories, principles, and concepts.
• Skills in scientific reasoning, evidence-based understanding, and critical judgment in psychological arguments.
• Practical application of psychological principles to everyday life and professional settings.
• Enhanced employability in various fields, including health, education, management, marketing, policing, and more.

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Outline:

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Full-time:

• Year 1:
• Neuroscience of Behaviour
• Cognitive Psychology
• Personality and Individual Differences
• Social and Critical Psychology
• Lifespan Development
• Applications of Professional Psychology
• Professional Development
• Research Methods
• Dissertation
• Year 2: (Not explicitly mentioned, but likely a continuation of Year 1 modules with a focus on dissertation research and writing)

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Part-time:

• Year 1:
• Social and Critical Psychology
• Research Methods
• Lifespan Development
• Professional Development
• Year 2:
• Neuroscience of Behaviour
• Cognitive Psychology
• Applications of Professional Psychology
• Personality and Individual Differences
• Dissertation

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Module Descriptions:

• Neuroscience of Behaviour: Explores the biological bases of human behavior, using quantitative design and analysis, considering ethics.
Covers topics like the relationship between genes and behavior, bodily reactions and emotion, the purpose of sleep, and memory storage in the brain.
• Cognitive Psychology: Develops knowledge of theories, concepts, and research about human cognition.
Covers historical roots, conceptual aspects, social cognition, mental representation, decision making, memory, language, and consciousness.
• Personality and Individual Differences: Reviews main theories of personality and explores the relationship between personality and behavior using contemporary empirical evidence.
Focuses on personality disorders, assessment and classification, and broader societal issues related to individual differences.
• Social and Critical Psychology: Introduces new topics and perspectives within social psychology, including social constructionism, social psychology of the self, problems of experimental social psychology, group performance and decision making, and crowd behavior.
• Lifespan Development: Explores key theories of psychological development throughout the lifespan, encouraging critical thinking and considering how to enhance psychological wellbeing at each stage.
• Applications of Professional Psychology: Examines the pragmatic, ethical, and methodological aspects of applying psychological principles and knowledge to real-life contexts.
Covers how psychology is used in various professional practices, such as health, education, sport, and other professional psychology careers.
• Research Methods: Develops skills in designing psychological investigations, assessing data, and understanding ethical implications of various methods.
Enhances transferable skills like communication, numeracy, and critical thinking.
• Dissertation: Involves an independent research study in a chosen area of psychology, combining theoretical and empirical components.
Students are supported by tutors to develop the study in an area they are passionate about.
• Professional Development: A distinctive module designed for conversion students, guiding them through identifying industry-relevant experiences, building professional networks, recognizing and articulating strengths, and presenting these through CVs, professional applications, interviews, and more.

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Assessment:

• Formative: Includes preparation and feedback from teaching sessions (lectures, seminars, workshops, presentations).
• Summative: Contributes to the grade and may include written assignments, group work/studies, projects, and possibly exams.

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Teaching:

• Methods: The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, workshops, and presentations.
• Faculty: Lecturers are experts in contemporary psychology, bringing their individual perspectives, unique career paths, and cutting-edge research to the course.
• Unique Approaches: Small class sizes, state-of-the-art facilities, and practical course content are designed to set students up for success in their future careers.

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Careers:

• Potential Paths: Successful completion of the program, once BPS accredited, allows graduates to pursue further education (like a PhD) and work towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist, such as a Clinical Psychologist, Educational Psychologist, Health Psychologist, or Forensic Psychologist.
• Opportunities: The program enhances employability in various fields, including health, education, management, marketing, policing, and more.

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Other:

• Flexibility: Students can choose from full-time and part-time study options, with the flexibility to study online or at one of the campuses.
• Psychology Lab: The Leeds campus offers a Psychology Lab equipped with experiment cubicles, an observation suite, and VR equipment, providing practical learning opportunities.

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Domestic students London: £10,000 Outside London: £9,450 Non-domestic students London: £17,000 (or £15,500 including a £1,500 International Bursary ) Outside London: £16,000 (or £14,500 including a £1,500 International Bursary )

• Terms and Conditions apply: pdf_students_international-bursary-tcs-2024-25.pdf (law.ac.uk)