Program Overview

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MSc or PGDip or PGCert Psychology

Overview

The MSc Psychology is a conversion course ideal for students with little prior knowledge of psychology. It sets you up for a career as a professional psychologist, exploring topics such as what makes us who we are, how children learn, and how to support people with mental health issues.

Why Oxford Brookes University?

• Teaching and facilities: Learn from active researchers in purpose-built facilities, including the Baby Lab.
• Affordability: Competitive pricing is a priority.
• Employability: Enhance your CV with graduate membership of the British Psychological Society and practical experience.
• Location and facilities: Close to transport links and within an hour's drive of many major cities.
• Fixed teaching timetable: Balance work and family commitments with a fixed timetable of on-site teaching.

Course Details

Course Structure

The MSc Psychology is a conversion course that follows BPS subject guidelines, covering fundamental theories, methods, and practice of psychology needed for graduate membership of the Society. These include core areas like development psychology, cognitive psychology, historical and conceptual issues, and psychological health and disorders.

Learning and Teaching

You will be taught through various methods, including:

• Lectures
• Interactive sessions
• Research seminars
• Tutorials
• Supervised seminar presentations
• Collaborative learning
• Learning from providing peer feedback
• Problem-based learning
• Laboratory classes
• Research projects
• Use of online resources (Moodle)
• Reflecting on learning and application of learning
• Independent reading and research

Assessment

A range of formative and summative assessment methods are used, including:

• Unseen written exams
• Coursework essays
• Individual and group presentations
• Critical reviews
• Statistical analysis
• Qualitative reports
• Reflective writing

You will also complete a research-based dissertation, an extended and supervised piece of work reporting on new empirical data.

Field Trips

No information provided.

Study Modules

On-site teaching is two days per week for full-time students or one day for part-time students. Please be aware that you'll require additional time for independent study, reading, and working on assessments.

The modules listed below are for the master's award. For the PGDip and PGCert awards, your module choices may be different. Please contact us for more details.

Compulsory Modules

• Cognitive and Social Aspects of Development
• Conceptual issues and Social Psychology
• Brain and Cognition
• Data Analysis and Statistics for Psychology
• Intelligence, Personality and Individual Differences
• Psychological Health and Disorders
• Qualitative Methods and Research Skills

Final Project

• Research-Based Dissertation

Research

95% of our research is of internationally recognised standard (Research Excellence Framework 2014). Our research has led to improved practice guidelines in both health and education, the development of valuable assessment tools, and the adoption of new policies and practices.

We continue to attract significant funding awards from bodies including:

• ESRC
• MRC
• UKRI
• Cancer Research
• Technology Strategy Board
• Ministry of Defence
• National Institute for Health Research
• Leverhulme Trust

Careers

Graduate from MSc Psychology with a recognised qualification in psychology and open doors to:

• Professional training including educational, psychological or clinical psychology
• Higher academic study with a research PhD or specialised master's
• Broad workplace opportunities, with alumni using their MSc Psychology skills in hospitality, the charitable sector, and the publishing industries

Entry Requirements

Specific Entry Requirements

You must normally have the following qualifications and evidence of being engaged in recent study:

• An upper second-class or first-class honours degree awarded by a recognised institution of higher education in the UK or overseas

Students will also be considered with:

• A lower second-class honours degree AND
• 60 CATS (Credit Accumulative Transfer Scheme) credits in Psychology. You must have achieved an average of 60% in these credits. Credits can be gained from a recognised institution of higher education

English Language Requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, an Academic IELTS score of 6.0 (with 5.5 in Reading and Writing, and 5.5 in Listening and Speaking) is required

How to Apply

No information provided.

Tuition Fees

2025/26

• Home (UK) full-time: £9,150
• Home (UK) part-time: £4,575
• International full-time: £17,750

2026/27

• Home (UK) full-time: £10,450
• Home (UK) part-time: £5,225
• International full-time: £18,250

Additional Costs

You will need to print a poster of your research plans so that you can present this at a mini-conference (about £10). Most recommended reading material takes the form of papers available from the library; however, you should expect to incur additional costs if printing materials or purchasing optional textbooks (likely to be about £40 per book). Whilst much equipment is available from the department at no charge, you are responsible for any other costs associated with the research dissertation (e.g., printing questionnaires or materials for participants, your travel costs, etc.). The extent of these costs will vary depending on the nature of the research project.