Program Overview

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Introduction to the HDip Psychology (Conversion) Program

The HDip Psychology (Conversion) is a one-year, full-time program designed for students who have completed the BA in Psychological Studies at University of Galway, or its equivalent. By combining the HDipPsych (Conversion) with the BA with Psychological Studies, students will have covered the course content equivalent to that of University of Galway's BSc in Psychology program.

Program Details

Accreditation

The HDip Psychology (Conversion) is PSI-accredited and meets graduate requirements for entry to professional postgraduate psychology programmes in Ireland and the UK.

Research Areas

The School of Psychology has two key research areas: Brain & Behaviour and Health & Wellbeing, with a strong track record in research, publication, and research funding.

Facilities

The School of Psychology is based in a modern, purpose-built building at the heart of campus, with state-of-the-art labs (including electrophysiology), observation, and seminar rooms.

Course Information

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for applicants who have sat the entire suite of core Psychology courses available to BA (Psychological Studies) students at the University of Galway, or their direct equivalents.

What will I study?

Students on the HDipPsych (Conversion) programme undertake selected modules from the BSc Psychology second and fourth year programme. The menu includes modules on the psychology of learning; perception, attention, and performance; psychological measurement (theory and practice); advanced research methods (both quantitative and qualitative) and computer skills training (SPSS).

Curriculum

The following core courses are provided:

• PS220: Psychology of Learning
• PS325: Research Project 1
• PS405: Advanced Research Methods in Psychology
• PS413: Qualitative Research Methods
• PS415: Perception, Attention & Performance
• PS420: Psychological Measurement: Theory and Practice

Unique Features

• Professional accreditation: This HDip enables students with a BA (Psychological Studies) to convert to a degree profile accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland.
• Range of modules: The course includes modules covering the full range of psychological science, with major emphasis on health, cognition, and behaviour themes.
• Research Project: students will complete a full research project, usually an empirical study, under the supervision of academic staff.

Careers

Psychology offers a wide range of career paths, reflecting the discipline's broad relevance to human behaviour, mental health, and social functioning. Careers in psychology broadly divide into applied, clinical, academic, and research domains, though considerable overlap exists across these categories.

Accreditation and Awards

The course is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland as an undergraduate-level entry programme in psychology.

Who Teaches this Course?

The course is taught by a team of experienced academics, including:

• Prof Padraig MacNeela
• Dr. Diarmuid Griffin (Law)
• Prof Gerry Molloy
• Dr. Anne O Connor
• Dr. Ian Stewart
• Prof. AnnMarie Groarke
• Dr. Michael Hogan
• Dr. Mark Elliott
• Prof. Jane Walsh
• Dr. Helena Lydon

Learning and Assessment

Throughout the programme, your progress is assessed through various coursework and exams, including reports, essays, presentations, and computer assignments.

Entry Requirements

• Candidates should have sat the entire suite of core Psychology courses available to BA (Psychological Studies) students at the University of Galway, or their direct equivalents.
• Equivalence here refers to course content. Applicants who apply without a BA (Psychological Studies) degree from the university of Galway should provide module descriptors of all courses (modules) previously sat in Psychology at Level 8.

Fees, Costs, and Funding

Fees for Academic Year 2026/27

• EU Tuition: 7,400
• Student Contribution: 0
• Non-EU Tuition: 18,300
• Levy: 140
• Total Fee: 7,540 (EU), 18,440 (Non-EU)

Scholarships

University of Galway offers a range of merit-based scholarships to students from a number of countries outside of the EU.

Related Courses

• Master of Science (Applied Behaviour Analysis)
• Master of Science (Health Psychology)
• Doctor of Psychological Science (Clinical Psychology)
• MA/Postgraduate Diploma (Family Support Studies)
• Master of Science (Clinical Neurosciences)