Psychology MSc

Duration

10 Months

2 Years

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Stoke-on-Trent campus

This conversion course is for students who wish to pursue a career in psychology but who have an undergraduate degree in another subject, or have a Psychology degree that isn’t accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Our Psychology MSc conversion course covers all core areas of psychology as defined by the BPS, and successful completion of the course will make you eligible to apply for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) from the BPS. You’ll also be able to choose a specialist option module.

You can complete the course in one academic year, between September and July, enabling you to apply for work or further study in the September following enrolment.

You’ll receive high levels of support from our staff, including our award-winning technicians, and will benefit from the lab facilities at our multi-million pound Science Centre, including:

  • The Psychological Human Sciences Suite (including EEG, galvanic skin response, hormone assessment and pain stimulation)
  • Cognitive Laboratories and Observation Suites (with eye-tracking and specialist software, video and audio recording facilities)

Our staff research activity underpins the course delivery, with many modules reflecting their interests and expertise.

Our Psychology MSc conversion course covers all core areas of psychology as defined by the BPS, and successful completion of the course will make you eligible to apply for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) from the BPS. You’ll also be able to choose a specialist option module.

You can complete the course in one academic year, between September and July, enabling you to apply for work or further study in the September following enrolment.

You’ll receive high levels of support from our staff, including our award-winning technicians, and will benefit from the lab facilities at our multi-million pound Science Centre, including:

  • The Psychological Human Sciences Suite (including EEG, galvanic skin response, hormone assessment and pain stimulation)
  • Cognitive Laboratories and Observation Suites (with eye-tracking and specialist software, video and audio recording facilities)

Our staff research activity underpins the course delivery, with many modules reflecting their interests and expertise.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MSc Psychology

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MSc Psychology

Course content

The course is designed to cover the core areas of psychology equivalent to the British Psychological Society’s qualifying examination:

• Research design and methodology

• Practical work

• Cognitive psychology

• Biological bases of behaviour

• Developmental psychology

• Social psychology

• Personality and intelligence

The research design and methodology content includes both quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative methods will involve statistical analysis and the use of SPSS software. The qualitative methods will consist of semi-structure interviews and thematic analysis.

Additionally, you can choose one option module at Level 6, allowing you to learn more about a specialist area within psychology.

The course is designed to cover the core areas of psychology equivalent to the British Psychological Society’s qualifying examination:

• Research design and methodology

• Practical work

• Cognitive psychology

• Biological bases of behaviour

• Developmental psychology

• Social psychology

• Personality and intelligence

The research design and methodology content includes both quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative methods will involve statistical analysis and the use of SPSS software. The qualitative methods will consist of semi-structure interviews and thematic analysis.

Additionally, you can choose one option module at Level 6, allowing you to learn more about a specialist area within psychology.

Professional body accreditation

Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

The British Psychological Society logo

Successful completion of the course will enable you to register with the British Psychological Society for Graduate Basis for Chartership, which is required for entry to professional applied psychology training courses.

Professional body accreditation

Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

The British Psychological Society logo

Successful completion of the course will enable you to register with the British Psychological Society for Graduate Basis for Chartership, which is required for entry to professional applied psychology training courses.

The psychology of fake news and conspiracy theories

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Entry requirements

You’ll normally need:

  • A minimum 2:1 Honours degree in Psychology not accredited by the BPS

or

  • A minimum 2:1 Honours degree in a discipline other than Psychology

If your first language is not English, you must have achieved Level 7 overall and no lower than 6.5 in all components of IELTS (or equivalent).

You’ll normally need:

  • A minimum 2:1 Honours degree in Psychology not accredited by the BPS

or

  • A minimum 2:1 Honours degree in a discipline other than Psychology

If your first language is not English, you must have achieved Level 7 overall and no lower than 6.5 in all components of IELTS (or equivalent).

The Staffordshire Centre for Psychological Research

Blog

For more information on our staff, their research interests and publications please visit our blog

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.

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Facilities

Careers

After completing this course you’ll be eligible for postgraduate and/or training to become a qualified psychologist.

Psychologists can be employed to serve educational establishments at all levels, from primary school to university; or within the NHS, including Primary Care Trusts. Some psychologists work in prisons and some in clinical settings.

We’ll provide further information about careers in psychology as you progress through the course. More information is available on the British Psychological Society website.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

We want you to be responsible, reflective and progressive learners. Our teaching and learning methods encourage you, as you move through your studies, to become more evaluative and more independent in your learning.

We recognise that not all people learn in the same way, so we use a range of different methods including group work, individual work, lectures, tutorials, laboratory classes and workshops. We combine more innovative methods (e.g. problem-based learning) with traditional methods (e.g. lectures).

All psychology modules have explicit learning outcomes, and each is supported through the University’s Virtual Learning Environment, Blackboard. This allows you to access a range of materials via the internet to support your scheduled classes.

Most of the course will be taught alongside undergraduate psychology students, but you’ll also have small group sessions as an MSc group which will focus upon Masters-level skills, and dissertation preparation. Your dissertation supervisor will support you individually through your research project.

We want you to be responsible, reflective and progressive learners. Our teaching and learning methods encourage you, as you move through your studies, to become more evaluative and more independent in your learning.

We recognise that not all people learn in the same way, so we use a range of different methods including group work, individual work, lectures, tutorials, laboratory classes and workshops. We combine more innovative methods (e.g. problem-based learning) with traditional methods (e.g. lectures).

All psychology modules have explicit learning outcomes, and each is supported through the University’s Virtual Learning Environment, Blackboard. This allows you to access a range of materials via the internet to support your scheduled classes.

Most of the course will be taught alongside undergraduate psychology students, but you’ll also have small group sessions as an MSc group which will focus upon Masters-level skills, and dissertation preparation. Your dissertation supervisor will support you individually through your research project.

Assessment

Forms of assessment include essays and seen or unseen examinations. All 30-credit modules which run across two semesters have an assessment at the end of each semester.

Depending on your option choice you may also be required to do case-study analyses, short-answer study packs or submit material online. These use enquiry-based learning, and you’ll be guided through them by your tutors.

In line with other BPS-accredited postgraduate courses, there are specific assessment regulations:

  1. Core modules must be passed (achieve a grade of 50% overall).
  2. Core modules cannot be compensated.
  3. To pass option modules, students must achieve a grade of 40% overall.
  4. At the discretion of the award board, option modules may be considered for compensation where students achieve an overall mark of between 30-39%.

Forms of assessment include essays and seen or unseen examinations. All 30-credit modules which run across two semesters have an assessment at the end of each semester.

Depending on your option choice you may also be required to do case-study analyses, short-answer study packs or submit material online. These use enquiry-based learning, and you’ll be guided through them by your tutors.

In line with other BPS-accredited postgraduate courses, there are specific assessment regulations:

  1. Core modules must be passed (achieve a grade of 50% overall).
  2. Core modules cannot be compensated.
  3. To pass option modules, students must achieve a grade of 40% overall.
  4. At the discretion of the award board, option modules may be considered for compensation where students achieve an overall mark of between 30-39%.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

  • Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
  • Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
  • Academic writing (including how to reference)
  • Research skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do.

We usually give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days, but the format will vary for each module.

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do.

We usually give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days, but the format will vary for each module.

Your study time will include scheduled classes, independent learning and assessments. It will vary depending on your module choices.

Your study time will include scheduled classes, independent learning and assessments. It will vary depending on your module choices.

Independent learning

As well as timetabled sessions, we know it’s important for you to discover things on your own terms. This could involve:

• Reading journals, articles and books

• Working on projects, alone or in a group

• Researching in the library

• Preparing coursework

• Getting ready for exams

We’ve invested in state-of-the-art facilities to help you make the most of your private study time. Whether you need a library, a computer, or a lab, you’ll find it at Staffordshire University.

As well as timetabled sessions, we know it’s important for you to discover things on your own terms. This could involve:

• Reading journals, articles and books

• Working on projects, alone or in a group

• Researching in the library

• Preparing coursework

• Getting ready for exams

We’ve invested in state-of-the-art facilities to help you make the most of your private study time. Whether you need a library, a computer, or a lab, you’ll find it at Staffordshire University.

Staff

You'll be taught by staff who have a range of academic and industry experience. 

Dr Louise Humphreys

Senior Lecturer

I am a Senior Lecturer in Quantitative Psychological Research Methods. I am the course leader for the MSc Psychology (conversion) course.

Louise's profile

Dr Romina Vivaldi

Senior Lecturer

Romina's research interests are focussed on symbolic development as it relates to pictures and occupational gender stereotypes.

Romina's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 22 September 2025 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Part-time £9,135 per course £16,740 per course

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Alumni discount

If you've previously completed a University of Staffordshire undergraduate degree (excluding HND and foundation degrees) you may be entitled to a discount of up to 25% off your course fees for any subsequent postgraduate taught course (terms apply, see the alumni discount page for details). If you have any questions about how this relates to you, please contact feesandbursaries@staffs.ac.uk.

Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,570 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning. 

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Apply

Applications are not currently available for this course.

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations. 

Have you considered?

in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021