Applied Psychology MSc
Study level: Postgraduate
Applied psychology uses scientific psychological principles, methods and findings to study and solve problems associated with the human mind and behaviour.
Year of entry
2023-24
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
1 year full-time
18-20 months (with professional experience)
Course code
HLST183, HLST184 (with professional experience)
Start date
September 2023
The information on this page is for 2022-23 entry and should be used as guidance for 2023-24 entry. Please keep checking back on this course page to see our latest updates.
Course overview
Applied psychology uses scientific psychological principles, methods and findings to study and solve problems associated with the human mind and behaviour.
Applied psychology is widely used in mental health, occupational psychology, business management, education, health, criminology and law.
- It is designed to enable you to learn about how psychology is applied to real-life scenarios within educational psychology, child psychology, counselling psychology and clinical psychology.
- You will have the opportunity to engage in an in-depth examination of how psychological principles have been applied to theory and practice.
- You will have the chance to learn how to select, use and report the appropriate specialist psychological methods and research techniques.

Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects
Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022
5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities
QS Stars University Ratings
Top 5 UK Student City (Coventry)
QS Best Student Cities Index 2023Why you should study this course
- Aimed at graduates who have previously studied psychology and want the opportunity to further their knowledge to an advanced level.
- Option to follow a ‘professional experience’ opportunity2 route, designed to further develop your skills and knowledge with the aim of maximising your employability prospects. See modules for more information.
- Taught by a team of dedicated, experienced professional staff, some of whom have worked as professional psychologists (staff may be subject to change).
- We offer excellent facilities and equipment such as that for eye-tracking and brain monitoring, the latter using an electroencephalogram (EEG).
- Opportunity to gain a CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice1, upon successful completion of the relevant module.
Accreditation and Professional Recognition
This course is accredited1 by the following professional bodies:

Chartered Management Institute
As part of this course, you will undertake a professional development module which is currently accredited by the Chartered Management Institute for the 2022-23 intake. Upon successful completion of this module, you will gain the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice at no additional cost.
I have thoroughly enjoyed being an Applied Psychology MSc student. The course has built and expanded my existing knowledge, and provided me with a more applied skillset. The skills from the course, particularly from the counselling psychology module, gave me the confidence on following a long-lasting dream of becoming a mindfulness teacher for which I am currently undertaking a qualification.

What you'll study
This postgraduate course centres on the study of psychology at an advanced level, incorporating: quantitative and qualitative research methods, ethics in psychology, professional practice and areas of applied psychology.
MSc with Professional Experience
The MSc with Professional Experience provides you with the opportunity to undertake a six-month professional experience either on or off campus2. Professional experience opportunities (whether within an external company or within the university) are subject to a competitive application and selection process. Such experiences may be paid or unpaid, and this will depend on what is being offered and agreed with the host organisation or university.
Professional experience opportunities are subject to competitive application and selection, will normally be undertaken for three to five days per week for 18-22 weeks over two semesters. If you are not successful in securing professional work experience outside the university, you will have the opportunity to undertake campus-based professional experience, which will deliver similar learning outcomes through supervised projects and activities designed to offer students the opportunity to integrate theory with an understanding of professional practice. Please note that fees for students on the Professional Experience route are higher than the standard fees payable by students on the MSc course without professional experience (see fees section for more information).
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
How you'll learn
The Applied Psychology MSc can be studied for 12 months full-time, or ‘with Professional Experience’ for 18 months. This course is taught in groups in lectures, seminars and workshops. You will have the opportunity take part in, design, conduct and analyse the results of psychological experiments, using specialist equipment and computer software.
Where possible, we also invite guest lecturers from professional backgrounds to deliver individual sessions for the applied option modules (subject to availability).
If you choose to study the Applied Psychology with Professional Experience MSc you will also have the opportunity to work one-to-one with an academic supervisor on the professional experience modules.
Teaching contact hours
In a typical teaching week, you will have a minimum of 10 ‘contact’ hours of teaching. This generally includes large and small lectures, seminars and workshops.
You can also book 1:1 appointments with your tutor/project supervisor if you would like additional support.
In addition, you will be expected to undertake a further 30 hours per week of self-directed study, including completion of course assignments, conducting the research project or completing the internship and reading/note-taking in relation to the weekly lectures/seminars/workshops.
As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2022/2023 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.
Assessment
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.
Assessment methods include:
- Formal examinations
- Coursework
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
2023/24 tuition fees.
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
---|---|---|
UK | £11,200 | £21,250 (with prof. experience) per year | Not available |
International | £18,600 | £21,250 (with prof. experience) per year | Not available |
For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page.
We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.
The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:
- Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
- Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).
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How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.
If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.
Facilities
Facilities include eye-tracking and brain monitoring equipment, the latter using an electroencephalogram (EEG)4.
Careers and opportunities
The specialist focus provided within this course aims to be an ideal springboard for Doctoral programmes in educational or clinical psychology. Alternatively, if you decide you wish to enter professional practice, you always have the option to follow up with a BPS-accredited course and work towards Chartered Psychologist Status (additional fees will apply).
The modules are designed to develop your professional skills and knowledge of ethical guidelines and considerations in psychology, and explore and engage in activities that will develop professional and transferable skills. As such, many of our previous graduates have been able to pursue careers in areas other than psychology, such nursing and teaching.
Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and aims to give you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The university’s Talent Team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career.
Where our graduates work
On successful completion of this programme, you should be equipped with the skills and knowledge, and in the case of the extended course, substantive professional experience, to enter employment in the health services, public health organisations, local and central government, academia or as assistant psychologists.
How to apply
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UK students
To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online.
For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form.
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International students
Full-time international students applying to start in September should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
How to applyFor further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team.
Complete our contact form.
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Disclaimers
Coventry University together with Coventry University London Campus, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the “University”) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.
1Accreditations
The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
2UK and international opportunities
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.
3Tuition fees
The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.
For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.
4Facilities
Due to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Student Contract
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The 2023/24 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.
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