Psychology MSc
Study level: Postgraduate
This Psychology MSc – available to study on-campus or 100% online - could be your entry point into a career as a professional psychologist, even if your first degree isn’t in psychology.
Year of entry
2023-24
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
100% online study
Study mode
Full-time
Part-time
Duration
1 year full-time
2 years part-time
Course code
On-campus - HLST236 Online - HLST237
Start date
September 2023
January 2024
Course overview
The on-campus course starts in September, the online course starts in January.
Accredited1 by the British Psychological Society (BPS), this is a specialist conversion course designed for non-psychology graduates who wish to pursue a career as a psychologist.
You will be given the chance to gain an insight into behaviour from a variety of perspectives in the core fields of cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, history and philosophy of psychology, individual differences, biological and social psychology.
- Opportunity to gain a thorough grounding in core psychological theories and methodologies, as well as their origins, history and development.
- Aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding and application of psychological theory and research, you will explore qualitative and quantitative research methods to help you conduct your own empirical research project.
- You will have the opportunity to build the knowledge and skills necessary to fully appreciate the depth and breadth essential to the study of psychology, encompassing traditional and contemporary psychological models, theories, and methodologies.

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
Successful completion confers eligibility for students to apply for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS1, which is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist.
- Some of the specialist modules allow us to look at how psychology is applied in specific contexts. For example, the ‘Applying Psychology’ module considers its impact within the modern-day world – in areas such as counselling, clinical, forensic, educational, work, and health psychology.
- We place a significant emphasis on professional research methods, providing you with the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills in planning, carrying out, analysing, and writing about research in applied psychology. You should gain a sophisticated awareness of problems, issues, and ethics in applied research in psychology. You will also have the chance to conduct several practical research exercises and will produce an extensive piece of independent research that combines your interests and your supervisor’s expertise.
- Our innovative teaching and learning incorporate numerous active learning methods to encourage your participation and deepen your understanding of specific subjects. 91% of students found our Psychology courses intellectually stimulating in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2021.
- You will be taught by our highly respected and experienced course team, which includes Chartered Members and Associate Fellows of the BPS. Many are research active, and their teaching excellence has been recognised as Associate Fellows, Fellows or Senior Fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA). Recent staff projects have included expectancy and placebo effects in alcohol and other drugs, psychometric test development and validation, analysing personality traits and coping styles in UK police officers and the varieties of developmental dyslexia in Greek children. Please note staff may be subject to change.
- You will also have the opportunity to gain a Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice upon successful completion of the Leading and Creating Organisational Health and Wellbeing module and meeting the CMI learning outcomes.
- A global top 300 university for Psychology according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022.
Accreditation and professional recognition
This course is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:

British Psychological Society (BPS)
This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) for the 2022/23 intake and upon successful completion confers eligibility to apply for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), which is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist. If the accreditation of this course changes, we would seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.
Graduates must achieve a 50% average for all modules contributing to the accredited MSc Psychology Conversion degree (BPS Standards for the Accreditation of the Masters Programme in Psychology). Graduates who do not meet this requirement will exit with a non-accredited award. To achieve the necessary number of credits for all awards (accredited and non-accredited), graduates must achieve the necessary 40% pass mark for all modules contributing to the award.
This course is currently undergoing a periodic review. Following any changes that are made to improve the course, we will apply for re-accreditation for 23/24 entrants. If any changes occur with respect to our accreditation, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

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.
What you'll study
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.
Teaching psychology at Coventry University has been the most gratifying life experience. Students love learning about different aspects of human behaviour and can connect their daily lives with the subject area. I have a particular interest and expertise in mindfulness and mental wellbeing. My teaching philosophy surrounds incorporating various elements of the ancient and modern mindfulness movement so that we can achieve the highest learning and life satisfaction.

How you'll learn
The on-campus course starts in September, the online course starts in January.
On-campus
The on-campus full-time route typically requires two days' attendance per week over one year, and the part-time route requires one day of attendance per week over two years.
This course is taught using a mixture of lectures, small group seminars and practical 'hands-on' skills workshops. Core course content will be delivered during the interactive lectures, while the associated seminars and workshops offer opportunities for you to explore topics more independently, receive guidance on coursework assignments, begin to apply your knowledge and develop your academic and transferrable skills.
We consciously embrace a variety of learning styles, using PowerPoint lecture notes, videos and media clips, discussion-based group work and student-led presentations. You will often be provided with recommended reading materials to engage with prior to, and outside of teaching sessions, such as book chapters, journal articles or other web resources. Student reps work collaboratively with the course director and the students are a part of a supportive social group. Where possible, we endeavour to highlight the many different applied areas of psychology, with past students hearing from an ex-police hostage and crisis negotiator from West Midlands Police, as well as educational and forensic psychologists (subject to availability). You are allocated a personal tutor who helps not just with personal but also long-term career aspirations.
Online
The online course is studied part-time over two years.
This course is taught using a mixture of online pre-recorded lectures and workshops and practical, 'hands-on' skills activities. Core course content will be delivered during the lectures, while the associated workshop activities offer opportunities for you to explore topics more independently, receive guidance on coursework assignments, begin to apply your knowledge and develop your academic and transferrable skills. Staff also offer optional group and one-to-one drop-in sessions hosted online.
We consciously embrace a variety of learning styles, using PowerPoint lecture notes, videos and media clips and discussions through online forums. You will often be provided with recommended reading materials to engage with prior to, and outside of teaching sessions, such as book chapters, journal articles or other web resources.
Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Request further information about part-time study.
Teaching contact hours
On-campus
On the full-time route, your 'face-to-face' teaching will take place two days per week over one year, with one day per week over two years on the part-time route. In addition, you will be expected to undertake further self-directed study each week, for example, completing the recommended reading that accompanies your lectures, working on coursework assignments, taking part in group work and exam revision.
Feedback from previous participants suggests full-time students should expect to spend up to five full days a week studying (including teaching) and about half of this for part-time.
The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.
Online
This online course has been designed specifically to allow you to study when it is convenient for you. The materials should be available any time of the day or night4. The course material is presented online and contains interactive activities, such as student discussion forums and presentations and other formats. In addition, you will be expected to undertake further self-directed study each week, for example, completing the recommended reading that accompanies your lectures, working on coursework assignments, taking part in group work and exam revision.
Feedback from previous participants suggests students should expect to spend up to 2.5 days a week studying including teaching.
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 COVID-19, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2023/2024 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:
- Essays
- Practical reports
- Multiple choice tests
- A test development exercise
- Case study
- Presentation
- Annotated bibliography
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
Typical offer for 2023/24 entry.
Fees and funding
2023/24 tuition fees.
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
---|---|---|
UK | £11,200 | Request fee information |
International | £18,600 | 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
As part of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, the on-campus course will take place at our Coventry University main campus4. Some lessons may be provided in our Health and Life Science buildings, such as the Alison Gingell Building or the Richard Crossman building which hold a range of innovative teaching rooms.

The Library
The Lanchester Library is open 24/7, 364 days a year and has 1,400 study spaces, including group and silent areas. It also currently offers more than 550 computers and an additional 120 free-to-loan laptops within the library.

Jaguar Centre
Our refurbished Jaguar Centre has been specifically designed to provide facilities and services to support our postgraduate students including: social spaces, computer suites and separate areas for small group study.

The Hub
The Hub is the centre of student campus life. It's also home to: The Health and Wellbeing Centre, The Spirituality and Faith Centre, The Tank Studio, The Careers and the Enterprise Hub.
Careers and opportunities
The course confers eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered (GBC) Membership with the British Psychological Society, which forms part of the first stage training requirements in becoming a Chartered Psychologist, upon successful completion of the course.
On successful completion of this course, you will have:
- A comprehensive and critical understanding of psychology as a discipline (i.e., the core areas and their inter-relatedness, diversity, historical origins, theories, debates and concepts, development, and limitations)
- A critical approach to the identification, analysis, and evaluation of psychological research evidence and theory (i.e., psychological literatures)
- A critical understanding of psychological research paradigms, research methods, data analyses, and the ability to work professionally and ethically, culminating in the successful execution of an independent psychology research project
- A critical understanding of how psychology can be applied to global, real-world questions, situations, and contexts for the benefit of wide-reaching communities
- A range of transferable skills including, but not necessarily limited to, working independently and within teams, numerical and reasoning skills, digital literacy, communicating effectively in a variety of media to different audiences with scientific argument and sensitivity, appropriate self-management strategies to organise time and workloads
- To critically evaluate the principles for leading and developing people and a culture of organisational health and wellbeing.
Psychology is used professionally in all areas of life, from education and health to the economy and crime. Psychologists help people of all ages – from young children to teenagers, adults, and the elderly. They support people facing a wide range of circumstances, from the bereaved to those made redundant, victims of crime to the mentally ill.
There are two stages to becoming a Chartered Member of the BPS, requiring a combination of professional education and practice, during which you will choose to specialise in a particular area such as clinical psychology or educational psychology.
In the first instance, you need the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), which is achieved by completing a conversion course like this if you do not already hold an accredited undergraduate degree. The next stage will involve professional practice and may require further master’s study, depending on the field of psychology you wish to follow. Detailed guidance is available on the BPS website.
Where our graduates work
Our postgraduate degree may open the doors to a variety of positions. Past graduates have gone to work in teaching, human resources, management, and a children’s hospital school, also as a performance analyst, psychological wellbeing practitioner, human rights investigator and child development advisor. Others have chosen to become a trainee educational psychologist, trainee forensic psychologist, trainee clinical psychologist on Doctoral programmes, pursue a PhD and further their academic career as a lecturer or research assistant.
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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