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Psychology MSc
Study level: Postgraduate
Dive into the human psyche with our Psychology MSc (Conversion Course) for non-psychology graduates wishing to pursue a career as a psychologist or psychology-related roles.
Year of entry
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
100% online study
Study mode
Part-time
Duration
2 years part-time (online)
Course code
Online - HLST309
Start date
January 2025
Course overview
This course is an essential stepping stone for non-psychology graduates seeking a rewarding career as a psychologist with increasing demand for psychologists in various sectors.
- Tailored for non-psychology graduates or those with non-accredited psychology degrees.
- Flexible study options: Full-time on-campus or part-time 100% online.
- Comprehensive exploration of core fields like cognitive, developmental, social, and individual differences psychology, preparing you for various psychology-related careers.
Please note that the on-campus course starts in September and the online course starts in January.
5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities
QS Stars University Ratings
Ranked 11th Modern University in UK by the Times
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
Ranked 8th for Overall Satisfaction in PTES
Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2024Why you should study this course
- Professional accreditation: Gain eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society, a crucial step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist in the UK.
- Enhance your skillset: Gain a Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership upon successful completion of our Chartered Management Institute (CMI) accredited module on Organisational Health and Wellbeing.
- Inclusive perspective: Explore diverse human experiences, including gender, sexuality, race, and religion, fostering a comprehensive understanding of human behaviour.
- Practical application: Specialised modules examine psychology's impact in counselling, clinical, forensic, educational, work, and health contexts, preparing you for real-world scenarios.
- Teaching excellence: learn from experienced Chartered Psychologists and research-active academics (staff may be subject to change).
Accreditation and professional recognition
This course is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:
British Psychological Society
This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) for the 2024/25 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. Graduates must pass all modules and achieve an overall pass mark of at least 50% in order to be eligible for GBC membership. If any changes occur with respect to our accreditation or the course content, 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. 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’m delighted to say that I was awarded a 12-week internship at Coventry University working with the sigma Centre. The project looked at how to improve support for higher education neurodivergent students in maths and statistics. My internship involved creating the literature review for the research and thematic analysis on the questionnaire responses. The course has given me the breadth and depth of psychological understanding (developmental, biological, cognitive and social psychology) to enable me to understand the research papers I’ve been reading.
I used so many of the skills and knowledge that I learnt on the MSc Psychology course – the MSc Psychology team provide such a valuable course. I felt so well equipped to take on my internship due to the content of the MSc Psychology course.
Andrea Bradley, Psychology MSc (Campus) student, 2023
What you'll study
Our one-year full-time (campus) or two-year part-time (100% online) conversion course offers a rewarding experience. Delve into key approaches to psychology and gain practical research skills, culminating in conducting your own independent psychological research project. Moreover, our course includes a specialised CMI-accredited module, tailored to equip you with essential management skills (see Accreditation and professional recognition section).
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.
Dr. Chetak Nangare, Lecturer in Psychology, Mindfulness and Compassion, 2022
How you'll learn
You can study Psychology MSc with us in two different modes, full-time on campus starting in September, or part-time online starting in January.
Study on campus (full-time) – September start
Immerse yourself in a vibrant campus experience at Coventry University. Our one-year full-time course offers face-to-face learning, creating an interactive and engaging environment for your academic journey.
- Interactive learning: Engage in interactive lectures and seminars.
- Practical workshops: Qualitative and quantitative research methods sessions with hands-on practice.
- Multimedia teaching: Experience an innovative multimedia approach to learning, engage in collaborative discussions and access all your learning materials with Aula, our current social learning experience platform, where you can connect with peers online.
- Continuous guidance: Receive support for coursework assignments and academic development. Receive one-to-one support from your assigned project supervisor, and a dedicated pastoral tutor and book appointments with the Course Director.
Study 100% online (part-time) – January start
Our two-year part-time course covers the same content as our on-campus course but is designed to enable you to study at times that suit you.
- Accessible anytime, anywhere: pre-recorded lectures and guided videos available 24/7.
- Connect with your peers online: our platform provider is currently Aula, a leading social learning experience platform that enables you to connect and learn with your peers online.
- Asynchronous presentations: engage in embedded activities and formative assessments at your own pace.
- Continuous guidance: weekly online tutorials for interactive Q&A support, module drop-in sessions and arrange video call meetings with your tutors via Microsoft Teams.
Teaching contact hours
On-campus
- Semesters 1 and 2: Around 12 hours of compulsory lectures, seminars, or workshops in a typical week.
- Semester 3: Approximately 2 hours of compulsory lectures, with additional one-to-one supervision meetings and optional workshops with more self-directed study time dedicated to your independent project.
- Optional additional skills sessions and one-to-one meetings with academic tutors
- As a full-time student expect significant self-directed study of up to 24 hours per week, including reading and working on assignments.
Online
- Weekly engagement with 2-6 hours of compulsory recorded content, depending on the semester and modules.
- 24/7 access to course materials online for flexible learning.
- Optional group tutorials for synchronous contact with tutors and peers.
- Expect self-directed study, with up to 18 hours per week advised.
- Feedback from previous students suggest they typically spend about 2.5 days a week studying, including engaging with recorded online materials.
Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. 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. The course is 100% coursework based with all assessments completed individually.
Assessment methods include:
- Essays
- Problem-based learning coursework
- Practical reports
- Case study
- Video presentation
- Annotated bibliography
- Independent Research Project
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.
MSc Psychology is a challenging yet rewarding course that caters for a diverse range of students with very different goals. Whether your dream is to be a professional psychologist, to work in a career related to psychology, obtain that promotion, or simply study psychology out of interest, then this is the course for you. Most, if not all, careers involve working with people and this course is designed to start you on your journey to understanding human behaviour.
I have seen many students excel on the course from a variety of different subject backgrounds, so please do not be worried if you have never studied psychology before. The team and I are here to introduce you to the subject and prepare for the next steps in your career. I have been fortunate to see our graduates progress to teaching roles, PhD placements, professional doctorates, and internships. I am excited to see where your journey might take you.
Dr Katherine Hall, Psychology MSc Course Director, 2023
Entry requirements
Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.
Fees and funding
2024/25 tuition fees.
| Student | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|---|---|
| UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | £9,350 | £9,350 |
| EU | £9,350 per year with EU Support Bursary** £18,600 per year without EU Support Bursary** |
Not available |
| International | £18,600 | £18,600 |
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).
*Irish student fees
The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.
**EU Support Bursary
Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.
How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?
Facilities
The on-campus course will take place at our Coventry University main campus4.
The Library
You will benefit from our support designed to help you succeed and our industry-relevant teaching and resources. These include our modern library and computing facilities, dedicated careers advice and Your Students’ Union.
Jaguar Centre
The 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, Student Success Coaches 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 course1.
Upon successful completion of this course, you will gain essential knowledge and skills, providing a strong foundation for potential careers in the field of psychology. These include:
- A comprehensive understanding of psychology as a discipline, encompassing core areas, diversity, historical origins, theories, debates, and limitations.
- The ability to critically analyse and evaluate psychological research evidence and theory, enabling informed decision-making.
- Proficiency in psychological research paradigms, methods, and data analyses, culminating in an independent psychology research project.
- Insight into the practical application of psychology to address global real-world challenges, benefiting diverse communities.
- A wide range of transferable skills, such as teamwork, numerical reasoning, digital literacy, and effective communication across different media.
- Proficiency in self-management strategies, organising time and workloads effectively.
- A critical evaluation of principles for leading and fostering a culture of organisational health and wellbeing.
- While the course opens avenues to further study and potential careers, specific opportunities may depend on individual aspirations, additional training, and experience.
Our Psychology MSc course opens doors to a diverse array of fulfilling careers. As the demand for psychological professionals grows (NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, 2023), there are career opportunities in a range of different sectors. Graduates may go on to apply for roles as Assistant Psychologists or apprenticeships as Clinical Associates in Psychology.
Gaining Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the BPS is your first step towards becoming a professional psychologist, paving the way for further study in specialised fields like clinical, health, counselling, educational, forensic, occupational, or sports psychology. While this course opens the door to these exciting careers, additional training and experience are required to become a Chartered Psychologist (varying depending on your chosen field).
You may also go on to pursue roles in the rapidly growing wider psychological workforce including Cognitive Behavioural Therapists, Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners, or Education Mental Health Practitioners to name just a few (further training may be required).
You’ll also develop many transferable skills (e.g. data analysis, evaluating evidence) that are highly valued by employers across a wide range of sectors.
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
UK students
International students
Disclaimers
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