Accreditation

    This course has been accredited by The British Psychological Society (BPS).

    Once you graduate, you’ll be eligible for BPS Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) (as long as you obtain an overall pass mark of at least 50% and pass the Research Project in Psychology module). Obtaining your GBC is vital for success and progression in a range of psychology careers.

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    Course details

    Online MSc Psychology

    Mode: 100% online (with optional face-to-face events)
    Length: 2 years (part-time)
    Fees: £9,400 (funding options and instalments are available)
    Start dates: January, May and September
    Next start date: 3 June 2024
    Application deadline: 13 May 2024
    Next welcome week: 27 May 2024
    Application form: Start your application for May 2024 now
    Application process

    Course overview

    While our knowledge of physical health has advanced in leaps and bounds, much of the human mind remains shrouded in mystery. What factors affect the ways we think, feel, and behave? How can we leverage what we know to make a positive impact on ourselves and society as a whole? These are the lines of enquiry that define psychology as a field of study.

    Throughout the programme, we’ll delve into every facet of the science – from diverse perspectives to subsets in the field (e.g., developmental psychology, social psychology). As a graduate, you’ll be equipped with a holistic understanding of how to navigate this complex, nuanced field.

    Why study this MSc in Psychology?

    Work icon
    New career opportunities

    Since psychology impacts nearly every aspect of our day-to-day lives, you’ll unlock new and rewarding career opportunities across a wide range of sectors.

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    Research-led teaching

    Learn from cutting-edge research and theory in the field, and fine-tune your own research skills with diverse scientific and objective methods.

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    Excellence in teaching and research

    Benefit from our Teaching Excellence Framework gold award. Our results showcase the caliber of our psychology research, with 67% earning top ratings for being world-leading and internationally excellent.

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    An inclusive conversion course

    Open to applicants from all industries, our programme is designed for those discovering their interests later in their careers. Embrace a flexible learning path, regardless of your background.

    What you’ll study

    This conversion course will equip you with a wide range of specialist skills in a welcoming, flexible environment. You can look forward to learning: 

    • Core principles of a range of perspectives within psychology, including social, biological, abnormal psychology, positive psychology, individual differences, and developmental psychology 

    • The ethical and sociocultural issues that are relevant to evaluating theories and research findings, and how to use said theories and findings to address real-world needs 

    • A range of research skills and methods for investigating experience and behaviour, strengthening your ability to conduct research independently 

    Along with the above, we’ll help you gain valuable practical expertise that will prove essential for entering this field. 

    • Remotely access and use a range of specialist tools, including JASP statistical software and the Gorilla Experiment Builder 

    • Learn how to carry out empirical studies involving a variety of data collection methods, including experiments, interviews and focus groups 

    • Master how to analyse, present, and evaluate quantitative and qualitative data, as well as final research findings 

    All course materials are available on demand and can be accessed from wherever you are in the world. Find out more about how you'll learn with us. 

    How you'll learn

    What's the value of psychology in today's climate?

    Find out this and more in our webinar led by Course Leader Dr Tom Lockhart. He also shares his expertise and professional insight on how to achieve your goals, and where this MSc could lead.

    Want to watch the full webinar? Register to gain access.

    Read the video transcript on this page.

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    Modules

    This first module will give you all the skills and contexts, both historical and contemporary, to begin your transition to the field of psychology. 

    We’ll begin by discussing the different perspectives (such as behavioural, cognitive, clinical, etc.) that dominate the field. Through this, you’ll understand what it means to be a psychologist in current times, as well as the impact psychologists have on our day-to-day lives. 

    Following this, the module will equip you with the fundamental skills needed to conduct scientific research within psychology – which you’ll build on throughout your degree. 

    During this module, you can look forward to examining the biological mechanisms underlying human behaviours. 

    Your studies will have you explore both biological and cognitive explanations of processes associated with perception, learning, language, memory, and emotions. 

    At this point of the course, we’ll look at two key sub-domains of psychology: social psychology and developmental psychology. 

    You’ll learn about changes in theoretical approaches, as well as the concepts and values that have influenced methodology and discussion in each domain. 

    This module will introduce you to major classical theories on the development and nature of individual differences, using personality as an example. 

    We’ll discuss the application of these theories to contemporary research, and explore theoretical issues in intelligence and personality assessment, along with the practical application of psychometric tests. 

    Your studies here will also be supplemented with drop-in surgeries (optional tutorials). 

    The MSc Psychology research project will challenge you to draw upon the research methods you’ve learnt to address a specific psychological issue or question. 

    This final phase of your course will have you present the rationale for your study, the adopted research methodology and your findings as an extended report. You’ll also share a verbal justification for your study and approach adopted in the form of a project interview assessment. 

    You’ll be allocated a project supervisor at the very start of the course to support you via regular meetings. This module also contains an integrated personal tutorial system. 

    How you're assessed

    All assessments for this course are based on coursework submitted online. Your performance is assessed through projects such as: 

    • Academic essays 

    • Research reports 

    • Case studies 

    • Narrated presentations 

    • An independent research project 

    • Writing for alternative audiences, such as in popular science articles 

    You can also test your skills and knowledge informally before assessments via formative (non-graded) assessments (available during your first module only), online quizzes, group discussions, peer review activities and virtual seminars. 

    In your first module, tutors will provide feedback on practice and formal assessments so you can improve your work for the future. 

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    John Smith

    Professor

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    What's a conversion course?

    Find out more about conversion courses and how this MSc can change your career.

    Find out more

    MSc Psychology glossary

    Discover the key terms professionals in the field need to know:

    View glossary  ❯

    Entry requirements

    Our MSc Psychology is a conversion course, which means that it was designed to train you in this subject regardless of what you studied at undergraduate level.  

    To join this course, you must have: 

    • A lower second-class honours degree, masters degree or equivalent (in any academic subject)
    • English language proficiency at IELTS level 6.5 with no component score below 6.0 (or other acceptable proof), if English is not your first language

    When applying, you will also be required to submit:

    • Two references

    • A personal statement

    Not sure if you meet certain requirements? We’re happy to help you check if your current qualifications meet the above criteria. Please phone us on +44(0)23 9431 1545, or email info@study-online.port.ac.uk 

    Careers in Psychology

    Earning your MSc in Psychology is your start to a brand-new career path. Psychologists are employed across a multitude of areas – including healthcare, policy making, education, criminal justice, animal welfare, sports and coaching, design, marketing, and many more. 

    To help establish yourself in the field that matters to you, this conversion course will empower you to develop a range of versatile skills. From knowledge of statistical software to data analysis, teamwork, critical thinking, and presentation skills, you’ll be well-equipped to succeed. 

    These capabilities, coupled with the support you can receive from our excellent Careers and Employability Service, will help position you as a valuable hire to employers across the world. 

    As this course has BPS accreditation, graduates of the programme will be able to explore a number of exciting roles, such as: 

    • Health psychologist 

    • Clinical psychologist 

    • Educational psychologist 

    • Academia and research psychologist 

    • Occupational psychologist 

    • Counselling psychologist 

    • Neuropsychologist 

    • Sport and exercise psychologist 

    • Forensic psychologist 

    To learn more about the paths of progression available to you after graduation, visit our Careers and opportunities page: 

    More on career options
    Dr Tom Lockhart

    You’ll be supported by our distinguished Psychology Department, which follows a philosophy of research-led teaching. The content you receive will have been designed by research-active members of staff who are working at the forefront of their fields, meaning you can look forward to receiving a truly exceptional education. 

    Your Course Leader

    Dr Tom Lockhart

    I’m a senior lecturer in the Department of Psychology. My research work tests and applies the principles of a neurological theory of personality called Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory. My interests also include decision making, anxiety, personality, and behavioural prediction. 

    Want to start in May 2024?

    Apply now
    Male Psychology student