Psychology MSc / PGDip
- Level(s) of Study: Postgraduate taught / Professional
- Start Date(s): September 2023
- Duration: 1 / 2 year(s)
- Study Mode(s): Full-time / Part-time
- Campus: City Campus
-
Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
Our British Psychological Society (BPS) conversion courses are designed for graduates of other disciplines who wish to pursue a career in psychology but whose first degree is not recognised by the BPS. Entry on to the MSc Psychology does not require you to have studied any psychology previously.
This course attracts a range of students including those who have recently completed an undergraduate degree in a subject other than psychology or a non-accredited degree and also applicants who have come from jobs in the public and private sector, who are looking for a career change. Successful completion of the course provides graduates in other disciplines with a route to becoming a professional psychologist.
- MSc Psychology is a 180-credit qualification which requires no previous experience or study of psychology.
- PGDip is a 120-credit qualification which requires that you have already completed 60 credits of study in psychology.
The PG Dip and MSc students are taught together, with the MSc students taking their additional modules from term two onwards. This means that, assuming you meet the entry criteria for both courses, it's easy to transfer from one to the other at any point in the first term.
Accreditation by the British Psychological Society (BPS)
Successful completion of either qualification confers the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS. This is the first step towards becoming a chartered Psychologist and provides the basis for further professional training in psychology.
As a graduate member of the BPS you will also receive additional benefits including:
- using the designated graduate member title MBPsS
- creating contacts and other networking opportunities by joining professional and membership groups
- free online access to the Society's academic journals
- reduced rates for our members for conferences and events.
What you’ll study
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
Video Gallery
Careers and employability
Your future career in Psychology
With the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS secured, you will be eligible upon graduation to undertake further training as a professional psychologist (in areas such as clinical, forensic, educational, occupational, counselling, or sport psychology).
Alternatively you might choose to pursue an academic and / or research career in various areas of psychology (by working as a research assistant or associate or by completing a dedicated Research Methods Masters or studying for a PhD), or you may choose to exploit the transferable skills you have learned on the course to pursue a career outside of psychology.
Psychology qualifications tend to be very popular with all employers because you have to be able to write essays and reports, you have to have some basic mastery of research and data analysis, and because they assume you know quite a lot about people!
Previous graduates have gone on to pursue careers as a:
- Assistant psychologist
- Counselling psychotherapist
- Care coordinator
- Community coach
- Resident support worker
- Recovery worker
- Health care assistant
- Teacher
- Marketing executive
- Operations assistant
*Data extracted from the latest Destination of Leavers from Higher Education survey 2014/15, 2015/16 and 2016/17.
Careers and job application advice is available to all our postgraduate students and is provided by a subject specialist within the Department, supported by the university-wide careers service. We're very proud of our conversion record and look forward to helping you achieve a successful career in psychology.
Psychologists may work in settings as diverse as:
- community mental health teams
- prisons
- schools
- large blue chip companies
- research laboratories
- government departments
- the armed services
- hospitals
- premiership football clubs.
Employability team
Our expert Employability team will work closely with you at every stage of your career planning, providing personal support and advice. You can benefit from this service at any time during your studies, and for up to three years after completing your course. Find out more about the service.
Campus and facilities
How to apply
All applications to this course can be made through our NTU Applicant Portal.
You can apply for this course throughout the year. Most of our postgraduate courses are popular and fill up quickly though, so apply as soon as you can. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.
As places are limited, you are encouraged to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment. The course starts in September 2023 so in order to receive enrolment materials in good time, we advise that applications are submitted before the end of July 2023.
Writing your application
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. Make sure you include as much information as possible, including uploading evidence of results already achieved, as well as a personal statement.
All applications welcome
We welcome applications from prospective students with a range of qualifications and experience, and all are assessed on an individual basis. Applicants who do not meet the standard entry criteria can still be considered providing they have relevant experience to compliment any qualifications. All applicants will need to apply through our NTU Applicant Portal.
If you're applying without prior qualifications, you'll need to submit comprehensive details of your achievements with evidence to substantiate your claim (any documentation can be uploaded to the My Documents section of the Applicant Portal). This type of application will be considered with respect to the University’s provision for ‘accreditation for prior experiential learning’. Decisions regarding the accreditation of prior learning are a matter of academic judgement.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) formally known as a Criminal Record Bureau check
Many students choose to collect research data in the UK as part of their projects. You may be required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service check depending on your project topic.
Keeping up to date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Open days
The School of Social Sciences holds open events throughout the year. Come along and learn more about our courses, speak to programme leaders and find out about studying with the School.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or support, you can call our Admissions Team on +44 (0)115 848 4200, or contact us at Ask NTU.
Good luck with your application!
Apply online through our NTU applicant portal.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
The University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) formally known as a Criminal Record Bureau check
Many students from overseas choose to collect research data in the UK as part of their projects. DBS checks only cover students from the UK, so unless you have been resident in the UK for five years or more, we will need a criminal record check from your home country if you plan to work with vulnerable populations. Checks from overseas can sometimes be referred to by a variety of names such as a Police Check or a Good Behaviour Record. To find out what it is called in your home country and how to apply for one, please visit the government website.
If you are an overseas student and are planning to collect data for your research project from vulnerable populations in your home country, you are advised to apply for a home police check to support your research. You will need to demonstrate in your ethics form that you have met all the requirements of your home country to work with vulnerable populations.
If you are unable to obtain a home Police Check and still wish to work with vulnerable populations in your home country, discuss this with your Course Leader in the first instance. It will need to be made clear in your written correspondence with any participants / organisations that the University has been unable to engage with any disclosure and barring service checks prior to you undertaking your research.
Once you have obtained your police check, a copy of the documentation (in English) should be passed to the relevant course administrator in the School of Social Sciences Office.