Psychology (Conversion) Distance Learning Postgraduate degree

Overview

Develop a sound understanding in psychological theory and research while studying entirely online, to convert your existing bachelor's degree into a Masters in Psychology and take your first step towards a career as a psychologist. 

On this MSc, you'll learn the scientific underpinnings of the discipline of psychology across a range of key areas, including social, developmental, cognitive and biological psychology. You’ll learn to critically evaluate psychological theory and research, as well as training in quantitative and qualitative research methods. You'll have access to an online learning environment, including real-time (live) interactions with staff and other students online.

The programme is designed with a flexible framework to ensure you can study in your own space, with both full-time (studying for 1 calendar year) and part-time (across 2 or 3 years) options available. Both provide a clear learning structure: live online interactive classes primarily in the evening (currently two evenings, 6pm - 9pm UK time, per week during the Autumn and Spring semesters) and structured online learning (which includes recorded classes, participating in forum discussions and practice tests). Part-time students have a break from real-time classes approximately every third week. A year-long research project is taken with the guidance of a specialist supervisor leading to the submission of the MSc Dissertation.

In total, for each week during the taught semesters studying full-time, there are 6 hours real-time classes and 6 hours structured online learning, and approximately 23 hours of independent study and assessment preparation. The third semester will be dedicated to finalising the dissertation with a time commitment of around 35 hours of independent study. Thus, the full-time programme requires an average commitment of 35 hours over 52 weeks. Part-time study options, over 2 or 3 years, are also available.

Teaching of research methods is embedded in most modules, to give you strong contextual understanding and the ability to apply methods into different, real-life contexts. You’ll learn a range of research skills and methods, to allow you to investigate behaviour and independently conduct psychological research as an integral part of applied psychology.

As a distance learner you will have support from the School of Psychology through regular contact with your module convenors, access to specialist services and a wide range of e-books and research journals at the University Library. You’ll also learn from enthusiastic and dedicated tutors, who are also practitioners and involved in the latest research. You are also welcome to visit our campus in London and benefit from our world-class library and specialist research equipment (including EEG and an fMRI scanner). You can find out more about our specialist facilities here.

The learning, teaching and assessment structure of the programme is designed to give you multiple opportunities to practice and demonstrate skills through authentic assessment tasks, e.g. practical reports which simulate the skills required of professional psychologists and researchers.

As this programme is accredited by The British Psychological Society (BPS), when you graduate you will be able to gain Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) which will allow you to pursue other professional psychology postgraduate programmes, and take the next step towards a career as a chartered psychologist.

This masters can also be studied on-campus.

Career Options

This programme is predominantly directed at students who wish to embark on a career as a chartered psychologist in the UK through further professional study that require Graduate Basis for Chartership with the BPS. It is also an exciting opportunity for those who seek a career change, require psychological knowledge for career advancement or have a general interest in psychology as a discipline. 

This programme reflects the needs of a dynamic, future-orientated job market and will teach you a range of skills including effective communication, reflective and critical thinking, creativity, data analysis, and interpersonal sensitivity and awareness. 

The strong focus on applying psychological knowledge to benefit individuals in real-life contexts, as well as developing knowledge and judgement of ethical principles, will prepare you for employment in a range of different industries. 

How to apply

Postgraduate programmes