
Study online to convert your existing bachelor's degree into a Masters in Psychology and take your first step towards a career as a psychologist.
Start Date:
September 2023
Duration:
1 year (full-time)
2 or 3 years (part-time)
Degree Type:
MSc/PGDip/PGCert
Number of credits:
MSc: 180 credits
PGDip: 120 credits
PGCert: 60 credits
School:
Entry Requirements
Specific entry requirements
Students must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a British University or equivalent as verified by NARIC. This can be in any subject, but for students with first degrees in non-STEM subjects there is an additional requirement to hold a GCSE grade C (or 4) or equivalent in Maths. Students with a BPS accredited first degree in Psychology, who achieved below a second-class honours degree and therefore failed to qualify for GBC, may be admitted in consultation with the programme convener.
University of Roehampton London is ranked top 10 in the UK for postgraduate student satisfaction (PTES 2022)
Why this course
This programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and covers the core content you need to apply for Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC).
Study from anywhere in the world at times that suit you.
We provide a supportive learning environment and regular opportunities to talk to your module tutors.
Flexibility to study 1 year full-time or 2/3 years part-time to fit around other commitments.
Learn from the real-life experiences of our expert staff and guest speakers who include leading psychologists.
This masters can also be studied on campus.
Course and Module Details
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.
Modules
1 year (full-time)
2 years (part-time)
3 years (part-time)
These modules are those we currently offer and may be subject to change each year.
Tuition fees and funding
September 2023 entry tuition fees
Year 1 fees, see links in table below for more information.
2023/24 entry funding
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
You can now apply for any programme for any entry point in 2023.
All postgraduate taught applications can be made via our online application form.
- Check our application deadlines
- View our entry requirements for postgraduate programmes
- View our general entry criteria and application FAQs below
If you need any help or advice with your application, or just want to ask us a question before you apply, please do not hesitate to contact us.
International students
Please note that most international applicants have to pay a deposit before securing their place.
- See our Finance pages for more details
Postgraduate application process FAQs
How do I apply?
To apply, you need to complete our online application form.
Do I need to complete all of my online application at once?
No, you can save and revisit your application form and can contact us directly at any time if you need advice or assistance.
What are the entry criteria and fees?
We have general entry requirements for postgraduate courses. Many of our courses also have specific entry requirements. You can find details of these, and the fees for individual courses, on our postgraduate course pages.
What is the deadline for postgraduate applications?
If you are a prospective postgraduate student who has home fee status, then you can apply close to the start of the course of study. However, if you have international fee status and require a Tier 4 Visa, then you will normally need to apply much earlier. Please see our application deadlines for postgraduate study.
We encourage all students to apply as early as possible, as some programmes have limited numbers.
Does Roehampton offer financial support for postgraduates?
Yes, we offer a range of scholarships, alongside support on managing your finances while you are with us.
You can find more information on our postgraduate home and postgraduate international financial support pages. There are also other sources of external funding for international students available.
Do you offer student accommodation for postgraduates?
Yes, we have a wide range of high quality and competitively priced on-campus student residences. We are able to offer quiet rooms and can adjust for those with specific access needs.
Find out more on our accommodation pages.
Need help before you apply?
Course Facilities
Our Research
For an overview of the research carried out by psychology academics within the School of Psychology, please visit the departmental research pages.
