/ Postgraduate Taught /
Start date:
September 2024
January 2025
Duration:
1 year (full-time)
2 years (part-time)
Number of credits:
180
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.
Did you know?
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). 
Modules
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Skills
On this MSc, you'll learn the scientific underpinnings of the discipline of psychology, and recieve ample support as a distance learner with in our School of Psychology.
You will:
- study social, developmental, cognitive and biological psychology
- learn to critically evaluate psychological theory and research
- train 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.
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.
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.
Learning
The programme is designed to offer both full-time (studying for 1 calendar year) and part-time (across 2 years) options.
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)
- 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. Independent study hours are expected in addition to the class hours (see below).
This masters can also be studied in person, on our south-west London campus.
In total, for each week during the taught semesters studying full-time, there are:
- 6 hours real-time classes
- 6 hours structured online learning
- 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.
A year-long research project is taken with the guidance of a specialist supervisor leading to the submission of the MSc Dissertation. A team of supervisors offer a range of topics from their research expertise. Students choose from those topics before they carry out relevant empirical (data-based) research.
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 on our Whitelands campus).
Careers
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.
Open days
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Applying
UK postgraduate students apply through our direct application system.
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.
General entry requirements
September 2024 entry tuition fees
UK: £9,713
We offer a wide range of scholarships and bursaries. See our 2024 financial support pages for UK students.
We also provide other ways to support the cost of living, including free buses and on-campus car parking, hardship support and some of the most affordable student accommodation and catering in London. Find out more about how we can support you.
International postgraduate students apply through our direct application system.
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.
General entry requirements
September 2024 entry tuition fees
EU and International: £15,750
We offer a wide range of scholarships and bursaries. See our 2024 financial support pages for international students.
We also provide other ways to support the cost of living, including free buses and on-campus car parking, hardship support and some of the most affordable student accommodation and catering in London. Find out more about how we can support you.
Need help or advice before applying?
Psychology
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