Name: Psychology Conversion, MSc
Price: £9,450 per year GBP

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Attendance

Campus

Start

Duration

1 year

Start

September 2025

Delivery

In-person

Looking for a change of career? If your goal is to become a professional Psychologist, but you studied another subject at degree level, then our MSc Psychology Conversion course offers you a flexible route towards the career you’re looking for. You’ll get to explore the full breadth of psychology and tailor your studies to your interests and career goals.

If you’re fascinated by the way people act, react and interact, Psychology sheds light on it all – giving you the chance to explore the mechanics of the human condition.

How can we improve our ability to detect lies? What role does stress play in our lives? How can professionals improve their performance at work? How can we improve the mental health and wellbeing of society? Psychology offers the answers to these questions and more – helping you learn how to apply scientific methods to measure, understand and explain beliefs, decision-making processes and behaviour across a wide range of psychological settings.

Discover the core areas of psychology, develop key skills and tailor the course to your own interests.  The course also includes the opportunity to undertake an individual research project and to potentially engage in work-based learning.

Why study with us

This is a flexible route for non-psychology graduates into further postgraduate training to become a professional psychologist.
You will receive Student Membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS) as part of your course fees. This entitles you to access the member areas of the BPS website, careers resources, discounts on publications and receive their monthly magazine, providing you with an understanding of the latest developments within Psychology.
You’ll gain an accredited psychology qualification that confers Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS). Then, following further postgraduate training, you could become eligible for Chartered Membership (CPsychol).

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I wanted to reach a wider population to support the increasing number of people with mental health concerns but knew I needed additional qualifications to do this. I love my new career and the difference I am making to people’s lives.

Sarah Smith-Sergeant

MSc Psychology Conversion graduate

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Susanne Shrewsbury - MSc Psychology Conversion

What you'll do

You will undertake an in-depth individual research project. This will enable you to further explore your own interests in psychology and tailor your course to reflect your career aspirations.
You could opt to study clinical psychology, forensic psychology, the psychology of health and elite sporting performance, child psychology, and much more.
You’ll attend timetabled classes at the University one day a week and arrange the remaining study time in a way that suits you. You can study part-time, usually over two years, but it's possible to study full-time in one year.

Modules

This module aims to develop critical awareness of key topics in cognitive (e.g., attention, perception, memory, thinking, language) and biological psychology (e.g., the impact of hormones on behaviour, neuropsychology, genetics and behaviour). The module also encourages you to combine ideas from these areas and relevant topics will be covered to enable this(e.g., in cognitive neuropsychology).

Module code: PS4030

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information. However, our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may cause alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or revisions to subject benchmarks statements. As well as to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

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image overlay — The Library (Preston Campus)

students-library — The Library (Preston Campus)

dcn-header — Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience (DCN) Laboratory

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The best thing about doing the conversion course is that it’s opened so many doors for my career. I have secured a new job in the private sector, supporting children with severe autism.

Jenny Crompton

Psychology Conversion, MSc

Academic expertise

Dr Emma Threadgold

Senior Lecturer

Dr Cath Sullivan

Senior Lecturer

Dr Kathleen Cameron McCulloch

Senior Lecturer

Dr Reyhan Furman

Senior Lecturer in Developmental Cognition

Dr Cristina Fodarella

Lecturer in Psychology

Dr Andy Morley

Subject Lead, Psychology and Neuroscience

Dr Paul Taylor

Senior Lecturer

Dr Jo Bryce

Senior Lecturer

We have excellent links with professional psychologists working in applied psychology practice in a number of areas, such as health, forensic and sport. Through these connections, you will gain insights into the application of psychology in a wide range of settings.

Future careers

Successful completion of this course allows you to apply for further professional training in psychology. Depending on your career aspirations, you could opt to focus on specialist areas such as clinical psychology, health psychology, forensic psychology, child psychology or sport psychology.

This degree course offers an ideal first step for a career in psychology. Many of our graduates aiming to work as professionals across this field go onto postgraduate training, including our own BPS-accredited master’s programmes.

However, you won’t be limited to just one field or discipline. With the skills that a psychology degree provides, you’ll have the option, following further education and training, to explore careers in areas such as the Police, Prison Service, NHS, social and community services, health authorities, the pharmaceutical industry, and the education sector.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a minimum of an upper second class honours degree or equivalent in a subject that does not confer Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS)
Applicants with a lower second class honours degree will be considered on an individual basis

Not got the grades?

Our courses with a foundation year could be exactly what you're looking for. They provide an alternative route to study for this degree.

Find out more about our courses with a foundation year.

Fees and funding

2025/26

Full-time£9,450 per year

Part-time£1,050 per 20 credits

International

Full-time£17,900 per year

Scholarships and bursaries

We have a wide range of bursaries, scholarships and funds available to help support you whilst studying with us.

Select your country to see eligibility information and how to apply by selecting more info on the cards below.

Select your country/region

Dependants Bursary
Students with financially dependent children may be eligible for our Dependants Bursary as part of our financial support package. 
Find out more about Dependants Bursary
Carers Bursary
If you need extra support because you have unpaid caring responsibilities alongside your studies.
Find out more about Carers Bursary
Sports scholarships
We offer student athletes support and opportunities for their playing careers whilst they study a high-quality degree.
Find out more about Sports scholarships
Alumni Loyalty Discount
UK students with a previous award from us will receive 20% tuition fee discount.
Find out more about Alumni Loyalty Discount

You’ll be taught together as a group, using a mixture of lectures, workshops and seminars across all three semesters. Online learning facilities are used to support classroom teaching, for the submission and marking of coursework, and for independent learning.

In addition to classroom teaching, the course includes substantial elements of independent learning, so you’ll also develop your skills in this area. A range of assessment methods are used (eg unseen exams, class tests, empirical research projects, presentations and coursework).

You’ll have access to the postgraduate room in the Library – a quiet study space with networked PCs, a small meeting area and a large presentation screen. This area provides an additional resource for our postgraduates alongside the extensive laboratory facilities in the Darwin Building.

The course consists of 180 credits and runs across three semesters. In semesters one and two, which run from September until June, you’ll focus on classroom-based modules. During semesters two and semester three (semester three runs from June to August) you’ll take your dissertation module and also the unique professional development module. Both modules involve supervised independent study.

All the modules are compulsory, as they reflect the content of the British Psychological Society (BPS) core syllabus and completing them is what makes you eligible for accreditation. There are, however, opportunities to tailor the course to reflect your own individual interests and aspirations, particularly as part of the professional development and project modules.

To complete the course you’ll need to gain an average mark of at least 50% across all modules. You’ll be awarded a Merit if your average mark is over 60%, and you’ll be awarded a Distinction if your average mark is over 70%.

You’ll normally receive the MSc Psychology Conversion award in early September, with your graduation ceremony taking place in November or December (although you may be able to receive your award at other times of the year, particularly if you’re studying part-time).

You’ll be taught in modern facilities in a School that produces nationally and internationally excellent research.  Progression is possible within the School onto a number of professional training courses in psychology for those who successfully complete the conversion course.

After successfully completing this course you’ll be in a position to undertake further education and training in psychology to work towards your chosen career.

You can also find out about the different areas of psychology and the wide range of careers available by visiting the British Psychological Society (BPS) website.

Interested?

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This course is delivered by the School of Psychology and Humanities

For information on possible changes to course information, see our essential and important course information

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at the University of Central Lancashire on our student contract page

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Psychology Conversion

Why study with us

What you'll do

Modules

Year 1

Compulsory modules

View the course facilities

Academic expertise

Accreditations

Future careers

Entry requirements

Not got the grades?

Fees and funding

Scholarships and bursaries

Dependants Bursary

Carers Bursary

Sports scholarships

Alumni Loyalty Discount

Psychology Conversion

Why study with us

What you'll do

Modules

Year 1

Looking to start your postgraduate journey?

View the course facilities

Academic expertise

Accreditations

British Psychological Society (BPS)

Future careers

Entry requirements

Not got the grades?

Fees and funding

Additional costs

Scholarships and bursaries

Dependants Bursary

Carers Bursary

Sports scholarships

Alumni Loyalty Discount

Learning and assessment

Pathway opportunities