Psychology MSc (online) - Frequently Asked Questions

Psychology is defined by the BPS (British Psychological Society) as ‘the scientific study of the mind and how it dictates and influences our behaviour, from communication and memory to thought and emotion’.

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If you’re interested in becoming a psychologist or pursuing a career in a related area, then taking our online Psychology conversion Masters is a great first step to success.

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BPS accreditation is an internationally recognised accreditation that's key for a successful career in the industry. 

With over 60,000 members, the BPS (British Psychological Society) acts as the representative body for psychology and psychologists in the UK. It's responsible for the promotion of excellence and ethical practice in the discipline, setting high standards for research, education and knowledge. 

If you’re hoping to practice as a Chartered Psychologist in the UK, you’ll first need to join the BPS as a graduate member by gaining GBC (Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership) status. You can do this by achieving a BPS accredited degree such as our Psychology MSc. 

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Our MSc is the gateway to becoming a psychology expert, but you’ll need to take further steps to specialise in areas such as: 

• Clinical Psychology. 
• Counselling. 
• Educational Psychology. 
• Health Psychology. 
• Occupational Psychology. 

Graduates of our Psychology MSc have also made great use of their degrees in commercial settings. 

The quantitative data analysis, critical-thinking and psychological research skills you will develop are perfectly suited to careers in leadership and management, HR, marketing, or public sector work. 

Discover which career you can go into

Our Psychology conversion Masters is ideal if you are looking to begin your psychology career, grow your existing one or simply explore your interest in the field. It will help you understand which area of psychology is right for you and develop a successful career in your chosen area.

The Psychology MSc is a conversion course, which means that it’s the first step you'll need to take if you are looking for a career in the field. 

Upon graduating, you’ll be eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the Society, an essential milestone which demonstrates that you’ve studied psychology in sufficient depth and breadth. From here, you'll have a solid basis on which to progress to the next step: the society-accredited professional postgraduate training needed to become a Chartered Psychologist in your chosen area.

Delivered in a flexible carousel structure, the Psychology conversion course includes a range of modules including Biological and Social Psychology to learn the fundamentals of inherent and learnt psychology, and Individual Differences to unpick psychological approaches to intelligence and personality.  

Here’s a full list of modules you will study as part of the Psychology MSc: 

• Psychological Research Experience (20 Credits)
• Psychological Data Analysis (20 Credits)
• Biological and Social Psychology (20 Credits)
• Cognitive and Developmental Psychology (20 Credits)
• Individual Differences (20 Credits)
• Research Philosophies and Planning (20 Credits)
• MSc Thesis (60 Credits)

The Psychology MSc takes around two years to complete. 

You’ll study one of six 20-credit modules at a time, with each lasting 10 weeks, before a final 60-credit MSc thesis taught over 30 weeks. 

It’s possible to pause your studies for personal reasons or otherwise, however this will delay your continuation and subsequent graduation date.

The recommended study time for this part-time course is 15-20 hours a week.

Applicants are required to hold a minimum 2:2 (second class) honours degree in any subject or an international equivalent. No prior psychology training or education is required. 

If you’ve studied a non-UK qualification, you can see how it compares to the standard entry criteria, by searching on our website. 

If you don’t meet the requirements but can demonstrate considerable professional experience, you may still be eligible. Non-standard applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 6.0 in each component (or approved equivalent). Find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in the English Language section of our website.

Yes! You don't need a background in Psychology to apply for our Postgraduate conversion course. We welcome students with an undergraduate degree in any subject, a basic understanding of psychology, and a passion for the field.

The full course fee for UK, EU and international students is £9,960. 

At Northumbria University, we offer affordable fees and payment plans alongside several generous scholarships. You can also spread the cost of your fees over the duration of your course, paying on a module-by-module basis. 

Please note that fees are reviewed regularly and may be subject to change. After the point of enquiry, you will be notified of any changes by our Enrolment Team.

1. Flexibility to study whenever suits you best. 
2. The freedom to learn from anywhere you’d like. 
3. The opportunity to advance in your career. 
4. Collaborating and networking with other students across the globe. 
5. Being able to study at the same time as working. 

Read our blog to find out more

No, the Psychology MSc is designed to be studied completely online, so there’s no need to come to campus, even for assessments. However, if you wish to visit the campus at Northumbria University to make use of our facilities, you’ll be more than welcome to do so.

There is no difference between the qualification you receive on our distance learning course and any equivalent qualification which you might study on campus. You’ll even be taught by the same academics as our on-campus courses and share a graduation. 

The only difference is that you’ll be taught fully online rather than in-person. 

Learn more about the value of distance learning

Our Psychology conversion Masters is delivered fully online, so you can access learning materials anytime, anywhere on our bespoke eLearning platform, Blackboard Ultra. 

The recommended computer browsers are: 

• Google Chrome™, most recent stable version and two preceding versions. 
• Mozilla® Firefox®, most recent stable version and two preceding versions. 
• Apple® Safari® for MacOS and iOS, two most recent major versions. 
• Microsoft® Edge®1 most recent stable version and two preceding versions.

Assessment methods will vary between modules (e.g., essays and multiple-choice exams) but all of them will be submitted online and there’s no need to come to campus throughout the duration of your course.

By studying a Psychology MSc online with Northumbria University, you’ll be part of a supportive, engaging community. From juggling your commitments to managing finances, we're here to help. 

Our friendly team of Enrolment Advisors will support you throughout the application process and answer any initial questions you may have about the course, online learning, fees and funding opportunities and more.  

When you begin studying, our dedicated Student Success Advisors are on-hand to support you in your studies from start to finish. They'll ensure you are properly onboarded onto the course with welcome calls throughout your first few modules and will provide help with any queries around assessment deadlines, module content and more. 

Discover the support you’ll receive from Student Success

You can also use our Careers and Employment Services for support with psychology job applications and access to unique career opportunities or further research in the field. 

Learn more about our Careers and Employment Services

Applying for our Psychology conversion Masters can be done quickly and easily via our online applicant portal. You are advised to apply as early as possible to secure your place and organise any sponsorship, scholarships or funding.

As part of the application process, you’ll need to upload a selection of important documents including:

• Your Bachelor’s degree certificate.
• A copy of your degree transcript (if this was awarded in a language other than English, you’ll need an official translation too).
• Evidence of any other postgraduate or professional qualifications.
• An updated CV/resume.
• Proof of your English Language proficiency (if English is your second language).
• A 500-word personal statement.
• If you are a non-standard applicant, you will also need to send us two professional / personal references.
• After receiving your application, our Applicant Services team will aim to respond to you as soon as possible.

In order to ensure BPS accreditation standards are met, and the quality of this course is upheld, places on the next intake will be limited. Due to high demand, places will be allocated on a first come first served basis to applicants who meet the entry criteria. Our application portal is now open for the next intake and we encourage you to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment. If you’d like to speak to someone about the course, please feel free to contact us.