Psychology MSc
2 Years Part-Time | September Start
Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
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Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
You will learn from passionate academic staff, who are involved in cutting-edge research. With almost three-quarters of Northumbria’s psychology research being judged to have outstanding reach and significance for its impact (REF 2021).
You will learn in a professional research environment, with access to state-of-the-art laboratories which are equipped with industry standard equipment. You will learn from those at the forefront of their fields. In fact, our strength in psychology research has significantly increased. We are currently placed 15th in the UK for Research Power (REF 2021).
You will develop an advanced understanding of
Successful completion of this masters in psychology will provide you with the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership with the BPS, the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist. In order to be eligible for GBC students must achieve an overall pass mark of 50% and pass the empirical project
If you want to specialise in Health, Occupational or Sport and Exercise Psychology then your next step will be a Stage 1 Masters, which we also offer here at Northumbria.
If you want to specialise in Counselling, Educational or Clinical Psychology then you will need to apply for a highly competitive doctoral programme. You are likely to need substantial experience to be successful in gaining a place, and at Northumbria we will support you in finding that experience.
The third route to a career in Psychology is the academic route, and we can support interested students in applying for our MRes and subsequently a PhD. This would qualify you to lecture and carry our psychological research in a university setting.
Our MSc Psychology has been designed with your employability in mind, and will prove valuable even if you decide not to pursue a career in Psychology. Our previous graduates have secured roles in management, advertising, marketing and human resources.
The timetable for the full-time programme is two full days (9am-5pm) per week on a Monday and Tuesday, and for the part-time programme it is one full day per week (Tuesday for year 1, Monday for year 2).
When deciding on which programme to apply for, we would ask applicants to consider carefully the time commitments for the course taking into account work and any other personal commitments. For full-time students we would expect a commitment of approximately 35 hours per week and for part time around 17.5 hours per week. (For both programmes these hours include hours of study on campus)
Level of Study
Postgraduate
Mode of Study
2 years Part Time
3 other options available
Department
Psychology
Location
City Campus, Northumbria University
City
Newcastle
Start
September 2025
Fees
Fee Information
Modules
Module Information
Watch Senior Lecturer Dr. Colin Hamilton talk about the Psychology MSc in the Masters in a Minute (or so) and Rachel discuss her experience of being a student on the course.
mProgram leader Dr. Colin Hamilton gives an introduction to the Psychology MSc at Northumbria University. Find out more about the course here: northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/courses/psychology-dtfpcy6/
MSc Psychology student Rachel Sheldon tells us about her experience as a postgraduate student, how it prepared her for the future and why she wanted to study an accredited course. For more information on MSc Psychology, please visit: northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/courses/psychology-dtfpcy6/ See why other postgraduate students choose Northumbria University: northumbria.ac.uk/the-hub/entries/why-northumbria-why-postgraduate/ For an example of how a postgraduate course can help you in future prospects, please visit: northumbria.ac.uk/the-hub/entries/curating-my-own-future/
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Research workshops will allow you to develop and enhance your qualitative and quantitative methods competence, data collection and analysis. You will be encouraged to take responsibility for your own learning, demonstrating applied understanding and knowledge at the forefront of the discipline. You will learn to defend your work effectively to a wide range of audiences.
Assessment is varied, either exam based or through written assignments such as laboratory reports, research article critiques, data analysis assignments, presentations or conventional essays.
You will also undertake a major research thesis on a topic of your choice, supported by the breadth of expertise amongst our staff
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
During this course your on-campus lectures, workshops and seminars will all be timetabled on a Tuesday in year one and Monday in year two. For a masters programme like this we expect a commitment of around 17.5 hours per week - how you do your self-directed study is completely up to you. We want you to be able to fit your studies in with your life, whether that be at our City Campus Library, the University Library Digital Commons, open 24/7 during term time, or at home with access to e-books and journals - make it work for you.
You will learn from those at the forefront of their fields.You will learn from dedicated academics extensive research and teaching backgrounds. Current staff research projects include working memory, neurocognitive performance and function, psychobiological pathways and the psychobiology of stress and the nutritional influences on performance and mood.
Read more about our Psychology academics
Sarah Docherty
Programme Leader
Dr Philippa Jackson
Associate Professor
Santosh Vijaykumar
Associate Professor
Johannes Honekopp
Assistant Professor
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
You’ll spend much of your time in the Experimental Psychology Lab, which has been designed to facilitate group work, and will have access to a designated working space for Masters students. You’ll make constant use of the eLearning Portal, where electronic reading lists, lecture capture and online submission and feedback tools will support your learning.
Depending on which area you choose to explore for your thesis, you will have access to research equipment including EEG, eye-tracking, virtual reality, galvanic skin response, body scanning, and motion capture.
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
You will learn how knowledge in Psychology is developed through research and how to design and carry out research studies using a range of methodologies. Developing your own advanced research skills and critical understanding, you will have the opportunity to work alongside active researchers at the forefront of research in the Psychology fields. You will be encouraged to ask and explore innovative research questions, reflecting upon the research process and knowledge creation, culminating in the production of a research thesis.
See more of our Research
The Northumbria Centre for Sleep Research
Brain Performance and Nutrition Research Centre
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
If you want to specialise in Health, Occupational or Sport and Exercise Psychology then your next step will be a Stage 1 Masters, which we also offer here at Northumbria.
If you want to specialise in Counselling, Educational or Clinical Psychology then you will need to apply for a highly competitive doctoral programme. You are likely to need substantial experience to be successful in gaining a place, and at Northumbria we will support you in finding that experience. We will open doors to the many volunteering opportunities at the University and within the sector, and the MSc will also qualify you to apply for a valuable Assistant Psychologist role.
The third route to a career in Psychology is the academic route, and we can support interested students in applying for our MRes and subsequently a PhD. This would qualify you to lecture and carry our psychological research in a university setting.
Our MSc Psychology has been designed with your employability in mind, and will prove valuable even if you decide not to pursue a career in Psychology. You will develop a critical approach to analysing qualitative and quantitative data, which will equip you to make sound informed decisions – one of the most important aspects of leadership. Our previous graduates have secured specialist roles in management, advertising, marketing and human resources, with many moving into the public sector for careers in the police and prison services, health and social services or education.
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.
* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here
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