Psychology Conversion Course MSc

About the course

On successfully completing the course, you will:

• Have demonstrated sufficient knowledge of psychological theories and literature to be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society;
• Have developed a more detailed knowledge of the literature, theories, and issues relevant to your career ambitions;
• Be able to design, carry out, and evaluate psychological research using a variety of methodologies, including the ability to conduct an advanced research project;
• Be able to conduct ethically sensitive research.

Students enrolled on the Postgraduate Diploma will study the following modules;

• Developmental, Social, and Cognitive Psychology
• The Biological Basis of Psychology
• Individual Differences and Conceptual / Historical Issues in Psychology
• Using Data to Address Research Questions
• Methods of Collecting Data in Psychology
• Psychology Project

Additional modules for students studying the Masters course:

The MSc programme is flexible enough to allow individual tailoring to particular interests or career aspirations. Masters students have to study two additional modules, selected from the following modules (subject to availability):

• Cognitive Neuropsychology.
• Advanced Topics in Memory.
• Forensic and Criminal Psychology.
• Topics in Psychopathology

Why choose this course?

The Postgraduate Diploma (and Masters) in Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire is for people who have degrees in other subjects, but who wish to obtain Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) [formerly known as Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR)] with the British Psychological Society, which is the first necessary step towards becoming a professional psychologist.

View course leaflet for Psychology Conversion Course MSc, PgD

Study routes

• Part Time, 2 Years
• Full Time, 1 Years

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

This course provides Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society, which is the first necessary step towards becoming a professional psychologist. Having obtained GBC, students can then pursue a career in specialist area such as Clinical, Forensic, Health, Occupational, Counseling, Sport and Exercise, or Educational and Child Psychology with a view to becoming a Chartered Clinical, Forensic, Health, Occupational, or Counseling Psychologist.

Teaching methods

Teaching and learning methods include lectures, seminars and tutorials. Students will develop the ability to design, carry out and evaluate psychological research, using a variety of methodologies, including the ability to conduct a research project and ethically sensitive research. Assessment for the programme is by examination, coursework, demonstration of a series of competencies and completion of the research project.

Professional Accreditations

Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) [formerly known as Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR)] with the British Psychological Society.

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Advanced Psychology Project

  There are no taught components. Students will develop, under the supervision of an appropriate member of staff, a research question which they will operationalise. Relevant data collection and analysis guidance will be provided. Students are expected to demonstrate a high level of critical awareness of contemporary literature an in-depth statistical analysis. This module is only appropriate for students with suitable advanced background knowledge and skills.

• Development, Social and Cognitive Psychology

  The module reviews basic issues and addresses current developments in developmental, social and cognitive psychology and develops students' ability to critically review pertinent literature.

• Independent Psychology Project

  There are no taught components. Students will develop, under the supervision of an appropriate member of staff, a research question which they will operationalise. Relevant data collection and analysis guidance will be provided.

• Individual Differences and Conceptual/Historical Issues in Psychology

  This module introduces students to a critical analysis of the historical background of many current areas of investigation in psychology. Influential personalities and theories will be presented and discussed. A particular focus will be placed on the area of individual differences.

• Methods of Collecting Data in Psychology

  The module aims to develop students' skills in formulating, executing, and reporting results of well designed investigations of psychological phenomena. Investigations will be based on psychological theory, employ a range of well established methods and will require the skilled execution of practical techniques and data presentation. Students will be expected to master the theory of basic experimental design. Ethical considerations relevant to the conduct of investigations with human participants will be emphasised.

• The Biological Basis of Psychology

  The course provides a critical introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience. Aspects of the micro and macro composition, organisation and function of the brain will critically evaluated. A contemporary and integrated perspective will be offered on the possible relationships between brain and selected aspects of cognitive activity.

• Using Data to Address Research Questions

  The aim of this module is to introduce and develop those skills that are core to using data in psychology. The module will focus on developing students' capacity to use a range of statistical methods from descriptive to inferential and advanced statistics using SPSS.

Optional

• Advanced Topics in Memory

  This module examines contemporary research into the structures and representations of memory and the roles of memory in broader cognitive functions. Laboratory and naturalistic approaches will be compared. Specific topics may include working memory, autobiographical memory, prospective memory. Students will be asked to review and evaluate current published research.

• Cognitive Neuropsychology

  The course attempts to show how a variety of disorders of perception, language and memory can provide a critical source of evidence through which to understand normal cognitive function. The course will focus on current models of cognition, through the relationship between cognitive function and neuropsychological systems will also be considered. The aim of the course is to provide students with a thorough grounding in understanding higher mental processes.

• Topics in Forensic and Criminal Psychology

  Forensic Psychology concerns the application of psychological theory and principles to the understanding of crime, crime control and the legal process. This module is designed to equip students with an overview of current psychological theory as applied to forensic topics. Particular attention will be paid to the psychology of judicial proceedings, eyewitness testimony, false allegations, offender profiling/investigation the causes of offending behaviour and methods of tackling crime and offender behaviour. In addition, students will examine the role the media plays in the construction of ideas about crime, fear of crime and policy in relation to crime.

• Topics in Psychopathology

  The course addresses substantive and methodological issues relating to mental illness from a cognitive perspective.

Fees & funding

Fees 2013

UK/EU Students

Full time: £5,250 for the 2013 academic year

International Students

Full time: £10,500 for the 2013 academic year

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

View detailed information about tuition fees

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

How to apply