Birmingham City University : Psychology - GradCert / GradDip

• Faculty of Education, Law & Social Sciences

• School
• School of Social Sciences

• Campus
• City North

• Duration
• : See Course Outline

• Fees
• June 2012 Entry Home/EU:
  GradCert: £1,620 FT (60 credits) / £27 per credit PT
  
  2012/13 Home/EU:
  GradCert: £1,700 FT (60 credits) / £29 per credit PT
  GradDip: £3,700 FT (120 credits) / £31 per credit PT
  2012/13 International: To be announced

Overview

The graduate diploma in Psychology is aimed at graduates who have not studied accredited Psychology and who would like to pursue a career as a professional psychologist. This is the first step in becoming a Chartered Psychologist which will confer eligibility for Graduate Membership for Chartership (GBC) in Psychology, providing that a minimum of 50 per cent has been attained and the empirical project has been successfully completed. The GBC qualification will enable the student to pursue post-graduate studies/training in chartered divisional areas in Psychology.

Whilst the programme does not offer work placements, staff contacts have provided ample opportunity for students to pursue psychology work related interests outside the programme in the areas of clinical, educational and forensic psychology. Many of our students are involved with psychology work experience in their own time. Currently, a BSc (Hons) Psychology student has won a community award for her outstanding work in a community health setting. The Division of Psychology has highly experienced staff in the various divisional areas of Chartered Psychology and research.

The Division of Psychology also houses MSc Forensic Psychology and MSc Integrative Psychotherapy which provides many networking opportunities for students who are part of the Division of Psychology.

Key Facts

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology is a conversion course accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), offered to graduates who would like to pursue a career as a Professional Psychologist. This conversion course will award Graduate Basis of Chartered Membership (GBC) providing that an average of 50 per cent or above has been attained across the programme and the empirical project has been successfully completed. GBC is a necessary pre-requisite for entry onto post-graduate training courses in the various chartered divisional psychology areas which are accredited by the BPS.

This course is aimed at graduates who hold 60 credits in relevant Psychology (accredited or non-accredited), or hold a Graduate Certificate in Psychology and have obtained a minimum of a 2:2 in an undergraduate degree (accredited psychology degree holders are excluded) and who would like to study on a Psychology programme which confers eligibility for GBC.

Course Structure

The aim of the Graduate Diploma in Psychology is for the student to study the core GBC syllabus specified by the BPS which will confer eligibility for GBC (providing a minimum of 50 per cent has been obtained and the empirical project has been successfully completed).

The aim of the Graduate Certificate in Psychology is for the student to accumulate 60 credits in Psychology and then be eligible to gain entry onto the Graduate Diploma in Psychology.

The Graduate Certificate in Psychology will be based on an online distance learning model. This course is offered as both a full-time and part-time mode of learning. 

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology will be based on campus. There are six 15 credited single modules and one 30 credited double module. The Psychology Dissertation double module which will begin during the second term will be the only module which will run across over the summer period where the student can write up their research findings. This course will be offered as both full-time and part-time modes of learning. Students on the full-time course will be required to attend three days a week. Students on the part-time mode of study will be able to select modules which will suit external commitments and will require one day of attendance per week. Over the summer period, the student will be required to only attend dissertation supervision meetings which will be agreed between the student and the supervisor.

This course is supported by specialist software packages such as E-prime, psychology laboratories, statistical computer packages such as NVIVO and SPSS, counselling rooms, individual psychology laboratories, teaching psychology laboratories, psychometric test library and psychology databases. The course is also supported by dedicated psychology administrators and a psychology technician.

Duration

GradCert: 12 weeks FT, 24 weeks PT, online distance learning

GradDip: 12 months FT, 24 months PT, on-campus learning

Start Date

GradCert: 6 June

GradDip: September or January

Modules

Graduate Diploma in Psychology

Graduate Certificate in Psychology

Further Studies

Students who have completed this programme and meet the standards to be eligible for GBC, can apply for post-graduate studies which are aligned to chartered divisional areas in Psychology at MSc which are recognised by the BPS.

Employment Opportunities

90 per cent of psychology graduates work within the first six months after graduation Kingston (2003). Only 20 per cent go on to pursue a career as a professional psychologist which require further training at MSc and or doctorate level. These individuals are employed in the areas of

• clinical neuropsychology
• educational psychology
• forensic psychology
• health psychology
• occupational psychology
• counselling
• teaching and research
• sports and exercise science

GBC graduates who do not wish to pursue a career in Professional Psychology also enter into employment areas such as, recruitment consultancy, human resource, civil service, researcher and data analyst, IAPT, counselling and teaching.

Entry Requirements

Graduate Diploma in Psychology:

Applicants must have a minimum 2:2 degree and either satisfactorily completed the Graduate Certificate in Psychology or have at least 60 credits of appropriate Psychology at degree level. All exemptions must be approved by the Admissions Tutor prior to starting the course. The BPS requires all graduates to obtain a minimum of 50% overall in order to meet the criteria for GBC. Proficiency in the English language is essential. If English is not your first language, you will require an IELTS 6.5 minimum with a minimum score of 6 in all components, TOEFL (old examination) 630, TOEFL (new examination) 267 or equivalent.

Graduate Certificate in Psychology:

Applicants who are graduates with a minimum of 2:2 degree and do not hold a Graduate certificate in Psychology or do not have 60 credits of appropriate psychology and would like to study on the Graduate Diploma in Psychology will be required to complete the Graduate Certificate in Psychology.  If English is not your first language, you will require an IELTS 6.5 minimum with a minimum score of 6 in all components, TOEFL (old examination) 630, TOEFL (new examination) 267 or equivalent.

Application Details

Apply online or contact us for an application form.

International enquirers may contact the International Office for further help and advice.

Enquiries

Prospective students from the UK or EU may enquire online by using the Course Enquiry Form or call +44 (0)121 331 5595.

Prospective students from non-EU countries may enquire via the International Enquiry Form or call +44 (0)121 331 6714.