Psychology - MSc
- Level: Postgraduate Taught
- Starting: September 2020
- Study mode: Distance Learning
- Location: City Centre
Looking for a psychology conversion course? Our MSc Psychology degree is an online conversion course, fully accredited by the British Psychological Society.
This is an an online conversion course, fully accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), designed to help students with a non-Psychology degree gain a Psychology Master's qualification.
This course has been designed for students wanting to pursue careers in chartered areas of psychology who need to gain the psychological background in order to gain the accreditation by the BPS. This distance learning (online) course allows you to study around your own commitments, reflecting the inclusivity at the heart of Birmingham City University.
If you have any questions about how the course is run, please check out our Course In Depth tab for a full FAQ.
What's covered in the course?
The course covers the core areas of psychological knowledge so that our graduates gain breadth and depth across key psychological theory and research. For example in Lifespan we answer questions such as how do babies recognise faces, and how do we acquire language? In Applied Social Psychology we examine cross-cultural psychology and the formation of groups and what impact this has on the real world. We also look at examples of atypical behaviours and how psychological disorders are assessed and diagnosed.
In the course we cover two research methods modules (quantitative and qualitative) where you get an opportunity to carry out a small-scale study and write this up as a laboratory report. For your final dissertation you will work one-to-one with a member of staff to carry out a piece of research in an area that interests you. We find that most people will align this with the area of psychology that they wish to pursue and this can be a great talking point in interview. You’ll be taught how to submit a research ethics proposal, how to write a laboratory report as well as presenting a poster similar to an academic conference and writing a critical review. All of your assignments will be coursework based rather than exams.
Across the course we embed real world examples and make links to chartered careers in psychology to ensure that you are ready for your next step in becoming a psychologist. Our alumni on the course are already studying for doctorates in clinical and educational psychology as well as working in hospitals, schools, prisons and the charity sector. We also have a number following in our footsteps pursuing careers as academics by completing a PhD!
Why Choose Us?
- Staff contact and online delivery provide ample opportunity for you to pursue related interests outside the course in the areas of clinical, educational and forensic psychology etc. You are encouraged to bring these experience to the forefront of your learning experience, ensuring you are developing into a well-rounded, lifelong learner.
- Our staff are research active, allowing research-informed teaching and learning activities. You will be given the opportunity to learn and participate in a number of research projects throughout the year and we hold regular academic research seminars, which are recorded for our online students.
- A number of our recent conversion course students have been successful in gaining further training and employment in highly competitive areas of psychology, including Clinical Doctorate courses and research posts with national charitable organisations.
- You will be allocated a personal tutor, who will provide pastoral and academic support, as well as preparing you for your career in Psychology.
- Our Psychology department has a wide range of psychology testing labs to suit all needs, including our BPS computer lab, which consists of more than thirty networked computers with Psychology-specific software such as SPSS, NVivo and others such as Opensesame.
- The Division of Psychology also offers MSc Forensic Psychology and MSc Health Psychology, providing you with many networking opportunities.
Find out more
Visit us to find out more
Come along to one of our upcoming events where our staff will be on hand to answer all your questions.
This course is open to International students
Discover the School of Social Sciences
Visit our School site for more student work and extra information.
*Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2016
Speak to an expert
Do you have a question about this course? If so, we’d love to hear from you. Send your question to the Course Director and they’ll get back to you shortly.
Alternatively, you can register for our next postgraduate open day.
*DLHE Survey 2016/17
Course Accreditations
This course is accredited by:
Entry Requirements
Essential Requirements
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Applicants must have a minimum 2:2 degree. At the point of enrolment you must have GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade C or above. |
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All exemptions must be approved by the Admissions Tutor prior to starting the course. |
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The British Psychological Society (BPS) requires all graduates to obtain a minimum of 50 per cent overall in order to meet the criteria for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). |
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Please note that you will not be able to progress on to the MSc level and work towards eligibility for Society membership if you do not hold an undergraduate degree, regardless of whether you have postgraduate qualifications. This is a requirement set by the British Psychological Society. |
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Additional information for EU/International students
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Applications from international applicants with equivalent qualifications are welcome. Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In additional to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require the qualifications detailed in this table. |
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| English language requirements 2020/21 | ||
| IELTS |
6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information. |
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| Other accepted qualifications | Visit our English language page | |
International Students
Don't meet our entry requirements? You could apply for courses at our International College.
- UK/EU students
- International students
Award: MSc
Starting: Sep 2020
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Distance Learning
- 1 Year
- £8,500 per year
- Distance Learning
- 2 Years
- Show fees
- Year 1 (60 credits) £2,900
- Year 2 (120 credits) £5,700
Fees for Distance Learning students
This course can be studied on a Distance Learning study basis. The cost per year of study is based on credit requirements for that year as shown here.
Award: MSc
Starting: Sep 2020
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Distance Learning
- 1 Year
- £12,800 per year
If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead. The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
Personal statement
Students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.
Your postgraduate personal statement is going to shine a light on your personal experience, academic success, personal skills and any other factors that will support your application for further study.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
Your passion and motivations
Studying a postgraduate course usually means you want to specialise in something. So what’s driving you?
Why this course?
Show that you’ve researched the course offering. What is it about this particular course that appeals to you? Is it the lecturers? The modules? Etc.
What makes you a good postgraduate candidate?
Tutors want to know that you can handle postgraduate study, so show them how your undergraduate experiences or work life has equipped you for a more advanced level of study. Key areas to address are research and group work but this can vary depending on your chosen course.
Relevant academic or work experience
Add anything relevant that relates back to your chosen course and shows how your skills will contribute towards your learning. What extra-curricular activities have you taken part in? What awards have you won? What employment or voluntary experience do you have that has helped you develop transferable skills? How do these specifically relate to the course you are applying for?
You should also mention your future plans and how a postgraduate qualification fits in. Try to look beyond your postgraduate study – do you plan to jump straight into a specific career or follow your studies with a research degree? Lastly, use plain, professional English and, where possible, utilise the language of your chosen industry.
Get more information on writing personal statements.
Additional costs
While there are no additional costs associated with purchasing text books, there may be other costs to you. If you are joining the course which has a professional body accreditation you may be required to pay membership or examination costs. For details of these costs, please click on the link below.
Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £50 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials. All our students are provided with 100 free pages of printing each year to a maximum total value of £15.
Find additional costs for your course
Accommodation and living costs
The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.
Financial Support
We offer further information on possible postgraduate financial support. This includes the type of loans, grants and scholarships available both from the government and from Birmingham City University.
Did you know that you will soon be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £10,906 for some courses and options?
Modules
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 180 credits): |
We focus on ensuring the core elements of psychology are taught in an applied, real-world context. We expect you to be active in the online learning community bringing your experiences, ideas and questions to the forefront of the learning journey.
The coursework is designed in such a way that you can tailor it to your interests, whilst developing your softer, employability skills as well.
The course will allow you to interact and learn alongside students from all over the country and the world, expanding your networks and perceptions of psychology.
FAQ
This course is accredited by:
The British Psychological Society (MSc Psychology)
Find out more about British Psychological Society accreditation.
Further Study
Upon completion of this course, students can pursue internal PhD opportunities offered within the Psychology department at Birmingham City University.
*Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2016
Campus Tours - Postgraduate
Didn't make it to an Open Day? You still have the opportunity to come and see what our postgraduate courses have to offer. If you would like to enquire about campus tour availability, just drop us an email.
Employment Opportunities
To pursue a career as a professional psychologist further training at MSc and or doctorate level is required. This can lead to employment in the areas of:
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Clinical neuropsychology
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Educational psychology
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Forensic psychology
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Health psychology
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Occupational psychology
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Counselling psychology
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Teaching and research
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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 resources, civil service, researcher and data analyst, Improving Access
OpportUNIty
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
*DLHE Survey 2016/17
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here.
- Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies.
- Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country.
- Learn where to find financial support for your studies.
Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC)
International students who have a serious interest in studying with us but who perhaps cannot meet the direct entry requirements, academic or English, or who have been out of education for some time, can enter Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC) and begin their degree studies.
BCUIC is part of the global Navitas Group, an internationally recognised education provider, and the partnership allows students to access the University’s facilities and services and move seamlessly through to achieving a Bachelor’s degree from Birmingham City University.
Our Facilities
We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £340 million on new learning facilities.
The Curzon Building
This course is based at our City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other social sciences, law, business and English students.
The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.
Realistic, simulated environments include two mock court rooms, a Magistrates' and Crown Court, and an interviewing suite. We’re also exploring the use of virtual environments as a way to develop case study analysis.
For those studying on the BA (Hons) Policing or BA (Hons) Criminology, Policing and Investigation degrees, you’ll experience simulations of police interviewing environments for both suspects and witnesses, with access to tape recording and video playback analysis.
Crime investigation files are prepared using computer-based technology, and the crime data analysis requirements of the degree are supported by appropriate statistical and analytical software.
Psychology students can look forward to using state-of-the-art equipment as well, including the latest in eye-tracking software, and our new EEG machine, all geared towards giving you true hands-on experience with tools you’ll be using in your later career. You will also benefit from facilities across the wider campus including the Parkside and Millennium Point buildings.
The Curzon Building also features:
- An impressive new library with access to over 65 million full text items and stunning views of Eastside City Park
- Your Students’ Union which is located in a beautifully restored 19th century pub, The Eagle and Ball
- A modern 300-seat food court with space to study and socialise
- Brand new, accessible IT facilities with full Office365 for all students for free
Dr Pelham Carter
Senior Lecturer in Psychology
Pelham was drawn to Psychology initially by his interest in animal behavior, then followed maze experiments and finally using virtual environments to explore human behavior.
Dr Rebecca Semmens-Wheeler
Senior Lecturer; Co-Course Director, MSc Psychology; Mental Health and Wellbeing Co-lead
Rebecca Semmens-Wheeler joined BCU’s Psychology department in 2016 and is co-Course Director for the BPS accredited MSc in Psychology.
Dr Emily Coyne-Umfreville
Senior Lecturer in Applied Psychology
Emily is a Senior Lecturer in Developmental and Educational Psychology. Emily’s doctoral thesis was entitled “Capturing Reading Strategies in Young children.”
Dr Emma Tecwyn
Lecturer in Psychology
After studying and researching Animal Behavior, Dr Emma Tecwyn became curious about animal minds, and subsequently human minds, which led to her move into Psychology.
Dr Olga Fotakopoulou
Senior Lecturer in Developmental Psychology
Dr Olga Fotakopoulou is a developmental psychologist and is interested in human development from birth to adolescence with a special interest in socio-cognitive, emotional and pro-social development. She has worked as a researcher of children’s development since 2004 and as a Counsellor in various educational and clinical settings.
Dr Ian Mundy
Lecturer in Psychology
Dr Ian Mundy is a cognitive developmental psychologist with particular interests in language processing and literacy ability. Ian completed his MSc and PhD at the University of Warwick.
Dr Lesley Storey
Lecturer
As an individual who has spent her life asking “why”, it was more a case of academia choosing Dr Lesley Storey, more than her choosing to be an academic. Lesley's work allows her to harness that curiosity and use it to explore issues affecting our everyday lives.
Dr Damien Neadle
Lecturer
Dr Damien Neadle particularly enjoyed teaching statistics and research methods, He has a specific interest in research ethics and integrity and spends a lot of time focusing on the Open Science movement.
Dr Natalie Kelly
Lecturer in Psychology
Natalie's research focuses on visual perception and attention, and how such processes are affected by factors such as healthy ageing and atypical neurological development (ASD, ADHD).
Dr Jeffrey Wood
Senior Lecturer in Psychology
Dr Jeff Wood originally completed his undergraduate degree in Psychology in 2006 before working in mental health for 2 years.
Dr Emily Harrison
Senior Lecturer in Psychology
Dr Emily Harrison completed an undergraduate degree in Psychology in 2011 and went on to complete a PhD in reading development in early 2015. Her research has largely focused on children’s reading development, more specifically to do with the role of rhythmic awareness in the development of early literacy skills.