MSc Psychology (Conversion course)

The MSc Psychology (conversion course) is designed for those wanting to pursue a career in psychology but who hold an undergraduate degree in a subject other than psychology, or a non­accredited psychology degree (either combined or single honours).

This conversion course will give you a good grounding in the core areas of psychology and confer eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS), which is a requirement for most postgraduate training in psychology.

This conversion course can also be used as a stepping stone to postgraduate research in psychology.

You will study a range of core and optional modules, as described below. Please note, we continually review, and where appropriate, revise the range of modules on offer to reflect changes in the subject and ensure the best student experience.

Full-time route:

Term 1 (September to January) covers core content in the different areas of psychology, as well as basic research methods content. .You'll also begin work on your research project under the supervision of an active researcher within the Psychology Team.

Term 2 (January to April / May) covers more sophisticated research methods and you will take two optional modules from a range of four, which tie in to the research themes in the psychology team and to various career paths. You will also continue to work on your research project.

Term 3 (May to August / September) will see you finish your research project, which will be due towards the end of summer, and complete an extended essay. The extended critical involves a critical review of issues surrounding research (e.g. epistemology) and will be due earlier in the summer.

Part-time route:

Year 1 (Leg 1)

Term 1 (September to January) covers core content in the different areas of psychology, as well as basic research methods content. Part-time students complete the same taught modules as full-time students during this term, so this is a very intense term. The only difference is that as a part-time student, you will not be starting your project this year.

Term 2 (January to April / May) is a less intense term for part-time students, as you will only be enrolled on research methods 2, which covers more sophisticated research methods. This will be the end of your first year of study – you can relax and get recharged for next year!

Year 2 (Leg 2)

Term 1 (September to January): You will begin work on your research project with your supervisor, who will be an active researcher within the Psychology Team.

Term 2 (January to April / May): You will take two optional modules from a range of four, which tie in to the research themes in the psychology team and to various career paths. You will also continue to work on your research project.

Term 3 (May to August / September) will see you finish your research project, which will be due towards the end of summer, and complete an extended essay. The extended critical involves a critical review of issues surrounding research (e.g. epistemology) and will be due earlier in the summer.

Please note: All students on a module will be expected to work to the same deadlines, whether they are on the full-time or part-time routes, so do take this into account when making your study choices.

Indicative Course Structure (provisional and subject to change)

Term 1

• Cognitive & Biological Psychology *
• Developmental Psychology *
• Social Psychology *
• Personality and Individual Differences *
• Research Methods 1 *

Term 2: 

• Cognition and Creativity **
• Learning and Development **
• Society and Environment **
• Health and Wellbeing **
• Research Methods 2 *

Term 3: 

• Extended essay *
• Research Project *

* Compulsory module

** Optional modules as offered for 2017-18. You choose 2.

This conversion course confers eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS), which means you can go on to further post­graduate training in psychology. This applies to vocational / professional routes, such as Forensic, Clinical, and Educational Psychology, or research­ focused training (PhD).

You will experience a variety of learning and teaching techniques, which will vary from module to module. These may include lectures, discussion­based sessions, workshops, hands­on research, as well as a substantial amount of self­directed study. For every hour of directed study, you are expected to put in around 5-6 hours of independent study. In total, you are expected to dedicate about 35-­40 hours per week (including on­campus sessions) to your studies.

All staff involved in the delivery of the course are research­active academics. Some sessions may also involve and /or be led by practitioners and other relevant individuals (e.g., patient groups), to make sure your experience is as rich and well­rounded as we can possibly make it.

Our assessment strategy uses a number of formats designed to tap into the different skills you are expected to develop during your time with us, and may include objective assessments, essays, portfolios, practical reports, presentations, podcasts, and a final research project.

Fees

2018/19 tuition fees for this course

Tuition fees for all courses which last more than one academic year are payable on an annual basis, except where stated.

There will be an annual inflationary increase in tuition fees for this course where the course lasts more than one academic year. The increase will reflect cost inflation in the University. Any inflationary increase will be no more than 3.5% for each year of your study. The increase will be calculated on the previous year’s tuition fees and not the tuition fees at the start of the course. 

Government loans of up to £10,280 are available for some postgraduate Master’s courses for students starting their course from 1 August 2018. Loans are subject to both personal and course eligibility criteria.

The rules around course eligibility mean that in some cases it may depend on how you are studying (full-time or part-time) as to whether you can apply for a postgraduate loan. To check whether your course is eligible, you can email the Student Fees Team or call 01227 923 948

Read more about postgraduate masters student loans.

Students may self-fund their course or a sponsor may fund or part-fund. Bursaries, scholarships and fee discounts may also be available.

Further information

• See information about financial support available for postgraduate studies
• If you would like information about paying your fees, please contact finance@canterbury.ac.uk
• For specific fee queries, please contact fees@canterbury.ac.uk

Additional course costs

Although we aim to minimise any additional costs to students over and above the course tuition fee, there will be some additional costs which students are expected to meet.

Costs applicable to all students

General principle policy

The University’s general principles policy for additional course fees are set out here

For further information, please read our guidance on how to apply online.

You will normally need a good honours degree in a subject other than psychology (2.1 or above), or a non­ accredited (combined/single honours) degree that includes psychology. However, Canterbury Christ Church University encourages and welcomes applications from all students able to benefit from the programme offered. Applications are considered individually and we take into account academic qualifications in addition to paying great attention to the personal statement, additional experience, and the reference(s) provided.

We have a lab suite which includes an observation lab, eye-tracker and EEG lab. We also provide access to specialist software for experimental and online studies. Our technicians will be on hand to help you set up your studies.

For more information, please contact:

Psychology Administrators: ppspostgraduate@canterbury.ac.uk

Information for international students:

Address
International Office
Canterbury Christ Church University
Canterbury
Kent
CT1 1QU
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0) 1227 458349
Email:ipo@canterbury.ac.uk
Fax: 00 44 1227 781558