MSc Psychology Conversion Degree (BPS)

Course Overview

This online MSc Psychology conversion course is an ideal route for anyone who is looking to develop or change into a career in psychology or anyone who is simply passionate about understanding human behaviour. Successful completion of the course grants eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), which is often a pre-requisite for further training as a professional psychologist. It also means that you can apply to be a graduate member with the British Psychological Society (BPS), which grants access to the post-nominal letters GMBPsS.

On the course, you’ll examine many of the latest developments in contemporary psychology, including studying the human lifespan from birth to old age, current explorations in mental health and how the brain can influence our behaviour, as well as looking at the current controversies in personality and intelligence-based research.

During the course, you’ll also benefit from the experience and knowledge of our academic staff in a collaborative and international learning environment. You’ll have the opportunity to gain real-world insight and experience through our specialised psychology support, including opportunities such as volunteer research assistant schemes, student conferences, guest speakers, professional interest groups, employability events, and more.

Gaining your psychology conversion master’s online with Arden allows you to take control of your studies and removes the need to relocate to get the degree you want. Our tutors use a variety of teaching methods including lectures, online tutorials, and self-directed learning to bring the full university experience directly to you, wherever you are.

So whether you’re looking to start a career as a professional psychologist or want to gain key transferrable skills in the humanities and social sciences that will give you a competitive edge in the workplace, this degree will help you to apply psychological concepts in careers such as human resource management, teaching, counselling, and many others.

Once you have completed your first study block with us, we will submit an application for your membership with BPS, if this is accepted we will pay for your membership for the remainder of your MSc Psychology course at Arden. You will be subject to the BPS terms of membership which can be found here. If you do not want us to automatically enrol you please let us know prior to the end of your first study block.

What do you need to study with us?

Our aim is to make learning as accessible as possible by ensuring that you can study your degree in a flexible and convenient way. That’s why we keep our requirements simple. All you need is a laptop or desktop PC (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good internet connection. Please note that if you’re using a Chromebook, only those released in 2020 onwards support SPSS and Jamovi, which are essential requirements for the statistical elements of the course. Through ilearn, our online university campus in the cloud, you’ll be able to access your course calendar, support services, learning materials, and our online library containing almost half a million texts, as well as creating assignments, keeping notes, and collaborating with other students on your course.

Eligibility

Our online MSc Psychology conversion (BPS accredited) degree has standard entry requirements. To be able to study this course, we need to see that you have:

A UK honours degree or equivalent in any subject at 2:2 or above. If your degree is in psychology it must not be accredited by the BPS.
A Third Class UK honours degree or equivalent in psychology if you also possesses a master’s level degree;
Students that do not hold a UK (Hons) degree, or have a degree without honours will need to evidence independent research shown through, for example, a final year project dissertation or thesis. You may provide this evidence from masters level if your undergraduate degree didn’t include this.

If you hold a degree on an accredited psychology programme where the empirical component of the course was failed, your application will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

We also require a maths qualification or equivalent to at least Grade C at GCSE. However if you are unable to evidence a GCSE or equivalent in maths, you will be able to complete a maths mini module which has no formal assessment.

Applications for admission with advanced standing on the basis of prior certificated learning will be considered on an individual basis up to a maximum of 60 credits.

Course fee

International Fee	Fee
Fee per year:	£8500

Uk Fee	Fee
Total fee:	£8500

Please note: Fees quoted relate to the intake that you enrol on (i.e. when you start your course), NOT your application date.

English Proficiency

IELTS 6.5 (no less than 6.0 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 90; or equivalent
Alternatively, a letter to show that the Medium of Instruction was in English is accepted

We also offer an internal English test for applicants who are unable to provide an English Proficiency letter. More information on this can be found here.

We will consider alternative qualifications to evidence the maths component, as this qualification includes research methods which involves statistics.

We’ll ask you for a personal statement that demonstrates your ability to study the course. We may also want references and evidence of relevant experiences.

If you don’t already have a degree, we may be able to offer you a place on one of our undergraduate degree programmes, such as our BSc (Hons) Psychology degree.

Before you start studying

Whilst you can read your study materials on your smart phone or tablet, to make the most of your learning experience, you will need access to a laptop or computer (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection.

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MSc Psychology conversion course details and modules

Achieving your online psychology conversions master’s allows you to start your learning journey and training as a psychologist. It can also allow for easier transitions into more senior positions, such as management and leadership.

This course is all about mastering the fundamentals of psychology and learning how to critically analyse theory and research and explore how it can be applied in a range of settings. You’ll cover fascinating areas such as behavioural neuroscience, individual differences and mental health, lifespan development, and much more.

Taking a modular approach to your learning, you’ll be immersed in truly fascinating modern psychology concepts such as the influence of different brain types on human behaviour, exploring human memory, examining different states of consciousness and the development of neurological conditions.

You’ll also have the chance to explore topics that can have a profound effect on our understanding of the human lifespan and how humans grow, develop and change across the course of their lives through childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and older age.

Flexible learning that fits around you

As this is a fully online psychology master’s, you’ll have the freedom to fit your study hours around your life. Online degree study with Arden University is flexible, accessible, and designed to empower you to boost your career prospects and expand your knowledge from anywhere in the world.

Whether you’re in full or part-time employment, living with a disability, or have children to look after, there are no barriers to a degree with Arden, just the chance to unlock your full career potential.

As an online student, if you can’t make it to one of your live study sessions, you needn’t worry. All study sessions are recorded, and you’ll be able to access each one at a time that works best for you.

How do Arden University assess students?

Universities assess students using diverse methods that go beyond traditional exams, especially in postgraduate certificate programs. Instead of exams, these programs employ practical, real-world assessments tailored to meet individual needs and help students develop transferable skills for their future careers. These assessments may include:

Essays: Developing critical thinking and analytical writing skills.
Consultancy Reports: Addressing real-world challenges with professional insights.
Recorded Presentations: Enhancing communication and presentation abilities.
Case Studies: Applying theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.
E-Portfolios: Showcasing personal and academic achievements through organized digital collections.
Visual Research: Combining creativity and analytical skills to present research visually.

This approach ensures that students gain valuable, hands-on experience relevant to their career goals.

The Advanced Research Project

Your final 60-credit module, the Advanced Research Project, is where you’ll have the opportunity to shape your academic journey to reflect your passions, future career aspirations, and professional interests. Your project will give you the chance to:

Choose a research subject that ignites your curiosity and research an area that is of personal interest to you.
Tailor your project to your preferred style and depth, with the option to write a comprehensive 12,000-word thesis or a concise 7,000-word journal article.
Receive 1-2-1 guidance and support from our experienced academics who specialise in diverse psychology disciplines, providing valuable insights throughout your research journey.
Collaborate with your dissertation supervisor to explore opportunities for sharing your work with the wider academic community through reputable journals, conferences, blogs, and more.

Study support

Custom-made support for your psychology conversion degree studies

Alongside the extensive support available to all students studying with Arden, our online MSc Psychology course features its own personalised support system to help you succeed with your studies. This includes:

Supporting your studies:

Study skills workshops to guide you on your academic journey – helpful study groups for anyone who needs extra support at the beginning of their degree course.
Online office hours and drop-in sessions with your tutors – as well as support outside of your lectures.
Personalised support from our peer guides and learning assistants – peer guides are active Arden students who have already studied the topics you’re working through and can therefore give you a fresh perspective on your module content. Learning assistants are here to provide additional support with the course fundamentals to make new topics more accessible.
Quarterly feedback drop-ins with your programme leader so you can co-create your learning experience – to make sure you’re getting the most out of this course to support your future ambitions.
Free BPS student membership for access to a wealth of valuable resources – which will assist you with your learning and provide opportunities to network with professionals within the industry.

Supporting your future:

Guest speakers to inspire you with their industry insights and experiences – providing a unique insight into the future opportunities a psychology MSc opens up, as well as providing networking opportunities with industry professionals.

As well as:

Extracurricular opportunities to enhance your employability.
Annual student conferences to showcase your work and make professional connections.

Modules

To gain your online MSc Psychology conversion degree, you need 180 credits in total, studying the following modules:

Research Methods (20 credits)
Social Psychology (20 credits)
Behavioural Neuroscience (20 credits)
Individual Differences and Mental Health (20 credits)
Lifespan Development (20 credits)
Cognitive Psychology (20 credits)
Advanced Research Project (60 credits)

You can study two modules at once, but we’d always recommend studying each module separately until you become comfortable with the demands of a master’s degree. Each 20-credit module typically requires an average of 200 learning hours over the 10-week course, equivalent to a minimum of 20 hours a week.

Career prospects

At postgraduate level, you’ve probably already got solid career goals in mind. Our aim is to take you on the journey to achieving those goals, equipping you with a range of transferable skills that will give you the upper hand as a future employee – in whichever industry you feel is right for you.

What can I do after Arden University?

After successfully completing your MSc psychology conversion course via distance learning, you’ll have acquired a range of skills that will be appealing to several industries. Employers know that a successful psychology graduate at master’s level can go above and beyond when it comes to understanding and analysing human behaviour. With that in mind, a few career options for you could include:

Civil Service
Marketing
Consultant
Teacher
Researcher
HR Professional
Management
Business Leader

Or if you want to continue your journey towards becoming a registered Practitioner Psychologist it will allow you to apply for MSc accredited courses in Psychology specific disciplines. Keep a look out for future MSc discipline specific courses with us at Arden University.

Our MSc Psychology students have gone onto earn up to £80,000 within 2 years of graduation*

*Source: 2020/21 Graduate Outcomes Survey

What can an online MSc psychology conversiondegree do for me?

Achieving a degree at master’s level in psychology will open up a world of career opportunities. While studying, you’ll become proficient in:

How our brain influences our perception of the world
Social interaction
Psychopathological conditions
Approaches to intelligence testing
Childhood development
Behavioural neuroscience

Online learning

How does it work?

Studying this course online gives you the ultimate in convenience. You can enrol with Arden from anywhere in the world and study your degree from the comfort of home, without the requirement to attend classes in a physical location.

Our online students study their degree through ilearn, Arden’s university campus in the cloud. ilearn provides everything you need to study at University. It offers an integrated virtual learning experience, including your virtual classroom, lecture theatre, and access to our Library Portal. The portal includes an extensive digital library including thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and academic and industry databases which you can use to research your assignments and projects. All of these materials are provided to you free of charge, and contain all the research information you’ll need to complete your degree with us.

ilearn is also integrated with Zoom, making it easier to chat with your course tutor during your scheduled seminar sessions. You can even integrate our study materials into your Kindle, making it possible to study wherever you have you Kindle handy.

Studying online doesn’t mean studying alone. As well as receiving regular feedback and guidance from your course tutor, you’ll be studying with likeminded students who you can meet with through our Unitu community, and you’ll have access to community message boards to discuss your course and the topics being raised within it. We’ve even set up community boards embedded into each of the course modules so you can have discussions with your tutor and classmates on the topics you’re currently learning.