Psychology (Conversion)

SEPTEMBER 2024 START

Course overview

Designed to provide a comprehensive foundation for those transitioning into the field of psychology, this programme delves into key psychological theories and methodologies under the guidance of experienced educators, while offering a prestigious accreditation by the British Psychology Society (BPS).

As a psychology student, you will explore a fascinating subject that aims to understand why people behave in the way that they do by considering the complex interplay between biological, psychological, environmental, cultural and social influences on behaviour.

"The course gave me the motivation I needed to truly think outside the box and to research and discover concepts I might not have had the chance to explore otherwise. I have enjoyed learning new concepts and subjects along the way such as cognitive neuropsychology and learning new skills in research methods, such as using Anova and Jamovi."

Nourah Al Enezi

Psychology (Conversion)

Why Psychology at Aston University?

Accredited degree

Gain a degree accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS)

Internationally recognised research

100% of the Health and Life Science research environment has been ranked as being at least "internationally excellent", with 50% being world-leading

Cutting edge facilities

Dedicated psychology facilities and equipment, including a focus group room, driving simulator, cubicles equipped for cognitive, behavioural and physiological testing, and a psychology postgraduate common room

Course description

Psychology (Conversion) MSc

Our Psychology (Conversion) MSc at Aston will equip you with the skills, insights, and confidence to understand why people act in certain ways, and develop your knowledge of insights into methods of changing their behaviour.

What we will provide
First-class teaching in the UK's second-largest city, delivered by a diverse array of staff who will inspire and excite you, fantastic facilities that will bring your course to life through hands-on, practical experience and years of close industry collaboration that is harnessed to provide you with learning based on real-world needs.

What you will provide
It is important you learn how to adapt a growth mindset to your studies - understanding that intelligence and success come from applying yourself You must be able to demonstrate critical thinking and have ambition and drive to excel.

What skills we teach
Your study will be an intellectually rigorous one of contemporary education, where you will develop an understanding of the theory, practice, and methods of psychology. You will learn about both qualitative and quantitative research designs and a range of methods including experiments, psychometric tools, and interviews.

Career prospects
Our psychology graduates are highly sought after by top employers in the UK with common routes including research careers within universities, local councils, the civil service, NGOs, or market research. This programme will open up opportunities for further training in order to become a practitioner psychologist in any specialist area, for example, health psychology, clinical psychology, occupational psychology, and forensic psychology.

How you will learn

Our teaching style is modern and innovative, with a hands-on approach that bridges the gap between theory and practice. This enables you to apply your skills as you progress through your course, marrying your learning with practical examples, all designed to prepare you for the world of work.

You will engage in a variety of teaching and learning methods, including lectures, practical sessions, tutorials, seminars, and a research project.

What you will learn

You will be taught a range of modules spanning the breadth of psychology and the core components required by the British Psychological Society (BPS) for the Graduate Basis for Chartership. This academic discipline encompasses a wide range of subdisciplines and topics including:

Social, cognitive, developmental psychology
Cognitive neuroscience
Research methods and data analysis
How changes in the brain influence behaviour.
Why false memories occur.
Why people behave differently when they are in a group.
How language influences thinking.
How we learn to understand others' intentions.
How psychological distress can be alleviated.
Why we identify with some people and not others.
How subconscious processes influence our behaviour.
How our thinking develops as we grow from children to adults.

Facilities

The School of Psychology has specialised facilities and equipment for a variety of research in different areas of psychology. In these settings, you gain practical experience alongside like-minded students, with workshops and lectures guided by Academic staff in the School of Psychology

Specialist facilities and equipment

Spaces for testing, experimental studies and focus groups
Systems to record eye movements during experiments, including mobile eye tracking
Observation suite with audio-visual recording equipment
A dedicated lab for electroencephalography (EEG), housing a 64-channel EEG system.
Equipment for electrophysiological recordings
The School of Psychology is also linked to the Institute of Health and Neurodevelopment on Aston University campus, which houses facilities for neuroimaging (functional magnetic resonance imaging [fMRI], magnetoencephalography [MEG] and neuropsychological testing).

Course objectives

Provides you with the opportunities to realise your academic potential through a range of learning experiences.
Encourages you, through a practical approach, to have a passion for Psychology and an enthusiasm for learning.
To deliver a programme which satisfies the accreditation requirements of the British Psychological Society and confers the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the BPS to graduates with degrees in psychology and/or affiliated disciplines.
To provide you with an intellectually rigorous and contemporary education in, and understanding of, the theory, practice, and methods of psychology, which will help you to identify and achieve your personal, academic, and professional goals and aspirations in the field of psychology.
To support you to become a highly employable postgraduate who can bring qualities of critical analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and personal interpretation to your chosen occupation, and capable of applying and disseminating knowledge.
To develop your skills and abilities in research and enquiry, information literacy, personal and intellectual autonomy, and ethical, social and professional understanding, in order to tackle effectively the contemporary issues facing people, organisations, and society.
To provide a learning environment that is compatible with a wide range of academic routes. This environment should allow you to pursue your individual interests with regard to further study or careers.

Modules

Year 1 modules

In your taught stage, you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Research Methods & Data Analysis	15
Applied Psychology and Professional Skills	15
Social Psychology	30
Brain & Behaviour	15
Lifespan Development	15
Individual Differences, Health & Personality	15
Cognition and Cognitive Neuropsychology	15
Total	105

In addition to one of the following 15 credit optional modules:

Module Title	Credits
Cognition and Cognitive Neuropsychology	15
Neuroscience in the Real World	15
Total	15

Year 2 modules

In your dissertation stage, you will study the following core module:

Module Title	Credits
Research Project in Psychology	60
Total	60

We may update our courses to reflect best practices and academic developments. If we do, we’ll let you know of any changes at the earliest opportunity by updating our course webpages. If you have already received an offer, we’ll write to you directly to let you know of the changes.

Entry requirements

A minimum of a 2:2 UK honours degree or recognised international equivalent in any subject.

See international student information below for international equivalent information.

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students to many of our postgraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year. Based in the centre of Birmingham, Aston is not only a great place to study, it’s also a great place to live.

Qualifications in your country

For details of equivalent qualifications in your country, use our area pages below:

English language requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.

English language requirements

How to apply

Aston University provides a range of opportunities for international students to join our community and study on our campus. A key part of our strategy is our relationships with teaching partners, providing multiple pathways to Aston.

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and, as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability. Our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Find out more about applying

Post-study work visa

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new Graduate Immigration Route which enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after you complete your studies to find work. This new post-study work visa applies to international students completing full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Graduate Immigration Route

Pathway Programmes

If you don’t meet our entry requirements, we have a range of pathway programmes offered by our partner, ONCAMPUS Aston, which you can complete to progress onto one of our degrees.

Masters Foundation programmes

If you don’t meet our entry requirements, we have a range of pathway programmes offered by our partner, ONCAMPUS Aston, which you can complete to progress onto one of our degrees.

Speak to our Admissions Team

If you have any questions about the application process please get in touch with our postgraduate admissions team:

Email: pgadmissions@aston.ac.uk

Call: 0121 204 3200 (Please note this line is open Monday-Friday between 09.30am-4.30pm)

Fees and scholarships

Course fees

UK students
(2024/25)

Annual tuition fees:

£9,750

International students
(2024/25)

Annual tuition fees:

£20,700

More information on fees

The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be charged the same tuition rates as UK students.

Tuition fees for students are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. Any such increase shall always be in accordance with the law.

More information on fees

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs.

Explore scholarships for UK students

Explore scholarships for international students

Assessment

Our Psychology MSc curriculum utilises a range of different assessment types and the assessment strategy reflects national educational requirements.

Assessment will be through a combination of written and oral examinations, class tests, individual and group coursework, projects, presentations and practical assessments.

Career prospects

Ensuring you’re well prepared for your future career of choice is embedded within our Psychology (Conversion) MSc curriculum. On successful graduation, you’ll be well prepared for a career in a broad spectrum of academic, industry, and healthcare settings. You’ll also be well positioned to continue with further research in the form of a PhD, which is the next step for those interested in an academic career.

Our degree opens up opportunities for further training in order to become a practitioner psychologist in specialist areas, including health psychology, clinical psychology, occupational psychology, forensic psychology, and neuropsychology.
BPS careers in psychology

You will also be eligible for research careers within universities, local councils, the civil service, NGOs, or market research. You could also continue in further education through to PhD if you wanted to pursue an academic research career (see our PhD opportunities website for more information).

Be part of our community

Once you have joined us at Aston University, you’ll always be part of our community, even beyond graduation.

Alumni services

Frequently asked questions

Why study Psychology (Conversion) MSc at Aston University?

Psychology is a fascinating subject that aims to understand why people behave in the way that they do, by considering the complex interplay between biological, psychological, environmental, cultural, and social influences on behaviour.

This academic discipline encompasses a wide range of topics including: how changes in the brain influence behaviour, why false memories occur, why people behave differently when they are in a group, how language influences thinking, how we learn to understand other’s intentions, how psychological distress can be alleviated, why we identify with some people and not others, how subconscious processes influence our behaviour, and how our thinking develops as we grow from children to adults.

Studying psychology at Aston University will provide you with the basis for understanding why people act in certain ways, and insight into methods of changing their behaviour.

By choosing to study at Aston you will gain a degree accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), and be taught by leading experts from a range of specialist psychological fields.

How is the course delivered?

The course is full-time and delivered through a combination of lectures, group work, seminars and independent study. Teaching sessions will be delivered on campus with some material delivered online.

Is this course accredited?

Yes. This course is fully accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Why should international students choose Aston University?

Study at Aston University and you will be part of a multi-cultural community located at the heart of the dynamic city of Birmingham. Our courses are practical, inspired by industry and many have internationally recognised accreditations. Renowned for our employability prospects and connections to business and industry, we provide outstanding career support, advice and placement opportunities.

For those interested in working in the UK after they have graduated, the UK Government has created a new post-study work visa.

Is Birmingham a good place to study?

Our campus is based in the centre of Birmingham, the youngest major city in Europe and a great place to live, work and study.

Great music and entertainment with a vibrant nightlife. Bars, clubs, pubs, live music, festivals, concerts. Whatever your tastes, there's something here for everyone.
Fantastic food. Birmingham's diverse community means you can try anything from the famous Balti triangle, the Chinese Quarter, high street chains, halal and vegan food, and Michelin-star dining.
World-class shopping. The Bullring and Grand Central is a shopper's paradise. From the world's biggest Primark to luxury brands at the Mailbox.
Arts and culture. Museums, galleries, theatres, concerts and Birmingham's art collection is as wide as it is impressive - not to be missed.
Green, open spaces. One of the greenest cities in Europe, Birmingham has hundreds of publicly accessible parks and green spaces across the city.
Sporting action. Birmingham has some of the most exciting venues for watching or participating in sport in the UK.

Discover Birmingham