MSc Psychology (Conversion)

Program Overview

This fully online MSc Psychology (Conversion) program from the University of Exeter provides a comprehensive foundation in core psychology areas for graduates without prior psychology degrees. It offers a BPS-accredited route to training in various psychology fields, including clinical and educational psychology, and prepares students for careers requiring a BPS-accredited degree. The program features flexible study options (2-5 years), expert faculty, and online support resources to enhance the learning experience.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Target Audience: Ambitious graduates seeking an intensive introduction to core psychology areas, particularly those without prior psychology degrees.
• Objectives:
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of key psychological theories, approaches, and applied areas.
• Develop relevant skills through applying psychological principles to everyday life, practical situations, and research.
• Obtain a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited degree, meeting their requirements.
• Provide a foundation for training to work as a psychologist in various fields.
• Offer opportunities to specialize in clinical or educational psychology.
• Program Duration: 2-5 years, depending on the chosen pathway (2-year or 3-year).

Outline:

• Structure:
• Designed for graduates with non-psychology degrees to achieve a BPS-accredited postgraduate degree.
• Offers general psychology training, suitable for diverse aspirations, with specialization options in clinical or educational psychology.
• Fully online, allowing students to study at their own pace without campus attendance.
• Modules:
• Compulsory Modules:
• PSYM220Z - Research Project (60 credits):
This module is taken towards the end of the program and is more intensive than other modules.
• PSYM221Z - Introduction to Statistics (15 credits): This module is typically taken in the first two terms.
• PSYM222Z - Research Methods and Conceptual Issues in Psychology (15 credits): This module is typically taken in the first two terms.
• PSYM223Z - Social Psychology (15 credits): This module is taken in the first two terms.
• ERPM006Z - Cognitive and Developmental Psychology (15 credits): This module is taken in the first two terms.
• PSYM225Z - Biological Psychology (15 credits): This module is taken in the first two terms.
• ERPM007Z - Personality and Individual Differences (15 credits): This module is taken in the first two terms.
• ERPM008Z - Children and Young People's Mental Health (15 credits): This module is taken in the first two terms.
• Optional Modules:
• PSYM227Z - Clinical Psychology (15 credits):
This module is taken in the first two terms.
• ERPM010Z - Educational Psychology (15 credits): This module is taken in the first two terms.
• Module Order:
• The order of modules may vary slightly depending on the entry point during the year.
• The module order is carefully designed to maximize student success.
• Research Methods and Conceptual Issues in Psychology and Introduction to Statistics are typically taken in the first two terms.
• The Research Project module is taken towards the end of the program.
• For the two-year pathway, pairs of modules are taken each term.
• For the three-year pathway, one module is typically taken per term, except for one term where two modules are taken.
• Study Time:
• Students should expect to study around 8 hours per week on average for a 15-credit module.
• Half of this time is structured teaching and learning activities, while the rest is self-directed learning.
• The Research Project module is more intensive, requiring more time.

Assessment:

• Methods:
• Typically two main assessments per module, contributing to the overall module grade.
• Assessments usually occur halfway through and at the end of the term.
• Most modules include an engagement score to assess weekly participation.
• Criteria:

Teaching:

• Methods:
• Learning materials are accessed online through the Exeter Learning Environment (ELE).
• Materials include written, recorded, and animated content, quizzes, videos, podcasts, articles, and electronic books.
• Weekly schedules are provided to guide students through the course.
• Each module has an academic lead and often a team of tutors to guide learning.
• Most learning and interaction occur asynchronously, with no live lectures required.
• Group discussions may take place using online forums.
• Questions can be posed to lecturers online and via email.
• Faculty:
• Staff are recognized internationally for their academic excellence, research, and applied output.
• They actively research the areas they teach, ensuring research-led learning.
• The department is ranked in the top 100 worldwide for Psychology.
• Staff have strong research links with universities in other countries and work with public and private-sector organizations.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Clinical psychology
• Educational psychology
• Organizational and occupational psychology
• Forensic psychology
• Opportunities:
• The program prepares graduates for careers requiring a BPS-accredited degree for further training.
• Studying online enhances and demonstrates valuable skills sought by employers, such as communication, time management, self-motivation, and digital proficiency.
• Outcomes:
• The program provides a strong foundation for a career in psychology.

Other:

• Student Support:
• Graduation Ceremony:
• Students may be offered the chance to attend a graduation ceremony in person, with associated travel and gown hire costs.

Fees: £15,000 in total Cost The fee shows the total amount it will cost if you complete the degree if you take the minimum time of two years. If you take longer than two years, for example, because you take one or more breaks between modules, the total fee you pay may increase slightly due to inflation. Pay as you study How to pay You can pay online using a credit or debit card. Other costs to consider You may also be offered the chance to attend a graduation ceremony in person, for which travel costs and gown hire will apply. Help with paying for your studies This includes: Postgraduate student loans. To be eligible, you must not already have a Masters degree (or above). Disabled Student Allowance (DSA).Most UK students with a physical disability or mental health difficulty, long term health condition or specific learning difficulty will be able to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance which can help towards the cost of specialist equipment, one-to-one support and other costs associated with your condition. If you feel this applies to you, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible as the whole process can take up to 12 weeks. Success for All fund. Fully online students are not automatically eligible for an IT bursary, but exceptions may be made in some circumstances. Employer sponsorship. Your employer or another organisation you are associated with may be happy to pay all or part of your fee. You will have to pay any balance so that the module you are studying is paid in full before you start. Student discounts.