MSc in Psychology
Oxford Brookes University
Key Information
Campus location
Headington, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
12 - 24 months
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
GBP 15,200 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* UK students full-time: £8,300 | International/EU students full-time: £15,200
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
We have designed this conversion course for students who want to become professional psychologists. Our Psychology MSc is ideal if you are a graduate of a subject other than psychology, or a psychology graduate whose undergraduate degree is not professionally recognised. You will gain a qualification in psychology that:
- confers eligibility for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS)
- establishes the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC).
You will develop a grounding in key theories, methods and the practice of psychology in the core areas of:
- development psychology
- cognitive psychology
- biological psychology
- individual differences
- social psychology
- historical and conceptual issues
- psychological health and disorders
- research paradigms
- methods and measurement techniques
- statistical and qualitative analysis.
The integration of theory, research and practice, apparent throughout the course, will enable you to put your knowledge into practice to conduct a piece of hands-on, independent research.
Gallery
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Curriculum
Study modules
Compulsory modules
- Cognitive and Social Aspects of Development (20 credits)
This module provides an overview of some key theories and research paradigms in the field of developmental psychology, including social and cognitive development and considering the impact of culture upon development. Topics are tackled by examining research papers and theories using a critical approach. The module aims to encourage basic academic/research skills relevant to Psychology such as reading research papers, critically evaluating research and writing skills. - Conceptual issues and Social Psychology (20 credits)
This module offers an introduction to some of the conceptual aspects of psychology (ontology, epistemology, methodology and ethics) and also a general overview of the major themes in social psychology including contemporary theories of morality, the virtual self, love and attraction, behaviour change, altruism and prejudice. - Brain and Cognition (20 credits)
This module introduces the core aspects of the organisation and function of the brain and its associated sensory and motor systems. It also looks at cognitive processing and research into the relationship between cognition and brain processing as found in neuropsychology and cognitive neuroscience. Topics include basic neuroanatomy, methods in neuroscience and cognitive research, and some core topics in cognition and cognitive neuroscience, e.g. vision, attention, language, problem solving and decision making. Current models and theories will be presented along with topical arguments and experimental studies. - Data Analysis and Statistics for Psychology (20 credits)
The main aim of this module is for you to become comfortable with core statistical concepts as practised in psychological science. It aims to increase your depth of understanding of statistical concepts and data analysis in psychology and to provide insight into the practice of quantitative data analysis. The module prepares you for planning your own quantitative data analysis when designing your own research. - Intelligence, Personality and Individual Differences (20 credits)
This module will advance your knowledge of theory and research methods in the fields of intelligence, personality and individual differences. It will provide the opportunity for the development of research skills, reflection on the nature of scientific inquiry and the advancement of psychological science in these fields. It will also develop basic academic/research skills relevant to Psychology such as reading research papers, critically evaluating research and writing skills. - Psychological Health and Disorders (20 credits)
This module advances your knowledge of theory and research methods in the field of psychological health and mental health conditions. Content will include how we conceptualise mental health conditions, special considerations of conducting research related to clinical psychology and psychological health, consideration of factors related to psychological health (e.g. stress, sleep, health behaviours) and selected mental health conditions (e.g. anxiety disorders, personality disorders). These topics will be considered within the context of current psychological research and theories to develop an understanding of the processes (e.g. biological, psychological) that may play a causal or maintaining role. - Qualitative Methods and Research Skills (10 credits)
This module aims to develop your knowledge of qualitative methods and research skills in Psychology. In addition, it is intended to provide a structured framework within which you develop your research skills, including research ethics, data collection, qualitative data analysis and data reporting and presentation skills. The module also supports you to carry out the theoretical and methodological groundwork for your research-based dissertation and provides an opportunity to gain tutor and peer feedback on your research plans.
Final project
- Research-Based Dissertation (50 credits)
This research-based dissertation is 6-8,000 words long. It is an extended and supervised piece of work reporting new empirical data. It is always grounded in a thorough review of the relevant scientific literature and normally requires experimental data collection. The aim of the dissertation is to allow you to develop your own ideas in a specific domain of psychology and to provide you with experience in research design, data collection, analysis and interpretation. You will also have the opportunity to work alongside an experienced academic from the Psychology team.
Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from those shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
For many of our students, their MSc is a stepping-stone to professional training for careers in psychology (e.g. educational, occupational or clinical psychology). Some choose to continue their academic studies, progressing to specialised masters courses or PhD research. Others have told us they have applied the skills and knowledge they have learnt in varied settings including the hospitality industry, the charitable sector and publishing. In addition to the development of broad psychological literacy in terms of knowledge and skills as required by the BPS, successful graduates of this course are equipped with interpersonal, practical, communication and analytical skills which are indispensable for many careers, within or outside of psychology.
The Psychology Team offer many opportunities for students to enhance their experience and knowledge of career/training possibilities in order to refine and support their future choices. For example, students have the opportunity to work as research assistants with one of the academic researchers on a diverse range of research projects, learn about the ongoing research and research equipment used in our research labs, get involved with volunteering for local charities and organisations with which we have links or attend our regular careers talks and lively research seminars. In regular meetings with their Academic Adviser, students are encouraged to think about their skill sets (including transferable skills developed from the course), career plans and training/experience needs, advised about ways to progress and offered practical help with applications for future training and employment.