MSc Psychology (conversion course)

• Quantitative Research Methods in Psychology: Develops experimental and non-experimental research skills, statistical analysis, interpretation and reporting of research findings. 
• Personality, Intelligence & Social Psychology: Explores the measurement of differences in personality and intelligence, identity and self-perception, attitudes, social cognition, and group processes. 
• Biological Psychology: Explores the neural correlates of various core brain functions and impairment associated with brain damages. Develops your analytical thinking, synthetic thinking and your ability to search for, recognise and critically evaluate information.  
• Qualitative Research Methods in Psychology: Develops your ability to plan, design, and conduct qualitative research, and explores the history of qualitative research in psychology. Core qualitative methodologies, data collection methods, and data analysis methods will be covered. 
• Cognition & Language: Examines the psychology of attention, memory, and problem-solving. Also explores the effects of brain damage (e.g. aphasia, spatial neglect). 
• Developmental & Applied Psychology: Exploring developmental change across the lifespan and the ways in which psychological knowledge and theory is applied in real-world contexts. 
• Research Project: You’ll work closely with a member of staff engaging in discussions in order to choose an appropriate research project based around a particular topic that interests you, or expanding an element from the course that you want to pursue further, perhaps linked to your future career aspirations.  

For the MSc Psychology we are looking for applicants who:

• Have an academic interest in psychology as a subject
• Have a first degree in another subject area
• May have obtained a psychology degree overseas but who need the BPS Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) qualification to further their careers (this course is currently going through the accreditation process)
• Are open to new ideas
• Have a mature attitude.

Please see our website for the application deadlines. You should apply as early as possible to be considered for your course of choice. If you require a student visa, apply for the visa as soon as you have an unconditional offer and receive your CAS. There may be delays in visa processing in your country and you need to be in Bournemouth ready to study for the start of term.

Click the green ‘Apply now’ button to submit your application free of charge online through myHub, our application portal. You will create your own myHub account so that you can track the progress of your application. Don’t forget to save your application as you go; you can return to it at as many times as you want before you submit it. For more information visit our How to apply section.

We select candidates for this course by looking at your application; there are usually no interviews or selection activities needed. For that reason, make sure your application really stands out from the crowd, and leave us in no doubt as to why you should be joining BU. You can find some handy hints about filling in your UCAS form on our how to apply web pages.

The normal requirements for embarking upon this course are:

• A Bachelors Honours degree with 2:2 or equivalent in any subject

• If you lack the formal academic qualifications needed to enter a postgraduate or post-experience degree, there are several alternative routes to follow. Some of these are based on experience. Contact the Future Students Enquiry Team for more information.

Please note this course is a conversion course and therefore not intended for applicants who have already completed a psychology degree accredited by the BPS (British Psychological Society).

You can find details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our entry requirements for non-UK students' page.

Please see below some examples of the qualifications for entry:

• India: Bachelor’s degree (four years) from a recognised HE institution with a minimum overall result of 55%  
• Nigeria: Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution with a minimum classification of 2:4  
• China: Chinese Bachelor's (Honours) degree from a recognised higher education institution with 65% or above  
• Turkey: Bachelor’s degree (Lisans Diplomasi - four years) with a minimum overall GPA of 2.3/4.0  
• Ghana: Bachelor's degrees from University of Ghana or Legon with a grade of 2.00 or above, or from Cape Coast with a grade 2.5 or above  
• USA: US Bachelor’s degree (four years), with a 2.5 GPA or above

All applications will be subject to a minimum grade and your degree may need to be in a relevant subject area.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you can understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements, for this course are normally:

• IELTS (Academic) 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in writing, speaking, listening and reading or equivalent.
• You can find details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our entry requirements for non-UK students' page.

View further information about our English language requirements.

Bournemouth University International College offers a number of pre-sessional English and preparatory programmes to prepare international students for postgraduate study at BU. Admission to the degree is guaranteed on successful completion of your course to the required level. 

As a MSc Psychology graduate, you will be prepared to undertake roles such as:

• Assistant Psychologist
• Researcher
• HR Assistant
• Teaching Assistant
• Mental Health Support Worker.

This course provides a suitable basis to enter employment in the field of psychology and research and strategic work for a variety of industries.

Industries graduates will work in are:

• Psychology
• Education
• Health and wellbeing
• Media
• Human resources.

If you want to continue your studies after achieving your Master’s, you can look into our range of doctoral programmes. 

What's included in your tuition fee?

Your tuition fee covers expenses associated with your course including tuition materials, access to facilities, mandatory field trips and the following:

• Materials for laboratory and mandatory field-based teaching activity.​
• Support for finding placements (UK or abroad) and fieldwork, and non-financial support whilst on placement if this is part of your course of study.
• A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service.
• Access to Brightspace, our virtual learning environment, which offers a responsive and personalised learning experience with powerful learning analytics capabilities, intregrated social media and advanced video features.
• The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces.
• IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow.
• Free software download to your personal device of Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus while you are studying, as well as access to applications provided on AppsAnywhere, subject to licensing and compatibility restrictions
• Disability and additional learning support, according to individual circumstances.
• The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills.
• 24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team.

Additional costs

We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:

• Laptops, tablets and mobile devices and any software used on personal devices. Access to a personal computer is strongly recommended for your study. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, visit our website for information regarding hardship funds.
• Textbooks, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of text books and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shop stocks a wide range of stationery supplies.
• Accommodation and living costs. Please visit our website for more information.
• Travel costs, for optional field trips, outdoor wear and footwear for mandatory and optional field trips (if applicable).
• Travel costs to and from the University campus. An annual bus pass is included in your rent if you are living in halls of residence/Unilet accommodation or may be purchases separately.
• Travel costs to and from your placement (both in the UK and overseas) if this is part of your course of study. Placement year funding can be found on our website.
•  Clothing or equipment costs required for your placement if this is part of your course of study.
• SportsBU membership.

While all aspects of the programme, including required field trips, are included in the fee, additional, optional or extra curricula activities may be available for which a student contribution is required.

If you need to repeat one or more units during the course of your studies (with or without attendance) the pricing will be pro-rata of the full time fee.

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries to eligible students who are beginning their studies at BU. Please visit www.bournemouth.ac.uk/funding for details on living costs, budgeting and paying your tuition fees.

International (not Rep. of Ireland) students need to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure their place on a postgraduate course. For January 2025 entry, a £5,000 deposit is required. You will need to pay your deposit by the date stated in your offer letter. The remainder of your fee will be payable on registration/enrolment. There are two exceptions to the non-refundable rule on the deposit:

• You fail to meet the academic or English requirements of your offer
• You are refused a visa to enter the UK, provided the reason for the refusal is not a fraudulent application.

Dr Hardman is a lecturer in Psychology in the Faculty of Science & Technology. Prior to joining Bournemouth University he completed a PhD at the University of Southampton exploring the placebo effect in general practice medicine.