Overview
This intensive Masters Psychology conversion course is aimed at students who have a degree in another subject and would like to 'convert' to Psychology.
Our course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and sits at the cutting edge of inter-disciplinary scientific research. After introducing Psychology to you as a biological and social science, we will cover topics as diverse as brain functioning, child development, and social behaviour. You will also develop your research skills with our specifically designed modules in research methods. You will get hands-on experience designing and conducting experiments, working in high-end specialist labs and in our on-site kindergarten, the only such facility in the UK. You will develop a deep knowledge and understanding of mind and behaviour, coupled with excellent practical and transferable skills, all of which will offer you a wide and diverse choice of careers.
The course is delivered by what the British Psychological Society (BPS) commended as a proactive, approachable, and engaged programme team. The BPS also recognised not only our approach to teaching, which help students’ personal and professional development, but also our personalised system of student support and feedback, which helps to nurture a close-knit academic community.
The course includes a four week placement to broaden your practical experience in psychology. You will carry out a six month independent empirical research project under the supervision of a leading academic specialist. After completing the course, you will be able to apply for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society on a graduate basis. This is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist.
Top reasons to study with us
Professional accreditation
The course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Work placements
The course includes a four week placement to broaden your practical experience in psychology. You will carry out a six month independent empirical research project under the supervision of a leading academic specialist.
Flexible learning
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Faculty facilities
The Psychology department has outstanding laboratory space fitted with high-quality equipment. It has excellent computing infrastructure, and both research and teaching activities are supported by in-house technical staff with computing, programming, electronic and audio-video expertise.
We have invested heavily in research infrastructure, including our own kindergarten and our recently established Lifespan Research Lab, which provide outstanding facilities for developmental research and teaching. Purpose-built laboratory space has also been created to support human electrophysiology brain research (EEG/ERPs), health research (including GSR and heart rate monitoring), face research (including eye-tracking) and vision research (including stereoscopic displays).
Research overview
Psychology at the University of Stirling brings together complementary perspectives to address fundamental psychological questions, with activities falling under three main themes. Each explores a number of different research populations to improve our understanding of behaviour, welfare, communication and cognition:
- Behaviour and Evolution
- Centre for Health and Behaviour Change
- Cognition in Complex Environments
Our Psychology students aim to understand mind and behaviour in rich, complex, real-world physical and social environments. Our teaching is research-led, and we have key societal impact in areas such as improving face recognition, welfare of captive animals, and human health and wellbeing.
The University of Stirling is rated 2nd in Scotland for research impact in Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience (Research Excellence Framework 2021), with 100% of our research impact and environment rated as world-leading or internationally excellent.
Our MSc students get involved in our lively community of research excellence.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second class honours degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore INTO University of Stirling to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
The course consists of different modules designed to provide training in the fundamentals of Psychology and Psychological Research Methods:
- Cognition and the Human Brain
- The Development of the Self in the Social World
- Quantitative Analysis Methods in Psychological Research
- Qualitative Analysis Methods in Psychological Research
- Practical placement
- Dissertation
Modules
Course Details
Teaching
Our research-led teaching is delivered in a number of ways, including lectures, tutorials, demonstrations and practical classes, practical placement and one-to-one research supervision.
Both taught and research postgraduates are integral to our research community and are expected to participate in our regular research discussion meetings and seminars. All students are provided with appropriate office space and equipment.
Every year we have sessions on employability and careers and we work directly with INTO to help students on writing essays and preparing for exams.
Fieldwork
The course includes a four week placement, which is typically completed outside the University of Stirling’s campus.
Assessment
Our students are assessed via a variety of assignments, e.g., exams, project reports, academic posters, oral presentations, blog posts etc. Our aim is to assess the students’ knowledge and understanding of key psychological concepts and analysis methods, boost their critical evaluation abilities and foster the development of transferable skills.
Course director
Dr Dimitrios Kourtis, Course Director
dimitrios.kourtis@stir.ac.uk
+44 (0)1786 466979
Postgraduate Student Experience Administrator
Nicola Cowieson
nicola.cowieson@stir.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1786 466854
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| 2024/25 | 2025/26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Students from the UK and Republic of Ireland | £9,100 | £9,500 |
| International (including EU) students | £20,600 | £22,900 |
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
The full-time option for this course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Scholarships and funding
Funding
Eligible international students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI.
International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
Graduates of this course are well placed for careers in any area of Psychology such as clinical and health psychology, educational psychology and occupational psychology.
A degree in Psychology would also be a valuable asset for careers in areas such as human resources management, teaching, life coaching, market research and many others.
The skills you gain are also readily transferable to other careers, as you will leave able to analyse complex forms of data and communicate ideas clearly to others, and with a good understanding of human behaviour.
Completion of this course gives Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
