Overview
There’s high demand for psychology graduates. Around 750,000 people work in psychology-related jobs in the UK (The British Psychological Society).
This intensive Masters conversion course in psychology is for students who have an undergraduate degree in a different subject but want to access careers in psychology.
The course covers biological and social aspects of psychology. It looks at topics such as brain functioning, child development, and social behaviour. Develop your research skills with our modules in qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Specialist psychology facilities
Get hands-on experience designing and conducting psychology experiments, working in our high-end labs. Our on-site Psychology Kindergarten is unique in the UK. It provides an outstanding facility for child development research and teaching.
We have a new Lifespan Lab that focuses on understanding cognition, health and wellbeing from infancy through to old age. Laboratory space is also available for you to do:
- human electrophysiology research (mobile and lab-based EEG (electroencephalogram)),
- health research (including GSR (galvanic skin response) and heart rate monitoring),
- face research (including eye-tracking),
- vision research (including stereoscopic displays).
Gain practical experience
During a four-week placement in a relevant work or research setting, you'll gain real-world psychology experience. This will boost your employability.
You'll also complete a six-month research project. You’ll choose a psychology topic, investigate a related issue, and find a solution. A great way to showcase your skills to potential employers.
Study a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited course
After completing the MSc Psychology (accredited conversion course), you can apply for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society. This is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist.
Hear from recent Psychology students
Watch this video to find out more about the student experience on the MSc Psychology.
The course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
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.
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
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
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.
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
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the academic year that starts in September 2024. Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course Details
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.
The course includes a four week placement, which is typically completed outside the University of Stirling’s campus.
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.
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
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 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.
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.
Funding
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.
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.
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
The average salary for a psychology graduate is £38,064 per year in the UK (source: Glassdoor 2024).
Graduates of our psychology Masters conversion course can explore various careers in areas such as:
- clinical and health psychology
- educational psychology and teaching
- occupational psychology
Completion of this course gives Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS). You can continue with further training with the BPS to become a Chartered Psychologist.
Use your transferable skills in many careers
The skills you gain are readily transferable to other careers. You’ll graduate being able to analyse complex forms of data and communicate ideas clearly to others. You’ll have a good understanding of human behaviour. These are valuable skills to employers.
Previous psychology graduates have found work in roles such as:
- mental health therapy
- health and wellbeing psychotherapy
- advice worker
- market research
- life coach
- human resources
- play therapy
