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Overview
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour. By exploring psychology, we aim to understand why we think, feel, and act in certain ways. It seeks to understand why people think, feel, and act the way they do, and how we can support positive change to promote health, happiness, achievement and fulfilment.
It's a complex field that touches almost every aspect of life and needs to be approached from different perspectives.
You'll be introduced to key areas of psychology such as clinical and counselling psychology, educational psychology, and forensic psychology, and have the chance to explore fascinating case studies and theories behind them.
You won't need to have studied psychology before. So, wherever you see yourself driving change in the future, your journey begins here, with your MSc Psychology degree.
Course highlights
- This psychology conversion course is open to students who do not have an academic background in psychology, as well as those who would like to reinforce their existing academic psychology qualifications
- Flexible mode of study to fit around your work and family commitments
- Learn from our team of qualified and BPS chartered psychologists who are experienced in research and applied psychological practice
- Focus on relevant and interesting areas – such as educational and clinical psychology
- Feel engaged and inspired by a course that's built from the ground up for distance learning, using the latest approaches in digital technology
What is a conversion course?
A conversion course is a way of transferring your academic and practical skills to a new field. It could help you change career, or get formal qualifications for the job you’re already in. You’ll need to have an undergraduate degree in any subject with a grade of 2:2 or above, or hold an equivalent or higher form of degree, so that we know that you’re ready to study at Master’s level.
From your conversion degree, you’ll gain the confidence to move onto a rewarding career in your chosen field and open the door to further qualifications or research opportunities.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsThis is a new course and we're finalising the detailed information for this page.
Entry requirements
Eligibility
This courses accepts UK, EU, and International students.
September 2026 / January 2027 start
- A second-class honours degree in any subject. Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (September 2026 / January 2027 start)
- Year 1: £3,730 (subject to annual increase)
- Year 2: £7,470 (subject to annual increase)
- Year 1: £3,730 (subject to annual increase)
- Year 2: £7,470 (subject to annual increase)
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
You need to study modules worth a total of 180 credits. For example, 4 modules worth 30 credits and 1 module worth 60 credits.
Core modules for this course include:
- Historical and Contemporary Issues in Psychology – 30 credits
- Developmental, Social and Educational Psychology – 30 credits
- Individual Differences, Neurodivergence and Mental Health – 30 credits
- Cognitive Neuroscience: Forensic and Clinical Applications – 30 credits
- Your Place in Psychology: Careers and Dissertation – 60 credits
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
How to apply
Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start dates in September and January, as long as there are places available. If you wait until your start month to apply, you may find that the course is full.
You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist. International students and current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth also have some different application options, which are detailed below.
Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Ready to apply?
Start this course in September 2026
Apply now (Part-time distance learning) – 2 years
Start this course in January 2027
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2024, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Learn more about how we assess your application.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.
Finalising this course
All our courses go through a rigorous approval process to make sure they’re of the highest quality. This includes a review by a panel of experts, made up of academic staff and an external academic or professional with specialist knowledge.
This course is in the final stages of this process and is open for applications. If any details of the course or its approval status change after you apply, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and will be here to discuss your options with you.