DURATION
2 Years
Mode of Study
Online
Start Date
Overview
Designed for those without a psychology background, this online degree encourages you to explore this fascinating subject and pursue careers related to the field. The online and part-time nature of the course allows you to study around your existing work and family commitments while gaining a solid grounding in a range of psychological topics.
Suitable whether you have a personal or professional interest in the field of psychology, the course will explore a range of theoretical ideas and practical applications across the discipline. There is a strong focus on employability throughout the entire course, with the ability to explore the wide variety of careers possible with a psychology degree. You will also be introduced to psychological research methodologies that are beneficial in many related careers.
Throughout the course you will explore exciting topics including:
Completing this course will help you:
- the history and philosophy of psychological inquiry
- critical milestones in human development through infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and late adulthood
- fundamental research principles in psychobiology and neuropsychology
- the main qualitative and quantitative research methods used for data collection and analysis
The degree will culminate in the completion of a dissertation, where you will conduct independent research into a psychological issue of your choice and applying your learnings from the course to produce your report.
Why we’re great
- With various start dates throughout the year, you can begin your journey towards a new career whenever it works best for you.
- The course has been designed with an emphasis on employability from the start, including elements that focus on CV writing, oral presentations and research skills.
- The course is delivered 100% online and part-time, allowing you to gain a respected qualification while continuing in your current career.
Learning Path
Programme Structure
The MSc Psychology is made up of the following modules and, upon completion, is equal to a total of 180 credits at Level 7.
Level 7 Modules:
- Core Principles of Psychological Enquiry (10 credits)
- Human Development over the Lifespan (20 credits)*
- Research Methods (10 credits)
- Critical Social Psychology (20 credits)*
- Advanced Research Methods (20 credits)*
- Psychobiology and Neuroscience (20 credits)*
- Psychology Skills and Employability (20 credits)
- MSc Psychology Dissertation (60 credits)*
* These modules are core and must be passed in order to achieve the award.
Teaching Methods
Studying online gives you the freedom to study when and where it suits you – at home, during your lunch hour or anywhere else you have internet access.
Our courses are delivered through a virtual learning environment (VLE) instead of a traditional campus. This means you will have access to your study materials 24/7, including:
- multimedia lecturecasts made up of written content, short videos, animation, audio recordings, infographics, short tests and mini-assignments
- discussion forums for you to chat about the course content with fellow students
- live skills workshops with your tutors
- a comprehensive eLibrary of textbooks and academic journals
- support from academic staff and your dedicated Student Support team
To ensure you receive the support you need from your tutor, we cap our class sizes at 20 students.
Rather than fretting about exams, you will be assessed exclusively through assignments. This can be by engaging in discussion forums throughout your modules, completing reflective journal entries, or by submitting longer written pieces.
We are committed to providing frequent and transparent feedback through the following ways:
- Our assessment criteria are designed to be simple and transparent.
- You will always be aware of your current provisional grade, right from the start of the programme.
- You will be able to view your marks clearly in your gradebook whenever you log onto the learning platform.
- There is a 7-day turnaround for marking and feedback of assessed work.
- You will have regular contact with your Student Support team, with whom you can discuss any concerns as soon as they arise.
Our MSc Psychology has an indicative study duration of 2 years, which is a guide to how long your course will take to complete. The actual duration may be longer or shorter depending on your speed of study, study options chosen and module availability.
It’s possible to complete your studies faster than the indicative course duration by doubling up on modules at certain times; however, minimum study durations do apply.
Our academic year is organised into modules, typically with a one- or two-week break between modules and a structured three-week break for the Christmas period. Students will receive a course timetable during the application process.
All of our courses have regular start dates throughout the year.
On successful completion of your degree, you will be invited to attend a graduation ceremony at the University of Essex, Colchester Campus.
An education in psychology can be useful in a wide array of fields, including counselling, marketing, the civil service, healthcare and the legal system.
You can also pursue further education in psychology in order to enter one of the many career paths within the field, such as investigative and forensic psychology, neuroscience, healthcare, clinical roles, child development and education, sports, exercise and occupational psychology. This degree will also be beneficial within academia, research or training.
We know that many people from non-traditional backgrounds would succeed on our courses! That’s why we offer two different entry routes, taking into account your prior work experience and relevant qualifications. You will also need to meet our English language requirements.
Additionally, you will need to pass your first assignment set within your two-week induction period of the course in order to continue with your studies.
In order to satisfy the academic entry route requirements for our MSc Psychology, you must have the following qualifications as a minimum:
- an undergraduate degree from an approved institution, equivalent to a UK Honours degree, or a relevant professional qualification
In order to satisfy the work experience entry route requirements for our MSc Psychology, you must meet the following criteria:
- at least 3 years’ experience (voluntary or paid) within a relevant field, supported by 2 appropriate references. A relevant field may include one in Health, Mental Health, Social services, Counselling services, Schools and Education, Policing, Data analysis and Statistics. This is not an exhaustive list and will be reviewed on an individual basis by the academic team.
As our courses are delivered in English, a high proficiency with English is required. If English is not your first language, your English ability should be equivalent to an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5. Don’t worry if you don’t hold an IELTS or equivalent qualification – we offer a free online English test to assess your proficiency.
You don’t need to prove your English ability if you are a national of, or have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in, any of these countries.
Are You Ready To Start?
Fees and Funding
Full tuition fee: £11,222
Please note that a maximum of two discounts or scholarships can be applied. Find out more information about our discounts and scholarships here.
Our course fees are fully inclusive – all teaching materials and required reading are included, and there are no hidden charges for assessments or resits. We also charge the same fee for domestic and international students.
Δ All tuition fees shown are net of any applicable sales tax payable by you in your country of residence. Where we are required to add sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the tuition fees shown and confirmed during the payment process.
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