Psychology Conversion (MSc) 2020 entry
The MSc in Psychology is a conversion route for students who hold an undergraduate Honours degree in a subject other than psychology. The programme provides a detailed knowledge of the core areas of psychology and principal theoretical and methodological issues in the field.
Course type
Postgraduate, leading to a Master of Science (MSc)
Course dates
- Start date: 7 September 2020
- End date: 30 September 2021
Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.
Course duration
One year full time
Entry requirements
- A good 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree in a subject other than psychology. If you already possess an undergraduate degree in Psychology, the School offers a range of other postgraduate programmes. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
- Some knowledge of very basic mathematics is required for understanding the statistical techniques introduced in the programme. In most cases, secondary school algebra is sufficient.
- English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.
The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.
Tuition fees
UK and EU: £9,450
Overseas: £23,090
Application deadline
14 February 2020. Applicants should apply as early as possible to be eligible for certain scholarships and for international visa purposes.
Application requirements
- CV or résumé
- personal statement (500 words)
- sample of academic written work (2,000 words)
- two original signed academic references
- academic transcripts and degree certificates
- evidence of English language proficiency (required if English is not your first language).
For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.
Course information
The MSc in Psychology (Conversion) is a full-time taught postgraduate programme run by the School of Psychology and Neuroscience.
Highlights
- The course equips students with the necessary skills to pursue a research degree at MPhil or PhD level in the area of psychology or to go on to a clinical training programme.
- Students have access to laboratories in neurophysiology, psychopharmacology, psychophysics, animal learning and cognition, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology and social psychology.
- The course is accredited by the British Psychological Society and therefore fulfils the requirements for entry to most UK PhD programmes in psychology.
Teaching format
Over two semesters, students will take nine compulsory modules. The modules are taught through lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials.
Class sizes range up to 150 students for lectures and up to 25 students for seminars, workshops, and tutorials. For modules focusing on core psychological knowledge, lectures are shared with undergraduates in the Honours programme.
Assessment comprises entirely of coursework; there are no exams.
The final three months of your course will be dedicated to a 15,000-word research project dissertation.
In addition to the support provided by the research project supervisor and module coordinators, there is a dedicated team of staff offering support for students.
Modules
The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue which is for the 2019–2020 academic year; some elements may be subject to change for 2020 entry.
- Conceptual Issues and Theoretical Perspectives: addresses the historical and philosophical background to current debates in psychology.
- Assessment in Clinical Psychology: presents psychopathological conditions and provides a basic understanding of the underlying neuronal and cognitive-behavioural mechanisms.
- Developmental Psychology: offers a broad perspective spanning infancy to childhood, and a range of key topics in cognitive and social development.
- Social Psychology: explores in depth key topics across the breadth of social psychological enquiry.
- Perception (develops an understanding of visual perception and its functions) or Cognition (develops an understanding of human memory and attention).
- Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience (provides an understanding of psychological knowledge in several inter-related domains concerned with the biological bases of behaviour) or Evolutionary and Comparative Psychology (provides an understanding of major evolutionary forces and how they have shaped animal and human behavioural capacities).
- Quantitative Research in Social Science: provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts of quantitative analysis.
- Methods of Data Analysis in Psychology: advanced training in research design, statistics, qualitative methods and modelling.
- Review: compares and contrasts different theoretical and methodological approaches to a particular topic in the study of the mind.
Student dissertations will be supervised by members of the teaching staff who will advise on the choice of subject and provide guidance throughout the research process. The completed dissertation of not more than 15,000 words must be submitted by a date specified in August.
The modules listed here are indicative, and there is no guarantee they will run for 2020 entry. Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.
Conferences and events
The School of Psychology and Neuroscience hosts a weekly seminar programme typically held in the Old Library of the Psychology Building. These seminars include public lectures, open School discussions and papers presented by a variety of guest lecturers from the UK and abroad. Following the seminar, a wine reception is held in the staff common room.
The School also hosts an annual Jeeves Lecture as part of its seminar programme. The lectures are given by eminent psychologists and neuroscientists. Staff, students and members of the public are welcome at this lecture.
Funding
Recent Graduate Discount
The University of St Andrews offers a 10% discount in postgraduate tuition fees to students who are eligible to graduate or who have graduated from St Andrews within the last three academic years and are starting a postgraduate programme with the University of St Andrews.
After the MSc
Research degrees
Many Psychology graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews or elsewhere.
Careers
Most students intend to pursue a career in research or clinical psychology. Thus, many graduates go on to research assistantships or PhD places. Others have obtained positions in government, healthcare, or business.
The MSc focuses on psychology as a science rather than as a clinical service, but many graduates pursue careers by obtaining research assistantships at teaching hospitals or other mental health centres.
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students on a taught postgraduate course and offers a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.
Contact
School of Psychology and Neuroscience
University of St Andrews
St Mary's College
South Street
St Andrews
KY16 9JU
Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2157
Email: pgsecpsych@st-andrews.ac.uk
Policies
Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our admissions policy.
Curriculum development
As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online (PDF, 72 KB).
Tuition fees
The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online (PDF, 84 KB).